BLM WY High Desert District Culvert Inventory and Prioritization for Fish Passage | Apply Online

FAQs: BLM WY High Desert District Culvert Inventory and Prioritization for Fish Passage

What is the "BLM WY High Desert District Culvert Inventory and Prioritization for Fish Passage" opportunity?

It is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Department of the Interior cooperative agreement focused on identifying and ranking manmade barriers that may be blocking fish movement on BLM-administered public lands in southwestern Wyoming.

Which BLM offices and geographic areas are included?

The work is centered in the Wyoming High Desert District, specifically within the Rock Springs, Kemmerer, and Pinedale Field Office areas in southwestern Wyoming.

What types of barriers are being evaluated for fish passage issues?

The opportunity targets manmade structures suspected of impeding fish passage, including dams, irrigation diversions, road culverts, and low-water crossings (fords).

Why is this project needed?

BLM indicates the true number and severity of barriers is not yet known, but existing limited information suggests barriers could be widespread enough to reduce fish production and shrink usable habitat, including historically occupied stream miles. The project is framed as a district-wide inventory and standardized assessment effort to support future planning and decisions.

Why does fish movement (connectivity) matter in this announcement?

The announcement notes that adult fish often need to move upstream to reach suitable spawning areas, while juveniles and resident adults may need to move upstream and downstream to respond to changing stream conditions such as temperature swings, seasonal high and low flows, and changes in food availability or cover.

How can barriers affect fish populations over time?

When stream networks are fragmented, fish populations can become isolated. The announcement states this can reduce gene flow and potentially weaken long-term genetic integrity.

How does the project relate to floods, droughts, and other extreme events?

BLM highlights that connectivity supports recovery after events such as floods, droughts, or other stochastic disturbances that can wipe out or displace local fish populations. If barriers remain, natural recolonization of affected stream reaches can be slowed or prevented.

What is the main objective of the grant?

The main objective is to collect, organize, and present the information needed to evaluate fish passage at structures located on fish-bearing streams on public lands, particularly where crossings are associated with roads managed by BLM.

What are the specific tasks included in the project?

The project describes four tasks: (1) conduct a systematic inventory of dams, diversions, and road-stream crossings; (2) evaluate fish passage potential at each site using the National Inventory and Assessment Procedure (NAIP, 2005); (3) develop recommendations for restoration opportunities and establish priorities for action (for example, identifying culverts that are critical candidates for replacement); and (4) compile results into a final report to support planning and decision-making.

What assessment methodology is required?

BLM identifies the National Inventory and Assessment Procedure (NAIP, 2005) as the required standardized methodology for evaluating fish passage potential at each site.

What deliverables are expected?

Expected deliverables include an inventory of relevant structures, NAIP-based assessments of fish passage potential, recommendations for restoration opportunities, a prioritization of actions (such as which culverts are most critical for replacement), and a final report suitable for planning and decision-making.

Is the goal only to produce a list of barrier locations?

No. The opportunity emphasizes that the deliverable is not just a list of sites. It also calls for a prioritization framework that can feed directly into an action plan to guide future fish passage work across the district, including targeted culvert replacement projects.

What is a cooperative agreement in the context of this opportunity?

The announcement describes this as a cooperative agreement and indicates an active federal role. BLM would provide overall direction, define the inventory area, and share existing data and resources to support the work.

What support or resources would BLM provide?

BLM would share existing data and resources, including GIS layers and other relevant datasets. The announcement also notes that a BLM fisheries biologist would be available to assist with fieldwork as needed.

Does the opportunity include an education or workforce component?

Yes. BLM states an interest in working cooperatively with an organization that can provide adolescents an opportunity to learn about public lands and explore potential career paths, indicating the project may align well with youth engagement and training models.

What is the CFDA number and program area for this funding?

The opportunity was posted as a discretionary funding opportunity under CFDA 15.231, titled Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management.

How many awards were anticipated?

The announcement anticipated a single award.

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount listed was $20,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement stated that cost sharing or matching was not required.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was open to any type of entity, subject to any additional clarifications in the full announcement.

What was the planned project period?

The planned project period was March 2010 through February 2013.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was posted on February 19, 2010, and had a closing date of February 26, 2010.

Was this opportunity later archived?

Yes. The opportunity was later archived on June 30, 2010.

Who is the listed grants management contact for access issues?

The listed grants management contact for access issues was Ilze J. Karklins Powers (ipowers@blm.gov).

What kinds of streams are the focus of the inventory and assessment?

The announcement specifies fish-bearing streams on public lands, particularly where crossings are associated with BLM-managed roads.

What is the intended use of the final report?

BLM states the final report should compile results in a form that can be used for planning and decision-making related to future fish passage efforts across the district.