N.Y. STATE: HABITAT GRANTS STILL AVAILABLE

THE New York State Department of Environmental Con servation is reopening the ap plication period for proposals for grants that will fund projects aimed at improving fish and wildlife habitat and public access for hunting, fishing, trapping and other fish- and wildlife-related recreation. As a result of a procedural error with advertising the request for proposals in the New York State Register, the DEC is required to extend the application period for the Habitat/Access Stamp Grants. Applications that were received by the DEC in the first call for grants will also be considered.

A total of $100,000 is available to fund fish and wildlife habitat management and the improvement of public access for hunting, fishing, trapping and other fish- and wildlife-related recreation and study.

The grants, which will range from $1,500 to $15,000 per project, will allow municipalities, not-for-profit corporations and individuals sponsored by these organizations to carry out small scale projects that will benefit both the fish and wildlife resources, and sportsmen and women of New York State.

Applicants must own the land on which the project will be implemented or have permission from the landowner to carry out the activity. The grant application deadline is June 22, Applications must be submitted to: Gerald Barnhart, Director, NYS DEC Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY, 12233-4750.

Grant applications may be obtained by contacting any DEC Regional Office or by downloading from www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/4771.html on the DEC Web site.

Ken Moran

NY Post