Bureau of Reclamation: 2023 Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Program

The Bureau of Reclamation is soliciting proposals for its Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Program.

Donor Name: Bureau of Reclamation

State: Selected States

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 06/01/2023

Size of the Grant: $55,000

Grant Duration: 2 years

Details:

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is issued under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934, Public Law (P.L.) 85-624, 16 United States Code (U.S.C.) §661, et.seq., as amended; as limited by the Secretary of the Interior delegation of authority at 255 Departmental Manual (DM) 1.1B to:

conduct activities for the improvement of fish and wildlife habitat associated with water systems or water supplies affected by Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) projects, including but not limited to fish passage and screening facilities at any non Federal water diversion or storage project within the region;
plan, design, construct, and monitor, including acquire lands or interest therein as needed, instream habitat improvements, including but not limited to fish passage screening facilities at off-site locations (as negotiated on privately owned lands and facilities not associated with a Reclamation project); and
monitor and evaluate the effect of Reclamation actions on fish and wildlife resources including ESA-listed species.

Purpose and Objectives

Reclamation’s Yuma Area Office (YAO) periodically makes funding available for conducting activities for Threatened and Endangered species and their habitats under Section 7(a)1 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Program (FWCAP). The objective(s) of this NOFO is to fund projects for activities in support of YAO’s endangered species and environmental restoration programs in Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023 (October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023).

The Bureau of Reclamation manages, develops, and protects water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Reclamation has a major responsibility, in partnership with water users, states, and other interested parties, to help improve water resource management and water use efficiency in the western United States. More efficient water use is a key component of Reclamation’s water resource management strategy. Through coordination with their stakeholders, FWCAP supports the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) priorities, including:

Creating a conservation stewardship legacy;
Utilizing their natural resources;
Restoring trust with local communities;
Striking a regulatory balance;
Modernizing their infrastructure; and
Achieving their goals and leading their team forward.

Reclamation priorities are also supported through this program, including:

Increasing water supplies, storage, and reliability under WIIN Act (Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation) and other authorities to benefit farms, families, businesses, and fish and wildlife;
Streamlining regulatory processes and removing unnecessary burdens to provide more water and power supply reliability;
Leveraging science and technology to improve water supply reliability to communities;
Addressing ongoing drought;
Improving the value of hydropower for Reclamation power customers;
Improving water supplies for tribal and rural communities; and
Promoting title transfer opportunities.

Program Requirements

Proposed projects should seek to include conservation and improvement programs, habitat conservation, and riparian restoration projects. Projects to be considered should address one of the following task component areas:

Wetland and riparian habitat restoration, enhancement, and protection;
Tracking fish and wildlife movement, habitat monitoring, collection, analysis of invertebrates, and/or genetics studies; or
Surveying and monitoring of fish and wildlife.

Projects to be considered should consider:

Demonstration of long-term studies of native riparian habitat restoration;
Specific emphasis of plant genetic variation and its effect on community structure; or
Demonstrated skill in the propagation and long-term survival of Lower Colorado Basin native riparian species.

Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding: $55,000
Award Ceiling: $55,000
Award Floor: $1

Project Period

Funds may be awarded to an applicant over the 2-year period.

Eligibility Criteria

State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher
Private institutions of higher education
For profit organization other than small businesses
Small businesses