Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program – Base Funding | F20AS00157

Opportunity Information: Apply for F20AS00157

The Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program - Base Funding is a federal land-conservation grant that helps four states (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) permanently protect high-value natural resources in the Highlands Region. The program was created under the Highlands Conservation Act (H.R. 1964, 2004; 16 U.S.C. 3901) and is aimed specifically at supporting land conservation projects where a state entity buys land, or a legal interest in land (such as a conservation easement), from a willing seller. The purpose is long-term protection of resources considered important for conservation, such as forests, drinking water supplies, and other environmentally significant landscapes within the Highlands.

A central requirement is that proposed projects must align with lands identified as having high conservation value in the Highlands regional studies developed under direction of the USDA Forest Service. Those guiding documents are the "New York-New Jersey Highlands Regional Study 2002 Update" and the "Highlands Regional Study Connecticut and Pennsylvania 2010 Update." In practice, that means states cannot propose just any acquisition in the broader region; they must demonstrate that the property fits within the priority areas and resource values outlined in those studies.

Funding operates as a cost-share. Subject to annual congressional appropriations, each year the governors of the four eligible states may submit proposals seeking up to 50 percent of the total project cost. The remaining share generally must come from non-federal sources (often state, local, or private conservation funds), consistent with the program's role as a federal partner rather than the sole funder. This specific notice covers the Base Funding portion of appropriated HCA funds. The Act divides funding into two tracks, Base and Competitive, and applications for Base Funding must be submitted under this notice, while Competitive Funds are handled under a separate notice. A key rule is that the same property cannot be submitted for both Base and Competitive funding; states must choose one path per project.

Only state governments are eligible applicants, and even within state government, only the governor-designated Lead State Agency or Agencies may apply. If a governor designates multiple lead agencies, they are expected to coordinate their requests before submission, and collectively stay within the maximum amount allowed under the Base Funding opportunity. The program anticipates one award per eligible state, reflecting that each state typically submits a coordinated package of priority acquisitions rather than numerous separate awards.

The administering federal agency for this opportunity is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the listing identifies the grant as discretionary financial assistance for natural resources (CFDA 15.667). For the FY 2020 cycle referenced in the notice (Funding Opportunity Number F20AS00157), the application closing date was August 17, 2020, and the award ceiling shown is $1,460,000. While the notice indicates expected awards, it also emphasizes that actual funding depends on the availability of federally appropriated funds.

The notice also frames the program in terms of Department of the Interior priorities: strengthening long-term conservation stewardship, building trust with local communities through partnerships with state agencies, and protecting natural resources that support public benefits. An additional public-facing benefit highlighted is increased public access for outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, when acquisitions result in state-protected lands open for appropriate use. Finally, there is an eligibility condition tied to prior grant performance: to be eligible for FY 2020 funding, applicants must not have unspent HCA funds that are more than four years old at the time projects are selected, a rule intended to ensure states are expending prior awards in a timely way before receiving additional funding.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program – Base Funding" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.667.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-06-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-08-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,460,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for F20AS00157

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