Estimation of sockeye, chum, and coho salmon spawning distributions in the Matanuska River watershed | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Estimation of sockeye, chum, and coho salmon spawning distributions in the Matanuska River watershed."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 701818R056.

3) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) opportunity, issued by USFWS Region 7.

4) What type of funding instrument is being used?

The notice lists the instrument as a Cooperative Agreement.

5) Is this an open competitive grant where anyone can apply?

No. The USFWS states it intends to make a single-source award to Chickaloon Native Village, and that it is not requesting or accepting proposals from other applicants.

6) Who is the intended recipient?

The intended recipient is Chickaloon Native Village.

7) What is the main purpose of the cooperative agreement?

The purpose is twofold: (1) to meet fisheries assessment needs in the Matanuska River watershed, and (2) to strengthen long-term research capacity within Chickaloon Native Village and the surrounding community.

8) What community or capacity-building component is included?

A central feature is hiring and training Chickaloon citizens and/or local residents as research assistants to support field sampling, including providing locally based staff to help operate fishwheels and collect biological and movement data from salmon.

9) What geographic area does the project focus on?

The work focuses on the Matanuska River watershed in Alaska, including the mainstem Matanuska River and its tributaries.

10) Which salmon species are covered by the research?

The project addresses three species: sockeye salmon, chum salmon, and coho salmon.

11) What kinds of research questions is the project trying to answer?

The study is designed to improve understanding of where and when sockeye, chum, and coho salmon migrate and spawn within the Matanuska River system, including run timing and upstream spawning destinations.

12) What role do fishwheels play in the project?

The objectives include evaluating whether fishwheels can consistently capture enough salmon to support tagging efforts, and using fishwheel captures as the basis for run timing profiles at the capture location.

13) What time period is used to describe run timing at the capture location?

The notice describes run timing (migratory timing profiles) at the capture location from July through mid-October 2008.

14) What is the key tagging objective?

A major emphasis is tagging fish to determine upstream spawning destinations above the Old Glenn Highway Bridge (river kilometer 19).

15) What detection goal is stated for identifying upstream spawning destinations?

For each species, the study aims to detect an upstream spawning destination if at least one tagged fish is present from a group representing 10 or more of the fish passing the capture site within a given time period, with a target detection probability of 0.85.

16) Will the project map spawning areas?

Yes. The project calls for mapping spawning areas across the mainstem Matanuska River and its tributaries.

17) What biological data will be collected?

The study includes collecting biological composition data such as sex, age, and length distributions for each of the three salmon species.

18) Does the project include estimating salmon abundance?

The study includes an evaluation of whether mark-recapture methods are feasible for producing spawning abundance estimates in the Matanuska River watershed.

19) Why is the mark-recapture evaluation included?

The notice explains that evaluating mark-recapture feasibility would help determine whether future projects could generate more robust population size information, beyond distribution and timing.

20) How is this project described in terms of strategic importance?

The project is described as strategically important for the Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field Office, Chickaloon Native Village, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

21) Does the opportunity align with any local or regional plans?

Yes. It aligns with priorities laid out by the Mat-Su Basin Salmon Conservation Partnership, specifically needs identified in the Partnership's Strategic Action Plan.

22) What is the activity category for this funding?

The opportunity is listed under the Natural Resources activity category.

23) Is this discretionary funding?

Yes. The listing indicates the opportunity is discretionary funding.

24) What is the total anticipated funding amount?

The anticipated single award amount is $35,862.

25) Is there a funding range (ceiling and floor)?

The award ceiling and award floor are both listed as $35,862, meaning the notice describes an exact award amount.

26) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice states that cost sharing or matching funds are not required.

27) How many awards does the opportunity anticipate making?

The notice anticipates a single award.

28) Who is eligible according to the listing?

Eligibility is limited in the listing to federally recognized Native American tribal governments, consistent with the stated intent to award directly to Chickaloon Native Village.

29) What are the posting and closing dates?

The posting date is June 5, 2008. The original and current closing date is June 20, 2008. The archive date is July 20, 2008.

30) When does the period of performance run?

The period of performance is listed as June 23, 2008 through October 15, 2009.

31) What kinds of activities are expected during the period of performance?

The period of performance is described as covering fieldwork as well as follow-up tasks such as data processing, mapping, and reporting.

32) When does USFWS expect to issue the award after posting?

The notice indicates the award would be issued about 10 business days after the posting of the announcement.

33) Who should be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?

The notice provides a contact for access issues: Richard Primmer, Contract Specialist, at 907-786-3611.