Bureau of Reclamation - Pacific Northwest Region

Description

This Funding Announcement is NOT a request for applications.The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is committed to providing assistance to entities that can attend to issues involving fish screening, fish passage, water flow, and channel complexity in specific tributary subbasins of the Columbia River in order to benefit anadromous fish habitat. The Mehow Subbasin is one such subbasin. Reclamation expects to provide assistance to meet specific metric goals that include: (1) fish screens that meet current criteria; (2) spawning and rearing access restored by removal of fish passage barriers; (3) meeting instream flow targets; and (4) increased miles of channel complexity in the Methow Subbasin. The kind of habitat improvement activity anticipated includes: reconnecting flood plains, side channel improvements, backwater channel improvements, woody structure and large rock cluster development, deeper pool development, and reconstruction of spawning gravel. Watershed Resource Solutions (WRS) is located the Methow Subbasin with a mission to conduct “on the ground” activities that will enhance salmon habitat in the Methow. WRS is a significant party for this activity within the Methow because WRS assists Reclamation by providing landowner outreach and public involvement to stimulate landowner’s interest in allowing Reclamation and other Federal partners to replace harmful irrigation diversions with modern fish-friendly diversions and for the installation of habitat and flow improvement projects and structures. WRS works with Reclamation to identify potential habitat improvement projects in the Methow Subbasin; coordinating fish habitat projects with local constituents; explaining the benefits of and defining the projects for affected landowners; coordinating access to privately-owned land for Reclamation and other Federal partners activities; participating during project design and construction in an advisory role, or construction management as requested; and promoting the benefits of Reclamation’s habitat improvement efforts throughout the Methow Subbasin. Due to the complexity of the issues and the geographic location a great amount of activity must be coordinated involving State and local government units, private landowners, non-profit organizations, in addition to various Federal Agencies; including Reclamation, before a project is finalized. Coordination with local organizations and private landowners is essential to the overall success of habitat improvement in the Methow Subbasin. Without the assistance of WRS, many projects could not go forward due to landowner concerns. The anticipated length of the agreement is 5 years. Subsequent renewal or continuation modifications related to additional funds for any awards as of a result of this Notice of Intent may be entered into without future competition; however, they are conditioned upon successful project performance and availability of appropriated funds.

Who can apply

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
• Individuals
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses
• Small businesses

Contact

Bryant "Bear" Lyndaker <br/>Financial Assistance Officer <br/>Phone 208-378-5138
blyndaker@pn.usbr.gov