Recovery activities for the Karner Blue Butterfly (KBB) in Concord, NH. CFDA 15.650

This is an announcement for issuing a single source financial assistance award to the New Hampshire Fish and Game (NHFG, Cooperator). This announcement is for notification purposes only. The intent of the award is to provide funding to NHFG to implement recovery activities for the Karner Blue Butterfly (KBB) in Concord, NH. As a federal and state listed species, NHFG and USFWS have joint responsibility for the recovery of this species. Parker River NWR administers a 28-acre easement for the recovery of Karner Blue Butterfly in Concord, NH. Since 2001, NHFG has managed the 28-acre Refuge easement and additional 463 acres on adjacent Concord Airport to benefit this species. This award would allow NHFG and USFWS to implement habitat management in 4 of 6 occupied habitats to create optimal habitat for the KBB, create 2 to 3 new occupied habitats through habitat restoration, lupine and nectar plant propagation, and release of captive reared butterflies. NHFG will administer and implement the daily activities associated with the proposed activities, while USFWS will provide overall guidance in recovery activities, technical knowledge and expertise, equipment, and staff for certain management actions (e.g. habitat management, prescribed burning, and monitoring). Project objectives are: 1. Enhance habitat on 4 of the 6 occupied populations (45 acres) by burning, mechanical treatment, and planting of nectar plants 2. Initiate habitat restoration work on 20-60 acres of unsuitable habitat to create at least 2 additional population of KBB in collaboration with City of Concord, NH Air National Guard, and Public Service NH. Each habitat patch will support 500 lupine and 100 nectar plants, and support a minimum of 500 KBB adults.