Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative

The Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program (Program) is a collaborative effort consisting of 18 stakeholders including federal, state, and local governmental entities; Indian tribes and pueblos; and non-governmental organizations

The Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program works to protect and improve the status of endangered listed species along the Middle Rio Grande by implementing certain recovery activities to benefit those species and their associated habitats. "Listed species" means federally listed species under the ESA, with special emphasis on the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (silvery minnow) and the southwestern willow flycatcher (flycatcher).

Federal, Interstate, Intrastate, State, Local, Public nonprofit institution/organization, Other public institution/organization, Federally Recognized Tribal Government, Specialized Group, Private Non-profit Institution/Organization.

Federal, Interstate, Intrastate, State, Local, Public nonprofit institution/organization, Other public institution/organization, Federally Recognized Tribal Government, Specialized Group, Private Non-profit Institution/Organization.

Whenever applicable, all necessary federal, state, local, and/or private access, collection, and other environmental permits must be provided.

Financial assistance may be used in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the Executive Committee and the Collaborative Program Long-Term Plan which focuses on beneficial activities for improving the status of the silvery minnow and the flycatcher, and the conservation and contribution to the recovery of both listed species while protecting existing and future water uses within the geographic boundaries of the Program area. The Program Area is defined as "the headwaters of the Rio Chama watershed and the Rio Grande, including tributaries, from the New Mexico-Colorado state line downstream to the elevation of the spillway crest of the Elephant Butte Reservoir at 4,450 ft above mean sea level, excluding the land area reserved for the full pool of the Elephant Butte Reservoir. Indian Pueblo and Tribal lands and resources within the Program area will not be included in the Program without their express written consent of the affected Indian Pueblo or Tribe.

Federal assistance is typically available during the current fiscal year of appropriations. The Program expects all awarded funds to be expended during the fiscal year in which grant awards were made or no more than 2 years from the time of grant award. For more complex projects that may involve environmental compliance, design, feasibility studies, construction and implementation, effectiveness monitoring, and other related activities, the project will be divided into phases. The project will then be funded incrementally at phase level costs. Funding of subsequent phases will be based on project viability, effectiveness, and fund availability.

Environmental compliance for this program may be required depending on the scope of the specific project funded. This may result in the need for an environmental impact assessment or environmental impact statement prior to the commencement of project activities.

Funding opportunity announcements for this program, along with registration procedures, application packages and instructions, SF-424 forms and any other forms to be used to submit application information, points of contact, and procedures for submitting applications will be available on www.grants.gov.

Specific evaluation criteria for projects benefiting the silvery minnow and the Southwestern willow flycatcher within the MRG will be included in the funding announcements posted on www.grants.gov.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the funding opportunity announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by a proposal evaluation panel comprised of qualified experts (federal and non-federal stakeholders) in the program area. Applications will be reviewed against the proposal evaluation criteria and any additional review factors stated in the funding announcement. Final selection will be determined by the designated Grants Officer.

Varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Further information will be available for each specific project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Reclamation personnel listed as the point of contact in the funding announcement.

If renewals or extensions are applicable to the project, this information will be included in the funding opportunity announcement. When renewals or extensions are applicable, continuation of funding for these activities is at the discretion of Congress and will be subject to availability of appropriated funds.

None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, upon request, the Bureau of Reclamation will provide applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected for award.