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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Funding Opportunity Number 09HQPA0017?

Funding Opportunity Number 09HQPA0017 is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding opportunity issued as a cooperative agreement through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, specifically the South Florida Caribbean CESU.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What type of award is being used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which is issued under the CESU Program framework.

What is the CFDA number and program name associated with this funding?

The opportunity is under CFDA 15.808, titled USGS Research and Data Collection.

What is the overall purpose of this cooperative agreement?

The purpose is to improve the Everglades Depth Estimation Network (EDEN) by updating the ground elevation model (digital elevation model, or DEM), expanding the DEM into additional areas, and improving the surface water interpolation program used to generate daily water level surfaces. These improvements support biological and restoration planning models tied to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

What is EDEN and why is it important?

EDEN (Everglades Depth Estimation Network) is a foundational dataset and modeling framework used to generate water-depth information (maps of water depth). These products are relied upon for biological and restoration planning models related to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

Why does EDEN need to be updated periodically?

EDEN is treated as an evolving system. As new high-accuracy elevation data become available, interpolation algorithms improve, and more ground-based supporting information is collected, EDEN products need updates. Additionally, multiple research groups use EDEN outputs, and their feedback plus expanding field observations create an ongoing need to revise both the ground elevation model and the water-surface modeling approach.

What are the main technical drivers behind this funding opportunity?

The main technical motivation is that both the existing EDEN surface water model and the underlying DEM are due for revision. Updated information at water level gages and improved representation of canals introduced changes significant enough that the interpolation program and its parameters need to be revisited. The DEM also needs targeted improvements in complex topographic areas, especially Water Conservation Area 1 (WCA1).

How did the original EDEN surface water model generate daily water levels?

The original model used radial basis function interpolation with a multiquadratic method in an ArcGIS 9.x environment to create a continuous mathematical water surface, then sampled it onto a 400 by 400 meter grid to record interpolated daily water levels.

What changed that now requires the interpolation program and parameters to be revisited?

Over the prior two years, updates at water level gages and improved canal representations introduced changes significant enough that the interpolation program and its parameters need to be re-evaluated and updated.

What are the two main goals of the scope of work?

The work is organized around two linked goals: (1) revising and expanding the EDEN DEM, and (2) improving the EDEN surface water interpolation program that produces daily water level surfaces.

What is included under Goal 1 (revising and expanding the DEM)?

Goal 1 includes two efforts: updating the WCA1 portion of the DEM using a method developed under an earlier CESU agreement (referenced as #0599HS0012), and expanding the DEM beyond the original EDEN domain by incorporating an area south of Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) extending to the mangrove ecotone edge.

Why is Water Conservation Area 1 (WCA1) a focus for DEM improvement?

WCA1 is highlighted because its topography is complex and highly variable, which makes elevation estimation more challenging. New methods were tested in 2008 to produce better results, and this opportunity includes updating the WCA1 DEM using that previously developed method.

What does it mean to expand the DEM south of Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP)?

It means adding a new mapped area beyond the original EDEN domain, specifically an area south of BCNP extending to the mangrove ecotone edge, and integrating it into the EDEN ground-surface DEM.

How will the expanded DEM be integrated with the existing EDEN DEM?

The intent is to build the new area using methods consistent with the original EDEN DEM so it can be stitched to the existing DEM without seams or inconsistencies that could compromise water-depth mapping.

What is included under Goal 2 (improving the surface water model)?

Goal 2 includes incorporating revised input datasets (including updated gage data and improved canal interpolations), reparameterizing the revised model, and evaluating performance against available field data to confirm how the interpolation performs after updates to inputs and canal representations.

What specific input updates are mentioned for the revised surface water interpolation?

The opportunity specifically calls out updated gage data and improved canal interpolations as revised inputs to modernize the datasets driving daily water-surface estimates.

Why does the project include reparameterizing and evaluating the revised surface water model?

Interpolation performance can change when input data sources, spatial relationships, or canal representations are updated. Reparameterizing and evaluating against field data helps ensure the revised model remains accurate and defensible.

What is the "dry conditions" test described in the opportunity?

The project will examine EDEN behavior when gage water levels fall below ground level by creating and running an input dataset that excludes those below-ground gage readings. This is intended to prevent unrealistic water-surface artifacts during very low-water periods and better reflect physical conditions.

What is the expected number of awards?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

What is the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $36,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching was required.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the South Florida Caribbean CESU network.

Why is eligibility restricted to South Florida Caribbean CESU partners?

The opportunity follows the CESU model, which leverages established partnerships to deliver research, technical assistance, and education tied to federal resource-management needs.

What were the key dates for this funding opportunity?

The posting date was December 18, 2008. The closing date was December 28, 2008. The archive date was January 27, 2009.

Who was the contact person for access issues or administrative questions?

The listed contact was Faith Peters, Contract Specialist, reachable at 703-648-7356.

How does this work support Everglades restoration planning?

By keeping EDEN water-depth mapping products current and defensible. The work improves the ground elevation surface where modeling is hardest (WCA1), expands the mapped domain into areas south of BCNP, and updates the daily water-surface interpolation approach so water depth products remain accurate as measurement networks and canal datasets evolve.