The agreement provides funding to utah geological survey to increase community and decision maker understanding of wetland resources in the duchesne basin by providing detailed, accurate mapping and…

This $332,543 Cooperative Agreement, awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Regional Wetland Program Development Grants (CFDA 66.461) program, provides funding to the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) to map and analyze wetland resources in the Duchesne Basin. The key activities include:

Utilizing remote sensing to quantify and interpret patterns of wetland change over time, and assess threats to headwater wetlands in the Duchesne Basin. This will involve developing a Quality Assurance Project Plan, compiling data, testing and improving methods, conducting community engagement, and coordinating with federal, state, and non-governmental wetland groups. The anticipated deliverables include a Quality Assurance Project Plan, data, a field guide, story map, presentations, progress reports, and a final report. The expected outcomes include improved wetland data, assessment practices, inventory, and management, as well as enhanced cooperation between stakeholders. No sub-awards are included in this agreement, which has a performance period from June 20, 2024 to June 19, 2027.

The agreement provides funding to utah geological survey to increase community and decision maker understanding of wetland resources in the duchesne basin by providing detailed, accurate mapping and conducting unique analyses with updated mapping to highlight threatened and impacted wetlands. Specifically, the recipient will utilize remote-sensing to quantify and interpret patterns of wetland change over time and assess site-specific threats to headwater wet meadows in the duchesne basin. Wetland program development grants (wpdgs) assist state, tribal, territory (insular areas), local government agencies, and interstate or intertribal entities in developing or refining state, tribal, territory, or local programs which protect, manage, and restore wetlands.activities:the activities include developing an approved quality assurance project plan (qapp), data compilation, methods testing and improvements, community engagement, coordination with federal, state and non-governmental organization (NGO) wetland groups, data analysis, monitoring, field guide development, outreach and education, and meeting grant/program requirements (e.g., progress reports, transfer of results, and a final report). Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: a quality assurance project plan (qapp), data, field guide, storymap, presentations, progress reports, and a final report. The expected outcomes include improved data on wetland condition in the central basin and range (CBR) ecoregion, improved condition assessment practices built on comprehensive data, improved wetland inventory, more efficient and accurate condition assessment efforts, knowledge of community-identified concerns and needs that will inform the CBR tool developed, improved wetland assessment through integration of stakeholder needs, knowledge of practitioner needs that will inform the CBR wetland assessment tool, improved wetland management and restoration, enhanced cooperation between federal, state, local, and non-governmental organizations involved in wetland issues, and managing day-to-day operations and activities supported by the assistance funding, to assure compliance with applicable federal requirements, and for ensuring that established milestones and performance goals are being achieved. The intended beneficiaries include the state of utah and its residents.