The wetland trust proposal includes the acquisition and stewardship of approximately 275 acres for habitat preservation within the onondaga lake watershed

This $1,421,821 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Program (CFDA 15.658) supports the acquisition and long-term stewardship of approximately 275 acres of land within the Onondaga Lake watershed in New York. The project aims to implement the preferred restoration alternative of land preservation to address natural resource damages, as outlined in the 2017 Onondaga Lake Natural Resource Damage Assessment Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment. Key activities include acquiring the land parcels, developing baseline natural resource reports, and creating management plans for the preserved habitat areas. Expected outcomes include preserving natural areas, restoring habitats for native plants, amphibians, fish, and wildlife, and protecting water quality within the Onondaga Lake watershed for the benefit of the public and natural resources. The Wetland Trust, Inc., a non-profit organization specializing in environmental conservation and habitat restoration, is the primary awardee responsible for implementing the project activities.

Award purposethis project addresses the preferred restoration alternative of land preservation as described in the 2017 onondaga lake natural resource damage assessment restoration plan and environmental assessment. Activities to be performed includeacquisition of the 326 acres and longterm stewardship of the parcels U.S. Fish and wildlife service will be involved with habitat preservation tasks including review and approval of list of properties for appraisal review and approval of properties selected for landowner negotiations review and approval of baseline natural resource report for each parcel and assist with development and review and approval of the management plan for each parcel. Deliverables INCLUDE1 copy of deeds with restrictions annual reports through 2029 and management plans. Expected outcomes includepreservation of natural areas and restoration of habitats for native plants amphibians fish and wildlife and 2 preservation of water quality within the onondaga lake watershed for natural resources and the public. Intended beneficiaries on the project include the public and the natural resources within the onondaga lake watershed.