Bureau of Reclamation - Lower Colorado Region

Description

The objective is to fund opportunities for collecting field data of the Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard (FTHL) (Phrynosoma mcalli) and perform habitat restoration in accordance with the FWCA. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposed listing the FTHL under threatened species in 1993. The proposal was subsequently withdrawn in 1997. In 2005, the Service announced reinstatement of the 1993 proposed rule but again withdrew the proposal rule on March 15, 2011 (76 FR 14210). In 1997, the species gained protective status on public lands under a conservation agreement signed by several federal and state agencies. The conservation agreement “Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Rangewide Management Strategy” (revised 2003) was prepared to provide guidance for the conservation and management of sufficient habitat to maintain extant populations of the FTHL in five management areas (MA) located in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California. Also, to fund opportunities that will improve, protect, and create riparian and wetland habitat for the benefit T&E species along the lower Colorado River (LCR) corridor. TYPES OF PROJECTS Types of projects under this year’s Endangered Species program include FTHL studies, monitoring habitat quality and population trends of FTHL in the MAs in accordance with the FTHL 2003 strategy’s Management Program Planning Actions. Types of projects under Environmental Restoration include conservation and improvement programs, habitat conservation and riparian restoration projects. The types of project activities include: • Wetland and riparian habitat restoration; enhancement, and protection. • Endangered species environmental education and outreach programs with emphasis on LCR species. ; • • tracking fish and wildlife movement, habitat monitoring, collection and analysis of intertebrates, genetics studies; and • surveying and monitoring of fish and wildlife and salinity studies. The study’s objectives should consider: 1. Demonstration of long-term studies of native riparian habitat restoration. 2. Specific emphasis of plant genetic variation and its effect on community structure. 3. Develop a publication record demonstrating skill in environmental education that emphasize on-the-ground native riparian habitat restoration activities and endangered species awareness. 4. Demonstrate skill in the propagation and long term survival of lower Colorado River native riparian vegetation at restoration sites. 5. Methods which will implement FTHL monitoring plan through surveying demographics plots in the Yuma MA. Occupancy plots may also be conducted; and 6. Studies which give inference about distribution of FTHLs in the MAs. It should provide information on trends and population dynamics of FTHLs in the MAs. OBJECTIVE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUCEMENTS The objective of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to invite eligible applicants to fulfill the objectives listed in this FOA in pursuit of the stated FWCA goals. Projects/Activities will be selected through a competitive process that will focus on achieving the outcome identified in this solicitation. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS To be eligible for financial assistance, a proposed activity must meet all of the following criteria: 1. The applicant must be an eligible entity involved in the improvement of fish and wildlife habitat associated with water systems or water supplies affected by Bureau of Reclamation projects; and 2. The project must be located within the Yuma Area Office administrative boundaries. These administrative boundaries may be viewed at the following website www.usbr.gov/lc/area.html.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Shawna Thompson <br/>Grants Officer <br/>Phone 702-293-8570
smthompson@usbr.gov