The SAN bernardino national wildlife REFUGE (REFUGE) located in southeast arizona on the U.S. Mexico international border seeks to restore sustainable natural hydrologic systems on the REFUGE…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through its National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654), awarded a $5,240,222.04 cooperative agreement to Texas A&M AgriLife Research to restore sustainable hydrologic systems and riparian/cienega habitat at the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona. The 5-year project will involve completing a comprehensive watershed assessment, developing a restoration plan, and constructing selected habitat restoration designs to support endangered and threatened species. Texas A&M AgriLife Research will coordinate contracting efforts and manage the funds, with an indirect cost rate of 17.5% ($780,607.54). The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.

The SAN bernardino national wildlife REFUGE (REFUGE) located in southeast arizona on the U.S. Mexico international border seeks to restore sustainable natural hydrologic systems on the REFUGE benefiting riparian and cienega habitat in addition to several regional fish species currently listed or classified under the endangered species act as either threatened endangered or regionally extinct. To complete large scale habitat restoration in the RIO yaqui watershed first an assessment will be completed. The watershed assessment will generally focus on gathering surface water ground water and hydrogeology data conducting hydrologic hydrogeologic hydraulic geomorphic sediment and water chemistry analyses and developing a comprehensive watershed restoration plan (WRP) to inform restoration actions that support the habitat for species of concern on the REFUGE. Informed by the assessment sbnwrs selected habitat restoration design will be constructed. Texas a M agrilife research natural resources institute (a M NRI) and the REFUGE propose a collaboration to provide for effective utilization of the funds to meet intended objectives and provide quality opportunities and products over multiple years. The REFUGE and a M NRI plan to enter into an agreement where the REFUGE will provide funding and a M NRI will coordinate contracting efforts appropriately and as approved by the REFUGE for spending the funds on the watershed assessment habitat restoration design and the habitat restoration construction. The REFUGE will provide a total of $5240222.04 to be utilized for the project over a 5 year period. Funds are expected to be spent out by the end of 2030. A M NRI has requested 17.5% ($780607.54) to cover indirect costs associated with their role in managing and spending out funds as agreed upon during the life of the agreement.