Research and Resotration through the Santa Clara River Reserve | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Research and Resotration through the Santa Clara River Reserve."

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F15AS00404.

Which federal agency issued this funding announcement?

This was a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), through its Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office.

What type of award was this (grant, contract, cooperative agreement)?

The announcement was offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates the agency expected to remain actively involved in the project rather than only providing funds.

What program area or discipline did the opportunity fall under?

The program area was classified under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity fell under CFDA 15.658, Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Restoration and Implementation.

What was the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose was riparian habitat restoration along the Santa Clara River Reserve, focused on improving habitat conditions for federally listed species that depend on river-adjacent vegetation.

What is being restored, specifically?

The focus is riparian habitat, meaning the vegetation and habitat structure along the river corridor. The project emphasis was on rebuilding or enhancing native riparian vegetation and improving habitat structure and connectivity.

Which species were specifically highlighted as beneficiaries?

The announcement specifically highlighted benefits to the endangered least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and the southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus).

Why are these species relevant to riparian restoration?

Both species are closely associated with dense, structurally complex riparian plant communities, so improvements to native riparian vegetation and habitat structure are directly tied to their habitat needs.

Was the work connected to the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?

The announcement emphasized federally listed species, and it noted that these species are listed under the Endangered Species Act. The restoration framing implies the work would be designed around measurable biological outcomes such as improving nesting and foraging habitat.

Where was the restoration intended to occur?

The work was tied to riparian habitat restoration along the Santa Clara River Reserve and was associated with the Santa Clara River system.

Where did the funding come from?

The funding was tied to Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) settlement dollars, which are used to restore natural resources injured by pollution events.

What incident led to the NRDA settlement funding referenced here?

The settlement stemmed from an oil spill that impacted the Santa Clara River and caused injury to riparian habitats.

What is the general intent of NRDA settlement funding in this context?

NRDA funding is generally intended to compensate the public for ecological harm by financing on-the-ground restoration that helps return injured natural resources and the services they provide back toward baseline conditions.

Did this opportunity require cost sharing or a match?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement was listed in the opportunity details provided.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on July 28, 2015.

What was the closing date for applications?

The original and current closing date was August 3, 2015.

When was the opportunity archived?

The notice was archived on August 4, 2015.

Was this an open competition?

The notice indicates that a recipient had already been selected and points readers to a Notice of Intent to Award, suggesting it was a targeted or time-sensitive award process rather than a long open competition.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants were limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, such as state universities and public colleges.

Were private universities, nonprofits, local governments, or companies eligible?

Based on the eligibility statement provided, eligibility was limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, which implies private entities, nonprofits, and local governments were not included in the eligible applicant types for this announcement.

What does it mean that the award amount, ceiling, and floor were listed as 0?

The listing shows an estimated total funding amount of 0 and an award ceiling and floor of 0, which typically indicates the public synopsis did not include the funding figures, even though the project itself would be supported by settlement funds.

Where was applicants directed for official posting details?

The announcement referenced Grants.gov for more information.

Who should be contacted for access issues related to the opportunity?

The contact listed for access issues was Yolanda Dacko at the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, reachable at (805) 644-1766 x301 or YolandaDacko@fws.gov.

Which USFWS office was associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was specifically associated with the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office.

Does the opportunity description indicate why it is focused on one river reserve?

Yes. The funding was tied to an NRDA settlement from an oil spill that impacted the Santa Clara River, which explains why the scope was tightly focused on restoration in that specific river system and reserve location.