The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.) and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) as amended by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-408, 114 STAT. 1766 §113 and 114 STAT. 1722 §122) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make up to $6,000,000 available annually to fund Multistate Conservation project grants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will cite this traditional program as the Traditional Multistate Conservation Grant Program (T-MSCGP).

In addition, the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act (Modernizing PR Act, 16 U.S.C. 669) amended the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to, among other measures, authorize the Service to make hunter recruitment and recreational target shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. The Service will cite this program as the R3 Multistate Conservation Grant Program (R3-MSCGP). Up to $5,000,000 will be available specifically for the R3-MSCGP grants.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the Service work cooperatively to manage T-MSGCP and R3-MSGCP. Administratively, both programs function similarly. AFWA sets the strategic priorities for project activities and provides the Service with a list of recommended projects to be considered for awards. The Service administers the program and manages the awards.