CCS Ukiah Cow Mountain Recreation Area | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): CCS Ukiah Cow Mountain Recreation Area (BLM CA NOI 09 2013)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) discretionary funding opportunity offered under a cooperative agreement to support cultural and natural resource stewardship work in the Cow Mountain Recreation Area near Ukiah, California. The opportunity is identified as "CCS Ukiah Cow Mountain Recreation Area" with Funding Opportunity Number BLM CA NOI 09 2013.

2) What is the main focus of the project work?

The project focuses on cultural resources, especially archaeology and traditional cultural places, with an emphasis on practical fieldwork that produces defensible documentation and actionable management recommendations for BLM.

3) Where will the work take place?

The work is intended for the Cow Mountain Recreation Area near Ukiah, California.

4) What types of activities are supported?

Supported activities include identifying, inventorying, and closely documenting archaeological and traditional cultural sites within the recreation area. The announcement specifically calls out activities such as archaeological surveys (inventories), detailed recording of discovered sites, and analyses to better understand sites and support management decisions.

5) What does "inventory" mean in this context?

In this opportunity, inventory refers to archaeological survey work intended to locate cultural resources within the recreation area and document their presence for management and compliance use.

6) What kinds of analyses are envisioned after sites are found?

The scope includes analyses aimed at inferring site functions, refining and mapping the extent of site boundaries, and assessing whether sites may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

7) Is National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) work part of the scope?

Yes. The announcement indicates the work may include assessing whether individual sites may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

8) What is a core objective of the project besides documentation?

A core objective is to locate sites that are vulnerable or actively being impacted, then develop clear recommendations that can reduce or prevent further damage where feasible.

9) What threats or risk drivers does the opportunity highlight?

The announcement calls out erosion, vandalism and looting, livestock grazing impacts, and increasing recreational use as key drivers of risk to cultural resources.

10) Does the grant support mitigation planning and recommendations?

Yes. The opportunity supports work that evaluates which places are most at risk and why, and then proposes mitigation measures intended to reduce impacts.

11) What are examples of mitigation measures mentioned or implied by the announcement?

Examples described include targeted monitoring plans, public education or signage approaches, route or use-area adjustments, protective measures for highly sensitive locations, and prioritized management actions that balance recreation with resource protection.

12) Are inventory and monitoring required deliverables?

Yes. Resource inventory and monitoring are explicitly identified as deliverables, indicating BLM is seeking outputs that can be integrated into ongoing management and compliance needs.

13) Is this intended to be an academic research project?

The emphasis is on practical, on-the-ground fieldwork and management-ready products rather than one-time academic studies. The announcement highlights actionable recommendations and defensible documentation meant to support ongoing stewardship and compliance.

14) How much funding is available?

The estimated total funding is capped at $100,000. The award ceiling is $100,000 and the minimum award amount (award floor) is $500.

15) How many awards does BLM expect to make?

The announcement anticipates making one award.

16) Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

17) What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?

The assistance listing is CFDA 15.238, associated with the Challenge Cost Share program framework.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. This typically includes state universities, public university systems, and similar qualifying academic entities.

19) What type of award instrument is used?

The funding is offered through a cooperative agreement.

20) What does the cooperative agreement structure imply for project coordination?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect more substantial federal involvement than under a standard grant. The announcement indicates this may mean closer collaboration with BLM staff on field priorities, methods, reporting formats, and how findings translate into management actions.

21) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The original posting indicates it was posted on August 25, 2009, created on August 27, 2009, and closed on September 8, 2009. The archive date is September 15, 2009.

22) Is this opportunity still open?

Based on the dates provided (closing date of September 8, 2009 and archive date of September 15, 2009), this posting is historical as listed.

23) Where was the full announcement available?

The full announcement was available via Grants.gov.

24) Who is the point of contact for access issues?

The listed point of contact for access issues is Leona B. Parker at lparker@blm.gov.

25) What kinds of final outputs does BLM appear to be looking for?

Based on the described scope and deliverables, BLM is looking for defensible site documentation, refined boundary information and mapping, risk and impact evaluation, inventory and monitoring outputs, and practical recommendations that can be implemented to reduce damage and guide ongoing management actions.