The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation

ARMY COMPATIBLE USE BUFFER (ACUB) BETWEEN NGB AND THE CONSERVATION FUND (TCF) IN SUPPORT OF CAMP WILLIAMS, UT. INITIAL OBLIGATION.

SUPPORT THE VIABILITY AND EXPANSION OF LAND-BASED CLOSED-CONTAINMENT AQUACULTURE - LAND-BASED, CLOSED-CONTAINMENT AQUACULTURE HAS NUMEROUS BENEFITS UPON WHICH PRODUCERS CAN CAPITALIZE, SUCH AS: INCREASED ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF FISH CULTURE CONDITIONS; THE ABILITY TO OPTIMIZE THESE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR INCREASED FISH PRODUCTION, HEALTH AND WELFARE; ENHANCED BIOSECURITY TO MINIMIZE THE LIKELIHOOD OF OBLIGATE PATHOGEN ENTRY OR THE DISSEMINATION OF PATHOGENS INTO THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT; THE ABILITY TO LOCATE FARMS CLOSE TO MARKETS AND/OR REGIONS SUPPLYING INEXPENSIVE POWER; AND THE ABILITY TO CAPTURE WASTES TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION. RAISING SALMONIDS TO MARKET SIZE ENTIRELY IN LAND-BASED SYSTEMS (VERSUS THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH USING COASTAL SEA CAGES) IS, HOWEVER, A RELATIVELY NOVEL METHODOLOGY, AND REPRESENTS A CURRENT FRONTIER IN AGRICULTURE. AS SUCH, NUMEROUS IMPROVEMENTS AND REFINEMENTS ARE NECESSARY FOR THIS GROWING INDUSTRY SECTOR TO BE VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE, AND TCFFI WILL CONTINUE TO BE AT THE VANGUARD OF PROVIDING INDUSTRY WITH SOLID RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR CLOSED-CONTAINMENT RAS DEVELOPMENT. FROM EXTENSIVE DISCUSSION AND FEEDBACK FROM KEY INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS, CRITICAL RESEARCH AVENUES WERE IDENTIFIED THAT WILL DIRECTLY ADDRESS STAKEHOLDER NEEDS AS THE INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO GROW. OBJECTIVE 1. IMPROVE FISH HEALTH, PERFORMANCE, AND WELFARE IN RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS. SUB-OBJECTIVE 1.1 EVALUATE SALMONIDS GROWN TO MARKET SIZE IN A SEMI-COMMERCIAL SCALE FRESHWATER RAS. A) COLLABORATE WITH NCWMAC TO EVALUATE MULTIPLE STRAINS OF ATLANTIC SALMON AND THEIR PERFORMANCE IN A RAS ENVIRONMENT. B) ASSESS GENETIC STRAIN OF STEELHEAD (INCLUDING USDA-STRAIN RAINBOW TROUT) RAISED TO 4KG IN A RAS ENVIRONMENT. SUB-OBJECTIVE 1.2 ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL MANIPULATION TO REDUCE MATURATION IN MIXED-SEX DIPLOID ATLANTIC SALMON. SUB-OBJECTIVE 1.3 IMPROVE BIOLOGICAL MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF SALMONIDS IN RAS THROUGH TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION OF NEXT-GENERATION BIOMONITORS. OBJECTIVE 2. SUPPORT LAND-BASED SALMONID RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS PRODUCTION THROUGH INCREASED TECHNOLOGICAL AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES AND NOVEL, SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE STREAMS. SUB-OBJECTIVE 2.1 EVALUATE METHODOLOGIES TO CONVERT RAS WASTE TO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS. 1.A: ASSESS FEASIBILITY OF NEW COMPOSTING TECHNOLOGIES OF RAS WASTE SOLIDS AND THEIR CAPACITY TO GENERATE SELLABLE PRODUCTS. 1.B: ASSESS FEASIBILITY OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF RAS WASTE SOLIDS TO GENERATE BIOGAS/ENERGY. SUB-OBJECTIVE 2.2 ASSESS NOVEL METHODS TO IMPROVE RAS WATER QUALITY, INCLUDING OPTIMIZED INTEGRATION OF MEMBRANE BIOLOGICAL REACTORS. SUB-OBJECTIVE 2.3 PILOT AND EVALUATE NEW COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES FOR RAS INTEGRATION TO OPTIMIZE SYSTEM OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES.

ARMY COMPATIBLE USE BUFFER (ACUB) BETWEEN NGB AND THE CONSERVATION FUND (TCF) IN SUPPORT OF CAMP RIPLEY, MN. INITIAL OBLIGATION.

ARMY COMPATIBLE USE BUFFER (ACUB) BETWEEN NGB AND THE CONSERVATION FUND (TCF) IN SUPPORT OF CAMP MCCRADY, SC. INITIAL OBLIGATION. FOCUS FOR THE PROJE

LONG TERM NESTING BEACH HABITAT PROTECTION FOR SEA TURTLES - ARCHIE CARR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

ARMY COMPATIBLE USE BUFFER, CAMP WILLIAMS, UT.

ACUB AWARD A.P. HILL

BLACKWATER RESTORATION AND RESILIENCY 2020

THE CONVERSATION FUND PROPOSES TO WORK WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE S CHESAPEAKE MARSHLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX AND SELECTED TECHNICAL EXPERTS TO DESIGN, PLAN IMPLEMENT AND EVALUATE ONE OR MORE OF THE MARSH RESTORATION STRATEGIES DESCRIBED IN BLACKWATER 2100: A STRATEGY FOR SALT MARSH PERSISTENCE IN AN ERA OF CLIMATE CHANGE (J.A. LERNER ET AL., THE CONSERVATION FUND 2013). THE CONSERVATION FUND AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE HAVE COLLABORATED ON MULTIPLE PROJECTS TO RESTORE TIDAL MARSHES WITHIN BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TO USE THE CONSERVATION FUND AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE EXPERTISE COMBINED WITH AN EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL TO IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS AND TYPES OF PROJECTS THAT BEST ALIGN WITH THE REFUGE WILDLIFE HABITAT NEEDS AND MAXIMIZE AVAILABLE FUNDING. FOLLOWING PLANNING AND DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION IS ANTICIPATED FOR 2024 - 2025 FOR ONE OR MORE MAJOR PROJECTS. IMPLEMENTATION MAY CONTINUE INTO 2025 - 2026, AND MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF IMPLEMENTED RESTORATION PROJECTS WILL TAKE PLACE PRIMARILY IN 2017 - 2018 WORK. MARSH RESTORATION AND RESILIENCE STRATEGIES AND IMPLEMENTATION TECHNIQUES USED AT BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ARE CENTRAL TO THE LONG-TERM PLANS OF THE MULTI-AGENCY AND ORGANIZATION DELMARVA RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION NETWORK.

APPROVED BUDGET AMOUNT FOR ACUB PROJECTS. $166,000,000

THE CONSERVATION FUND PROPOSES TO WORK WITH THE U S FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE S CHESAPEAKE MARSHLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF MARSH RESTORATION STRATEGIES DESCRIBED IN BLACKWATER 2100 A STRATEGY FOR SALT MARSH PERSISTENCE IN AN ERA OF CLIMATE CHANGE J A LERNE ET AL , THE CONSERVATION FUND, 2013 THE CONSERVATION FUND AND U S FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE HAVE COLLABORATED ON MULTIPLE PROJECTS TO RESTORE TIDAL MARSHES WITHIN BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TO USE THE CONSERVATION FUND AND U S FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE EXPERTISE COMBINED WITH AN EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL TO IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS AND TYPES OF PROJECTS THAT BEST ALIGN WITH THE REFUGE WILDLIFE HABITAT NEEDS AND MAXIMIZE AVAILLABLE FUNDING PLANNING WILL TAKE PLACE IN 2023 AND 2024 WILL IMPLEMNTATION OVERLAPPING AND FOLLOWING MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF IMLEMENTATION PROJECTS WILL BE PART OF THE 2026 2027 WORK THE MARSH RESTORATION STRATEGIES AND IMPLEMENTATION TECHNIQUES USED AT BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ARE CENTAL TO THE LONG TERM PLANS OF THE MULTI AGENCY AND ORGANIZATION DELMARVA RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION NETWORK

PROVIDE HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED PRODUCERS INNOVATIVE AND INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING AND TOOLS TO OVERCOME KEY CHALLENGES TO ADOPTING CONSERVATION PRACTICES.

THE CONSERVATION FUND WILL ADMINISTER THE PERMANENT PROTECTION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT ON THE SAY UNCLE LLC AND LUTHY TRACTS AS PER THE 2021 NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT NAWCA GRANT PROPOSAL MIDDLE CHESAPEAKE SENTINEL LANDSCAPE RESILIENCE PHASE I THE MIDDLE CHESAPEAKE SENTINEL LANDSCAPE RESILIENCE PHASE I NAWCA PROJECT WILL ADD 2,268 25 ACRES OF PERPETUAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS TO THE OVER 50,000 ACRES OF PROTECTED PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LANDS IN THE VICINITY OF BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE NWR AND FISHING BAY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA BOTH OF THE CONSERVATION FUND PARCELS, THE SAY UNCLE AND LUTHY TRACTS, ARE WITHIN THE STATE S HARRIET TUBMAN RURAL LEGACY AREA, A PRIORITY FOR HISTORIC AND RURAL LANDSCAPE PROTECTION THE SAY UNCLE TRACT CONTAINS 337 ACRES AND THE LUTHY TRACT SUPPORTS 55 ACRES OF DECLINING PALUSTRINE FORESTED WETLANDS BOTH TRACTS ARE DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE BLACKWATER NWR APPROVED ACQUISITION BOUNDARY BLACKWATER NWR IS IMPORTANT PRIMARILY AS MIGRATING AND WINTERING HABITAT FOR WATERFOWL AND IS ALSO ONE OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY S MOST PRODUCTIVE ESTUARINE ASSETS, SUPPORTING DIVERSE AQUATIC AND EMERGENT PLANT AND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES THE CONSERVATION FUND WILL HIRE AND OVERSEE THE WORK OF CONTRACT APPRAISERS, SURVEYORS, TITLE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS TO COMPLETE THE DUE DILIGENCE FOLLOWING FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE PURCHASE OF PERPETUAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON THE SAY UNCLE LLC AND LUTHY TRACTS THE CONSERVATION FUND WILL WORK WITH SERVICE AND OTHER PARTNERS TO DRAFT CONSERVATION EASEMENT TERMS AND USE A COMBINATION OF NAWCA GRANT AND MATCHING FUNDS NAVY READINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION INTEGRATION AND OR MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO NEGOTIATE AND PURCHASE PERPETUAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON THE SAY UNCLE LLC AND LUTHY TRACTS SERVICE BIOLOGISTS WILL WORK WITH TCF AND OTHER PARTNERS TO DRAFT CONSERVATION EASEMENT TERMS

PARTNERING FOR FOREST, FARM AND COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 FOR THE CONSERVATION FUND TO PERMANENTLY PRESERVE THE AGRICULTURAL USE OF 400 ACRES AS WORKING LANDS AND ALLOW FOR CONTINUED STEWARDSHIP OF CRITICAL WILDLIFE HABITAT, CONTRIBUTING TO THE CONSERVATION SOLUTION FOR COASTAL LOUISIANA. THIS PROJECT WILL DEMONSTRATE INCREASED AWARENESS OF AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND USE THE SUCCESS AT LIVE OAK FARM TO REPLICATE AN INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURAL LANDS PROTECTION MODEL ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR A LONG-TERM, DEDICATED FUNDING MECHANISM FOR SIMILAR PROJECTS.

LAND PROTECTION IN ALASKA'S COASTAL AREA

GROWING COMMUNITY FOOD RESOURCES WITH THE WORKING FARMS FUND

ROCKY DEEP RIPARIAN LANDS STEWARDSHIP

DEVELOPING A CHESAPEAKE GATEWAY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

RCPP 1739 COASTAL HEADWATERS LONGLEAF FOREST - AL

TCF WILL WORK COOPERATIVELY WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) AND OTHER PARTNERSTO IDENTIFY AND PROTECT PRIORITY COASTAL FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT AND COASTAL RESOURCES IN ALASKA.HABITAT CONSERVATION WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY ENGAGING AND EDUCATING PRIVATE LANDOWNERS,PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND NEGOTIATING AND EXECUTING ACQUISITIONS, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS,OR OTHER PROTECTION MECHANISMS. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND DUE DILIGENCEFUNDING FOR YEAR 1 WITH 4 OPTIONAL YEARS TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT. COASTAL PROGRAM FUNDS ARE REQUESTEDTO SUPPORT DUE DILIGENCE ACTIVITIES.

CONSERVATION FINANCE CAPACITY BUILDING TO ACCELERATE OUTDOOR RECREATION & CONSERVATION IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED

TCF WILL WORK COOPERATIVELY WITH THE U S FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE USFWS , STATE OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DNR AND EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL EVOS TRUSTEES COUNCIL EVOSTC STAFF TO ACQUIRE THE FEESIMPLE ESTATE OF LANDS OWNED BY COOK INLET REGION, INC CIRI ALONG THE KILLEY AND KENAI RIVERS IF SUCCESSFUL, THE FEE SIMPLE ESTATE WILL BE CONVEYED TO USFWS FOR INCLUSION IN THE KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND A CORRESPONDING CONSERVATION EASEMENT CONVEYED TO DNR CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF EVOSTC TCF S ROLE IS TO FACILITATE REAL ESTATE DUE DILIGENCE, INCLUDING APPRAISAL, TITLE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS, WITH AN OPTION TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THE PROPERTY PURCHASE AND CONVEYANCE IF MUTUALLY AGREED BY ALL PARTIES FUNDING FOR REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES AND THE PROPERTY PURCHASE IS APPROVED AND ALLOCATED FROM THE EVOS HABITAT ENHANCEMENT AND PROTECTION PROGRAM

THE WHOOPING CRANE WAS LISTED AS FEDERALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES DUE TO THE SHARP DECLINE OF POPULATIONS RESULTING FROM UNREGULATED SHOOTING AND HABITAT DESTRUCTION. THE ARANSAS WOOD BUFFALO POPULATION OF THE SPECIES IS A SELF SUSTAINING POPULATION THAT MIGRATES FROM THE ARANSAS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ON THE TEXAS COAST TO WOOD BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK IN ALBERTA CANADA. THIS MIGRATION PATHWAY IS PART OF A LARGER AVIAN MIGRATION CORRIDOR COMMONLY CALLED THE CENTRAL FLYWAY.THE CONSERVATION FUND (TCF) PROPOSES TO DEVELOP IN COORDINATION COORDINATION WITH THE US FISH WILDLIFE SERVICE (FWS) A WHOOPING CRANE IN LIEU FEE (ILF) PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM WOULD COMPENSATE FOR NEGATIVE IMPACTS TO THE ARANSAS WOOD BUFFALO WHOOPING CRANE AND OR ITS HABITAT RESULTING FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS SUCH AS RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITIES POWER LINES AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION ALONG THE CENTRAL FLYWAY MIGRATION PATHWAY.TCF WILL FACILITATE COMMUNICATION AMONG ALL PARTIES THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS INCLUDING HOSTING CALLS AND BRIEFINGS AND COORDINATING WORKING GROUPS. THIS WORKING GROUP WILL DRAFT A PROSPECTUS FOR AN IN LIEU FEE PROGRAM WHICH TCF WILL REFINE AND FINALIZE.THE SERVICE WILL HAVE SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT WITH DEVELOPING THE IN-LIEU FEE FRAMEWORK, WHICH IS THE ULTIMATE PRODUCT OF THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT. OUR INVOLVEMENT WILL INCLUDE REGULAR WORKING MEETINGS WITH THE CONSERVATION FUND TO DEVELOP THE COMPENSATORY FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT, DEVELOP THE STRATEGY TO PRIORITIZE GEOGRAPHY OF MITIGATION ACTIONS, AND REVIEW DRAFTS OF THE FRAMEWORK, AND ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH SERVICE MITIGATION POLICIES.

PROTECTION OF CAPE FEAR SHINER HABITAT

DUE DILIGENCE FOR TEXAS LAND ACQUISITION PROJECTS

IN NOVEMBER 2021, THE CONSERVATION FUND FUND PURCHASED 8,760 ACRES ALONG THE SOUTHEASTERN SIDE OF THE SUWANNEERIVER AS IT FLOWS FROM THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP DURING THE FUND S OWNERSHIP, RESTORATION WILL BEGIN AS DESCRIBEDBELOW AND CONTINUE IN OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ONWR OWNERSHIP WHEN LAND AND WATER CONSERVATIONFUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE LIKELY AFTER THIS FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT IS COMPLETE , THE FUND WILL TRANSFER MORE THAN5,500 ACRES TO THE ONWR THESE LANDS WILL BE MANAGED BY THE ONWR AS A FIRE RESILIENT BUFFER AND CONTINUERESTORATION OF THE OPEN PINE AND WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS THE RIVER CORRIDOR PORTION OF THE TRACT, APPROXIMATELY 3,000ACRES, WILL REMAIN IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP AND BE PERMANENTLY PROTECTED THROUGH A US FOREST SERVICE FOREST LEGACYCONSERVATION EASEMENT WITH THE GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION THIS PROPOSAL REQUESTS FUNDS FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF RESTORATION AND WRITING A MANAGEMENT PLAN THE FUNDANTICIPATES REQUESTING ADDITIONAL COASTAL FUNDS IN FUTURE YEARS FOR THE RESTORATION OF OTHER AREAS TO CREATE AMOSAIC OF UNEVEN AGED PINE ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE TO RESTORE THE ENTIRE 5,000 ACRES WILL TAKE 10 15 YEARS WITHPRESCRIBED BURNING CONTINUING IN PERPETUITY RESTORATION WILL INCLUDE THE THINNING OR REMOVAL OF THE ECONOMICALLYMATURE LOBLOLLY AND SLASH PINE, PREPARING THE SITE, AND PLANTING TO LONGLEAF PINE WHERE APPROPRIATE SITEPREPARATION WILL TAKE A COMBINATION OF MECHANICAL, CHEMICAL, AND PRESCRIBED BURNING ANY INCOME GENERATED FROMTHE SALE OF HARVESTED PINE AND HUNTING LEASES WILL GO TOWARDS THE RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY ANDTO PAY BACK DEBT ACCUMULATED FROM PURCHASING THE PROPERTY THE RESTORATION WILL BENEFIT ALL THE NAMED SPECIES ABOVE, CREATE A FIRE RESILIENT BUFFER MAKING IT LESS LIKELYFOR CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES WITHIN ONWR, AND PROVIDE SAFER OPERATING AREAS FOR THE WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS IF A FIREDOES ERUPT

COASTAL PRAIRIE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE 2017

COMMUNITY FOREST CONSERVATION OUTREACH MODEL

THE CONSERVATION FUND OWNS AND MANAGES 3,792 ACRES OF WETLANDS AND COASTAL PRAIRIE THAT IT WILL CONVEY IT TO THE USFWS IN SUMMER OF 2025 TO BECOME PART OF MCFADDIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. BECAUSE OUR LAND WILL SOON BE OWNED BY USFWS, WE WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH USFWS STAFF AT MCFADDIN NWR USING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY.TCF PROPOSES TO RESTORE HYDROLOGIC FUNCTION TO GATOR LAKE ON THE PROPERTY, A RAINWATER-FED LAKE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 ACRES THAT PROVIDES EXCELLENT WATERFOWL AND WATERBIRD HABITAT. THE CURRENT WATER CONTROL STRUCTURES HAVE FALLEN INTO DISREPAIR, PREVENTING MANAGERS FROM MOVING WATER ACROSS THE PROPERTY DURING FLOOD EVENTS AND THREATENING A LOSS OF HABITAT DUE TO BACKED UP STANDING WATER ON THE PRAIRIE. CURRENTLY DURING FLOOD EVENTS, WATER BUILDS UP BEHIND THE BULKHEADS, FLOODING UP TO 900 ACRES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF SABINE RANCH AND INUNDATING THE PRAIRIE SPECIES IN THIS AREA, AS ESTIMATED BY MCFADDIN NWR STAFF. FUNDS WILL BE USED TO REMOVE THE CURRENT BULKHEADS AND GATES AND INSTALL FOUR NEW BULKHEADS AND WATER CONTROL GATES.

CONDUCTING REGIONAL CONSERVATION VALUE ASSESSMENTS

THE CONSERVATION FUND IS WORKING TO ACQUIRE 209 ACRES OF HABITAT LAND ADJACENT TO THE CAPE MEARES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND THE CAPE MEARES SCENIC VIEWPOINT. ESTABLISHED IN 1938 THE REFUGE BOASTS VIEWS OF NEARBY ROCKY ISLANDS VERTICAL COASTAL CLIFFS AND ROLLING HEADLANDS TOPPED WITH OLD GROWTH FOREST DOMINATED BY SITKA SPRUCE AND WESTERN HEMLOCK. THE CLIFFS SUPPORT NESTING SEABIRDS INCLUDING COMMON MURRES PIGEON GUILLEMOTS DOUBLE CRESTED AND PELAGIC CORMORANTS AND BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS. THE PROJECT ENCOMPASSES MARBLED MURRELET BALD EAGLE AND PEREGRINE FALCON NEST SITES. CAPE MEARES ALSO OFFERS PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN THAT ENCOMPASS BOTH THREE ARCH ROCKS AND OREGON ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES MAKING IT THE ONLY LOCATION IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE THREE REFUGES CAN BE SEEN FROM ONE LOCATION. FINALLY THE REFUGE HARBORS THE LARGEST SITKA SPRUCE IN OREGON. AT 144 FEET TALL WITH A CIRCUMFERENCE OF 48 FEET AND A CROWN SPREAD OF 93 FEET THE CHAMPION TREE IS ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN 700 AND 800 YEARS OLD.

THE CONSERVATION FUND

THIS GRANT FUNDING WILL BE USED TO ORGANIZE AND FACILITATE A 4.5 DAY COMPENSATORY MITIGATION TRAINING THAT WILL COVER KEY TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TOFEDERAL AUTHORITIES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING COMPENSATORY MITIGATIONTHE ROLE OF MITIGATION REVIEW TEAMSTHE BUSINESS OF COMPENSATORY MITIGATIONCOMPENSATORY MITIGATION SITE SELECTIONCOMPENSATORY MITIGATION INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEWSITE PROTECTION MECHANISMSSERVICE AREA DETERMINATIONCREDIT DETERMINATIONSHORT TERM FINANCIAL ASSURANCESECOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDSMONITORING AND CREDIT RELEASELONG TERM MANAGEMENT AND FUNDINGCOMPLIANCEAND IN LIEU FEE COMPENSATORY MITIGATIONTHE TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED BY A SUITE OF COMPENSATORY MITIGATION SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. THIS COURSE IS DESIGNED TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AMONG REGULATORS COMPENSATORY MITIGATION SPONSORS AND USERS BUYERS OF CREDITS. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT ALL ENTITIES HAVE A THOROUGH GROUNDING IN COMPENSATORY MITIGATION POLICY IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPENSATORY MITIGATION PROGRAMS ON THE GROUND.

EACH YEAR, APPROXIMATELY $3 BILLION IS SPENT ON CREDITS FROM MITIGATION OR CONSERVATION BANKS, IN-LIEU FEE PROGRAM, OR COMPLETION OF PERMITTEE-RESPONSIBLE MITIGATION PROJECTS IN THE U.S. IN 2025, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE’S OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS PROPOSES TO PARTNER WITH OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND THE CONSERVATION FUND TO DELIVER AN ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE FOR PROJECT SPONSORS (CREDIT DEVELOPERS AND SELLERS), USERS (CREDIT BUYERS), STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCY STAFF (PERMIT WRITERS AND FIELD SUPPORT) AND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO PROVIDE A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF COMPENSATORY MITIGATION ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS, IN-LIEU FEE PROGRAMS, AND OTHER MARKET-BASED CONSERVATION SYSTEMS AND CONCEPTS. THE COST OF DELIVERING THE TRAINING IS $30,000. THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS WILL PROVIDE $10,000 TOWARD THE OVERALL COST AND PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTENT DETERMINATION AND DELIVERY. DELIVERABLES UNDER THIS AWARD INCLUDE A RAINING THAT WILL INCLUDE EIGHT ON-LINE SESSIONS, PRESENTED BY A COMBINATION OF AGENCY STAFF, BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES, AND LANDOWNERS, WHERE UP TO 300 PARTICIPANTS ARE ANTICIPATED. THE TRAINING WILL PROVIDE THOROUGH GROUNDING IN THE RELEVANT POLICIES GUIDING THE REVIEW, ESTABLISHMENT, AND OPERATION OF COMPENSATORY MITIGATION PROGRAMS; ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO IDENTIFY THE NEED FOR AND OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH COMPENSATORY MITIGATION PROGRAMS INCLUDING ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF THIRD-PARTY COMPENSATORY OFFSETS FROM BOTH A BANKERS’ AND USERS’ PERSPECTIVE; PROVIDE PRACTITIONERS AND REVIEWERS EXPERTISE ON HOW COMPENSATORY MITIGATION PROGRAMS ARE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY REVIEWED AND OVERSEEN IN BOTH THEIR ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION; FACILITATE THE PARTICIPATION OF FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND FOREST LANDOWNERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MARKET ACTIVITIES, IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS’ PURPOSE.

RCPP AWARD