Upper Mississippi River Restoration Long Term Resource Monitoring

To provide decision makers with information needed to maintain the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) as a sustainable large river ecosystem given its multiple-use character. The long-term goals of the LTRM are to: understand the UMRS ecosystem, m

The Long Term Resource Monitoring (LTRM) element of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program tracks the health of the Upper Mississippi River System and provides information that supports its management. Through the Upper Mississippi River Management Act of 1986, Congress directed that the river be managed as a multi use resource for the benefit of the nation. It also authorized two major efforts: (1) a program to plan, construct, and evaluate fish and wildlife habitat rehabilitation and enhancement projects, and (2) a long term resource monitoring and applied research program supported by a comprehensive data inventory and analysis system. Together, these efforts form what is now known as the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program. The LTRM element provides reliable, high quality, long term scientific data to federal and state resource managers, Tribal nations, policymakers, and local partners. This information supports cooperative and informed decision making about how to protect, rehabilitate, and manage the river for the American public. All LTRM data are publicly available online and easy to explore through user friendly data applications and viewers. Since 1988, LTRM has monitored water quality, fish, aquatic vegetation, land cover, and physical habitat through a network of state run field stations. This long-term record helps managers understand how the river is changing, identify emerging issues, and select actions that support clean water, healthy habitat, recreation, and navigation. LTRM's consistent, collaborative approach helps federal and state partners maintain shared situational awareness across agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the five Upper Mississippi River states, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition to monitoring data, LTRM provides decision support tools, maps, reports, and online data browsers widely used in restoration planning, environmental assessments, research, and policy development. By offering trustworthy information and working closely with partners, the UMRR LTRM program helps ensure that the Upper Mississippi River System remains healthy and resilient for communities and wildlife, while continuing to support a strong regional and national economy.

State agencies stipulated in the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-662) are eligible to apply.

UMRS State, Federal, and private natural resource managers, users, and the general public.

This is a non-competitive grant authorized by Congress under 33 U.S.C. § 652 (the Upper Mississippi River Management Act of 1986) and Section 1103 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. Only the states of MN, WI, IA, IL, and MO may apply and use the funds to implement the program outlined in the authorization. Funding may be used only for implementation of the annual Scopes of Work, as identified in the Program Announcement (Notice of Funding Opportunity [NOFO]).

Program obligates funds and sends a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles, unless otherwise dictated by program-specific legislation or special award terms. Program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the notice of award.

The States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and their institutions and agencies; States, universities, and others having expertise and experience conducting monitoring and research of the Upper Mississippi River System; States, universities, and others having expertise and experience conducting monitoring and research of large, impounded river systems.

Notification of an award is by receipt of a grant or cooperative agreement from a U.S. Geological Survey contracting officer.

Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines.

The UMRR LTRM is a permanent program. Agreements may be renewed on an annual basis dependent upon funding availability.