ORWA Youth Project State Wide AML Geology - Round 2 Due 10.16.2026.docx

STATE: Oregon-Washington Office: State Office Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L26AS00064 Project Submission Dates and Times: Round 2 Due 5 pm EST 10/16/2026

Project Title: Oregon/Washington Statewide Abandoned Mine Lands Youth Opportunity Available Funding in FY26: $250,000 Maximum Funding (if multi-year): $950,000 Note: BLM has determined $800 weekly stipend equal to $20.00 per hour is reasonable. Stipends above this amount must justify in budget narrative increase needed.

Period of Performance: December 1, 2026- December 1, 2031 Project Background Information: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Oregon and Washington manages over 16 million acres of public lands for a variety of uses, including mining and mineral development. Mining and mineral development provide local jobs, economic activity, and important commodities essential to daily life in the United States. Over the last 150 years, many areas of land managed by the BLM have had some form of mining activity, ranging from exploration to mine development. Prior to regulations and laws set in 1981, mining operations were often moved or abandoned without proper remediation as minerals were extracted and depleted. In many cases, these abandoned mines were left in hazardous conditions. Applicants will assist BLM’s Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program statewide to validate abandoned mine locations and assist with the hazard closure process to address public safety issues. Project work may include sites across all eight districts in Oregon and the Spokane District in Washington.

Project Objective: This project will introduce youth to BLM’s multi-use mission, natural resource careers, and the BLM’s AML Program. Applicants will assist BLM through validating, closing, and remediating abandoned mine sites across nine BLM districts throughout Oregon and Washington. Youth Corps crews may assist with a variety of activities, including but not limited to fencing, posting signage, transporting closure materials, and collecting and recording field data. Crews may also assist with replanting native vegetation, removing debris and weeds, backfilling holes, installing erosion control structures, and performing preparation work for future installation of wildlife-friendly gates or grates. This project helps advance the AML program while providing participants with valuable field experience in map reading, data collection, and working in group environments.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, generally 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Scheduling may include up to 4 months a year for multiple crews, depending on funding and availability of crews and BLM staff. Work may occur year-round with an emphasis in the spring, summer, and fall.

Qualification Requirements: Applicants must pass a DOI security background check. Multiple awards may be issued from this announcement, with preference for applicants who demonstrate the ability to work across multiple districts in Oregon and Washington.

This project is especially appropriate for college undergraduate, graduate students, or recent graduates studying geoscience or earth science-related disciplines, or for youth interested in enhancing basic field skills. This project will provide opportunities to enhance career skills in organization, communication, and teamwork. Participants will learn the basics of using GPS equipment and physical maps in the field, field data recorders, GIS software, LiDAR remote sensing data, and AML data recording methodologies. Previous experience with any of these skills is beneficial but is not required.

This opportunity will require time outdoors and fieldwork may be arduous at times. Many projects will require off-road and four-wheel driving. Youth Corps crews should be comfortable safely conducting fieldwork in remote backcountry settings. Field work may require strenuous exertion, including hiking, bending, digging, and lifting. Crew members must have the ability to carry up to 40 pounds. Weather and terrain conditions may be extreme (e.g. heat, cold, thunderstorms, mountainous/steep/rocky/uneven terrain). Wildlife encounters may be possible such as bears, rattlesnakes, or insects that sting or bite.

Housing: Housing is not available. Applicants are expected to camp overnight and may be located in primitive, remote camping areas for multiple consecutive nights. Travelling to multiple locations during a hitch may be required. Some areas may have limited to no cell reception and limited to no services or amenities. The BLM does not provide funding for camping or guarantee availability to local camp sites.

Vehicle Needs: Applicants must provide Youth Corps crews with reliable four-wheel drive transportation, including safety training. Driving on pavement, gravel, and native surface roads will be a common occurrence. Youth Corps members must have a valid driver’s license and may be required to take additional BLM driver safety training. Vehicles should be equipped with trailers and other necessary supplies to complete project work.

Other Project Considerations:

Food: Applicants are responsible for providing their own food and water.

Supplies: Applicants are expected to provide basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hand tools. Crews must be prepared with proper attire for field work in varying weather conditions. Applicants are expected to provide all camping gear, four-wheel drive vehicles, trailers, and other standard supplies to complete project work.

Training Requirements: Applicants are expected to provide basic safety, first aid, crew lead, and field work training to Youth Corps crews. BLM will provide specialized skills and safety trainings as needed.

Travel: Applicants should expect to travel on four-wheel drive roads and camp in primitive, remote camping areas. Applicants should prepare crews for limited services and amenities as well as little to no cell reception. Travel between sites may be required during a hitch. Clearly outline travel costs in budgets.

BLM specialists will coordinate with applicant to provide specific work plans for each project. BLM will also provide additional specialized equipment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), or trainings as needed to complete tasks. BLM will provide project materials such as fencing.

Duties: Applicants will assist BLM Oregon-Washington AML Program specialists with projects to improve the safety of abandoned mine sites on public lands. Project work may encompass any of BLM’s nine districts in Oregon and Washington. Work will be conducted in a manner to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Youth Corps crew members and BLM staff through proper training and awareness of safety techniques while conducting field work.

Crews must be willing to assist with a variety of activities, including but not limited to, fencing, posting signage, transporting closure materials, and collecting and recording field data. Crews may also assist with replanting native vegetation, removing debris and weeds, backfilling holes, installing erosion control structures, and preparation work for installing wildlife-friendly gates or grates over abandoned mines.

Field work may involve surveys, sample collection, and validation of abandoned mine and mineral resources. Methods consist of hiking or driving (four-wheel drive or off-highway vehicles) to inventoried AML features to validate existing conditions in preparation for safety hazard closures. Site inspections will be documented using digital mobile field forms, notebooks, and GPS. Crews may also digitally photograph sites.

Project outcomes may be measured through the following metrics: number of abandoned mines closed/improved, miles of fence maintained/installed, acres of habitat restored.

BLM’s Involvement: There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement by BLM professionals to include mentoring, oversight, and engagement with youth participants as appropriate. BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan, if project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, safety concerns arise, etc. In addition, BLM and recipient will meet weekly to discuss progress and track project outcomes; review any training needs; and then decide what direction to take in finalizing project or move to the next phase.

BLM Program Contact:

Field PO Name: Morgan Rubanow Field PO Phone Number: 503-545-9717 Field PO Email: mrubanow@blm.gov Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement number L26AS00064 posted on Grants.gov for all program requirements and applicable terms and conditions. Recipients selected for awards will be required to adhere to those requirements should an award be made.

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