DNR Unveils New Deer Range Improvement Cooperative Funding

[Hamilton Reef]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2009

Contacts: Bill Scullon 906-786-2351, ext. 116 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

DNR Unveils New Deer Range Improvement Cooperative Funding

A new cooperative funding program designed to improve deer habitat in the Upper Peninsula has been unveiled by the Department of Natural Resources.

The Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative is designed to foster cooperative projects between the DNR and non-government organizations that will enhance habitat for white-tailed deer. Money for the projects will be made available from the state’s Deer Range Improvement (DRIP) Fund.

DRIP, begun in 1971, is funded by a $1.50 allocation from every deer license sold.

“There are three primary goals: to produce tangible habitat improvement, to build long-term partnerships with sportsman’s clubs or other groups, and to showcase these projects to the public,” explained DNR DRIP Coordinator Bill Scullon. “Projects on both private and public lands will be considered.”

Organizations, either independent or affiliated with larger groups, which have a formal mission to promote wildlife conservation and/or hunting, will be eligible to apply for funding. Representatives of sportsmen’s groups or conservation organizations are encouraged to contact their local wildlife biologists or the DRIP coordinator to help develop acceptable projects.

Proposed projects will be evaluated and competitively scored on a wide range of criteria by a multi-disciplinary selection committee. Application packages are available from Bill Scullon, DNR Escanaba Field Office, 6833 US-2, Gladstone, MI 49837. Interested parties can contact Scullon at 906-7865-2351, ext. 116, or by email at scullonh@michigan.gov.

“Project applications will be due by April 30, so time is of the essence,” Scullon said. “We plan to notify successful applicants by May 15, so we may be able to get the ball rolling this spring.”

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.

[DanSS26]

I like this idea a lot better than allowing hunters to put food plots on state land. Perhaps if this new plan is successful, they could expand it to include the LP state land.

[Luv2hunteup]

Here is some additional information that I've received on this new program.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Division
Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative
Summary Handout

In 1971, through Public Act 106, the Deer Range Improvement Program (DRIP) was created with revenues generated from the sale of deer hunting licenses. A $1.50 from every deer license sold goes into a restricted fund to be exclusively used for deer range habitat improvement, management and acquisition. Using DRIP funds, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife biologists have a long and successful history of achieving impressive deer habitat improvement and restoration goals through collaborative partnerships. Wildlife biologist are looking at new ways to partner with private organizations to enhance habitat for white tailed deer on a broader array of ownerships across the Upper Peninsula.
The Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative is a new cooperative funding program being offered by Wildlife Division. This Initiative is designed to foster cooperative projects between the DNR and non-governmental organizations that will enhance deer habitat while educate the public about the importance and scientific principles of the work. In 2009 a total of $50,000 in DRIP funds will be made available through a competitive application process. Proposals for deer habitat improvement projects seeking a minimum of $2,000 and up to a maximum of $10,000 in cooperative funding will be considered. This Initiative is targeted for implementation in the Upper Peninsula (UP) only at this time.
There are three primary Initiative goals that all nominated project proposals must include in order to be eligible for funding: (1) to produce tangible on-the-ground deer habitat improvement benefits; (2) to establish or improve partnership’s between the DNR and sportsmen’s organizations or other partners which promote long-term cooperative relationships; and (3) to showcase these cooperative projects through a coordinated and preplanned communications strategy.
Organizations seeking to participate in this Initiative are strongly encouraged to contact their local Wildlife Biologist or the DRIP Coordinator to help develop suitable proposals and to optimize project benefits. To be eligible to participate in this Initiative, an application must be submitted from an organization/affiliated group, non-governmental organization or local conservation district. They must have a formal mission that promotes wildlife conservation and/or hunting, as recognized by the DNR. They may be UP based or local chapters of state, regional, or national organizations. A partner organization must name a project contact person or representative and include the appropriate contact information. Private individuals, non-affiliated groups, unrecognized organizations, city, municipal, township, county, federal or other state governmental entities and agencies are ineligible to apply directly for funding from this Initiative. They may; however be third party cooperators to approved projects where appropriate.
Partnership projects could be on state lands (requiring pre approval through the compartment review process or other mechanism where applicable), privately owned lands, Industrial Forest or Commercial Forest Act enrolled lands, or federal lands (partner organization must provide written proof of permission from landowner, representative or administrator). Projects on lands owned by municipalities, school forests or other governing entities ownerships will be considered lower priority.
Examples of the desired types of proposals include: wildlife shrub plantings, tree plantings (i.e. mesic conifers, oak or other hard mast species, and/or fruit bearing or soft mast), scarification for regeneration of light seeded tree species, non-commercial timber stand improvement activities, direct mechanical habitat manipulation, wildlife opening creation, existing opening maintenance, warm or cool season herbaceous plantings, and plantings of DNR approved perennial species.
Specific proposed activities that will not be considered are: creation or maintenance of annual plant species such as corn and root crops; plantings of exotics (non-native plant species), invasive, and non-DNR approved naturalized species; or other planting types; commercial timber sale preparation; and construction of ponds. Proposals that increase undesired habitat fragmentation, increase wildlife disease transmission potential, have human safety implications, are contrary to current DNR policy, state or federal law, DNR staff opinion, and/or will directly have adverse impacts on state or federally listed Threatened and Endangered Species will not be considered.
It is the responsibility of the partner organization to undertake an active role in the implementation of the project to the extent possible. The proposal should indicate specific plans on how the partner plans to accomplish the project (i.e. cost share, in-kind labor or material contributions, etc.). The DNR will assist with implementation where necessary. The final communications strategy for an approved project will be coordinated by the DNR in conjunction with the partnering organization. Final message content and delivery will be at the discretion of the DNR. The partnering organization should be prepared to be an active participant in outreach efforts.
Approved projects may require the partner organization or representative to be Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) compliant and a registered vendor with the State of Michigan to facilitate funding. This may require a federal tax number or social security number. Additionally for approved projects, the sponsor organization will be required to sign an agreement and liability release with the DNR. When necessary, a competitive bid process will be used for the expenditure of funds.
Proposed projects will be evaluated by a multi-disciplinary selection committee on the following eight criteria: Production tangible deer habitat enhancement benefits; Proposal logistical feasibility; Proximity to public lands and access considerations; Partner organization’s experience successfully completing similar projects; Partner participation in project implementation; The proposals cost versus the potential deer habitat improvement benefit; Potential harm to wildlife; and Communications strategy.
Complete application information including: the application form, detailed Initiative description, proposal requirements and criteria, eligibility rules, funding limitations, and related materials are available upon request from the DRIP Coordinator, Bill Scullon, at the DNR Escanaba Field Office, 6833 US-2, 41 & M-35, Gladstone MI 49837, telephone 906-786-2351 extension 116, fax 906-786-1300 or email HYPERLINK "mailto:Scullonh@michigan.gov" Scullonh@michigan.gov. Inquiries for additional information can be made to the DRIP Coordinator. Completed applications will be due by close of business on Friday May 15, 2009. Notification of project approval or denial will be by May 30, 2009.
Implementation of approved projects will be at the discretion of the DNR and funding availability. Failure to meet project obligations or noncompliance as spelled out in the project prescription and agreement may result in partner’s future ineligibility.