BLM OR/WAYakima River Watershed Restoration | L17AS00097

FAQs: BLM OR/WA Yakima River Watershed Restoration (L17AS00097)

What is the BLM OR/WA Yakima River Watershed Restoration opportunity?

This is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) discretionary funding opportunity focused on hands-on watershed restoration and long-term watershed protection work in central Washington, with an emphasis on the Yakima River Basin.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is L17AS00097.

What is the main purpose of this funding?

The intent is to form or continue partnerships with organizations that can coordinate and implement on-the-ground projects that improve stream and floodplain function, strengthen riparian habitat, and remove or reduce barriers to fish movement.

What types of projects or activities does the opportunity support?

The opportunity supports coordinated restoration and protection activities that improve in-stream conditions, rehabilitate riparian areas, and address fish passage issues so aquatic species can access spawning, rearing, and refuge habitats.

Is the focus on short-term projects or longer-term outcomes?

The description emphasizes long-term watershed protection and coordinated restoration efforts, rather than isolated one-off actions.

What geographic area is the program focused on?

The opportunity is focused on central Washington, with an emphasis on the Yakima River Basin.

What ecological outcomes is the program trying to achieve?

A central goal is habitat recovery and conservation outcomes, particularly for rare, threatened, and endangered species that depend on functioning river and stream ecosystems. The work also aligns with broader watershed-scale goals such as connectivity, improved riparian condition, and increased ecological resilience.

Does the opportunity target a single species?

No single species is named as the sole focus. The emphasis is on watershed-scale conditions (stream miles, connectivity, riparian condition) that support sensitive fish and wildlife populations and overall habitat function.

What does it mean that the award is through a cooperative agreement?

The funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial federal involvement during the project. This can include coordination, technical input, shared planning, or joint implementation by BLM.

How much funding is available per award?

The award ceiling is $95,000.

How many awards are expected?

One award is expected.

What does "one expected award" imply about the scope?

It suggests the opportunity is designed for a focused project or a tightly scoped set of coordinated actions, rather than a large program making multiple awards.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are listed as unrestricted, indicating a broad range of organizations may apply as long as they can meet federal assistance requirements and deliver the restoration objectives described.

What kinds of organizations might be able to apply under "unrestricted" eligibility?

The notice suggests this could include nonprofits, local governments, tribes, academic institutions, or other entities, provided they can carry out the required watershed restoration work and comply with federal assistance requirements.

What is the funding activity category?

The opportunity is classified under the Natural Resources funding activity category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.231.

What is the application window for the referenced funding cycle?

The posting lists a creation date of May 8, 2017, and an original closing date of July 7, 2017, which defines the application window for that cycle.

Is this funding intended to support isolated restoration sites or coordinated watershed efforts?

The description emphasizes coordinated restoration efforts and partnerships, building on prior BLM work that targeted many miles of streams for restoration and protection.

What kinds of watershed problems is the funding trying to address?

Based on the description, the funding aims to address degraded in-stream conditions, compromised riparian areas, reduced stream and floodplain function, and barriers that limit fish movement and access to key habitats.

What is meant by improving "stream and floodplain function"?

In this opportunity, improving stream and floodplain function refers to restoration work intended to support healthier river and floodplain processes, which in turn can improve habitat conditions and contribute to long-term watershed protection outcomes.

What is meant by "riparian habitat" in the context of this grant?

Riparian habitat refers to the vegetated areas along rivers and streams. The opportunity supports rehabilitation and strengthening of these areas as part of overall watershed restoration and habitat recovery goals.

What is meant by "fish passage" work?

Fish passage work refers to addressing barriers to fish movement so aquatic species can reach spawning, rearing, and refuge habitats. The opportunity supports removing or reducing such barriers as part of watershed restoration.

What is the overall takeaway for applicants deciding whether this fits?

This opportunity is best understood as targeted support for collaborative watershed restoration work in the Yakima River Basin area, prioritizing stream, riparian, and fish passage improvements that contribute to long-term habitat protection and conservation outcomes.