BLM OR/WA Watershed Restoration and Noxious Weed Treatment, Education and Outreach Medford and Roseburg Districts, Oregon | Apply Online

FAQs: BLM OR/WA Watershed Restoration and Noxious Weed Treatment, Education and Outreach (Medford and Roseburg Districts, Oregon)

What is this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cooperative agreement focused on stopping and reducing the spread of invasive, noxious weeds in southwest Oregon through on-the-ground treatment combined with education and outreach.

What is the main goal of the project?

The main goal is practical weed control in the field paired with education and outreach so communities and partners can recognize priority species, apply effective treatments, and restore sites after infestations are removed.

Where will the work take place?

The project area covers BLM-managed lands within the Medford and Roseburg Districts, specifically the northernmost portions of Josephine County and all of Douglas County in Oregon.

Can project activities occur on non-federally managed lands?

Yes. The description explicitly includes work that may occur on both federally managed and non-federally managed lands.

Why is this project being funded now?

The funding is tied to timing: several target weed populations are still present in small, isolated patches in some locations. The announcement describes this as a critical window when eradication or containment is most achievable and least expensive.

What makes invasive weeds in this region a concern?

The opportunity highlights that invasive, noxious weeds spread easily and can re-infest treated areas if follow-through does not occur. The project emphasizes continuity so prior control investments are not lost and previously treated sites do not become reinfested.

How do the target weeds commonly spread?

The announcement notes common spread pathways including vehicle traffic, animals, wind dispersal, and contaminated quarry materials such as fill dirt and gravel.

Which noxious weeds are specifically mentioned as targets?

The opportunity lists a broad range of problematic weeds, including Himalayan blackberry, brooms, knapweeds, knotweeds, yellow star thistle, gorse, Canada and bull thistle, puncturevine, Scotch thistle, toadflax, Patersons Curse, whitetop, wooly distaff thistle, and English hawthorn.

Are specific treatment methods required?

The summary does not prescribe a specific treatment mix. It indicates that multiple control methods may be used, typically meaning approaches selected to match the species and site conditions.

What types of activities does the opportunity suggest under "multiple control methods"?

While the summary does not set a fixed method list, it indicates methods typically used in this type of work, such as mechanical removal, targeted herbicide application, revegetation or other restoration actions, and ongoing monitoring to prevent reestablishment.

Is restoration included, or only weed removal?

Restoration is part of the intent. The project pairs weed removal with restoration actions after infestations are removed so disturbed areas do not become reinvasion hotspots.

What does the education and outreach component aim to do?

Education and outreach are intended to increase awareness of "menace" weed species, promote best practices for control, encourage restoration after removal, and reduce spread from common vectors such as equipment and material transport.

Who is expected to benefit from the education and outreach work?

The summary emphasizes communities and partners, including landowners and local and state partners, by improving recognition of priority species, encouraging effective control practices, and supporting restoration follow-through.

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

It is described as a BLM cooperative agreement.

Which agency is offering the funding?

The funding opportunity was issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), under the OR/WA (Oregon/Washington) context.

Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?

Yes. The announcement is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.

What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was issued under CFDA 15.230, titled Invasive and Noxious Plant Management.

How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

What was the estimated total program funding?

The estimated total program funding was $950,000.

What is the award ceiling and floor?

The award ceiling was listed as $163,000, and the award floor was listed as $1.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost share or matching requirement was indicated in the provided summary.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications that may have appeared in the full announcement.

When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?

The opportunity was posted on August 28, 2013, and the application deadline was September 6, 2013.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. It was later archived on August 27, 2014.

Who was the listed contact for questions or access issues?

The listed contact was Jessica Clark, reachable at 503-808-6226 and j1clark@blm.gov.

Does the opportunity emphasize coordination with existing efforts?

Yes. The description notes that agencies and local partners have already been working for years on infestations, and the grant emphasizes continuity and follow-through to prevent reinfestation and protect prior investments.