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(Commission). The Council meets three times per year, as does the Commission. Prior to each 

 Council meeting, project proposals are critically reviewed by the Council and their staff, 

 including site visits if the grant request is for $500,000 or more. 



Funding is critical to achieving the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan 

 (Plan), especially in Canada and Mexico. The Administration's support for the grants program 

 is evident by the FY 1995 budget request for $13.95 million. This will aid in achieving long- 

 term wetlands conservation goals established through the Plan for migratory birds. 



The grants program has been extremely successful, with 275 wetlands conservation projects in 

 various stages of completion in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. The Act restricts projects to 

 acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management, except in Mexico, where training, 

 environmental education, and research are allowed. Further, the Act identifies factors that each 

 project should address, such as the extent to which the project would aid in the conservation of 

 migratory nongame birds and other fish and wildlife, including endangered species. 



Within these parameters, a wide diversity of projects has been approved, as evidenced by the 

 following points: 



• Grants range from $600 to $3 million, with an average of $383,000. 



• Although State fish and wildlife agencies receive most of the grants, recipients range 

 from well-known national conservation organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, 

 to a local university, Wright State University. 



• The number of partners per project ranges from none (in solely Federal projects) to 16, 



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