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Lessard-Sams council outlines process for Outdoor Heritage Fund grants, projects and invasive-species work
Summary
Lessard-Sams staff described the annual grant cycle, small-grants (CPL) program, acquisition and restoration rules, monitoring requirements, current open appropriations and examples of habitat and invasive-species projects, including narrowleaf (hybrid) cattail removal and a $12 million invasive carp appropriation.
The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council told the House Legacy Finance Committee how it selects, oversees and measures outcomes for habitat projects funded by the Outdoor Heritage Fund.
Mark Johnson, executive director of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, and Joe Pavelko, assistant director, explained that the council makes annual recommendations to the Legislature. Pavelko said the council asks every applicant a basic screening question: "Does it protect, restore, enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, or habitat for fish, game and wildlife?" That question, he said, directs eligibility and scoring under the council's statutory guidance.
Pavelko summarized the grant cycle: call for proposals in April, proposal review and hearings in June'July, and council recommendations in October'November. He described a required "accomplishment plan" for each approved appropriation, a budget and work plan that grantees must follow; funding is reimbursement-based and the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) typically administers contracts and approves…
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