March 4, 2015

IFW News --Application Period Opens For Maine Shooting Range Access Improvement Grants

AUGUSTA, Maine --The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is accepting applications for its 2015 Maine Range Access Improvement Grant Program. Last year, 12 different organizations were awarded grants totaling over $335,000.

The Department will be awarding small grants to private non-profits and municipalities to fund firearm and archery range access improvement projects. In order to be considered for an award, applicants must agree to provide public access to shooting facilities.

The Department is accepting applications for projects that do any of the following:

? Improve public recreational firearm and archery shooting opportunities.

? Accomplish improvements at existing firearm and archery range facilities.

? Develop new firearm and archery range facilities.

? Provide range facilities accessible by persons with disabilities.

? Integrate Best Management Practices into physical facilities and management of ranges.

? Support firearm and archery education to learn safe and responsible practices.

Applications may be for a single project or a portion of staged projects. Requestors can ask for a maximum of $50,000 in grant money, which will serve as 70 percent of allowable costs. Projects must include a minimum of 30 percent match, cash or in-kind donations.

Applications must be submitted by 2 p.m. on April 22 to the State of Maine Division of Purchases, located at the Burton M. Cross Building, 111 Sewall Street, 4th Floor, 9 State House Station, Augusta.

The Maine Range Access Improvement Grant Program is funded by grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.

For more information or questions about the application process, please contact Bob Annese at rannese@gmail.com.

To see a copy of the application, please visit: http://www.maine.gov/ifw/huntingtrapping/ShootingRanges/index.html

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