Surveys for Mexican Spotted Owls and the Owl Community in support of watershed restoration | P19AS00540

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the title of this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Surveys for Mexican Spotted Owls and the Owl Community in support of watershed restoration."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is P19AS00540.

3) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity was issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

4) What type of funding is being offered?

This is a discretionary grant using a cooperative agreement.

5) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement (rather than a standard grant), the National Park Service is expected to have substantial involvement during the project. Based on the description provided, that involvement may include coordinating survey priorities, integrating survey results into restoration planning, and ensuring project outputs meet the needs of Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 review.

6) What program classification is this opportunity tied to (CFDA)?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA 15.945.

7) What is the focus area or topic of the work?

The opportunity focuses on natural resources work, specifically field-based wildlife surveys in support of watershed restoration and facilities-related planning.

8) What is the main purpose of the project?

The central purpose is to carry out a detailed, field-based survey for the Mexican Spotted Owl in areas of the Valles Caldera National Preserve where the owl may be present, producing high-quality information on owl presence and habitat use.

9) Where will the survey work take place?

The work is focused on the Valles Caldera National Preserve, in areas where the Mexican Spotted Owl may be present.

10) Which species is the primary focus of the surveys?

The primary focus is the Mexican Spotted Owl, which is identified in the opportunity description as a federally endangered species.

11) Is the project limited to Mexican Spotted Owl surveys only?

No. In addition to focusing on the Mexican Spotted Owl, the project is designed to document the broader owl community on the preserve. Survey efforts should also collect data on other owl species encountered during the work.

12) Why does the National Park Service need this survey data?

The National Park Service needs current, defensible survey data for regulatory compliance and project planning. The survey results are needed to support consultation and obtain concurrence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

13) How will the survey results be used in Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance?

The data is intended to support ESA Section 7 consultation. Section 7 requires federal agencies to ensure their actions do not jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat. The survey information helps evaluate potential impacts of restoration and facilities work and supports the basis for avoidance, minimization, protections, and/or timing restrictions where needed.

14) What types of on-the-ground projects are connected to this survey effort?

The surveys are connected to watershed restoration and facilities-related work at Valles Caldera National Preserve that could overlap with sensitive wildlife areas.

15) What kind of outputs is the project expected to produce?

Based on the description, the project is expected to produce high-quality, defensible field survey information on Mexican Spotted Owl presence and habitat use, along with documentation of other owl species encountered (the broader owl community dataset) to help managers understand owl populations and ecosystem context.

16) Why collect data on other owl species (the broader owl community)?

Documenting the broader owl community helps managers understand the overall condition and composition of owl populations on the preserve. This broader dataset can provide useful context for habitat conditions and ecosystem health alongside the Mexican Spotted Owl-specific findings.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

18) Are institutions of higher education eligible?

No. The opportunity explicitly excluded institutions of higher education from eligibility.

19) How many awards did the National Park Service anticipate making?

The National Park Service anticipated making one award.

20) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The maximum funding amount (award ceiling) was $110,603.

21) When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on August 16, 2019.

22) What was the original closing date for applications?

The original closing date was August 25, 2019.

23) What role does the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service play in this project?

The survey data is intended to support consultation and obtain concurrence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under ESA Section 7, which is part of the process for ensuring federal actions comply with endangered species protections.

24) How does this survey work support restoration planning at the preserve?

By producing current information on where Mexican Spotted Owls may be present and how habitat is used, the preserve can better plan restoration and facilities-related activities to avoid or minimize impacts, apply protections or timing restrictions where appropriate, and document decision-making for ESA review.