An effort initiated several years ago to increase hunting opportunities significantly has finally come to fruition. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting comments on an interim rule and has provided application procedures for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP), according to the Wildlife Management Institute.

The program concept, commonly referred to as the "Open Fields" program, quickly drew support from several other conservation organizations and was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. According to USDA, "the primary objective of the VPA-HIP is to encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily make that land available for access by the public for wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting or fishing, under programs implemented by State or tribal governments." In addition grant funds can be used to improve fish and wildlife habitat on land enrolled in the program.

Funding for VPA-HIP was authorized at $50 million through Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, and USDA will make $16.67 million of that available for the program during FY 2010. Only state and tribal governments are eligible to receive grants through this program. Grants can be used to expand existing or create new public access opportunities on private lands.

Currently, 26 states are administering programs to provide public hunting and fishing opportunities on private lands. Grants to individual states and tribes, which will be awarded through a competitive application process, cannot exceed $2 million or be less than $75,000 per year. Funding priority will be given to applicants that: maximize participation by landowners; ensure that land enrolled in the program has appropriate wildlife habitat; provide incentives to strengthen wildlife habitat improvement efforts on land enrolled under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP); supplement funding and services from other federal, state or tribal government; and provide information to the public about the location of VPA-HIP lands.

The deadline to submit VPA-HIP applications is August 23, and the deadline to provide comments on the interim rule is September 7, 2010. Additional information about the program can be viewed at www.fsa.usda.gov/conservation. (pmr)