Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA WY08 9005
Apply for RFA WY08 9005
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Upper Muddy Creek Watershed Improvement Project (Wyoming)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.231 Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 11, 2008 and posted on Feb 25, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 19, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $11,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $11,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Upper Muddy Creek Watershed Improvement Project (Wyoming) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cooperative agreement opportunity focused on restoring aquatic and riparian habitat in the upper Muddy Creek watershed in southern Carbon County, Wyoming. The project is authorized under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-579) and is tied to BLM and partner conservation planning efforts aimed at reversing declines in several native fish species that are classified as BLM sensitive under the agency's Sensitive Species Policy (6840 list, 2002). Historically, Colorado River cutthroat trout, flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, and roundtail chub occupied parts of this watershed, but their numbers have dropped due to habitat loss (including movement barriers), angling harvest pressure, and impacts from non-native fish introductions.
At the center of the on-the-ground problem is a road-crossing culvert that was improperly sized and placed, which has destabilized the stream channel downstream. This has triggered downcutting and headward erosion, ultimately creating a large plunge pool that blocks fish passage. Because native fish need to move throughout the system to access habitat, the culvert is identified as a key barrier that must be removed and the channel reclaimed. The announcement notes that restoring passage is essential for fish to reach 13 out of 19 miles of stream that have already received, or are planned to receive, habitat treatments.
The work plan is framed around four main objectives. First, the recipient will help construct properly sized, low-tech in-stream habitat improvement structures intended to benefit sensitive warm-water fish species, with techniques such as rock masonry, armoring of headcuts and hydrologic nick points, and induced meandering to improve channel stability and habitat complexity. Second, the crew will coordinate with other field staff to remove old, deteriorated fences within the upper Muddy Creek watershed, which can improve wildlife movement and reduce hazards. Third, the project includes helping complete aspen removal in a previously prescribed burn area, specifically targeting standing dead or dying material. Fourth, the removed aspen will be hauled to an existing beaver population so it can be used as dam-building material, supporting natural processes that can improve water retention and habitat. If time and conditions allow, the crew may also assist with retrofitting an existing spring exclosure in the same area. The preferred work window is early July or August, and the expected field effort is roughly 6 to 7 days.
The anticipated benefits emphasize both fisheries recovery and broader watershed function. Removing fish passage barriers and adding appropriately designed habitat structures should improve connectivity, allowing fish to move more freely and potentially increasing population resilience and abundance. Aspen enhancement is described as having watershed-wide value because healthier aspen components can influence water yield and storage, support the water table, and improve habitat for big game and non-game species alike. Retrofitting neglected or undersized spring developments and exclosures is also presented as a practical way to protect riparian areas by reducing concentrated grazing pressure from livestock and wildlife. In addition to physical restoration outcomes, the project has a strong training and educational component: participants are expected to learn about warm-water fish ecology, the broader ecological relationships (synecology) of the Muddy Creek watershed, how the Endangered Species Act influences conservation actions, and how low-tech rock masonry methods have been used historically in arid and semi-arid landscapes to slow erosion and improve water harvesting. The site is also described as a special management area with a notable coordinated resource management history, including cooperative management arrangements between BLM and state wildlife managers, offering a real-world policy and interagency collaboration learning context.
Roles and responsibilities are laid out as a joint project management plan. The recipient is expected to assist BLM biologists with preparation for culvert removal and site restoration, help build in-stream structures under BLM guidance, provide trained sawyers for aspen removal work alongside BLM forestry and biology staff, and execute the relevant volunteer services paperwork (Standard Form 1114-5 Group Volunteer Services Agreement). In turn, BLM will supply construction materials for the in-stream structures, provide equipment for fence or exclosure removal, and furnish trucks and trailers for hauling aspen to beaver areas. BLM also commits to offering at least eight hours of education covering sensitive species information, induced meandering principles, wildlife fence conversion, interagency coordinated resource management, and aspen-beaver ecology, plus providing orientation, a communications plan, safety protections equivalent to those provided to BLM employees under the volunteer agreement, and a written performance evaluation of the recipient's participation. Both parties agree to work closely together and to conduct at least one full day of supervisor orientation before the full crew arrives, covering project specifics, camping or overnight logistics, communications, and safety procedures. Although the listing indicates no formal cost-sharing or matching requirement in the standard field, the narrative specifies that the work will be performed on a cost-share basis, with the recipient providing 50 percent of the contribution through in-kind services and BLM covering 50 percent of the financial burden.
Administratively, the opportunity is identified as a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement instrument under CFDA 15.231 (Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management). It was posted February 25, 2008, with an estimated total funding amount of $11,000 and a stated award floor and ceiling both at $11,000, indicating one expected award at that amount. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the announcement). The funding opportunity number is RFA WY08-9005, and the agency contact listed is Ilze Karklins Powers, Grants and Agreements Specialist, at 307-775-6293.
Upper Muddy Creek Watershed Improvement Project (Wyoming) - FAQs
1) What is the Upper Muddy Creek Watershed Improvement Project?
It is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cooperative agreement opportunity focused on restoring aquatic and riparian habitat in the upper Muddy Creek watershed in southern Carbon County, Wyoming. The project targets improved watershed function and recovery of native fish populations through on-the-ground restoration actions and partner coordination.
2) Which agency is offering this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
3) What type of funding instrument is being used?
The announcement describes the opportunity as a cooperative agreement (a discretionary funding opportunity).
4) What is the CFDA number and program name associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 15.231, titled Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management.
5) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is RFA WY08-9005.
6) When was this opportunity posted?
The posting date listed is February 25, 2008.
7) How much funding is available?
The estimated total funding amount is $11,000.
8) What are the award floor and award ceiling?
Both the award floor and the award ceiling are stated as $11,000, which indicates one expected award at that amount.
9) Is there a cost-share or match requirement?
The standard field indicates no formal cost-sharing or matching requirement, but the narrative specifies the work will be performed on a cost-share basis: the recipient provides 50 percent of the contribution through in-kind services, and BLM covers 50 percent of the financial burden.
10) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications included in the full announcement.
11) Where will the work take place?
Work is planned for the upper Muddy Creek watershed in southern Carbon County, Wyoming. The site is described as a special management area with a coordinated resource management history involving BLM and state wildlife managers.
12) What is the main on-the-ground problem the project is addressing?
A road-crossing culvert that was improperly sized and placed has destabilized the stream channel downstream. This has led to downcutting and headward erosion and created a large plunge pool that blocks fish passage. The culvert is identified as a key barrier that must be removed and the channel reclaimed.
13) Why is fish passage restoration such a priority in this project?
The announcement emphasizes that native fish need to move throughout the system to access habitat. Restoring passage is described as essential for fish to reach 13 out of 19 miles of stream that have already received, or are planned to receive, habitat treatments.
14) Which native fish species are driving the restoration need?
The watershed historically supported Colorado River cutthroat trout, flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, and roundtail chub. The announcement notes declines due to habitat loss (including movement barriers), angling harvest pressure, and impacts from non-native fish introductions. These species are characterized as BLM sensitive under the agency's Sensitive Species Policy (6840 list, 2002).
15) What laws or policies authorize or guide this work?
The project is authorized under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-579) and is tied to BLM and partner conservation planning efforts, including BLM sensitive species policy considerations (6840 list, 2002). The announcement also notes that participants are expected to learn how the Endangered Species Act influences conservation actions.
16) What are the main project objectives?
The work plan is organized around four main objectives:
- Help construct properly sized, low-tech in-stream habitat improvement structures to benefit sensitive warm-water fish species (including techniques such as rock masonry, armoring headcuts and hydrologic nick points, and induced meandering).
- Coordinate with other field staff to remove old, deteriorated fences within the upper Muddy Creek watershed.
- Help complete aspen removal in a previously prescribed burn area, targeting standing dead or dying material.
- Haul removed aspen to an existing beaver population so it can be used as dam-building material.
17) Are there any optional or additional tasks mentioned?
Yes. If time and conditions allow, the crew may also assist with retrofitting an existing spring exclosure in the same area.
18) What restoration methods are highlighted for in-stream habitat work?
The announcement references low-tech in-stream habitat improvement structures and techniques such as rock masonry, armoring of headcuts and hydrologic nick points, and induced meandering. These methods are framed as ways to improve channel stability and habitat complexity in arid and semi-arid landscapes.
19) What is the expected timing for the field work?
The preferred work window is early July or August.
20) How long is the expected field effort?
The expected field effort is roughly 6 to 7 days.
21) What benefits does the project expect for fish and the watershed?
The anticipated benefits include improved connectivity by removing fish passage barriers and adding appropriately designed habitat structures. This is expected to help fish move more freely and potentially increase population resilience and abundance. The project also describes broader watershed-function gains tied to aspen enhancement and beaver-assisted processes that can improve water retention and habitat.
22) Why is aspen work included in a watershed and fisheries restoration project?
The announcement describes aspen enhancement as having watershed-wide value. Healthier aspen components can influence water yield and storage, support the water table, and improve habitat for big game and non-game species.
23) What is the purpose of hauling aspen to beaver areas?
Removed aspen will be hauled to an existing beaver population so it can be used as dam-building material. This supports natural processes that can improve water retention and habitat conditions.
24) Why is fence removal part of the project?
The project includes coordinating removal of old, deteriorated fences. The announcement notes this can improve wildlife movement and reduce hazards.
25) What is the role of spring exclosure retrofitting (if it occurs)?
Retrofitting neglected or undersized spring developments and exclosures is presented as a practical way to protect riparian areas by reducing concentrated grazing pressure from livestock and wildlife.
26) What is expected of the recipient organization?
The recipient is expected to:
- Assist BLM biologists with preparation for culvert removal and site restoration.
- Help build in-stream structures under BLM guidance.
- Provide trained sawyers for aspen removal work alongside BLM forestry and biology staff.
- Execute volunteer services paperwork, specifically Standard Form 1114-5 (Group Volunteer Services Agreement).
27) What support will BLM provide?
BLM commits to supplying:
- Construction materials for the in-stream habitat structures.
- Equipment for fence or exclosure removal.
- Trucks and trailers for hauling aspen to beaver areas.
- Orientation, a communications plan, and safety protections equivalent to those provided to BLM employees under the volunteer agreement.
- A written performance evaluation of the recipient's participation.
28) What training or education is included?
BLM will provide at least eight hours of education covering sensitive species information, induced meandering principles, wildlife fence conversion, interagency coordinated resource management, and aspen-beaver ecology. The announcement also emphasizes learning about warm-water fish ecology, broader watershed ecological relationships (synecology), the Endangered Species Act's influence on conservation actions, and historic low-tech rock masonry approaches in arid and semi-arid landscapes.
29) Is there an orientation requirement before the full crew arrives?
Yes. Both parties agree to conduct at least one full day of supervisor orientation before the full crew arrives. This orientation is expected to cover project specifics, camping or overnight logistics, communications, and safety procedures.
30) How is safety and volunteer coverage handled?
The project references the Standard Form 1114-5 Group Volunteer Services Agreement and states BLM will provide safety protections equivalent to those provided to BLM employees under the volunteer agreement, along with an orientation and communications plan.
31) Is this project connected to broader conservation planning?
Yes. The opportunity is tied to BLM and partner conservation planning efforts aimed at reversing declines in several native fish species classified as BLM sensitive.
32) Who is the agency contact for this opportunity?
The listed agency contact is Ilze Karklins Powers, Grants and Agreements Specialist. Phone: 307-775-6293.
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