Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation

The MSCP's purposes are: (1) Protect the lower Colorado River environment while ensuring the certainty of existing river water and power operations, (2) Address the needs of threatened and endangered wildlife under the Endangered Species Act, and (3)

The Lower Colorado River Multi Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) is a long term partnership that balances use of the Colorado River with the conservation of native species and their habitats. Implemented over a 50-year period, the program accommodates current water diversions and power production and will optimize opportunities for future water and power development by providing Endangered Species Act compliance through the implementation of a Habitat Conservation Plan. The program area extends over 400 miles of the lower Colorado River from Lake Mead to the southernmost border with Mexico. The Habitat Conservation Plan calls for the creation of over 8,100 acres of habitat for fish and wildlife species and the production of over 1.2 million native fish to augment existing populations. The plan will benefit at least 27 species, most of which are state or federally listed endangered, threatened, or sensitive species. The Bureau of Reclamation is the implementing agency for the LCR MSCP Steering Committee and permittees which include state and Federal agencies, water and power users, municipalities, Native American tribes, conservation organizations, and other interested parties. The LCR MSCP is unique for its scale, collaborative structure, and 50 year commitment, providing regulatory certainty for river operations while advancing science based, ecosystem wide conservation. This assistance listing supports activities that create, restore, and maintain habitat; conduct biological monitoring and research; and implement conservation actions identified in the program's Habitat Conservation Plan. Award recipients typically include state wildlife agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and other entities working to conserve species affected by river operations.

State and local governments, nonprofit organizations and institutions, public and private institutions and organizations, Federally recognized Indian Tribal Governments, individuals, small businesses, for-profit organizations, and Native American Organizations.

Anyone/general public, governmental entities, Tribal governments, Native American organizations, and/or public or private organizations in the specific project area.

The planning area for the LCR MSCP is defined as areas up to and including the full-pool elevations of Lakes Mead, Mohave, and Havasu and the historical floodplain of the Colorado River from Lake Mead downstream to the Southerly International Boundary with Mexico. The planning area provides habitat for Covered Species listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA; additionally there are region specific species that are inclusive of this program. Visit http://www.lcrmscp.gov for specific information.

Projects are generally awarded for 1 to 3 years.

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.

Need to meet LCR MSCP requirements for implementation of conservation measures outlined in the Habitat Conservation Plan. This can be found at http://www.lcrmscp.gov

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 selection will be determined by the Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, or regional officials, as applicable to the project.

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