Coordination and Development of Habitat Projects in the Upper Columbia

Description

Objectives of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) The objective of this FOA is to fund, in the Upper Columbia Basin, eligible entities to: (1) support and participate in processes that prioritize and encourage habitat improvement actions, (2) identify and develop high priority habitat improvement opportunities, (3) conduct implementation and compliance monitoring, (4) mesh research and monitoring efforts with implementation of projects, and (5) manage and share data. For purposes of this announcement, the Upper Columbia Basin is defined as the Methow, Entiat, and Wenatchee Sub-basins. Currently in the Upper Columbia Basin there are several project sponsors implementing habitat improvement projects for the benefit of Endangered Species Act listed species. This funding will allow the recipient(s) to identify and develop new project opportunities. It is expected that many of the projects identified by recipients using funds obtained through this FOA will receive, based on Reclamation’s need and resource availability, future support from Reclamation in the form of technical assistance, project-specific cooperative agreements, and/or other support as necessary and within Reclamation’s authority. The development of habitat improvement actions shall be based on biological priorities and informed by implementation feasibility, including geomorphic and physical appropriateness, community support, regulatory feasibility, and financial resource availability. This effort will help facilitate ongoing efforts by local partners to create, enhance, and document a long-term planning process to help leverage funding opportunities, create and document a science-based approach to salmon restoration, and document results and improvements. While Reclamation is not committing to funding all the habitat improvement projects identified and developed by the awardee(s), Reclamation will be instrumental in working with the awardee(s) to leverage the funding or in-kind services necessary to implement many of those projects. Strong project management skills and an intimate understanding of the current stakeholders and processes engaged in habitat improvement activity in the Upper Columbia Basin will be critical in crafting a list of viable projects that will not only be scientifically sound, but locally supported as well.

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