Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance

To provide financial assistance to eligible entities for: response, recovery, rescue, treatment, and, as appropriate, release of West Indian manatees, sea otters, Pacific walruses, and polar bears; the collection of data for scientific research associated with the health of these species; and facility operation costs for these species, as appropriate.

Applicants must be a U.S. eligible marine mammal stranding participant or stranding network collaborator that is not an employee of the Department of the Interior or Department of Commerce. The term �eligible marine mammal stranding participant� means a person who is authorized by the FWS under MMPA section 104(c) for response to injured or distressed marine mammals or for scientific research regarding marine mammal health, or under MMPA section 112(c) to take marine mammals as described in MMPA section 109(h) in response to a stranding. Eligible entities also include Federal, state, or local government employees operating in the course of their official duties as indicated under MMPA section 109(h). Applicants may reach out to the FWS for technical assistance to clarify and/or document applicability of the exemption under MMPA section 109(h).

Eligible Prescott Grant Program applicants must be a U.S. �eligible marine mammal stranding participant� that is not an employee of the Department of the Interior or Department of Commerce. The term �eligible marine mammal stranding participant� means a person who is authorized under MMPA section 104(c) for response to injured or distressed marine mammals or for scientific research regarding marine mammal health, or under MMPA section 112(c) to take marine mammals as described in MMPA section 109(h) in response to a stranding. To be eligible for Prescott Grants under this Funding Opportunity, such authorizations must have been issued by the FWS. Eligible entities also include Federal, state, or local government employees operating in the course of their official duties as indicated under MMPA section 109(h). Applicants may reach out to the FWS for technical assistance to clarify and/or document applicability of the exemption under MMPA section 109(h). For marine mammals that are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), eligibility includes authorization under ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) (except for polar bears as long as authorization has been provided under the MMPA), or exemptions to take prohibitions under 50 CFR 17.21 or 50 CFR 17.31.

Per sections 408(d) and (e) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the program provides for a maximum Federal award for each project of up to $150,000 and a minimum non-Federal cost share of 25 percent of total project costs. The agency may apply in-kind contributions (i.e., the fair market value of property and services) to the non-Federal share. Matching requirements are mandatory.

Fiscal year 2025: Program approved 11?projects to support the recovery, treatment, rehabilitation, and release of stranded marine mammals, as well as related scientific research and associated operational costs. Species benefitted under this program include manatees, sea otters, walruses, and polar bears. Fiscal year 2026: Program has not yet selected projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects that support the recovery, treatment, rehabilitation, and release of stranded marine mammals, as well as related scientific research and associated operational costs.