Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS R5 ES 12 014
Apply for FWS R5 ES 12 014
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent to Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.658 Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Restoration and Implementation.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 19, 2012 and posted on Jul 19, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 26, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $208,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
This grant posting is not a typical competitive funding announcement. It is a formal Notice of Intent to Award a single cooperative agreement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Region 5, to the New England Forestry Foundation, Inc. The purpose of the agreement is narrowly defined: to acquire a permanent conservation easement (also referred to as a conservation restriction) on about 100 acres of riparian forest land along the Ware River in Palmer, Massachusetts. The underlying goal is long-term protection of sensitive river-adjacent forest habitat through a legally binding, perpetual land-use restriction rather than purchasing the property outright.
The award is being issued as a single-source (non-competitive) action under Department of the Interior policy 505 DM 2.14 B(4). That policy allows an agency to proceed without competition when a recipient is uniquely qualified to carry out the work, and the notice explains that uniqueness here is based on factors such as the organization’s location and technical expertise. In practical terms, the notice is signaling that FWS has already identified the intended partner and does not expect to solicit or evaluate proposals from other applicants.
This project is part of a larger, court-directed environmental restoration effort tied to contamination from the PSC Resources Superfund site in Palmer, Massachusetts. The work is being implemented consistent with a Consent Decree issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Western Division) on January 31, 1995. It also follows the Final Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for the PSC Resources Superfund Site (issued October 2008), which was prepared by FWS in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. That restoration plan was previously made available for public review and comment from April 3 to May 5, 2008. The easement acquisition is described as a restoration action intended to help offset or compensate for injuries to natural resources resulting from releases of hazardous substances at the Superfund site.
The funding mechanism is a Cooperative Agreement, which matters because it indicates FWS expects substantial federal involvement during the life of the project rather than simply issuing a pass-through grant. The notice states that FWS will be substantially involved in key elements of completing and maintaining the conservation easement, including final approval of the conservation restriction language, assistance with the baseline survey (the documentation used to describe and establish the property’s conservation values at the time of protection), and participation in annual monitoring. This aligns with DOI policy 505 DM 2.9 B, referenced in the notice to reinforce that the level of federal participation meets the definition and expectations for a cooperative agreement.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is categorized as a discretionary environmental funding action with a single expected award. The Funding Opportunity Number is FWS R5 ES 12 014, and the CFDA program identifier is 15.658, titled Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Restoration and Implementation. The total award amount is fixed, with both the award ceiling and floor listed as $208,000, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement indicated. While the eligibility field lists 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education), the single-source intent means the practical recipient is the New England Forestry Foundation, as explicitly named in the notice.
Timing details in the posting reflect the short administrative window typical of notices of intent rather than full competitions. The opportunity was posted and created on July 19, 2012, with an original and current closing date of July 26, 2012, and an archive date of July 27, 2012. A contact is provided for access or electronic issues: Christal Cutler, Grants Officer, at 413-253-8233.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is this grant posting?
This posting is a formal Notice of Intent to Award a single cooperative agreement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Region 5. It is not a typical competitive funding announcement where multiple applicants submit proposals for evaluation.
Is this a competitive grant opportunity?
No. The notice describes a single-source (non-competitive) action, meaning FWS has already identified the intended recipient and does not expect to solicit or review proposals from other applicants.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The notice states the cooperative agreement is intended for the New England Forestry Foundation, Inc.
Why is the award being made without competition?
The notice cites Department of the Interior policy 505 DM 2.14 B(4), which allows non-competitive awards when the recipient is uniquely qualified to carry out the work. The notice explains the uniqueness in this case is based on factors such as the organization’s location and technical expertise.
What is the purpose of the cooperative agreement?
The purpose is narrowly defined: to acquire a permanent conservation easement (also called a conservation restriction) on about 100 acres of riparian forest land along the Ware River in Palmer, Massachusetts.
What does "conservation easement" or "conservation restriction" mean in this notice?
In the context of this notice, it refers to a legally binding, perpetual land-use restriction designed to protect conservation values long-term, rather than purchasing the property outright.
How much land is involved and where is it located?
The project involves about 100 acres of riparian forest land along the Ware River in Palmer, Massachusetts.
Is the project buying the land?
No. The stated approach is to protect the land through a permanent conservation easement (a perpetual restriction on use) rather than buying the property outright.
What larger effort is this project connected to?
This easement acquisition is part of a broader, court-directed environmental restoration effort connected to contamination from the PSC Resources Superfund site in Palmer, Massachusetts.
What legal or planning documents guide this restoration action?
The notice states the work is consistent with (1) a Consent Decree issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Western Division) on January 31, 1995, and (2) the Final Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for the PSC Resources Superfund Site issued in October 2008, prepared by FWS in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Was there any public review period for the restoration planning?
Yes. The notice indicates the Final Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment was previously made available for public review and comment from April 3 to May 5, 2008.
How is the easement acquisition described in terms of environmental purpose?
The notice describes it as a restoration action intended to help offset or compensate for injuries to natural resources resulting from releases of hazardous substances at the PSC Resources Superfund site.
What type of federal funding instrument is being used?
The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement.
Why does it matter that the instrument is a cooperative agreement?
The notice explains that a cooperative agreement indicates substantial federal involvement during the project, rather than a more hands-off grant. It specifically states FWS will be substantially involved in key elements of completing and maintaining the conservation easement.
What does FWS mean by "substantial federal involvement" in this project?
According to the notice, FWS involvement includes final approval of the conservation restriction language, assistance with the baseline survey documenting the property’s conservation values at the time of protection, and participation in annual monitoring.
Does the notice reference any policy supporting the use of a cooperative agreement?
Yes. The notice references DOI policy 505 DM 2.9 B in support of the conclusion that the level of federal participation meets the expectations for a cooperative agreement.
How many awards does FWS expect to make under this posting?
The notice indicates there is a single expected award.
What is the total funding amount available?
The total award amount is $208,000. The notice lists both the award ceiling and the award floor as $208,000, indicating a fixed award amount.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the notice.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FWS R5 ES 12 014.
What is the CFDA program identifier and title listed in the notice?
The CFDA program identifier is 15.658, titled Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Restoration and Implementation.
What eligibility category is listed?
The eligibility field lists 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education). However, the same notice also states this is a single-source intent with the New England Forestry Foundation explicitly named as the intended recipient.
Does the listing suggest other nonprofits should apply?
Based on the notice language, FWS is signaling that it has already identified the intended partner and does not expect to solicit or evaluate proposals from other applicants.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted and created on July 19, 2012. The original and current closing date is July 26, 2012, and the archive date is July 27, 2012.
Who can be contacted for access or electronic issues related to this posting?
The notice provides the following contact for access or electronic issues: Christal Cutler, Grants Officer, at 413-253-8233.
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