Habitat Assessment in Blocked Area | BOR PN 16 N019

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR PN 16 N019

The Habitat Assessment in Blocked Area grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BOR PN 16 N019) is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, under CFDA 15.517. It focuses on natural resources work and is specifically aimed at supporting a habitat assessment project in an area described as "blocked," implying habitat that is currently inaccessible or otherwise constrained for fish and wildlife use, typically due to barriers such as dams, culverts, or other impediments. The project itself is not a standalone idea created only for this notice; it is part of a larger, regionally coordinated proposal that was submitted through the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC) Call for Proposals process tied to the NPCC Fish and Wildlife Program.

A key feature of this opportunity is the collaborative structure behind it. The Spokane Tribe of Indians submitted the broader proposal and assembled a group of regional co-managers that includes the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Indians, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. In addition to these management partners, the proposal also includes technical support from federal science agencies, namely the U.S. Geological Survey Columbia River Research Laboratory and NOAA Fisheries. The inclusion of these organizations suggests that the work is expected to be scientifically rigorous and aligned with basin-wide fish and wildlife recovery priorities rather than being a small, isolated assessment.

The proposal has already gone through a formal scientific review step: it was reviewed by the Independent Science Review Panel as part of the NPCC process. That context matters because it indicates the project has been evaluated for technical merit and relevance within an established regional planning and funding framework. In practical terms, applicants and partners are not starting from scratch; the grant supports a proposal that has already been shaped to meet NPCC program expectations and has received external scientific scrutiny.

Funding for the overall effort is coming from multiple sources, with clear coordination among funders. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which funds the NPCC Fish and Wildlife Program, agreed to provide $100,000 in support of the proposal. Additional cost-sharing is anticipated from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, expected in the form of reprogrammed Fish Accords funds, which points to a leveraging approach where tribal and regional resources are combined to cover project needs. Separately, the Bureau of Reclamation is proposing to contribute $50,000 through this specific grant opportunity, and the posted award ceiling for this notice is $50,000, matching Reclamation's proposed share. The notice does not specify the number of expected awards, but the structure implies this funding is intended to support a defined portion of a broader, coordinated project rather than to fund many unrelated projects.

Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Native American tribal governments, which aligns with the fact that the Spokane Tribe of Indians is leading the proposal and that tribal co-managers play a central role. The original closing date listed for the opportunity was September 2, 2016, and the opportunity was created on August 25, 2016, reflecting a short application window typical of targeted, program-aligned funding actions.

Overall, this grant opportunity can be summed up as a targeted Bureau of Reclamation contribution to a larger NPCC-aligned, multi-partner habitat assessment initiative led by the Spokane Tribe of Indians, supported by state and tribal co-managers and federal technical experts, and financed through a combination of BPA program funds, anticipated tribal cost-sharing, and a Reclamation grant capped at $50,000.

• The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Habitat Assessment in Blocked Area" 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 2016-08-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-09-02. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).

Apply for BOR PN 16 N019

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