Federal NFHAP Funding and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Budget Process: Federal NFHAP Funding and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Budget Process National Fish Habitat Board June 6, 2007 Washington, DC


Presentation Overview: Presentation Overview Part 1: Budget Structure Part 2: Budget Formulation Part 3: Budget Allocation


Part 1: Budget Structure: Part 1: Budget Structure


Budget Structure Basics: Budget Structure Basics FWS budget is arranged hierarchically At the account level, Congress places restrictions on the use of funds (e.g. acquiring real property, annual vs no-year appropriations) Congress generally adds or earmarks funds at the lowest structural level (e.g. National Fish Habitat Action Plan)


NFHAP in the FY 2008 Request: NFHAP in the FY 2008 Request Resource Management $1,034.5 million Fisheries & Aquatic Resource Conservation $124.8 million Aquatic Habitat & Species Conservation $53.6 million Habitat Assessment & Restoration $22.3 million National Fish Habitat Action Plan $5.2 million


More About “Accounts”: More About “Accounts” Resource Management Service operations Two-year appropriation Land acquisition not permissible North American Wetlands Conservation Fund Matching grants Available until expended Land acquisition is permissible


Part 2: Budget Formulation: Part 2: Budget Formulation


Budget Formulation Basics: Budget Formulation Basics Budgets are built around the previous year’s “base” Changes from base are requested as +/- change packages Base budget and change packages must specify performance to be achieved FWS employees are prohibited from disclosing contents of budget requests until the President releases his request in February


Performance and Accountability: Performance and Accountability By law, federal funds link to results “objective, quantifiable, and measurable goals” “measure outputs and outcomes of each program activity” The Director down to line managers are accountable for achieving results


Slide10: FWS request to DOI - May - DOI request to OMB - September - President’s request to Congress - February - Congress appropriates funds – September or later The Budget Process


Getting to first base…: Getting to first base… April and May FWS Programs submit priorities to FWS Directorate FWS Directorate sets FWS priorities FWS submits budget request to DOI Complies with OMB mandated “target” (i.e. cuts) Complies with DOI mandated program changes Can sometimes propose “over-target” increases Key players FWS Directorate, Dep. Sec. of the Interior, DOI Budget Officer


Service priorities drivechanges in the budget: Service priorities drive changes in the budget National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving our Lands and Resources Landscape Conservation: Working with Others Migratory Birds: Conservation and Management Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction Aquatic Species: National Fish Habitat Initiative and Trust Species Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation


Getting to second base… : Getting to second base… June to September FWS briefs DOI Budget Office and Assist. Sec. Fish & Wildlife and Parks DOI passes back budget to FWS in July FWS appeal and final DOI decisions DOI submits budget request to OMB Key players Secretary & Deputy Secy; Asst Secretary-Fish & Wildlife & Parks; Director; DOI Budget Officer


Getting to third base…: Getting to third base… October to February FWS and DOI brief OMB OMB passes back budget to DOI / FWS in November DOI appeal and final OMB decisions President submits budget request to Congress in early February Key players: OMB leadership; OMB budget examiner; Secretary; Director


Coming home to score…: Coming home to score… February to September (or later) DOI & FWS leaders testify to Congressional committees in February and March Appropriations Committees seek input from members of Congress by April Appropriations subcommittees & full committees mark up (approve) bill in May or later Congress passes bill, requiring conference to resolve House-Senate differences


Key Players in Congress: Key Players in Congress House Committee on Appropriations Hon. David Obey (D-WI), Chairman Hon. Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Ranking Minority Member Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Hon. Norm Dicks (D-WA), Chairman Michael Stephens, Subcommittee Clerk Hon. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), Ranking Minority Member Senate Committee on Appropriations Hon. Robert Byrd (D-WV), Chairman Hon. Thad Cochran (R-MS), Ranking Minority Member Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Hon. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chairman Peter Kiefhaber, Subcommittee Clerk Hon. Larry Craig (R-ID), Ranking Minority Member


History of FWS funding for the National Fish Habitat Action Plan: History of FWS funding for the National Fish Habitat Action Plan FY 2005 – Congress added $160K to Fisheries Program for additional habitat restoration FY 2006 – Congress added $1 million to Fisheries Program for NFHI FY 2007 – President requested and Congress supported $3 million to the Fisheries Program FY 2008 – President requested $5.2 million; House appropriations bill provides the requested amount


Slide18: Budget Allocation


Budget Allocation: Budget Allocation In general, Resource Management funds are allocated to Regional Offices, then to Field Offices for conservation activities FWS policy will define a role for the Board and Fish Habitat Partnerships in allocating funds for the Action Plan Key players: Director/Deputy Director; Assistant Director; Regional Directors & Assistant Regional Directors; Division Chiefs


NFHAP budgetary needs: NFHAP budgetary needs National Board operations and priorities FWS national coordination and leadership Regional Fish Habitat Partnership development and operations FWS regional coordination and leadership Local On-the-ground projects Planning new projects and evaluating results of completed projects


FWS consultation on Action Plan funding: FWS consultation on Action Plan funding FY 2006 Congress directed FWS to allocate 80% for on-the-ground, cost-shared habitat restoration projects, in direct support of fish habitat partnerships 20% for development of the National Fish Habitat Plan FWS requested input from Core Work Group Allocation of funds followed Core Work Group advice and Congressional guidance Funded projects ranked as priorities by Fish Habitat Partnerships


FWS consultation on Action Plan funding: FWS consultation on Action Plan funding FY 2007 FWS drafted internal policy on use of Action Plan funds, incorporating 2006 process FWS requested comments on the policy from the Board and AFWA (update later today) Allocation of funds followed draft policy


In summary: In summary FWS Director is accountable for funds appropriated to FWS FWS is committed to work with the Board and Fish Habitat Partnerships to decide on priorities for current and expected funding A new grant program – if authorized and funded – is an opportunity for the Board to set guidelines for the new funding source


Slide24: FWS request to DOI - May - DOI request to OMB - September - President’s request to Congress - February - Congress appropriates funds – September or later Questions?