State of Michigan Statewide Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leuocepholus) Productivity Flight Survey | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is the State of Michigan Statewide Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leuocepholus) Productivity Flight Survey grant opportunity.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F16AS00122.

Which agency is issuing the opportunity?

The issuing agency is the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS).

What is the purpose of the grant?

The grant supports an ongoing statewide aerial monitoring program led by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to track bald eagle breeding performance across Michigan by revisiting known breeding areas and documenting key reproduction and success stages over time.

What does the productivity flight survey actually measure?

The survey is designed to document the major stages of bald eagle reproduction and nesting success, including whether a nesting territory is occupied by a mated pair, whether eggs are laid and incubated, whether chicks hatch, and whether young ultimately fledge.

Why are these breeding and nesting metrics important?

Because these measurements reflect year-to-year productivity, they help agencies understand population trends and whether specific nesting sites are doing better or worse over time.

How is the survey conducted?

The work is carried out through coordinated flights using MDNR-licensed pilots working alongside MDNR staff and independently contracted observers.

Who collects the observations during the flights?

Observers collect standardized field observations during flights. The effort includes MDNR staff and independently contracted observers.

What happens to the data after observations are collected?

The observations are compiled into a statewide productivity dataset, with support from a volunteer who helps assemble and organize the information.

Is the dataset shared outside of MDNR?

Yes. The dataset is shared with state, federal, and academic partners so it can be used for management decisions, compliance support, and scientific analysis.

How is this dataset used for environmental management in the Great Lakes?

A major use is evaluating conditions in Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs). The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) use eagle productivity information to compare outcomes in AOCs versus non-AOC reference locations.

What are Great Lakes "Areas of Concern" (AOCs) in this context?

AOCs are locations designated under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement due to legacy pollution or other significant impairments.

Why are bald eagles used in relation to AOCs and ecosystem health?

Bald eagles are top predators closely tied to aquatic food webs. Their reproductive success can serve as an indicator of aquatic ecosystem health and recovery, especially in areas where contaminants historically affected fish, wildlife, and reproduction.

How does the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service use nest location and activity information?

FWS uses nest location and activity data for practical planning and regulatory support, including helping identify where nesting birds may be present and where timing or location considerations could reduce disturbance.

How can this information help with legal compliance?

Nest information helps the public and project proponents better comply with protections under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, particularly when activities could disturb nesting eagles or otherwise affect protected birds.

What type of grant is this (competitive or noncompetitive)?

This is described as a discretionary grant instrument, and the narrative indicates the Service intended to make the award to MDNR without competition under an internal noncompetitive justification (including a citation to 505 DM 2.14B.2 and related authority).

How many awards were expected under this opportunity?

The posting lists Expected Awards: 1.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is $64,440.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on March 2, 2016 (and created the same day), and the application closing date was March 9, 2016.

Who is eligible to apply based on the listing?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." However, the narrative indicates the planned recipient was the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) through a noncompetitive award.

Why was MDNR identified as the intended recipient?

The description explains that MDNR already operates the long-running, specialized statewide aerial survey program and is uniquely positioned to implement it, which is why the award was planned as a direct, noncompetitive grant to MDNR.

What organizations are specifically mentioned as users of the survey information?

The opportunity mentions MDNR (as program lead), MDEQ and FWS (as users for AOC comparisons), and broader sharing with state, federal, and academic partners.

Does the opportunity mention volunteer support?

Yes. A volunteer is mentioned as providing support to assemble and organize the statewide productivity dataset.

What is the scientific name given for bald eagle in the opportunity description?

The description lists the bald eagle as Haliaeetus leuocepholus.

What statutory authorities are referenced to support the agreement?

The agreement cites a wide set of authorities supporting fish and wildlife conservation, migratory bird protection, wetland and coastal restoration, Great Lakes restoration, and pollution response and ecosystem recovery. Examples listed include the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act, Bald Eagle Protection Act, Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA (Superfund), Emergency Wetlands Resources Act, Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Act and related conservation and coordination statutes, Great Lakes restoration and fishery authorities, the Lacey Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act.

How do those authorities relate to the project?

Together, the cited authorities frame the project as part of a broader federal-state effort to conserve wildlife, restore habitats, track environmental conditions, and support compliance with wildlife protection laws through credible statewide monitoring data.