Aquatics Resources Management

The Bureau of Land Management's Aquatic Resources Program conserves and restores riparian and wetland areas, aquatic habitats, and water resources (hereafter referred to as aquatic resources) to provide resource values and ecosystem services necessar

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Aquatic Resources Program supports riparian and wetland areas, aquatic habitats, and water resources for a combination of balanced and diverse uses including the Nation's need for domestic sources of minerals, food, timber and fiber, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and the long-term needs of future generations. Program staff collaborate with Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, and non-governmental partners to guide efficient environmental reviews and permitting actions on public lands; to avoid, minimize, or rectify impacts from permitted uses; to ensure water of suitable quality and quantity is available for beneficial uses; to improve habitat for fish and wildlife; and to control aquatic invasive species. The BLM's Aquatic Resources Program has opportunities to: 1) Ensure water availability to sustain healthy riparian and wetland areas, aquatic habitats, and beneficial uses; 2) Advance innovative decision support tools to inform efficient and effective environmental reviews, the use of BLM-managed lands, the protection of remaining high-quality habitats, and the strategic restoration of degraded systems; and 3) Restore degraded water resources, riparian and wetland areas, and aquatic habitats, with a focus on process-based approaches supporting the BLM's multiple use and sustained yield mission.

All Public Land users.

Projects are primarily conducted on lands administered by the BLM in the Western United States and Alaska, but may also be conducted on other public or private lands. Regardless of location, all projects must contribute to the attainment of BLM management objectives and have significant BLM involvement in the project. Assistance can be used to help protect or restore aquatic resources and to provide related public outreach and education opportunities.

No specific restrictions for most projects. However, most projects are funded on a year-by- year basis no more than a five-year period and funds are expended during a particular fiscal year.

For more information and local requirements, cooperative project proposals should be coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management local State, or District or Field offices.

First Level Screening -Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov, screening may include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents. B. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity noticed post on www.grants.gov Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program funding announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. Final award selection review by BLM Leadership.

Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project, but should not be more than five years. Further information will be available for each program at the time the Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement. Most awards are anticipated within 120days or less after the announcement closes.

Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the Bureau of Land Management will provide all applicants with information on why their proposal was not selected for award.