Opportunity Information: Apply for R15AN20015
Apply for R15AN20015
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2015 2019 OWRD Pilot Water Bank" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.517 Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 22, 2015 and posted on Jun 22, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 6, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The 2015-2019 OWRD Pilot Water Bank grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number R15AN20015) was a Bureau of Reclamation discretionary grant designed to fund and administer habitat improvements in the Klamath River Basin. Its central goal was to reduce and offset fish and wildlife impacts associated with operation of Reclamation's Klamath Project while advancing restoration priorities for Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon and the coho's designated critical habitat. The program emphasized on-the-ground restoration actions that measurably improve habitat conditions, with a clear connection to Endangered Species Act responsibilities and basin-wide recovery outcomes.
Geographically, the program placed its primary focus on the mainstem Klamath River nearest Iron Gate Dam and the tributaries below Iron Gate Dam, specifically from Bogus Creek (inclusive) downstream to the mainstem Salmon River (inclusive). Restoration eligibility within these waters was bounded upstream by natural impassable barriers, meaning projects could proceed up to, but not beyond, naturally limiting features that block fish passage. The announcement also allowed a secondary focus area: other tributaries in the Mid and Lower Klamath that support coho recovery and help meet Reclamation's ESA Section 7(a)(1) obligations. However, those secondary-area projects were intended as a fallback option and would be considered if Reclamation and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) determined that proposals in the primary focus area did not sufficiently meet that year's restoration objectives.
The structure of the award was unusual in that it concentrated funding into a single expected award and relied on a lead nonprofit partner to run a competitive restoration program on Reclamation's behalf. The eligible applicant category was limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The opportunity anticipated one award totaling $3,000,000, with the award floor and ceiling both set at $3,000,000, indicating the agency intended to make one grant at a fixed total amount rather than multiple smaller awards. No cost sharing or matching requirement was listed. The CFDA number associated with the program was 15.517 under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
Under the terms described, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) was identified as the recipient entity responsible for implementing and administering key components of the restoration funding program. NFWF's duties included ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes; obtaining necessary approvals and permits; and coordinating with landowners to secure access and permissions. NFWF was expected to carry out work in accordance with the proposal, the funding announcement, and a formal statement of work, meaning project delivery was tied to pre-defined methods, performance expectations, and reporting requirements rather than being open-ended.
A major part of NFWF's role was program administration and yearly grantmaking within the basin. The recipient was tasked with annually soliciting restoration proposals, reviewing and organizing submissions, coordinating the selection process, and convening an annual meeting with the resource agencies (NMFS, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Reclamation) to prioritize projects for funding. Once projects were selected, NFWF was responsible for administering Reclamation funds for coho restoration and for managing contracts with successful applicants on set timelines. The announcement specified that, unless exempted by NMFS and Reclamation, contracts for selected projects were to be completed by September 1 for 2014 and by mid-June for subsequent years, and that contracts would be finalized within two months of the date NMFS and Reclamation made selections. NFWF also had responsibility for overseeing activities conducted by other entities that received funds under this program, essentially acting as the pass-through administrator and ensuring subrecipients performed as intended.
The grant also emphasized accountability, transparency, and public communication. NFWF was required to conduct monitoring and reporting linked to the Klamath River Restoration program framework referenced in the agreement (including specific cited sections and appendices). Regular deliverables included semi-annual written reports and a final report, supporting Reclamation's oversight and documenting outcomes. In addition, NFWF was required to establish and maintain a public-facing website to share program information such as solicitation schedules, the review and contracting process, project eligibility and geographic scope, and an annual list of awarded projects. Public recognition of the partnership was also required through mechanisms like signage, ceremonies, outreach materials, and other appropriate communication methods that highlight Reclamation, NMFS, and NFWF's joint role in implementing restoration projects.
One specific obligation noted for the recipient was to secure additional funds beyond the federal award to develop a grazing management system intended to restore 205 acres of habitat in Milltown Valley and address other Central Valley Project (CVP)-impacted soil species, as described in the proposal. This indicates the program expected leveraged funding or complementary investments for at least some components, even though formal cost sharing was not required as a condition of the award.
Reclamation's involvement focused on technical oversight and compliance support rather than day-to-day administration. The agency committed to providing technical assistance to determine the appropriate level of environmental compliance needed to meet requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Reclamation also committed to ensuring it received required deliverables such as draft and final reports, and to providing additional information, clarification, data, or other practical assistance as requested by the recipient. Coordination with Reclamation's Klamath Basin Area Office was highlighted as the mechanism to help ensure all relevant permits (federal, state, and local) were obtained for funded work.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted June 22, 2015, with an application closing date of July 6, 2015, and an archive date of August 5, 2015. Questions or access issues were directed to the listed grants officer contact, Beverly Breen, at BBreen@usbr.gov. Overall, the opportunity functioned as a multi-year, basin-specific restoration funding vehicle: a single large award to an experienced nonprofit administrator to run an annual solicitation and selection process, contract with project implementers, ensure compliance and reporting, and deliver targeted habitat improvements for SONCC coho salmon in priority reaches of the Klamath River system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 2015-2019 OWRD Pilot Water Bank (R15AN20015)
What is the 2015-2019 OWRD Pilot Water Bank grant opportunity?
It was a Bureau of Reclamation discretionary grant (Funding Opportunity Number R15AN20015) designed to fund and administer habitat improvements in the Klamath River Basin. The program focused on on-the-ground restoration actions intended to measurably improve habitat conditions and support recovery priorities for Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon and the coho's designated critical habitat.
What was the central goal of this program?
The central goal was to reduce and offset fish and wildlife impacts associated with operation of Reclamation's Klamath Project, while advancing basin-wide restoration priorities tied to Endangered Species Act responsibilities and recovery outcomes for SONCC coho salmon.
Which species and habitat were emphasized?
The opportunity emphasized restoration priorities for SONCC coho salmon and the coho's designated critical habitat, with an expectation that projects would have a clear connection to Endangered Species Act obligations and measurable habitat improvements.
Where were projects primarily eligible to occur?
The primary geographic focus was the mainstem Klamath River nearest Iron Gate Dam and tributaries below Iron Gate Dam, specifically from Bogus Creek (inclusive) downstream to the mainstem Salmon River (inclusive).
What does it mean that restoration eligibility was bounded by natural impassable barriers?
It means projects could proceed upstream only to the point of naturally occurring barriers that block fish passage, and not beyond those naturally limiting features.
Was there a secondary geographic focus area?
Yes. A secondary focus area included other tributaries in the Mid and Lower Klamath that support coho recovery and help meet Reclamation's ESA Section 7(a)(1) obligations.
How were secondary-area projects considered compared to primary-area projects?
Secondary-area projects were described as a fallback option. They would be considered if Reclamation and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) determined that proposals in the primary focus area did not sufficiently meet that year's restoration objectives.
Who was eligible to apply for the main grant award?
The eligible applicant category was limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
How many awards were expected under this opportunity?
The opportunity anticipated a single award. Both the award floor and ceiling were set at $3,000,000, indicating the agency intended to make one grant at a fixed total amount rather than multiple smaller awards.
What was the total funding amount?
The expected award totaled $3,000,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No formal cost sharing or matching requirement was listed for the opportunity.
Was the program still expecting additional non-federal funds for any activities?
Yes. The recipient had a specific obligation to secure additional funds beyond the federal award to develop a grazing management system intended to restore 205 acres of habitat in Milltown Valley and address other Central Valley Project (CVP)-impacted soil species, as described in the proposal.
What CFDA number was associated with this program?
The CFDA number associated with the program was 15.517 under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
Who was identified as the recipient responsible for implementing and administering the program?
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) was identified as the recipient entity responsible for implementing and administering key components of the restoration funding program.
What was unusual about the structure of this award?
Rather than distributing funds through multiple direct federal awards, the opportunity concentrated funding into one expected award to a lead nonprofit partner to run a competitive restoration program on Reclamation's behalf, including annual solicitation and contracting with project implementers.
What were NFWF's main responsibilities under the grant?
NFWF was responsible for administering the restoration funding program, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, obtaining necessary approvals and permits, coordinating with landowners for access and permissions, and carrying out work according to the proposal, the funding announcement, and a formal statement of work.
How did annual project selection work under this program?
NFWF was tasked with annually soliciting restoration proposals, reviewing and organizing submissions, coordinating the selection process, and convening an annual meeting with resource agencies (NMFS, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Reclamation) to prioritize projects for funding.
What was NFWF's role after projects were selected?
NFWF was responsible for administering Reclamation funds for coho restoration, managing contracts with successful applicants on set timelines, and overseeing activities conducted by entities that received funds under the program (acting as a pass-through administrator).
What were the contracting timeline requirements mentioned in the announcement?
Unless exempted by NMFS and Reclamation, contracts for selected projects were to be completed by September 1 for 2014 and by mid-June for subsequent years. The announcement also stated contracts would be finalized within two months of the date NMFS and Reclamation made selections.
What kinds of reporting and monitoring were required?
NFWF was required to conduct monitoring and reporting linked to the Klamath River Restoration program framework referenced in the agreement. Deliverables included semi-annual written reports and a final report to support Reclamation oversight and document outcomes.
Were there public transparency or communications requirements?
Yes. NFWF was required to establish and maintain a public-facing website sharing program information such as solicitation schedules, the review and contracting process, project eligibility and geographic scope, and an annual list of awarded projects.
Was public recognition of the partnership required?
Yes. The announcement required public recognition through mechanisms like signage, ceremonies, outreach materials, and other appropriate communication methods highlighting Reclamation, NMFS, and NFWF's joint role in implementing restoration projects.
What was Reclamation's role once the award was made?
Reclamation's involvement focused on technical oversight and compliance support. It committed to providing technical assistance to determine appropriate levels of environmental compliance under NEPA and ESA, ensuring it received required deliverables (draft and final reports), and providing additional information or assistance as requested by the recipient.
How were permitting and approvals expected to be handled?
NFWF was responsible for obtaining necessary approvals and permits and for coordinating with landowners for access and permissions. Coordination with Reclamation's Klamath Basin Area Office was highlighted as a mechanism to help ensure all relevant permits (federal, state, and local) were obtained for funded work.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on June 22, 2015. The application closing date was July 6, 2015. The archive date was August 5, 2015.
Who was the contact for questions or access issues?
Questions or access issues were directed to the listed grants officer contact, Beverly Breen, at BBreen@usbr.gov.
What was the overall purpose and model of the program?
It functioned as a multi-year, basin-specific restoration funding vehicle: one large award to an experienced nonprofit administrator to run an annual solicitation and selection process, contract with project implementers, ensure compliance and reporting, and deliver targeted habitat improvements for SONCC coho salmon in priority reaches of the Klamath River system.
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