Eric AlvarezEric AlvarezSecretary, Migratory Bird Conservation Commission

Chief, Division of RealtyNational Wildlife Refuge System

U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceArlington, Virginia

Realty 101

for Friends Academy

Realty 101

for Friends Academy

www.fws.gov/realtywww.fws.gov/realtywww.fws.gov/realtywww.fws.gov/realty

Federal Government owns 563 million acres

23% of the 2.4 billion acres of land in the USA

Federal Government owns 563 million acres

23% of the 2.4 billion acres of land in the USA

Congressional Research Service (CRS)Congressional Research Service (CRS)

DOI managesDOI manages 506 million acres506 million acres of surface landof surface land

. . .about. . .about 1 out of every 5 acres1 out of every 5 acres of ALL of the land in the USAof ALL of the land in the USA

Four agencies administer 96 percent of Federal land for conservation, preservation, and/or development of natural resources.

BLM 258 million acres 39%

USDA 193 million acres 29%

FWSFWS 97 million acres97 million acres 11%11%

NPS 78 million acres 12%

DoD 30 million acres 4.5%

(FS, FWS, and NPS also manage lands in four U.S. Territories)

Migratory birds

Endangered species

Certain marine mammals

Freshwater and anadromous* fish

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’smajor responsibilities are for:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’smajor responsibilities are for:

* migrating up rivers from the sea to breed in fresh water

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGESNATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES are established primarily for the purpose of habitat preservation and the protection of wildlife.

There are 550 National Wildlife Refuges.There are 550 National Wildlife Refuges.

Executive Order 12996 (March 25, 1996)

recognized “compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses involving hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and

photography, and environmental education and interpretation as priority public uses of the Refuge System.”

Big 6 "priority public uses“of refuges:

Big 6 "priority public uses“of refuges:

1. Hunting 2.4 million2. Fishing 6.7 million 3. Wildlife observation over 25 million 4. Wildlife photography 6 million5. Environmental education almost 1 million6. Interpretation 25.4 million

And over 10 million participated in other compatible on-site recreational activities such as berry picking, bicycling, camping, horseback riding, swimming, etc.

In 2007 we had 40.3 million visitors. Of those numbers:

In 2007 we had 40.3 million visitors. Of those numbers:

FWS Division of Realty:FWS Division of Realty:

Who are we?

What do we do?

Land Acquisition:Land Acquisition:

Preplanning for a new refuge (or expansion)

Decision Documents / Approvals / Environmental Processing

Land Acquisition: Budgeting ProcessLand Acquisition: Budgeting Process

LWCF

MBCF

Inholdings Fund

Emergencies and Hardships Fund

Grants

History of LWCF 1990-2010

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

RequestAppropriation

Table 1. Total LWCF Appropriations,FY2001-FY2008

Table 1. Total LWCF Appropriations,FY2001-FY2008

Source: The primary source for this data is the DOI Budget Office,

a. This figure includes $3 million for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for Indian Land and Water Claim Settlements that is not shown in the figures above.

b. This figure includes $7.3 million in appropriations for DOI Departmental Management for land acquisition appraisal services.

c. The NPS land acquisition and total appropriation figures are reduced by $9.8 million due to the use of prior year funds for NPS federal land acquisition. The total only also is reduced by $17 million due to the use of prior year funds for NPS land acquisition and state assistance. Thus, the figures in this column exceed the total by $17 million.

Land Acquisition FY 2002

FY 2003

FY 2004

FY 2005

FY 2006

FY 2007

FY 2008

FY 2009

Bureau of Land Management $49.9 $33.2 $18.4 $11.2 $8.6 $30.0 $66.0 $14.8

Fish and Wildlife Service $94.3 $72.9 $38.1 $37.0 $28.0 $23.7 $18.0 $42.5

National Park Service $130.0 $74.0 $41.7 $55.1 $34.4c $34.9 $22.0 $45.2

Forest Service $149.7 $132.9 $66.4 $61.0 $41.8 $36.9 $16.9 $49.8

Total Land Acquisition $423.9 $316.0a $164.6 $164.3 $120.1b $125.5 $122.9 $152.3

State Grants $143.9 $97.4 $93.8 $91.2 $29.6 $1.6 $0.0 $20.0

Other Programs $109.8 $115.5 $229.7 $203.5 $214.1 $175.0 $175.0 $104.1

Total $677.6 $528.9a $488.1 $459.0 $346.8c $302.1 $297.9 $276.4

Land Acquisition:Land Acquisition:

Purchase Offer / Negotiation Steps

Closing

Final Case Processing

Additional types of Land Acquisitions performed by FWS Division of Realty:Additional types of Land Acquisitions performed by FWS Division of Realty:

DONATIONS

EXCHANGES

TRANSFERS

Other tasks performed byFWS Division of Realty:

Other tasks performed byFWS Division of Realty:

ROW’s

EASEMENTS

PERMITS

DISPOSALS

Alaska Refuges 13,766 acres Montana Refuges 24,139 acres

Cat Island NWR 849 acres

Upper MS. River NWFR 20 acres

MN WPAs 3,871 acres

Silvio O. Conte NFWR 325 acres

Trinity Rvr & San Bernard NWRs 3,207 acres

Siletz Bay NWR 42 acres

Acres acquired FY 2008Acres acquired FY 2008

Examples of recent acquisitionsExamples of recent acquisitions

You are part of the community.

You are individuals who vote.

How can Friends Groups help?How can Friends Groups help?

Discussion:Discussion:

Success stories from you!

Eric AlvarezEric AlvarezA_Eric_Alvarez @ FWS.gov

(703) 358-1713