BLM WY Atlantic Rim Winter Greater Sage Grouse Study (CESU) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "BLM WY Atlantic Rim Winter Greater Sage Grouse Study (CESU)" opportunity?

This is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office funding opportunity to support a study on how winter habitat conditions affect Greater Sage-Grouse survival and long-term population persistence. The study is intended to generate applied, management-relevant ecological information that BLM and partners can use to assess winter habitat needs and inform land use and conservation decisions.

What is the main purpose of the study?

The core purpose is to understand whether and how winter habitat may act as a limiting factor for Greater Sage-Grouse populations in a landscape undergoing energy development. The project is focused on producing practical findings that can be translated into on-the-ground management considerations for winter habitat in the target area.

Where will the work take place?

The work targets the Atlantic Rim Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Area in Wyoming, an area where coalbed methane development is occurring and where winter habitat conditions are a key concern for sage-grouse.

Why is winter habitat a focus for Greater Sage-Grouse in this area?

The notice indicates that winter habitat may represent a critical limiting factor for sage-grouse populations in the Atlantic Rim EIS Area. By focusing on winter conditions, the project aims to clarify how those conditions relate to survival and population persistence, especially in the context of ongoing energy development.

What type of funding mechanism is being used?

The opportunity is issued as a discretionary cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement generally means BLM anticipates substantial involvement in the project rather than a hands-off grant relationship.

What does "substantial involvement" mean in this cooperative agreement?

Based on the description provided, BLM expects to collaborate during the project on items such as study design, data needs, field priorities, interpretation of results, and how findings are translated into management actions.

What program or CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.231, titled "Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management," and is listed under the Natural Resources activity category.

Is this an open competitive grant opportunity?

No. The notice is described as a notice of intent to award, which indicates it is not a broad, open competition. Instead, BLM states its intention to fund a specific partner.

Who is the intended award recipient?

The intended award recipient is the University of Wyoming, through the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network.

Who is listed as eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are listed as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, consistent with CESU partnerships. However, the notice also makes clear that the planned recipient is within the Great Plains CESU and identifies the University of Wyoming as the intended awardee.

How many awards does BLM expect to make under this notice?

The notice indicates an expectation of one award.

What is the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding for the award is $50,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

How long is the project period of performance?

The project is planned for a two-year period, with the total period of performance capped at 24 months.

Is funding guaranteed for the full two years?

The notice indicates continued funding depends on two conditions: (1) the recipient shows progress that BLM considers satisfactory and continuation remains in the government’s best interest, and (2) funds remain available. This means the work is expected to run up to two years, but ongoing support is tied to performance and budget availability.

When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The opportunity was posted and created on July 28, 2009. The original and current closing date is August 14, 2009. The archive date is October 1, 2009.

Is this opportunity still active?

No. The listed closing and archive dates indicate this was a past, time-bounded notice from 2009.

What kinds of outputs or deliverables are expected?

The summary explains that the intent is to produce applied, management-relevant ecological information to support BLM and partners in winter habitat assessment and decision-making. The notice also mentions that the full announcement text would typically include additional details on deliverables, reporting expectations, coordination requirements under the cooperative agreement, specific study methods, and the management questions to be addressed.

How does the study relate to energy development in the area?

The study is explicitly framed around a landscape undergoing energy development, specifically coalbed methane development in the Atlantic Rim EIS Area. The project is designed to inform land use and conservation decisions in this developing field by clarifying winter habitat needs and their relationship to sage-grouse survival and population persistence.

Who should be contacted for questions or if the full announcement text cannot be accessed?

The point of contact listed is Ilze J. Karklins Powers, Grants Management Officer, at ipowers@blm.gov.

Where can someone find additional details beyond this summary?

The notice references an additional information link for the full text. If access issues occur, the listed grants management contact (ipowers@blm.gov) is provided for assistance.