American River Fish Hatchery – Fish Mitigation | BOR MP 17 N021

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR MP 17 N021

The American River Fish Hatchery - Fish Mitigation grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BOR MP 17 N021) is a discretionary Bureau of Reclamation grant under the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on fisheries mitigation at Folsom Lake (Folsom Reservoir) in California. The need for the project comes from environmental review and coordination requirements tied to earlier phases of the Folsom Joint Federal Project (often referenced as the Folsom JFP). A 2012 SEIS/EIR concluded that construction and related activities would temporarily reduce recreational fishing opportunities in Folsom Lake, and it required those impacts to be offset through fish re-stocking. In addition, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report for the Dam Modification Approach Channel specifically called for compensation for fish resource losses by stocking the reservoir with 6,000 catchable-size triploid (sterile) rainbow trout. A Memorandum for Record dated October 18, 2016 documented that Reclamation would complete this mitigation obligation.

The core activity funded by the award is the production and stocking of those 6,000 catchable-size sterile rainbow trout into Folsom Lake. The work is assigned to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), American River Fish Hatchery, because that state facility has both the authority and practical responsibility to raise the fish and to stock the reservoir. The hatchery notes that growing trout to catchable size typically takes about a year and a half, which drives the timeline and operational planning. For this particular mitigation action, the fish are expected to come from egg supplies obtained in December 2015 and December 2016, drawing from multiple egg lots and selecting a mix that includes faster-growing fish from some lots and slower-growing fish from others to meet the stocking target within the required timeframe.

The planned implementation schedule, as described in the opportunity, is to begin stocking in Fall 2017 and finish by Spring 2018, with all work completed by Spring 2018. The timeline is described as somewhat flexible because stocking decisions depend on conditions that meet CDFW standards, especially water temperature. Once the grant is awarded and coordination with project partners is finalized, the recipient is expected to produce a detailed work schedule to guide execution.

Roles and responsibilities are clearly divided. The recipient (CDFW) is responsible for carrying out the scope of work in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, including securing any required permits and approvals. The recipient must also designate a liaison and point of contact to maintain timely communication, ensure assignments are addressed quickly, and keep information flowing to support compliance with the agreement. The opportunity also emphasizes coordination with Reclamation to reduce operational deficits where possible, including exploring agreements with other local agencies to offset certain operating costs, and it calls for annual meetings to confirm that communication and administrative procedures, as well as operations, maintenance, and development review processes, remain adequate.

Reclamation’s role is characterized as limited and non-substantial in terms of hands-on project execution. The agency anticipates performing typical federal stewardship functions such as monitoring project performance and providing technical assistance if the recipient requests it, rather than directing day-to-day hatchery or stocking operations.

This opportunity was issued as a single-source award rather than a competitive solicitation. The stated justification is “unique qualifications,” specifically that CDFW’s American River Fish Hatchery has the jurisdiction to raise the fish and the jurisdiction to stock Folsom Lake, making it the appropriate and essentially sole entity to carry out the work as defined.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, the grant lists an award ceiling of $32,408 and anticipates one award. Eligible applicants are limited to state governments, aligning with CDFW as the intended recipient. The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 15.517, and the statutory authority cited is Public Law 85-624, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Section 2(1), which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to assist and cooperate with federal, state, and other entities in activities such as the development, protection, rearing, and stocking of wildlife (including fish), and in efforts to minimize losses and damages to wildlife resources associated with water-resource development projects. The notice was created on July 20, 2017, with an original closing date of July 27, 2017.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "American River Fish Hatchery – Fish Mitigation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.517.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 20, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 27, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $32,408.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for BOR MP 17 N021

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