Butte Creek/Sutter Bypass Weir 1 Improvement Design and Permitting Project

The Butte Creek Sutter Bypass Weir 1 Improvement Design and Permitting Project is a federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), specifically through its Fish and Aquatic Conservation program. This initiative is aligned with the agency’s broader mission of conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for public benefit. The funding opportunity supports restoration and infrastructure improvement efforts within the Central Valley of California, particularly focused on aquatic ecosystems and fish passage. The project is authorized under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, which provides legislative backing for fish and wildlife restoration activities. The purpose of this grant is to support the completion of 100 percent construction-ready designs and permitting for improvements to Weir 1 located on Butte Creek within the Sutter Bypass West Borrow Canal. The existing weir structure is no longer functional for water diversion and fish passage. The proposed project involves partial removal of the deteriorated structure and installation of a rock ramp that maintains appropriate water surface elevations while enabling effective fish passage. The design must ensure compatibility with existing diversion flow requirements and upstream infrastructure while supporting ecological restoration goals. Funding under this opportunity is intended to cover technical design, permitting processes, hydraulic modeling, and planning activities necessary to prepare for construction. Allowable uses include engineering design, environmental compliance, coordination with technical advisory bodies, and development of monitoring or adaptive management plans. The project must incorporate considerations for fish passage across multiple species and address hydrological and geomorphological conditions. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants, making the full award amount available for eligible project expenses. Eligibility for this opportunity is unrestricted, meaning that a wide range of entities may apply, provided they meet federal requirements such as SAM.gov registration and are not listed in the federal exclusions database. Applicants must demonstrate substantial technical expertise in hydrology, fish passage engineering, aquatic habitat mapping, and environmental permitting. The application must include required federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting documentation outlining project scope, timeline, and expected outcomes. The application process is conducted through the GrantSolutions platform, where applicants must register their organization, assign user roles, and submit all required materials electronically. The submission deadline is July 19, 2026, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applications are evaluated through a multi-step review process that includes eligibility screening, merit review by internal and external experts, and risk assessment. Evaluation criteria emphasize technical expertise, project feasibility, budget reasonableness, and alignment with federal priorities. Award decisions are made by a designated Selection Official following review recommendations. The anticipated project period runs from August 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. Successful applicants will receive a formal Notice of Award outlining terms and conditions, reporting requirements, and compliance expectations. Reporting includes financial and performance reports, along with ongoing coordination with federal program staff. Questions regarding the opportunity can be directed to Andrew Trent, Habitat Restoration Coordinator, via email or phone as provided in the announcement.

Emphasize demonstrated expertise in hydrology, fish passage engineering, and California-based salmonid restoration; clearly align technical methods with evaluation criteria; ensure budget is tightly justified and linked to scope; demonstrate coordination with Technical Advisory Committee