The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is requesting proposals to enhance, restore, and protect aquatic ecosystems for native fish species in the Columbia Basin.
Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
State: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/08/2024
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 4 Years
Details:
This funding opportunity is built on the success of the Columbia Basin Water Transaction Program (CBWTP), which funds water transactions development and implementation in the United States portion of the Columbia Basin and is the largest voluntary instream flow restoration program in the country.
This year, the Request for Proposals (RFP) is soliciting proposals for water transaction development as well as water management and conservation projects that will benefit fish habitat through three funding partnerships:
- Columbia Basin Programmatic Water Transaction Grant (Partnership with Bonneville Power Administration)
- Approximately $2.2 million will be available for programmatic support allowing for staff time, limited travel, supplies/materials, and other associated costs of developing water transactions.
- National Forest Lands Habitat Improvement Grants (Partnership with U.S. Forest Service Region 6)
- Up to $300,000 is available to support flow restoration and aquatic ecosystem enhancement activities for projects that take place within the boundaries of U.S. Forest Service Region 6 National Forests.
- Working Lands Habitat Improvement Grants (Partnership with Natural Resources Conservation Service)
- Approximately $1.1 million in funding will be available for habitat improvement projects on working lands within Columbia Basin watersheds located in Washington State.
Priorities
- Water Transactions and Conservation Projects
- Development of projects to increase available water in flow-limited streams.
- Complementary Aquatic Habitat Projects
- Design and implementation of projects that improve habitat for native fish in flow-limited streams.
- Community Impact and Landowner Engagement Efforts
- Projects that incorporate outreach to communities, foster landowner and water user engagement, and provide technical assistance to landowners to pursue measurable conservation benefits are encouraged.
Project Period
Maximum performance periods are as follows:
- Columbia Basin Programmatic Water Transaction Grant (BPA):
- Projects should be proposed with periods of performance that start October 1, 2024 and end no later than September 30, 2025.
- National Forest Lands Habitat Improvement Grants (USFS Region 6):
- Projects should be proposed with periods of performance that start September 30-November 30, 2024 and end no later than June 30, 2028.
- Working Lands Habitat Improvement Grants (NRCS):
- Projects should be proposed with periods of performance that start September 30-November 30, 2024 and end no later than June 30, 2028.
Geographic Focus
All proposed activities must be located within the Columbia River Basin in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, U.S. Federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, educational institutions, conservation districts, watershed councils, and other local agencies.
For more information, visit NFWF.
