RFP July 15 deadline!!: $239, 503 available for the Downeast Region for projects that address coastal habitats and vernal pool critical terrestrial habitat

[DEREN Coordinator]

Please see below:

My name is Elizabeth Hertz and I have been hired by The Nature Conservancy to reach out to organizations in certain regions of Maine to make them aware that the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program (www.maine.gov/dep/land/nrpa/ILF_and_NRCP/index.html) cur-rently has funds for projects.  Downeast Maine is one of those regions and I am writing to you in your capacity with DEREN.

The Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program is the state's in lieu fee program through which funds are collected by the Department of Environmental Protection for permitted impacts to wetlands and significant wildlife habitats.  Maine DEP transfers the funds to The Nature Conservancy who administers the program. The funds are used to complete projects in the biophysical region within which the impacts occurred.  Preference is given to projects that restore, enhance, preserve, or create resources that best match the natural characteristics and values that were impacted.

The Nature Conservancy issues an annual solicitation for letters of intent for potential projects.  The 2016 solicitation is now available and I have attached it to this email.  There is $239, 503 available for the Downeast Region for projects that address coastal habitats and vernal pool critical terrestrial habitat (see Appendix D of the attached document).  The timeline is very short for this year's round, letters of intent are due July 15, 2016.  

If at all possible, would you please forward this email and announcement to the other DEREN partner organizations? I'd be happy to speak with you or others directly about this; I can be reached at 207-737-8135.

Thank you,

Elizabeth Hertz