Grants for Exclusive - see details - Natural Resources

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 5135, FEMA will provide grants to capitalize revolving loan funds which may be used to provide loans to finance various types of hazard mitigation projects to reduce risks from natural hazards and disasters. Through the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund (Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF)program, eligible entities (refer to Section C.1) will use these capitalization grants to establish a revolving loan fund (referred to herein as an entity loan fund) from which they will provide direct loans to local governments for projects and activities that mitigate the impacts of drought, intense heat, severe storms (including hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, cyclones, and severe winter storms), wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other natural hazards. Eligible activities may include the construction or modification of natural or built infrastructure to increase resilience and reduce risk of harm. Entity loan funds will be programmatically and financially administered by the respective entity. FEMA will monitor the administration of the entity loan funds during the period of performance per the reporting requirements, and will continue to monitor administration of the entity loan funds after the capitalization grant closeout via biennial audits and post-closeout reporting. Under 42 U.S.C. ? 5135(h)(3)(C), FEMA may make recommendations for or require specific changes as needed to improve the effectiveness of the funds. Funding for the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is limited. Pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), FEMA must award funding through multiple Notices of Funding Opportunity over a 5-year period. The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program aligns with the goal of promoting resilience and adaptation in light of current risks, including those posed by climate change, and the 2020-2024 DHS Strategic Plan (https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024) through Goal 5: Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience. Specifically, Objective 5.1: Build a National Culture of Preparedness has several sub-objectives that the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program supports. The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program serves primarily to bolster Sub-Objective 5.1.1: Incentivize investments that reduce risk and increase pre-disaster mitigation, including expanding the use of insurance to manage risk through funding hazard mitigation projects, particularly ones that reduce risk to infrastructure. By focusing on increasing resilience and reducing harm to built infrastructure, this program will help members of underserved communities,1 who might be at heightened risk as a result of current hazards, including those associated with climate change. The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program complements and supplements FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant portfolio to support mitigation projects at the local government level and increase the Nation's resilience to natural hazards and climate change. Entity loan funds can be leveraged differently than other funding opportunities to meet unique funding needs. This program will support entity-led hazard mitigation priorities and allow participating entities to meet their funding needs as described in the entity's Intended Use Plan (see Section D.10.b). Such needs may include but are not limited to: meeting non-Federal cost-share requirements for other grants, upfront project design costs, smaller projects that may not qualify for other HMA grant programs, or projects that do not meet the cost-effectiveness requirements applicable for other programs.

Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island (SCI) is designated as an Area of Special Biological Significance and under Executive Order 13158, all Areas of Special Biological Significance were deemed National Marine Protected Areas. The Marine Life Protection Act Amendments of 2004 required the effectiveness of all National Marine Protected Areas, California State Marine Protected Areas, and Areas of Special Biological Significance to be reevaluated to design new Marine Protected Areas that together function as a statewide network. The 1999 and 2004 amendments of the Marine Life Protection Act (Chapter 10.5 of the California Fish and Game Code, 2850-2863) directed the state to reevaluate and redesign Californias system of Marine Protected Areas and requires monitoring of those Marine Protected Areas. All of the Channel Islands, including SCI, were considered for designation of Marine Protected Areas. In 2010, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) established permanent safety zones (Federal Register Vol. 75, No. 97) off the shore of SCI in order to conduct training essential to successfully accomplishing U.S. Navy missions relating to military operations and national security. The safety zones are intended to protect the public from hazardous, live-fire, and testing operations, and to ensure operations proceed as scheduled. With the establishment of safety zones, the Navy withdrew such areas from unrestricted public use in favor of utilizing these areas for military training. To achieve compliance with the SCI Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP), Executive Order 13158, and to avoid designation of a state Marine Protected Area, the SCI INRMP boundary was extended to align with the safety zone boundaries established by USCG. As agreed with the State and the INRMP, these safety zones act as defacto Marine Protected Areas and are monitored similarly to the South Coast Marine Protected Areas. In 2012/2013, baseline Remotely Operated Vehicle surveys and bathymetric mapping efforts were conducted at SCI to support safety zone monitoring. The work under this proposed Cooperative Agreement will build on the baseline 2012/2013 Remotely Operated Vehicle surveys and 2019/2020 continued long-term monitoring efforts to continue to evaluate changes to fishes and invertebrates inside and outside no-take safety zones. The objective of this project is to continue long-term monitoring of fishes and invertebrates in order to evaluate the ecological changes within the SCI safety zones with a focus on evaluating differences between the no-take safety zones and those that are open to fishing consistent with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Protected Area Monitoring Action Plan (California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Ocean Protection Council, 2018; https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs/Management/Monitoring/Action-Plan). Brief Description of the Anticipated Work: This Cooperative Agreement includes three Base Tasks. The first base task is to conduct subtidal, imagery-based habitat surveys for fishes and selected invertebrates based on species observed in 2024/2025. The second base task is to conduct spatial analyses (including, but not limited to, habitat suitability models) on the fish and invertebrate data combined with existing bathymetric maps of the seafloor. The third base task is to develop a preliminary report with a summary of the surveys. The specific requirements for each Base Task are described below. 1. Survey Subtidal Habitat for Demersal Fishes and Invertebrates: The Recipient shall conduct imagery-based subtidal surveys for fishes and selected invertebrates with protocols approved by the Cooperative Agreement Technical Representative (CATR). Surveys shall focus on, but are not limited to, species identified in the 2012 2015 and 2019/2020 Remotely Operated Vehicle surveys and to the best extent practicable sample at previously surveyed sites. The Recipient shall be responsible for scheduling and coordinating field activities such as surveying with the CATR, and other necessary island personnel. The Recipient shall be responsible for providing information necessary to obtain security passes for all personnel and vehicles requiring access to the Navy installations at least one month prior to surveys. The Recipient shall submit the information necessary to obtain the security passes at least one month in advance of initial access. The CATR will assist in obtaining the security passes. 2. Conduct Comprehensive Spatial Analyses of Patterns in the Distribution of Demersal Fishes and Invertebrates: The Recipient shall conduct comprehensive spatial analyses of imagery-derived data, combined with habitat classification maps of the subtidal environment. Analyses shall be conducted using the current best practices and the appropriate software for such analyses. 3. Draft and Final Technical Report: The draft and final preliminary report shall be submitted in accordance with Section J. Submittals and Schedules. The report shall be in scientific format and include the following: 1) Title page showing title, date, cooperative agreement number, Pacific Fleet Representative and Cooperative Agreement Technical Representative contact information; 2) Sub-title page showing title, prepared by and for listings, date and recommended citation; 3) Table of contents; 4) Abstract or Executive Summary; 5) Introduction; 6) Methods; 7) Results; 8) Discussion; 9) Conclusions (to include synthesis with previous work and recommendations for future study); 10) Legible copies of the field notes, data forms and other information. Please see enclosure 1 for full scope of work and enclosure 2 for applicable terms and conditions.

The USDA Forest Service’s funding opportunity, "Recreation Sites and Visitor Services: Creating Quality Recreation Experiences," aims to cultivate partnerships to improve recreation opportunities on National Forest System lands. This Outreach of Interest (OOI) is not a traditional grant program but serves as a mechanism to engage potential partners in identifying collaborative projects. It seeks to generate ideas for programs or initiatives that address recreation needs, enhance visitor experiences, and support infrastructure improvements. By fostering partnerships, the USDA Forest Service aims to build capacity, improve recreational offerings, and ensure the long-term stewardship of public lands. The primary goal of this initiative is to create and maintain high-quality recreational experiences. This includes addressing the increased demand for outdoor recreation, enhancing access to public lands, improving safety, and maintaining or upgrading the extensive infrastructure on National Forest System lands. The USDA Forest Service manages 160,000 miles of trails, 10,000 developed recreation sites, and 196 million acres of forest and grasslands, which are visited by millions annually. Partnerships are vital for meeting growing recreational demands, maintaining infrastructure, and engaging communities in conservation and stewardship. This funding opportunity does not specify a monetary award ceiling or floor, as its primary purpose is to explore project ideas rather than allocate direct funding. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities, such as for-profit and non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, federal, state, local, and Native American tribal governments, and other public entities like school districts and conservation districts. The USDA Forest Service values collaborations that address shared goals and create opportunities for community engagement, job training, conservation education, and improved access to public lands. Applications should outline ideas for programs or projects that align with the USDA Forest Service’s objectives. Potential projects might involve enhancing infrastructure resiliency to weather events, improving access for activities like hunting or fishing, or increasing the capacity of recreational sites to serve visitors. Submitted proposals should demonstrate how partnerships will help address the challenges of maintaining high visitor standards while accommodating growing demand. Applicants are encouraged to innovate and propose solutions that foster long-term sustainability and stewardship. Submissions must follow specific guidelines outlined in the "Outreach of Interest Template Instructions" document. Applicants should save their forms under a new name before uploading them to ensure proper submission. While this OOI does not include specific funding terms, successful partnerships could lead to future agreements or collaborative initiatives under the USDA Forest Service’s legislative authority. The application period closes on **January 23, 2025**, with an original deadline extension previously set for February 7, 2025. Interested parties should ensure their proposals are submitted promptly and in compliance with submission requirements. For additional information or assistance, applicants can contact Robin Taylor-Davenport from the Outreach and Partnership Engagement Branch. This opportunity provides a platform for diverse entities to collaborate with the USDA Forest Service in supporting outdoor recreation. Through innovative partnerships, it aims to enhance the recreational experience for millions of visitors while promoting sustainable land stewardship and community involvement.

This grant provides funding to state and local organizations for projects that preserve and promote the maritime heritage of the United States through education, historic property restoration, and the transmission of traditional maritime skills.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to the National Association of Counties Research Foundation to strengthen partnerships between county governments and the Department of Defense, enhancing military readiness through improved land management and conservation practices.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering a $10 million grant to tribal nations and local governmental units in Minnesota for projects aimed at preparing local wastewater infrastructure for climate change impacts, with a focus on protecting water quality, increasing resilience, and promoting energy and water efficiency.

Overview: Island-wide population assessments support compliance with the San Clemente Island (SCI) Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP), and also provide a benefit to the black abalone species as required under section 4(a)(3)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 35). The SCI INRMP main objective for black abalone is to continue to monitor and support the recovery of the black abalone population in suitable rocky intertidal habitat to increase the population at SCI, which specifically calls for efforts to continue to refine knowledge of, and monitor, the black abalone population and density at SCI. Endangered black abalone are currently present on SCI, managed under the SCI INRMP, and continued critical habitat exemption is still crucial to support the Navys mission on SCI. Thus, it is imperative that the present black abalone population size and density estimates are investigated. Details of the location, abundance, and habitat suitability for endangered black abalone on SCI will assist natural resource managers in conservation of the species, aid in recovery efforts for the species on SCI, and will support ongoing and future Navy operations to support the Mission. Please see the statement of Objectives, provided as a separate document, for a full description of the project.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local watershed groups for collaborative projects that improve water sustainability and resource management.

This Program Announcement is issued under the provisions of section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-242), as amended by Public Laws 101-397, 104-147, 106-374, 109-471, and 11758. Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer program grants to Institutes established under the provisions of section 104(a) of the Act. Water Resources Research Institutes have been established in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The Institute in Guam also serves the Federated States of Micronesia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Institute in Hawaii also serves American Samoa. The addresses of the 54 Institutes are available at https://water.usgs.gov/wrri/index.php. Responsibility for administration of the Water Resources Research Act Program has been delegated to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

This program provides funding to local government agencies and organizations in Colorado to upgrade or replace pump-out stations for recreational motorboats, helping to protect water quality and aquatic wildlife.

This funding opportunity is designed for organizations specializing in invasive species management to develop and implement biosecurity strategies at Wake Island Airfield and surrounding military properties in the Pacific region.

This grant provides funding to state forestry agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and academic institutions for projects that reduce wildfire risks and promote fire-adapted communities in the Eastern U.S.

This grant provides funding for eligible institutions to assist the U.S. Marine Corps in implementing environmental and cultural resource management plans at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, ensuring compliance with various environmental laws while supporting military readiness.

This grant provides funding for conservation research and species monitoring at a military training center in California, aimed at protecting various threatened and endangered wildlife species.

The "USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support: Landowner Payment Programs for Carbon Stewardship Practices" grant provides financial support to private forest landowners for implementing practices that significantly increase carbon sequestration and storage.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for non-federal partners involved in assessing and restoring oyster reefs in the Great Wicomico River, Virginia, as part of efforts to enhance the ecological health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The Evansville Endowment Fund is accepting Letters of Inquiry for capital projects specifically designed to serve the City of Evansville. This grant program is aligned with the foundation's mission to support the community through the development of permanent facilities, promotion of arts and culture, enhancement of recreational activities, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development. The fund prioritizes tax-exempt organizations under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring that their activities contribute to the specified community upliftment criteria. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are residents within the city limits of Evansville, Indiana, with a particular focus on the 4th and 6th wards, which will receive at least sixty percent of the distributed funding. The impact goals include improving community infrastructure, fostering cultural engagement, expanding recreational opportunities, revitalizing blighted areas for housing, and stimulating local economic growth. The fund aims to support projects that directly address these needs, leading to tangible improvements in the quality of life for Evansville residents. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly delineated across five key areas. These include supporting social and community-based organizations in acquiring, constructing, or renovating facilities; promoting arts and cultural activities through facility development; enhancing public recreational facilities; undertaking neighborhood revitalization efforts such as property acquisition, rehabilitation, and housing development for low to moderate-income persons; and contributing to economic development projects that augment existing municipal loan programs. Requests of at least $1,000 are preferred, indicating a focus on substantive capital improvements. Expected outcomes include the creation or renovation of vital community assets like museums, parks, and affordable housing. Measurable results could include the number of new or improved facilities, increased participation in cultural and recreational activities, reduction of blighted properties, and the development of new housing units. The Evansville Endowment Fund's strategic priorities are centered on long-term community development and sustainability, operating under a theory of change that investments in physical infrastructure and community programs will lead to a more vibrant, equitable, and economically robust Evansville.

This funding opportunity provides support for various organizations and partners to collaborate with the USDA Forest Service in protecting and managing significant cultural heritage sites on public lands across the nation.

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (MCAS Miramar):In order to comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (19 USC 1531 et seq.), DoD Instruction 4715.3 Environmental Conservation Program, and Marine Corps Order P5090.2A MCAS Miramars 2018 Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) identified a management objective to support the Special Status Species Management on MCAS Miramar. This objective is to proactively maintain up-to-date data for special status species through the collection of information on presence or absence, location, habitat availability and suitability, and life history requirements of federally threatened and endangered avian species to support planning for military operational requirements and habitat conservation. The resulting reports directly support projects and maintenance planning, including Endangered Species Act (ESA) Consultations. Data gathered from these surveys can directly guide management decisions on MCAS Miramar and further understanding of how federally threatened and endangered species utilize habitat available on MCAS Miramar.Brief Description of the Anticipated Work:This Cooperative Agreement outlines terms and the cooperative effort of the Department of the Navy (DoN), Navy Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southwest (NAVFAC SW), on behalf of MCAS Miramar. The DON is seeking statements of interest that address requirements associated with MCAS Miramar. On MCAS Miramar the base portion of this Agreement will focus on federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica; gnatcatcher).Please see enclosure 1 for full scope of work and enclosure 2 for applicable terms and conditions.Period of

San Clemente Island (SCI) is uniquely capable of supporting integrated training and, as such, is a highly valuable, irreplaceable asset to the Navy. In addition to its direct training support value, its proximity to southern California allows sailors and marines to effectively train in closer proximity to their families and support networks, increasing quality of life and force sustainability. The Navy is required to ensure ecosystem management is the basis for all management of its lands (Sikes Act, as amended [16 USC 670a]; DoD Instruction 4715.03). While the Sikes Act, as amended, and other instructions, described above, require stewardship for natural resources on military installations, including species not listed under the Endangered Species Act, these projects support the military mission on SCI and do not foreclose current or future training opportunities. San Clemente Island (SCI) harbors large numbers of endemic organisms, several of which are listed as endangered or threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The U.S. Navy, in accordance with the ESA and the Federal Noxious Weed Act, has an ongoing program to preserve the unique botanical resources and ecosystem of San Clemente Island. Brief Description of the Anticipated Work: 1. Grassland Restoration Native grasslands on SCI have been significantly impacted from historic grazing by non-native ungulates, invasion of non-native species, and drastic changes in the fire regime. In addition, increased training activity may present additional challenges for avoiding further impacts. Previous efforts on SCI have demonstrated the difficulty in achieving large-scale restoration of grasslands due to challenges associated with range access, site selection, and restrictions on ground disturbance. Recent efforts have been focused on identifying the most efficient and effective strategies for achieving small-scale restoration with long-term benefits. The purpose of this task is to further study the best methods for achieving successful grassland restoration on SCI, continue monitoring previous restoration efforts to evaluate long-term success, and integrate grassland restoration efforts with habitat management for other native species of conservation concern. 2. Habitat Restoration for Poa thomasii Poa thomasii, an annual grass species known only from three of the California Channel Islands, had not been recorded since being collected on San Clemente Island in 1903 and was presumed extinct. In July 2005, the species was located on Catalina Island at seven separate sites, primarily located in chaparral, across the island. This species is historically an integral component of SCI habitat that was lost due to the introduction of non-native plant and animal species. In 2010, the species was found in two locations on SCI in boxthorn habitat at the northern end of the island. Both locations on SCI are within areas that are used for training and subject to occasional fire. Previous work on Poa thomasii on SCI has been successful in improving the status of the species in terms of population numbers and improved habitat. Because this species was thought to be extinct, it has not been listed under ESA. The SCI Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) states an objective for the Navy to manage the species in such a way as to keep it from being listed. The INRMP notes that due to its restricted distribution on SCI, and those occurrences being located in areas of high human activity, the species is particularly vulnerable to local extinction. The purpose of this task is to increase the population size and resilience of Poa thomasii through propagation, outplanting, habitat restoration, and seed bulking, as well as monitoring natural occurrences and previous outplanting sites to evaluate population trends. 3. Population augmentation for Malva assurgentiflora ssp. glabra Malva assurgentiflora ssp. glabra is a perennial shrub native to the California Channel Islands. On SCI, the population was heavily impacted by non-native herbivores and likely would have been federally listed under ESA if the Navy had not proactively managed the species through propagation and outplanting. Recent genetic work may result in reclassification of the subspecies on SCI to a new species endemic to the island. In this case, it would become even more important to continue efforts to augment populations and manage population genetics to avoid listing under ESA. The purpose of this task is to increase the population size and resilience of Malva assurgentiflora ssp. glabra through propagation, outplanting, habitat restoration, and seed bulking, as well as monitoring natural occurrences and previous outplanting sites to evaluate population trends and genetic integrity. 4. Rare Plant Surveys Annual rare plant surveys are essential to document the status, distribution, and long term trends of species of conservation concern. Updating the rare plant database on an annual basis allows the Navy to stay in compliance with conservation measures, avoid listing under ESA, and make informed decisions about proposed changes to land use and infrastructure maintenance/construction. The purpose of this task is to collect monitoring data for species of conservation concern and assess the long term trends of these species on SCI. 5. Draft and Final Technical Report: The draft and final preliminary report shall be submitted in accordance with Section J. Submittals and Schedules. The report shall be in scientific format and include the following: 1) Title page showing title, date, cooperative agreement number, Pacific Fleet Representative and Cooperative Agreement Technical Representative contact information; 2) Sub-title page showing title, prepared by and for listings, date and recommended citation; 3) Table of contents; 4) Abstract or Executive Summary; 5) Introduction; 6) Methods; 7) Results; 8) Discussion; 9) Conclusions (to include synthesis with previous work and recommendations for future study); 10) Legible copies of the field notes, data forms and other information.