To support coordinated cooperative research, technical assistance, education and training, and usable knowledge development to inform science-based management of the national park system

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a Cooperative Agreement valued at $339,697.05 to the Desert Research Institute (DRI), operating under the Nevada System of Higher Education, under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) program, effective August 1, 2025 through August 1, 2027. DRI will provide coordinated research, technical assistance, and science-based management support to inform National Park System operations through multi-disciplinary research and integrated information products.

Specifically, DRI will partner with Lake Mead National Recreation Area to support recreational planning in two resource areas significantly impacted by low water conditions: Overton Arm and Government Wash. The recipient will conduct surveys and mapping of unapproved roads, identify nearby potential buried cultural resources, assess resource proximity and potential damage from unauthorized road use, and identify suitable locations for approved roads and new recreational opportunities without compromising significant cultural resources. Additionally, DRI will provide specialized expertise in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance to support the development of site-specific management strategies for these project areas. Benefits will extend to state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and members of the general public.

To facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products related to the resources of the national park system. To maintain a comprehensive network cooperative study units as will provide full geographic and topical coverage for research, technical assistance, and educational activities related to the resources contained in units of the national park system and their larger regions. The recipient will work closely with lake mead national recreation area (NRA) to support the parks effort for recreational planning in two key areas being significantly impacted by low water: overton arm and government wash. The recipient will survey and map unapproved roads and nearby potential buried cultural resources to determine the extent of those resources, their proximity to and possible damage from unapproved roads, and to identify potential areas where new approved roads and or new recreational opportunities can be developed in the vicinity without damage to significant cultural resources. The recipient will also work closely with the park to provide expertise for nepa and nhpa laws and recreational planning associated with developing site-specific management strategies for the defined project areas.beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and individuals (including members of the general public).