BLM-CO Fisheries, Aquatic Resource Management, and Riparian Restoration | L20AS00084

Opportunity Information: Apply for L20AS00084

The BLM-CO Fisheries, Aquatic Resource Management, and Riparian Restoration opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L20AS00084) is a discretionary funding program from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), focused on aquatic and riparian work in Colorado. The Colorado BLM State Office is seeking to partner through cooperative agreements with a broad range of organizations to carry out watershed-scale projects on watersheds within the jurisdiction of BLM-managed lands in Colorado. The core intent is to support practical, on-the-ground management and restoration efforts that improve watershed function while balancing multiple water uses, including agricultural, municipal, tribal, environmental, and recreation needs.

Projects funded under this opportunity can span planning, restoration, infrastructure upgrades, data collection, and community coordination, as long as the work advances BLM aquatic habitat management goals. The announcement emphasizes efforts such as developing or implementing watershed management plans; building local capacity to protect aquatic habitat and water quality; promoting water conservation; and strengthening the resilience of ecosystems, communities, and local economies tied to watershed health. It also highlights stream and floodplain function work, including improving hydraulic and geomorphic conditions, stabilizing riparian and aquatic habitats in both flowing (lotic) and standing (lentic) waters, and reducing erosion, salinity, and sediment inputs that degrade habitat and water quality.

A major theme is improving habitat connectivity and physical conditions for fish and other aquatic organisms. This includes inventorying, modernizing, or building infrastructure like culverts and diversion structures to improve aquatic organism passage and reduce barriers. The opportunity also supports conservation and enhancement of aquatic and riparian habitats for native species and, where appropriate, desired non-native species. In addition, the program encourages projects that influence water temperature and improve the timing or volume of flows at specific locations to create better aquatic conditions, which can be important for sensitive species and for meeting ecological objectives during low-flow or high-temperature periods.

Invasive species prevention and response is another priority area. The announcement specifically calls out the removal of invasive plants and animals that harm fish habitat and water quality, and it identifies urgent threats from aquatic invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels. Beyond direct control efforts, the program explicitly includes support for broader invasive species programming such as mapping, prevention, education, data analysis, ecological modeling and risk assessments, biosecurity measures, and eDNA surveillance, all aimed at early detection and limiting spread.

Monitoring, assessment, and data management are eligible and encouraged components. BLM is interested in projects that collect and analyze water resource data needed to maintain, protect, and restore waters effectively; monitor surface and groundwater quality; and inventory, assess, and track aquatic, riparian, and wetland habitat quality and quantity. The opportunity also mentions managing geospatial and biometric data and conducting baseline inventories and assessments that feed into long-term monitoring programs and multiple public land uses. Relatedly, BLM encourages engagement of citizen-scientists and students in monitoring and directed research tied to BLM-dependent aquatic and riparian species and habitats, which can expand field capacity while building community investment and workforce experience.

Public benefits and stakeholder collaboration are built into the program goals. Eligible projects can include efforts that create forums for communication among diverse watershed stakeholders, reflecting the reality that durable watershed improvements often require coordinated action across jurisdictions and user groups. The opportunity also supports recreational and subsistence fishing benefits, including projects that improve public access and infrastructure such as fishing piers, along with outreach, education, and job mentoring activities for youth, families, and veterans.

From an applicant and award standpoint, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally implies substantial involvement and collaboration with BLM during project implementation. Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories). The opportunity listed an award ceiling of $75,000, with an expectation of three awards. The posting shows a creation date of March 18, 2020, and an original closing date of May 20, 2020. Application materials and full instructions are provided through Grants.gov under the opportunity listing.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM-CO Fisheries, Aquatic Resource Management, and Riparian Restoration" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.244.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 18, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 20, 2020. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for L20AS00084

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