Don't forget the upcoming deadline for the Fish Passage NOFO which is 11/17/23 for Letters of Intent. As has been mentioned, a key element to the process this year is upfront discussion with FWS Regional NFPP Coordinators about project merits before time is spent developing full proposals. Here is the link to their contacts.
Learn more about the Fish Passage NOFO
Another opportunity for FOR groups in the West is a relatively new program from the Bureau of Reclamation: the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program. This program has been around for a while, but had virtually no funding until BIL was passed. They require a 35% non-federal match to receive funds from this program except for the USVI where no match is required. The types of projects (including engineering and design work) that are eligible is diverse and includes a number of common instream and riparian restoration activities. You can find all of the details on the program here. The deadline to apply for this FY is January 24, 2024.
Yet another BoR funding opportunity that may be of interest to your partners (Western States and USVI only) is the WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program, where an entity can receive up to $100,000/year for 3 years with no match requirement to establish a new watershed group, which can be used for staff compensation among other things. I'm sure you all have partners who are trying to get this type of group off the ground, and could make use of these funds. The deadline to apply is December 5. The BoR website describes a watershed group as follows:
"A watershed group is a self-sustaining, non-regulatory, consensus-based group that is composed of a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include, but is not limited to, private property owners, non-profit organizations, Federal, state, or local agencies, and tribes. As part of Phase I activities, applicants may use funding to develop bylaws, a mission statement, complete stakeholder outreach, develop a watershed restoration plan, and watershed management project design. For Phase I projects, Reclamation will award a successful applicant up to $100,000 per year for a period of up to three years with no non-Federal cost-share required."
Please share all of these opportunities with your distribution lists!
Thanks and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions!
Jason
Jason Olive
National Fish Habitat Partnership Coordinator
Fish and Aquatic Conservation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
703-489-5700 (Mobile)