Opportunity Information: Apply for P15AS00247
Apply for P15AS00247
- The National Park Service in the community development disaster prevention and relief education environment natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "ASSISTANCE FOR VISIBILITY DATA ANALYSIS AND IMAGE DISPLAY TECHNIQUES" 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 Jul 28, 2015 and posted on Jul 28, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 7, 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 $895,976.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $895,976.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Assistance for Visibility Data Analysis and Image Display Techniques" is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award, meaning it is not open for competitive applications and is being published only to inform the public that NPS plans to fund a specific recipient without competition. The planned award is a cooperative agreement to Colorado State University (CSU), specifically through the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), with an anticipated total funding amount of $895,976 and no cost share requirement. The agreement is expected to run from the date of award through 08/30/2016. The statutory authority cited is 54 USC 101702(b), and the assistance listing is CFDA 15.945 (Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System), connected to the CESU network (Rocky Mountains CESU) with a negotiated overhead rate of 17.5 percent. The single-source rationale is based on the "Continuation" criterion, indicating this work is a continuation of ongoing, currently funded activities where competing the award would disrupt progress or continuity.
At its core, the project focuses on understanding and communicating how air pollution affects national parks and other protected areas, especially by reducing scenic visibility, affecting ecosystems, and, in some cases, impacting visitor health. The work supports NPS priorities tied to protecting the visitor experience and natural resources in an "unimpaired" state. A major scientific backbone of the effort is the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) program, which routinely collects fine particle samples that can be analyzed for chemistry and optical behavior. By looking at how airborne particles scatter and absorb light, the project helps explain why views in parks can look hazy and which pollution sources are most responsible. The resulting data products and analyses are intended for broad use: they feed directly into Clean Air Act regulatory implementation by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and by state and local air agencies, and they are also used by non-government organizations and industry groups that track air quality and regulatory outcomes.
A notable part of the project is not just analyzing pollution, but translating technical results into visuals and tools that people can easily grasp. The announcement emphasizes photographic and image-based techniques that realistically show what a landscape would look like under different pollutant levels and weather conditions. That kind of visibility rendering requires several pieces working together: solid knowledge of pollutant optics, modern measurement methods, the ability to simulate cumulative atmospheric effects, and professional-quality image processing and display. In practice, these tools help bridge the gap between lab measurements and what a park visitor actually sees, which can make air quality impacts more tangible for the public and more useful for decision-makers.
The project also extends beyond visibility into atmospheric deposition, with a particular emphasis on nitrogen compounds and their ecological effects. Nitrogen deposition has been linked to ecosystem changes in parts of the Rocky Mountains, but the announcement notes that the sources, chemistry, and how deposition changes over time are not fully understood. To address this, the work includes field measurements and modeling, building on studies such as NPS-initiated nitrogen deposition research at Grand Teton National Park beginning in 2011. Regional air quality modeling is planned to assess nitrogen deposition in Class I areas in the Greater Yellowstone Area, supporting the kind of evidence base needed for future regulatory or policy responses aimed at reducing nitrogen loading.
Another major theme is the impact of energy development on air quality in otherwise pristine regions, with special attention to oil and gas development in the Williston Basin and the Bakken shale region. The announcement points to observed long-term trends showing worsening aerosol composition and increased visibility degradation over the previous decade, while also stating that the specific emissions and resulting impacts are still not well characterized. To fill that gap, the project includes analysis of monitoring studies conducted during winter 2012-2013 and winter/spring 2013-2014 at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and nearby sites in North Dakota. Those datasets include aerosol chemistry, visibility metrics, ozone, and deposition, along with other existing state air quality data, to better establish baseline conditions and evaluate how rapid development is changing air quality and related resource conditions.
Methodologically, the effort relies on a combination of measured monitoring data and multiple modeling approaches to identify causes and sources of pollution. The announcement highlights Eulerian and Lagrangian modeling frameworks, along with receptor models, integrated for source apportionment and for evaluating the role of meteorology and atmospheric chemistry in observed concentrations. This kind of modeling is positioned as essential for identifying causal mechanisms behind elevated pollutant levels and for translating scientific findings into strategies that agencies can actually use. The outputs are intended to inform NPS internal air quality policy positions and to support state and federal regulators in designing mitigation approaches, including estimating source contributions to nitrogen deposition and other pollutants affecting national parks and other sensitive lands.
A practical deliverable area involves data infrastructure and public-facing dissemination. NPS and the US Forest Service depend on many different air quality and related datasets to track conditions, create standardized graphics and tables, and measure progress toward air quality improvement goals. This project includes web-based database and portal support to inventory air quality data, process it for trends and park-specific conditions, and display it for government, academic, and public use through an unrestricted website. In addition to serving regulators and scientists, the announcement underscores public interpretation and outreach, including education efforts in elementary and secondary schools to encourage students to engage in science projects connected to air quality and environmental monitoring.
The cooperative agreement structure is emphasized through the defined roles of each party. CSU, through CIRA, is expected to conduct aerosol research, investigate nitrogen deposition (including Rocky Mountain National Park, the Greater Yellowstone area, and other locations), evaluate oil and gas development impacts on park lands, and maintain and expand an air quality portal and database while also helping produce public outreach materials. NPS, in turn, commits to substantial involvement: participating in data analysis and report writing, coauthoring peer-reviewed publications, and providing access to monitoring locations, shelters, and specialized equipment where appropriate. The designated point of contact in the notice is June Zastrow (303-987-6718, junezastrow@nps.gov). Overall, the notice describes a continuation award meant to keep an established, interagency-relevant scientific workflow running: collect and interpret monitoring data, model sources and impacts, communicate results to regulators implementing the Clean Air Act, and translate technical findings into understandable products that help the public see how air pollution changes the landscapes they visit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Assistance for Visibility Data Analysis and Image Display Techniques
1) What is the "Assistance for Visibility Data Analysis and Image Display Techniques" opportunity?
It is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award a cooperative agreement focused on analyzing air pollution impacts (especially scenic visibility) and producing image-based techniques that help communicate those impacts in realistic, public-friendly ways.
2) Is this opportunity open for competitive applications?
No. This is a notice of intent to award, meaning it is not open for competitive applications. It is being published to inform the public that NPS plans to fund a specific recipient without competition.
3) Who is the planned recipient of the award?
The planned recipient is Colorado State University (CSU), specifically through the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA).
4) What type of award is planned?
The planned award is a cooperative agreement, which is a structure that emphasizes substantial involvement by NPS in the work (for example, participating in analysis and report writing and coauthoring publications).
5) What is the anticipated total funding amount?
The anticipated total funding amount is $895,976.
6) Is a cost share or matching requirement mentioned?
No. The notice states there is no cost share requirement.
7) What is the expected period of performance?
The agreement is expected to run from the date of award through 08/30/2016.
8) What is the statutory authority cited for this award?
The statutory authority cited is 54 USC 101702(b).
9) What assistance listing (CFDA) is associated with this opportunity?
The assistance listing is CFDA 15.945, described as Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System.
10) How is this connected to the CESU network?
The notice indicates the award is connected to the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network, specifically the Rocky Mountains CESU.
11) Is an overhead rate mentioned?
Yes. The notice mentions a negotiated overhead rate of 17.5 percent.
12) Why is this being made as a single-source (non-competitive) award?
The single-source rationale is based on the "Continuation" criterion. The notice explains that this work continues ongoing, currently funded activities, and competing the award would disrupt progress or continuity.
13) What is the main purpose of the project?
The project focuses on understanding and communicating how air pollution affects national parks and other protected areas, including reduced scenic visibility, impacts to ecosystems, and in some cases visitor health. The work supports NPS priorities related to protecting the visitor experience and natural resources in an unimpaired state.
14) What is scenic visibility and why is it a focus here?
Scenic visibility refers to how clearly visitors can see landscape features. The notice emphasizes that fine particles in the air can scatter and absorb light, creating haze that degrades views in national parks. The project analyzes these effects and helps identify which pollution sources are most responsible.
15) What monitoring program is highlighted as a scientific foundation for this work?
The Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) program is highlighted. It routinely collects fine particle samples that can be analyzed for chemistry and optical behavior, supporting visibility-related analysis.
16) How does the project connect particle chemistry to what people actually see?
By analyzing how airborne particles scatter and absorb light, the project helps explain why vistas can look hazy under certain conditions. The work also emphasizes translating technical results into realistic photographic and image-based renderings that show what landscapes would look like under different pollutant levels and weather conditions.
17) What are "image display techniques" in the context of this project?
They are photographic and image-based methods designed to realistically depict visibility conditions. The notice describes the need to combine pollutant optics, measurement methods, cumulative atmospheric simulation, and professional-quality image processing and display so the results are understandable and credible to the public and decision-makers.
18) Who is expected to use the data products and analyses?
The notice states the outputs are intended for broad use, including Clean Air Act regulatory implementation by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and local air agencies. It also notes that non-government organizations and industry groups use the information to track air quality and regulatory outcomes.
19) Does the project address topics beyond visibility?
Yes. The work extends into atmospheric deposition, with particular emphasis on nitrogen compounds and their ecological effects.
20) What does the notice say about nitrogen deposition impacts?
It notes that nitrogen deposition has been linked to ecosystem changes in parts of the Rocky Mountains, but that sources, chemistry, and changes over time are not fully understood. The project includes field measurements and modeling to improve understanding.
21) Are any specific parks or regions mentioned for nitrogen deposition work?
Yes. The notice references nitrogen deposition research initiated by NPS at Grand Teton National Park beginning in 2011 and states that regional air quality modeling is planned to assess nitrogen deposition in Class I areas in the Greater Yellowstone Area.
22) What does the opportunity say about energy development and air quality?
The notice highlights the impact of energy development on air quality in otherwise pristine regions, with special attention to oil and gas development in the Williston Basin and the Bakken shale region. It references observed long-term trends showing worsening aerosol composition and increased visibility degradation over the prior decade, while noting impacts are still not well characterized.
23) What specific monitoring periods and locations are mentioned related to oil and gas development?
The notice mentions analysis of monitoring studies from winter 2012-2013 and winter/spring 2013-2014 at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and nearby sites in North Dakota. It also mentions integrating these with other existing state air quality data.
24) What kinds of measurements are included in the North Dakota datasets described?
The notice lists aerosol chemistry, visibility metrics, ozone, and deposition, along with other state air quality data used to better establish baselines and evaluate changes associated with rapid development.
25) What modeling approaches are mentioned for identifying causes and sources of pollution?
The notice highlights using Eulerian and Lagrangian modeling frameworks, along with receptor models, integrated for source apportionment and for evaluating meteorology and atmospheric chemistry influences on observed pollutant concentrations.
26) What is the intended value of the modeling work?
The modeling is positioned as essential for identifying causal mechanisms behind elevated pollutant levels, translating scientific findings into usable strategies, estimating source contributions (including to nitrogen deposition), and supporting state and federal regulators in designing mitigation approaches.
27) What does the notice say about data infrastructure and public dissemination?
It states that NPS and the US Forest Service rely on many datasets to track conditions, create standardized graphics and tables, and measure progress toward air quality improvement goals. The project includes web-based database and portal support to inventory air quality data, process it for trends and park-specific conditions, and display it through an unrestricted website for government, academic, and public use.
28) Does the opportunity include public outreach or education components?
Yes. The notice underscores public interpretation and outreach, including education efforts in elementary and secondary schools to encourage student engagement in science projects connected to air quality and environmental monitoring.
29) What are CSU/CIRA's expected roles under the cooperative agreement?
CSU through CIRA is expected to conduct aerosol research; investigate nitrogen deposition (including Rocky Mountain National Park, the Greater Yellowstone area, and other locations); evaluate oil and gas development impacts on park lands; maintain and expand an air quality portal and database; and help produce public outreach materials.
30) What are NPS's expected roles under the cooperative agreement?
NPS commits to substantial involvement, including participating in data analysis and report writing, coauthoring peer-reviewed publications, and providing access to monitoring locations, shelters, and specialized equipment where appropriate.
31) Who is the point of contact listed in the notice?
The designated point of contact is June Zastrow. Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: junezastrow@nps.gov.
32) What is the overall goal described by the notice?
The notice describes a continuation award meant to keep an established workflow running: collect and interpret monitoring data, model sources and impacts, communicate results to regulators implementing the Clean Air Act, and translate technical findings into understandable products that help the public see how air pollution changes the landscapes they visit.
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