Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Utah Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management | L20AS00057

Opportunity Information: Apply for L20AS00057

The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L20AS00057) is a discretionary funding program offered through a cooperative agreement to support on-the-ground aquatic habitat and fisheries work tied to BLM-managed public lands in Utah. The basic aim is to protect, maintain, and restore aquatic ecosystems and the riparian and wetland areas that keep those systems functioning. BLM frames the need broadly: healthy streams, rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs support clean water, wildlife habitat, reduced erosion and sedimentation, better water quality, and recreation such as fishing, all while sustaining multiple uses of public lands.

Projects supported under this opportunity are meant to strengthen the biological, chemical, and physical integrity of aquatic ecosystems and preserve natural diversity. The program focuses on practical management actions such as conserving fish and aquatic habitat; improving and protecting riparian and wetland areas; restoring stream function and reconnecting streams to floodplains; and addressing barriers that limit aquatic organism passage. A major emphasis is also placed on inventory, baseline assessment, and long-term monitoring of riparian and instream habitat conditions, along with surface and groundwater quantity and quality. In that context, the opportunity highlights best-management practices that can prevent degradation and help improve water quality over time.

Another core theme is invasive species prevention and control, especially aquatic and riparian invaders that threaten habitat health and water delivery. The description specifically calls out zebra and quagga mussels as high-risk invasive species and points to BLM’s role in prevention through partnerships, including watercraft inspection and decontamination efforts coordinated with state agencies. More generally, the work is intended to align with existing invasive species management plans and state and federal habitat management plans, with funding directed toward actions already identified as priorities by partners and management frameworks.

The opportunity also supports habitat treatments and restoration actions across lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams, and riparian corridors to restore and reconnect habitat for native and game species. This includes improving conditions for fish, invertebrates, and amphibians, including special status, anadromous, and subsistence species, as well as other native and sport fish. A related goal is improving the quality and quantity of angling opportunities on BLM lands by boosting habitat condition, fish productivity, and overall resilience of aquatic resources, while also considering the public recreation experience.

From a water management standpoint, the program underscores the importance of maintaining adequate water availability for multiple-use public lands management, including support for preparation and processing of water rights filings. It also notes BLM’s participation in the Colorado River Salinity Control Forum as part of a broader effort to reduce sediment and salt loading and help protect water supplies relied on by millions of downstream users within the Colorado River Basin. The program is situated within major federal environmental and conservation drivers, including the Clean Water Act (guiding water quality and quantity management) and the Endangered Species Act (with an emphasis on actions that can reduce the need for federal listing while also protecting and helping recover listed species and their habitats).

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is open to a wide range of applicant types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full notice. BLM also clearly signals that partnership is central to how this work gets done, referencing coordination with states, tribes, local entities, non-governmental organizations, conservation groups, and fishing and recreation partners. The program priorities are also tied to Department of the Interior Secretarial Orders focused on conservation stewardship and outdoor recreation (SO 3347), expanding hunting and fishing and cooperation with states, tribes, and territories (SO 3356), and increasing recreational opportunities on DOI-managed lands and waters (SO 3366).

Key logistics for the specific posting include an application window from April 21, 2020 through June 22, 2020, with applications due by 4:30 PM EST on June 22, 2020. The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement (which typically implies substantial federal involvement during project execution). The award ceiling is $100,000, and BLM anticipated making about three awards under this opportunity. The program is associated with CFDA 15.244 and falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Utah Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management" 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 Apr 21, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 22, 2020 Open from April 21, 2020 through June 22, 2020. Applications must be submitted by 430 PM EST on June 22, 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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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.

Apply for L20AS00057

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