With the addition of more federally protected BAT species now and in the near future comes a significant increase in staff time to review activities in vermont and coordinate with the USFWS and…

This $307,200 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety (CFDA 15.611) program will provide technical assistance and coordination to the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife to support compliance with the Federal Endangered Species Act. The primary purpose is to help public and private entities in Vermont avoid, minimize, and mitigate the take of federally endangered bat species, as more such species are now and will be protected in the near future. This will require increased staff time for the Vermont agency to review activities, coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies, and ensure a consistent, biological-based approach to protecting these species. The grant period runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.

With the addition of more federally protected BAT species now and in the near future comes a significant increase in staff time to review activities in vermont and coordinate with the USFWS and other federal agencies. The purpose of this grant is to add additional technical assistance and coordination efforts as needed to ensure compliance with the federal endangered species act and to provide the most consistent and biological-based approach possible. The grant will provide technical assistance to public and private entities to support them in avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating take of federally endangered bats.