Aquatics Resources Management
The Bureau of Land Managements Aquatic Resources Program conserves and restores riparian and wetland areas, aquatic habitats, and water resources (hereafter referred to as aquatic resources) to provide resource values and ecosystem services necessary to achieve the BLMs multiple use mandate. This program will support projects funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act PL 117-58, Section 40804(b) Ecosystem Restoration and the Inflation Reduction Act PL 117-169. The agencies aquatic resources and issues are diverse and include watersheds; riparian-wetland systems; springs, streams, rivers, and groundwater; ponds and lakes; fisheries; water quality; water rights and uses; and aquatic invasive species. These systems also support myriad species of plants, fish, and wildlife; provide ecosystem services such as drinking water, pollination, and nutrient cycling; attenuate wildfires, floods, and drought; and are key to the vitality of local economies and communities. The Program also works to support the thoughtful implementation of other aspects of BLMs mission (e.g., locatable minerals, fluid minerals, range, forestry recreation, renewable energy), which could either impact aquatic resources or require restoration of such resources to achieve multiple-use and sustained yield management objectives.
General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
15.244
Federal Agency/Office
Bureau of Land Management, Department of The Interior
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2017 New Program
Fiscal Year 2018 The highest priority areas for aquatic native conservation within the BLM Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Program are to: a) protect, restore, and enhance stream, wetland and lentic habitats; b) inventory, assess, and monitor aquatic biological, chemical, and physical characteristics; c) protect, maintain and restore natural aquatic ecosystem function, connectivity, and processes, such as through fish passage and watershed restoration; d) prevent the introduction, limit the spread of, and eradicate non-native aquatic invasive species; e) enhance sport and anadromous fisheries by increasing habitat integrity and productivity; f) increase the quality and quantity of recreational fishing opportunities on BLM managed lands; g) assist in the recovery of special status aquatic species and habitats and make effort to prevent listings; and h) facilitate restoration of riparian and wetland areas.
Fiscal Year 2019 The highest priority areas for aquatic native conservation within the BLM Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Program are to: a) protect, restore, and enhance stream, wetland and lentic habitats; b) inventory, assess, and monitor aquatic biological, chemical, and physical characteristics; c) protect, maintain and restore natural aquatic ecosystem function, connectivity, and processes, such as through fish passage and watershed restoration; d) prevent the introduction, limit the spread of, and eradicate non-native aquatic invasive species; e) enhance sport and anadromous fisheries by increasing habitat integrity and productivity; f) increase the quality and quantity of recreational fishing opportunities on BLM managed lands; g) assist in the recovery of special status aquatic species and habitats and make effort to prevent listings; and h) facilitate restoration of riparian and wetland areas.
Fiscal Year 2020 Springsnail database development; rare species inventories; working group facilitation; design and implementation of dozens of stream, riparian, and restoration projects, chemical, physical and biological data collection to inform management decisions related to AHM resources.
Fiscal Year 2021 Design and implementation of dozens of stream, riparian, and wetland restoration projects; design and printing of over 1 M imprints for aquatic invasive species education and outreach; construction and use of AIS decontamination trailers, signage at access points, and AIS research.
Fiscal Year 2023 Design and implementation of dozens of streams, riparian, and wetland restoration projects; design and printing of over 1 million imprints for aquatic invasive species education and outreach
Fiscal Year 2024 Unknown at this time.
Authorization
John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act, Part 1 (B) (10), Section 7001, Public Law -116-9
Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Agreements (aka The Wyden Amendment) 16 U.S.C. 1101
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) 43 U.S.C. §1737 (b)
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Not applicable.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All Public Land users.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart C--Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards. A Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, Standard Form 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, and a written proposal, budget spreadsheet, a budget narrative/breakdown, and any other requirements specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity Notice and must be submitted through www.grants.gov. State plan is not required for this application.
Award Procedure
All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program funding announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. State and District Office level and funding recommendations are made through the State's annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the State Director.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project, but should not be more than five years. Further information will be available for each program at the time the Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes.
Appeals
Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the Bureau of Land Management will provide all applicants with information on why their proposal was not selected for award.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
First Level Screening -Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov, screening may include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents. B. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity noticed post on www.grants.gov Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.
How may assistance be used?
Projects are primarily conducted on lands administered by the BLM in the Western United States and Alaska, but may also be conducted on other public or private lands. Regardless of location, all projects must contribute to the attainment of BLM management objectives and have significant BLM involvement in the project. Assistance can be used to help protect or restore aquatic resources and to provide related public outreach and education opportunities. Funding is highly variable each fiscal year and funds are 100% discretionary.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Shall submit at the minimum an annual Performance Report in accordance with the 2 CFR, Part 200.328 within 90 days after the anniversary date or as indicated in the Notice of Award. Upon completion of the agreement, recipients shall submit a final report no later than 120 calendar day after the award end date:
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
All recipients of Federal awards shall maintain project records in accordance with 2 CFR 200.333 Retention requirements for records. Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a sub recipient. Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities must not impose any other record retention requirements upon non-Federal entities, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.333.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
No specific restrictions for most projects. However, most projects are funded on a year-by- year basis and funds are expended during a particular fiscal year. Frequency of recipient payments will be determined for each awarded assistance agreement at time of award.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Division of Wildlife, Aquatics & Environmental Protection
760 Horizon Drive, Suite 324
Grand Junction, CO 81506 US
swmiller@blm.gov
Phone: (720) 545-8367
Website Address
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/index.htm
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-1109-0-1-302
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$3,749,892.00; FY 23 est $4,000,000.00; FY 24 est $3,000,000.00; FY 21$8,119,807.00; FY 20$3,897,432.00; FY 19$3,133,705.00; FY 18$29,323,127.00; FY 17$1,643,111.00; - Not available at this time.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Past partnership projects have ranged from $10,000 to $1,000,000. Average amounts approximately $68,300 or less.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
The BLM's Aquatic Resource Program is generally guided by provisions in 43 CFR Part 6000. A variety of public interest publications on these programs are available free of charge by contacting the appropriate State Office. Manuals providing basic program operational guidance for Wildlife and Fisheries Management (BLM Manual 6500) and Aquatic Resource Management (BLM Manual 6720) may be obtained by contacting the BLM Headquarters. Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. ?4601, et seq.), Anadromous Fish Conservation Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 757, et seq.), Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 (Sections 1 and 15), 7 USC 2814; P.L. 93-629, as amended by PL 101-624,Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974, as amended (Pub. L. 99-320 et seq.), Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), McCarran Amendment of 1952 (43 U.S.C. 666), Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2017 Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Implementation; Subsistence Resource Populations Monitoring; Rural Youth Initiatives Expanding Watershed Education; Mattole River Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Program; Headwaters Forest Reserve Watershed Restoration; Umpqua River Basin Riparian Restoration Projects; West Eugene Wetlands Enhancement and Restoration; Gooseneck Creek County Road Culvert Replacement; Aquatic Invasive Species Program; Frog Restoration and Education.
Fiscal Year 2018 BLM National Aquatic Monitoring Center, West-Wide Wetland & Riparian Monitoring Protocol, BLM OR/WA Honey Creek Diversions Passage and Screening
Fiscal Year 2019 ORWA Snag Creation Effectiveness Monitoring, CA Mattole River Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Program
Fiscal Year 2020 Trout Unlimited for restoration and conservation planning and implementation; Wildlife Forever for aquatic invasive species education and outreach; American Fisheries Society for employee professional development and intern sponsorship; New Mexico BASS Nation for aquatic invasive species education and control; springsnail surveys, research, and database development; groundwater level and water quality monitoring.
Fiscal Year 2021 Utah State University for training, design, and implementation support on low-techical, process-based restoration; Trout Unlimited for restoration and conservation planning and implementation; Wildlife Forever for aquatic invasive species education and outreach; Creeks and Communities work; Climate Earth Engine and drought and riparian interactions; water quality monitoring.
Fiscal Year 2023 Unknown at this timRestoring and connecting degraded aquatic resources; Increasing ecosystem resistance and resilience to drought, fires, and floods; Determining acceptable levels of hydrologic and ecological change given BLM management objectives; Advancing inventory, assessment, and monitoring activities and tools; Preventing the establishment and spread of invasive species; and Increasing public knowledge of aquatic habitats on BLM managed lands, including with a targeted focus on communities of color, low-income families, and rural and indigenous communities.
Fiscal Year 2024 Unknown at this time.