Apply For Project WINGS Grant Money

Project WINGS (Wildlife Incentives for Non-Game and Game Species) is a program of cash grants and technical assistance available to groups and individuals interested in converting transmission rights-of-way (on the large transmission lines) into various types of wildlife habitat (songbirds, deer, quail, turkey, etc.) statewide. Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. is the agency that created and administers the program yearly.

Sign-up begins May 15 and runs through July 15. The interested individuals visit their local USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service Field Office (NRCS) and fill out an application there. The public can only apply through NRCS field offices. Anyone, including corporations, government entities, etc., can apply. However, a social security or federal tax identification number along with a business or home address must be provided. A current W-9 form (Request for Taxpayer Identification) must be submitted with the application.

NRCS makes a sight visit and offers expertise in converting rights of ways to wildlife habitat, through acceptable planting and maintenance practices. This is a required part of the application process. Once the application is completed, the NRCS Field Office submits the application, along with the current W-9 form and a site map, marking the location to Two Rivers RC&D. Two Rivers is responsible for gathering and verifying the information and presenting the applications to each utility company. Once the application period has ended, Two Rivers hosts an annual meeting of all of the participating utilities and the applications are considered, typically in late August. At this meeting, the utilities approve all of the applications that fit the criteria for Project WINGS.

The contract states that the utility company will pay $75 per acre for up to 10 acres per utility and participant. The contract runs for three consecutive years. This enables a participant to possibly collect up to $2,250 per utility. The contract states that in return for this funding, the participant agrees to the management plan set forth in the contract as advised by NRCS.

Once the contracts are approved by the utility company, Two Rivers sends the applicant an award package. The package includes notification of the award and metal signs that the participant places on the site, to let the utility contractors know that the landowner or lessee will provide the maintenance. This keeps the contractor from mowing or cutting the plantings. Once the applicants receive their notification, they have eight months to complete the first year’s work. Once the work is completed, they will notify NRCS and NRCS will make a site visit to confirm the work. Then NRCS sends a verification form to Two Rivers. Two Rivers, in turn, will send a payment request to the utility upon which the property is located. The utility will issue a check to the participant. This procedure is repeated in year two and three of the contract. Two Rivers ensures proper payment is made to the correct individuals and maintains a bank of information on the applicants and payments.

There are four utility companies participating in Project WINGS. The utilities—Georgia Transmission Corporation, MEAG, Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light—provide funding to the enrolled participants (landowners or lessees). The program officially began in 1996 and since that time has converted over 33,000 acres to wildlife habitats, providing over $3 million in funding to approximately 2,700 individuals. Since that time, Georgia Transmission has funded over $642,825 in grants that have converted nearly 4,500 acres to wildlife habitat. Additionally, MEAG has funded $447,936 to convert approximately 3,100 acres to wildlife habitat.

To learn more about the program or to find the nearest location to apply, please contact Tina Gross, program administrator, at Two Rivers RC&D Council, Inc. The office number is 706.885.0101.