Opportunity Information: Apply for R15AN20017
Apply for R15AN20017
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Weed Management and Jobs Creation Project, Phase 2" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.555 San Joaquin River Restoration Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 18, 2015 and posted on Aug 18, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 1, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,499,181.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,499,181.00 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 Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Weed Management and Jobs Creation Project, Phase 2 is a Bureau of Reclamation cooperative agreement tied directly to the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP), which grew out of the 2006 San Joaquin River Settlement and was later authorized by the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act (Public Law 111-11). That broader settlement requires a mix of river channel and structural improvements below Friant Dam, additional flow releases from Friant Dam, efforts to reintroduce spring and/or fall run Chinook salmon, and measures to reduce or avoid long-term water supply impacts to Friant Division contractors. A key on-the-ground consequence of these increased releases, known as Interim and Restoration Flows (which began in 2009), is that they rewet portions of the river that had previously been dry. Rewetting can accelerate the spread and establishment of invasive plants, potentially undermining habitat goals and restoration activities, which is why Reclamation committed through environmental documentation (including the Water Year 2010 Interim Flows Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, and the programmatic EIS/R) to monitor and manage invasive vegetation along the river corridor.
This Phase 2 opportunity funds monitoring and management of invasive vegetation to meet those environmental commitments, focusing on invasive species identified as capable of interfering with successful SJRRP implementation. The work is proposed by members of the San Joaquin River Partnership, particularly the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust (the Trust) with River Partners included as a subcontractor. The approach emphasized in the announcement is not only technical weed management and monitoring, but also a workforce and community engagement model: employing local students, youth, and agricultural labor crews to carry out field monitoring and removal work. The project is framed as a way to address high unemployment in the San Joaquin Valley while also building local awareness and involvement in restoration activities that many residents may not know much about.
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning Reclamation expects to have substantial involvement rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. Reclamation’s role includes completing key federal environmental compliance and permitting steps by December 31, 2016, specifically processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The recipient responsibilities are broad and practical: the Trust agrees to carry out all aspects necessary to monitor and manage invasive vegetation, coordinate closely with Reclamation to support the needed compliance and permitting, and secure any additional state or local permits and approvals required to do the work.
A notable feature of this posting is that it was not competed as a typical open solicitation. Reclamation justified a single-source approach based on an unsolicited proposal and the applicant’s unique qualifications. The Trust was described as uniquely positioned to perform the work within the San Joaquin River Parkway and surrounding areas because of its ongoing relationship with the San Joaquin River Conservancy (the public agency that develops, operates, and maintains the Parkway), its existing management role in the Parkway, and the practical assets it already has in place, including GIS data on invasive vegetation in Reach 1 and invasive vegetation removal permits that could cover related activities. River Partners’ value is framed around its long track record (noted as 16 years) of habitat restoration and on-the-ground implementation work in California, complementing the Trust’s Parkway-specific footprint and community partnerships. The workforce focus also aligns with a Department of the Interior strategic priority at the time to hire or temporarily engage individuals aged 15-25.
From a funding and eligibility standpoint, this was a discretionary opportunity under CFDA 15.555 (San Joaquin River Restoration Program), with one expected award totaling $1,499,181 (the floor and ceiling were the same, indicating a single fixed award amount). There was no cost share or matching requirement listed. Eligible applicants were nonprofits, including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The opportunity was posted August 18, 2015, with a closing date of September 1, 2015, and it was later archived October 1, 2015. The statutory authority cited is Section 10004(b)(2) of the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act, which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a range of agreements, including financial assistance agreements, with state, tribal, local agencies, and private parties as needed to implement the settlement’s purposes. Contact for access issues was listed as Christina Munoz, Grants Management Specialist (cmunoz@usbr.gov).
Weed Management and Jobs Creation Project, Phase 2 - FAQs
What is the Weed Management and Jobs Creation Project, Phase 2?
It is a Bureau of Reclamation cooperative agreement under the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP) that funds monitoring and management of invasive vegetation along the San Joaquin River corridor. Phase 2 specifically supports field monitoring and invasive plant management tied to Reclamation's environmental commitments associated with restoration flows.
How does this project connect to the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP)?
This opportunity is tied directly to the SJRRP, which grew out of the 2006 San Joaquin River Settlement and was later authorized by the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act (Public Law 111-11). The project supports on-the-ground actions needed to help the restoration program succeed, particularly by addressing invasive vegetation that can interfere with restoration objectives.
Why is invasive weed management needed as part of the restoration effort?
Interim and Restoration Flows began in 2009 and rewet portions of the river that had previously been dry. Rewetting can accelerate the spread and establishment of invasive plants. If unmanaged, invasive vegetation can undermine habitat goals and other restoration activities, which is why Reclamation committed through environmental documentation to monitor and manage invasive vegetation along the river corridor.
What environmental documents and commitments does this Phase 2 work support?
The work supports Reclamation commitments described in environmental documentation including the Water Year 2010 Interim Flows Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, and the programmatic EIS/R. Phase 2 funds monitoring and management actions intended to meet those commitments.
What types of activities are funded under Phase 2?
Phase 2 funds monitoring and management of invasive vegetation focused on invasive species identified as capable of interfering with successful SJRRP implementation. The announcement also emphasizes community engagement and workforce participation in the monitoring and removal work.
Which invasive species are targeted?
The posting describes a focus on invasive species identified as capable of interfering with successful SJRRP implementation, but it does not list individual species by name in the provided information.
Where will the work take place?
The work is along the San Joaquin River corridor in areas connected to SJRRP implementation, including the San Joaquin River Parkway and surrounding areas. The information provided also references existing GIS data for invasive vegetation in Reach 1.
Who proposed the work and who is expected to carry it out?
The work is proposed by members of the San Joaquin River Partnership, particularly the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust (the Trust). River Partners is included as a subcontractor to support implementation.
Why were the Trust and River Partners identified for this effort?
The Trust was described as uniquely positioned to perform work within the San Joaquin River Parkway and surrounding areas due to its ongoing relationship with the San Joaquin River Conservancy, its management role in the Parkway, and existing assets such as GIS data and invasive vegetation removal permits that could cover related activities. River Partners is described as bringing a long track record (noted as 16 years) of habitat restoration and on-the-ground implementation work in California.
Is this opportunity a standard competitive grant?
No. Reclamation justified a single-source approach based on an unsolicited proposal and the applicant's unique qualifications, rather than running a typical open competition.
What does it mean that this award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement indicates that Reclamation expects to have substantial involvement in the project, rather than simply issuing funding and stepping back. The posting specifically describes Reclamation involvement in federal environmental compliance and permitting steps.
What responsibilities does Reclamation have under this cooperative agreement?
Reclamation's role includes completing key federal environmental compliance and permitting steps by December 31, 2016, including processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
What responsibilities does the recipient have under this cooperative agreement?
The recipient (the Trust) agrees to carry out all aspects necessary to monitor and manage invasive vegetation, coordinate closely with Reclamation to support federal compliance and permitting needs, and secure any additional state or local permits and approvals required to perform the work.
Are NEPA, ESA, and NHPA compliance requirements part of this project?
Yes. The announcement explicitly references compliance and permitting steps under NEPA, ESA, and NHPA, with Reclamation responsible for completing key federal steps by December 31, 2016, and the recipient expected to coordinate closely to support those processes.
Does the recipient need to obtain permits beyond federal compliance?
Yes. The recipient is responsible for securing any additional state or local permits and approvals required to perform the work.
How does this project relate to jobs and workforce development?
The approach described emphasizes employing local students, youth, and agricultural labor crews to conduct field monitoring and invasive plant removal. The project is framed as addressing high unemployment in the San Joaquin Valley while also building local awareness and involvement in restoration activities.
Is there a youth employment focus?
Yes. The workforce focus aligns with a Department of the Interior strategic priority at the time to hire or temporarily engage individuals aged 15-25.
What is the CFDA number and program for this opportunity?
The opportunity is a discretionary award under CFDA 15.555, the San Joaquin River Restoration Program.
How much funding was expected to be awarded?
One expected award totaling $1,499,181. The floor and ceiling were the same, indicating a single fixed award amount.
Was there a required cost share or match?
No cost share or matching requirement was listed in the provided information.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants were nonprofits, including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on August 18, 2015, with a closing date of September 1, 2015. It was later archived on October 1, 2015.
What statutory authority was cited for this agreement?
The statutory authority cited is Section 10004(b)(2) of the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act, which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into agreements, including financial assistance agreements, with state, tribal, local agencies, and private parties as needed to implement the settlement's purposes.
Who can be contacted for access issues related to the posting?
The contact listed for access issues is Christina Munoz, Grants Management Specialist (cmunoz@usbr.gov).
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