Buttonbush Restoration Project on the Stanislaus River | F18AS00227

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the "Buttonbush Restoration Project on the Stanislaus River" grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It is focused on funding post-project monitoring and evaluation work connected to an existing restoration effort on the Stanislaus River.

What is the main purpose of this funding?

The purpose is to support monitoring and evaluation after restoration actions have already been implemented. The work is intended to measure how the restoration performed and to collect data needed to evaluate ecological outcomes over time.

Is this grant for doing new restoration construction, or for monitoring an existing project?

Based on the description, the emphasis is on post-project monitoring and evaluation tied to an existing restoration effort. The opportunity also notes that revegetation may be implemented, which suggests some follow-up vegetation establishment may be included if needed to support restoration success.

What types of activities can be funded under this opportunity?

The opportunity supports monitoring activities used to assess habitat conditions and biological response. Examples specifically mentioned include:

• Trapping and tagging juvenile salmonids to track fish presence, movement, survival, or habitat use
• Topographic surveys to measure physical changes in channel form, floodplain surfaces, or restored features
• Macroinvertebrate surveys as indicators of aquatic food web health and overall stream condition
• Water quality assessments to document key parameters influencing salmonids and aquatic ecosystem performance
• Revegetation (follow-up planting or vegetation establishment actions) where needed

What is meant by "post-project monitoring and evaluation" in this opportunity?

It refers to collecting data after restoration implementation to understand outcomes over time. The focus is on tracking ecological response and habitat/physical conditions to determine how well the restoration actions performed.

What species or biological targets are referenced in the monitoring examples?

The examples specifically reference juvenile salmonids, including activities like trapping and tagging to evaluate fish presence, movement, survival, and habitat use.

What kinds of physical habitat measurements are mentioned?

Topographic surveys are specifically mentioned to measure physical changes such as channel form, floodplain surfaces, or restored features.

Are aquatic insects or food web indicators included in the monitoring scope?

Yes. Macroinvertebrate surveys are explicitly listed as an example monitoring activity to serve as indicators of aquatic food web health and overall stream condition.

Is water quality monitoring included?

Yes. Water quality assessment is explicitly listed as an example activity to document key parameters that influence salmonid and aquatic ecosystem performance.

Can revegetation work be included in addition to monitoring?

Yes. The opportunity states that revegetation may also be implemented, indicating that follow-up planting or vegetation establishment actions may be supported where needed.

What category or type of work does the agency associate with this grant?

The work is framed as environmental research and monitoring and is placed under an Environment, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development activity category.

What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA (now called the Assistance Listing) number 15.648.

What agency is offering this grant?

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the awarding agency named in the opportunity description.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to for-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profit entities that are not small businesses.

Are nonprofits, universities, or local governments eligible under this announcement?

The eligibility statement provided only lists for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profit entities). No other applicant types are included in the provided eligibility language.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The agency anticipated making a single award (one award) under this announcement.

What is the maximum federal funding available?

The award ceiling (maximum federal amount available) is $650,000.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is F18AS00227.

What is the official title of the opportunity?

The official title is "Buttonbush Restoration Project on the Stanislaus River."

When was the opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on July 3, 2018, and the original closing date was July 10, 2018.

Does the timeline indicate a short application window?

Yes. The creation date of July 3, 2018 and closing date of July 10, 2018 indicate a very short application window for the original posting.

Is this opportunity tied to a specific geographic location?

Yes. The project is specifically tied to the Stanislaus River, as stated in the opportunity title and description.

What outcomes is the monitoring meant to evaluate?

The monitoring is meant to evaluate how well restoration actions performed after implementation and to support evaluation of ecological outcomes over time, including habitat condition and biological response indicators like juvenile salmonid metrics, macroinvertebrate indicators, and water quality parameters.