Frisco Mountain Endemic Plant Study | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) opportunity funds a focused research project to develop baseline biological and habitat information for three rare plant species found only in Utah's Frisco Mountains: Frisco buckwheat (Eriogonum soredium), Ostler's pepperplant (Lepidium ostleri), and Frisco clover (Trifolium friscanum).

Which BLM office is offering the award?

The award is offered by the BLM through its Utah Cedar City Field Office.

Which plant species are included in the study?

The project targets three Frisco Mountains endemic plants:

• Frisco buckwheat (Eriogonum soredium)
• Ostler's pepperplant (Lepidium ostleri)
• Frisco clover (Trifolium friscanum)

Why are these plants a priority for BLM?

All three species are federally recognized as candidate species under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act process. Candidate species are of conservation concern and may warrant future listing, so improving information on distribution, abundance, habitat needs, and threats helps agencies make defensible conservation and land-use decisions.

What is the overall purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to generate baseline biological and habitat information that land managers can use to coordinate and guide habitat management and protection efforts in an area where understanding of the plants' distribution, abundance, and habitat needs is still limited.

What are the main outcomes expected from the project?

The project is designed around two primary outcomes:

1. Collect foundational field data on the plants and the habitats they occupy (including population locations, population size/abundance, site conditions, and potential threats or stressors).
2. Produce a range-wide GIS-based habitat model to predict where suitable habitat is likely to occur, specifically supporting identification of potential habitat in Millard and Beaver counties.

What kind of field data is BLM expecting the recipient to collect?

Based on the announcement description, foundational field data includes information such as where populations occur, how large they are, what site conditions they rely on, and what threats or stressors may be present.

What is the GIS-based habitat model expected to do?

The model is intended to predict where suitable habitat is likely to occur across the broader landscape (range-wide), improving the ability of agencies to find undocumented populations, prioritize survey efforts, and target management actions more efficiently.

Which geographic areas are specifically mentioned for the modeling component?

The habitat modeling component specifically supports identification of potential habitat in Millard and Beaver counties, in addition to the focus on the Frisco Mountains area.

How will BLM and other agencies use the information produced?

The announcement states that management agencies will directly use the study information to coordinate and guide habitat management and protection efforts. Practical uses include identifying and safeguarding crucial habitat areas, planning restoration or protective measures, and improving interagency coordination around conservation priorities for these endemic plants.

Why does baseline mapping and monitoring matter for these species?

Because the plants are narrow endemics with limited ranges, even modest improvements in mapping and baseline monitoring can reduce uncertainty and help prevent habitat loss or degradation.

What is the funding amount for this opportunity?

Total funding is $69,000. The award floor and ceiling are both listed as $69,000, indicating BLM expected to make a single award at that amount.

Is this expected to be a single award or multiple awards?

The award floor and ceiling are both $69,000, which indicates BLM expected to make one award in the amount of $69,000.

What is the instrument type for this funding?

The instrument type is a cooperative agreement.

What does a cooperative agreement imply about BLM's involvement?

The announcement notes that a cooperative agreement typically means BLM anticipated substantial involvement in the project, such as coordination on study design, data standards, and deliverables, rather than a hands-off grant.

Is cost sharing or a funding match required?

No. The announcement states that no cost sharing or matching funds were required.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described broadly, but the announcement specifically called for applications from universities, state government entities, and nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate experience monitoring special status plants in southwest Utah.

What kinds of experience or capacity is BLM looking for in applicants?

The announcement signals interest in applicants with strong regional botanical expertise and field monitoring capability in southwest Utah, along with technical capacity to build GIS products that can be integrated into land management planning.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is L11AS00179.

What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.231, Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on July 19, 2011. The closing date was extended to September 12, 2011 (originally August 5, 2011).

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on September 30, 2011.

Where could applicants find the full announcement?

The full announcement was available via Grants.gov.

Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?

Questions or access issues were directed to Maria Gochis, Grants Management Officer.

How could someone contact the listed point of contact?

Maria Gochis could be reached at 801-539-4178 or mariagochis@blm.gov.