Opportunity Information: Apply for E11AC60552
Apply for E11AC60552
- The National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assessing the Vulnerability of Sensitive Karst Habitats Containing RTE Species in Chesapeake Ohio Canal National Historical Park" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs Resources of the National Park System.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 28, 2011 and posted on Jun 28, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 5, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $220,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $220,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- This is a Notice of Intent of a single source task agreement award to West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV under the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The Geology Program of the Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University has well known, respected, and experienced hydro and geomorphologists, scientists knowledgeable about the scientific methods of identifying and assessing karst and groundwater resource conditions. This cooperative effort, including Maryland Natural Heritage taxonomic experts, will allow the Cooperators to continue to build upon and expand on their scholarly work and allow them to develop new integrated science based approaches for assessing and predicting natural resource conditions through this project. We searched and could not find scientists within the Chesapeake Watershed CESU with needed expertise. The Cooperator has worked cooperatively on two previous projects with the park and other NCR parks. Cooperator scientists have a demonstrated track record for completion of projects on time and on budget with excellent quality. Their prior program experience and research expertise make the proposed Cooperator uniquely qualified to carry out the terms of this Agreement in a cost effective manner.
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Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity, titled "Assessing the Vulnerability of Sensitive Karst Habitats Containing RTE Species in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park," is a National Park Service (NPS) effort focused on protecting highly sensitive groundwater and karst ecosystems within the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (CHOH). CHOH is described as Maryland's most important land tract for conserving rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) subterranean macroinvertebrates, with more than 10 RTE groundwater species already documented in the park's karst settings. The core problem driving the project is that these underground habitats are especially susceptible to contamination, and the park's long, narrow footprint makes it harder to control or buffer against pollution sources that may originate outside park boundaries.
The project is designed to move from general concern to actionable protection by identifying which karst sites and associated RTE populations face the greatest risk, then gathering the specific scientific information needed to guide management decisions. A key deliverable is a prioritization of CHOH karst RTE sites based on both the level of risk and the potential magnitude of impacts. For those sites deemed higher risk, the work will generate more detailed, site-specific information intended to support protection measures, likely including recommendations for land use coordination, monitoring, or targeted mitigation actions.
A central technical goal is to define groundwater recharge areas more precisely. Because contaminants can enter a karst system far from where sensitive species live, knowing the true recharge and flow pathways is crucial for prevention. The project will use microbial source tracking and dye tracing, two established hydrogeologic tools, to map contributing recharge areas and to better understand how surface activities connect to the underground habitats supporting RTE species. Dye tracing helps confirm subsurface flow routes and connections in karst terrain, while microbial tracking can help identify potential contamination sources and characterize water quality threats. Together, these methods are intended to translate complex subsurface processes into clear maps and management implications that CHOH managers can use.
Structurally, this is a discretionary funding opportunity and will be awarded as a cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.945 (Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System). The estimated total funding is $220,000, with an award ceiling of $220,000 and no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The project period is two years, reflecting the time needed for field investigations, tracing studies, analysis, and synthesis into management guidance.
In terms of eligibility and award approach, this posting is explicitly a Notice of Intent for a single-source task agreement award to West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown, West Virginia, under the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The justification provided is that WVU's Department of Geology and Geography has recognized hydrogeologists and geomorphologists with the specialized expertise needed for assessing karst and groundwater resource conditions, and that the NPS was unable to find scientists with the required expertise within the Chesapeake Watershed CESU. The award also relies on WVU's prior successful collaboration with CHOH and other National Capital Region parks, citing an established record of completing projects on time, within budget, and with high quality. The project is also described as involving Maryland Natural Heritage taxonomic experts, indicating an integrated team approach that combines hydrogeology, geomorphology, and biological/taxonomic expertise to connect groundwater processes to the conservation needs of subterranean species.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted June 28, 2011, with a closing date of July 5, 2011, and an archive date of August 4, 2011. The listing includes a contact for access or assistance: Tonya Bradley, Contract Specialist, reachable by phone at 402-661-1656 (noted as help desk support). Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted, science-driven conservation project intended to reduce pollution vulnerability for rare groundwater species by pinpointing where risks are highest and by mapping exactly which lands and waters contribute to the karst systems that sustain these sensitive habitats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Assessing the Vulnerability of Sensitive Karst Habitats Containing RTE Species in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park."
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding opportunity.
What park or location is the project focused on?
The work focuses on Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (CHOH), with an emphasis on karst and groundwater ecosystems within the park.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is intended to protect highly sensitive groundwater and karst ecosystems by moving from general concern about contamination to practical, science-based actions. It aims to identify which karst sites and rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) species populations are at the highest risk and to produce information that can guide management decisions.
Why is CHOH considered important for conserving subterranean species?
CHOH is described as Maryland's most important land tract for conserving rare, threatened, and endangered subterranean macroinvertebrates. More than 10 RTE groundwater species have already been documented in the park's karst settings.
What problem is this project trying to solve?
The core issue is that underground karst habitats and groundwater ecosystems are especially vulnerable to contamination. The park's long, narrow footprint also makes it harder to control or buffer against pollution sources that may originate outside park boundaries.
What kinds of habitats are being assessed?
The focus is on sensitive karst habitats and groundwater systems that support RTE subterranean macroinvertebrates within CHOH.
What does "RTE" mean in this opportunity?
RTE refers to rare, threatened, and endangered species. In this project, the term is used for groundwater/subterranean species found in karst settings.
What is a key deliverable expected from the project?
A central deliverable is a prioritization of CHOH karst RTE sites based on both (1) the level of risk and (2) the potential magnitude of impacts. This prioritization is meant to help the park decide where protection efforts are most urgent.
What happens after high-risk sites are identified?
For sites considered higher risk, the project will produce more detailed, site-specific information designed to support protection measures. The description indicates this could include guidance relevant to land use coordination, monitoring, and/or targeted mitigation actions.
Why is defining groundwater recharge areas a central goal?
In karst systems, contaminants can enter groundwater far from where sensitive species actually live. Defining recharge areas and understanding flow pathways helps identify where risks originate and supports prevention by clarifying which land areas contribute water (and potential contaminants) to sensitive underground habitats.
What technical methods will be used to map recharge areas and flow pathways?
The project will use microbial source tracking and dye tracing. These are established hydrogeologic tools used to understand how surface activities connect to subsurface karst flow networks.
How does dye tracing help in karst environments?
Dye tracing is used to confirm subsurface flow routes and connections in karst terrain. It helps determine where water entering the ground at one location travels and where it emerges or influences other parts of the groundwater system.
How does microbial source tracking fit into the project?
Microbial source tracking is described as a way to help identify potential contamination sources and characterize water quality threats. Used alongside dye tracing, it supports a clearer understanding of vulnerability and risk.
What will the project produce for CHOH managers to use?
The methods are intended to translate complex subsurface processes into clear maps and management implications that CHOH managers can use for decision-making, especially related to preventing contamination and protecting sensitive karst habitats.
What type of award is expected for this opportunity?
The award will be made as a cooperative agreement.
Is this a competitive funding opportunity?
No. The posting is explicitly a Notice of Intent for a single-source task agreement award to West Virginia University (WVU) under the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).
Who is the intended recipient of the single-source award?
West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown, West Virginia is identified as the intended recipient.
Why is the award being made as a single-source action to WVU?
The justification provided is that WVU's Department of Geology and Geography has recognized hydrogeologists and geomorphologists with specialized expertise needed for assessing karst and groundwater resource conditions. It also notes that NPS was unable to find scientists with the required expertise within the Chesapeake Watershed CESU and cites WVU's prior successful collaboration with CHOH and other National Capital Region parks.
What expertise or partners are mentioned as part of the project team?
The opportunity describes an integrated approach involving WVU hydrogeology and geomorphology expertise as well as Maryland Natural Heritage taxonomic experts, linking groundwater processes to the conservation needs of subterranean species.
What is the CFDA number and program name listed for this opportunity?
The listing cites CFDA 15.945, "Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System."
How much funding is available?
The estimated total funding is $220,000, and the award ceiling is also $220,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity.
How long is the project period?
The project period is two years, reflecting time needed for field investigations, tracing studies, analysis, and synthesis into management guidance.
When was the opportunity posted, and what were the close and archive dates?
The opportunity was posted on June 28, 2011. The closing date was July 5, 2011, and the archive date was August 4, 2011.
Who is listed as the contact for access or assistance?
The listing provides Tonya Bradley, Contract Specialist, as the contact for access or assistance.
What phone number is provided for help desk support?
The phone number listed is 402-661-1656.
What is the broader conservation outcome this project is aiming for?
The project is framed as a targeted, science-driven conservation effort to reduce pollution vulnerability for rare groundwater species by pinpointing where risks are highest and mapping which lands and waters contribute to the karst systems that sustain sensitive habitats.
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