Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR PN 19 N017
The Watercraft Inspection Stations-Prevention (AIS) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BOR PN 19 N017) is a Bureau of Reclamation grant focused on stopping aquatic invasive species, specifically quagga and zebra mussels, from spreading into Washington State waters and the broader Columbia River Basin. The underlying problem driving the funding is that quagga/zebra mussel veligers (their larval stage) were detected in Eastern Montana reservoirs at Tiber and Canyon Ferry, signaling that these species are moving closer to major Columbia River Basin infrastructure such as hydroelectric dams and irrigation systems. At the same time, established mussel infestations in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California sit relatively near Oregon's southern and eastern border, creating additional pathways for mussels to be transported into the region by trailered boats and equipment. If invasive mussels become established in Washington, the state could face extremely expensive long-term mitigation at dams and irrigation facilities, potentially costing millions of dollars each year due to fouling of intake pipes, screens, and mechanical systems.
The project described in the opportunity is led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and centers on building two permanent watercraft inspection stations in Eastern and Southeastern Washington. The stations are planned near Spokane and Plymouth, locations chosen because they sit along key travel corridors into the central Columbia River Basin. The intent is to intercept high-risk watercraft before they reach vulnerable waters, using inspection and prevention measures designed to identify boats that may be carrying mussels or other aquatic invasive species. These fixed highway inspection stations are meant to function as consistent, visible checkpoints on major routes where out-of-state or inter-basin boat traffic is most likely to enter the area.
In addition to the two permanent sites, WDFW will operate roving check stations at high volume and high priority watercraft launch ramps within the Central Columbia River Basin. These mobile stations are designed to complement the highway stations by covering locations where boat traffic concentrates, particularly during busy seasons or at ramps that pose elevated risk. The roving teams are intended to work in coordination with the static stations, effectively expanding coverage from road corridors to on-the-ground launch points, where inspections can directly prevent contaminated boats from being launched.
From an administrative standpoint, this is an earmark-category grant with a natural resources focus (CFDA 15.517). Eligibility is limited to state governments, and the awarding agency is the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation. The opportunity listed an original closing date of July 15, 2019, with an award ceiling of $242,772. The work is explicitly tied to broader regional and federal priorities, including direct support for the Quagga Zebra Action Plan (QZAP) and alignment with the Department of the Interior's Safeguarding the West from Invasive Species commitments, emphasizing prevention as the most cost-effective strategy compared with the long-term operational and maintenance burdens of a full-scale infestation.Apply for BOR PN 19 N017
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Watercraft Inspection Stations-Prevention (AIS)" 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 2019-07-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-07-15. (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 $242,772.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Watercraft Inspection Stations-Prevention (AIS) Grant (BOR PN 19 N017)
What is the Watercraft Inspection Stations-Prevention (AIS) grant opportunity?
It is a Bureau of Reclamation grant opportunity focused on preventing aquatic invasive species (AIS), specifically quagga and zebra mussels, from spreading into Washington State waters and the broader Columbia River Basin.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is BOR PN 19 N017.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation.
What is the CFDA number and program area for this funding?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.517 and is categorized as a natural resources focused grant.
Why is this funding being provided now?
The underlying concern is that quagga/zebra mussel veligers (larvae) were detected in Eastern Montana reservoirs at Tiber and Canyon Ferry, indicating these species are moving closer to key Columbia River Basin infrastructure. Additional risk comes from established infestations in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California, which are relatively close to Oregon's southern and eastern border and create pathways for mussels to be transported into the region via trailered boats and equipment.
Which aquatic invasive species are being targeted?
The grant focuses on quagga mussels and zebra mussels.
What are veligers, and why are they important to this grant?
Veligers are the larval stage of quagga and zebra mussels. Their detection in Eastern Montana reservoirs is a warning sign that mussels are moving closer to the Columbia River Basin, increasing the urgency of prevention and interception activities.
What problem is this grant trying to prevent in Washington State?
The goal is to prevent invasive mussels from becoming established in Washington waters. If established, they can foul intake pipes, screens, and mechanical systems at dams and irrigation facilities and create long-term mitigation needs that could cost millions of dollars each year.
Who is leading the project described in this opportunity?
The project is led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
What will the funded project build or implement?
The project centers on building two permanent watercraft inspection stations in Eastern and Southeastern Washington and operating additional roving check stations at high volume and high priority launch ramps within the Central Columbia River Basin.
Where will the two permanent inspection stations be located?
The stations are planned near Spokane and Plymouth.
Why were Spokane and Plymouth selected as station locations?
These locations were chosen because they sit along key travel corridors into the central Columbia River Basin, where out-of-state or inter-basin boat traffic is likely to enter the area.
What is the purpose of permanent highway inspection stations?
They are intended to act as consistent, visible checkpoints on major routes to intercept high-risk watercraft before they reach vulnerable waters, using inspection and prevention measures to identify boats that may be carrying mussels or other AIS.
What are roving check stations, and how do they fit into the project?
Roving check stations are mobile inspection teams that operate at high volume and high priority watercraft launch ramps within the Central Columbia River Basin. They complement the fixed highway stations by covering areas where boat traffic concentrates and where inspections can prevent contaminated boats from being launched.
How do the roving teams coordinate with the permanent stations?
The roving teams are intended to work in coordination with the static stations, expanding coverage from road corridors to on-the-ground launch points.
What broader geographic area does this project aim to protect?
The effort focuses on Washington State waters and the broader Columbia River Basin, with particular emphasis on the central Columbia River Basin travel corridors and launch areas.
What is the eligibility for this grant opportunity?
Eligibility is limited to state governments.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $242,772.
What was the original closing date for this funding opportunity?
The original closing date was July 15, 2019.
What kind of grant category is this described as?
It is described as an earmark-category grant.
How does this project relate to major infrastructure in the Columbia River Basin?
The detection of veligers closer to the basin raises concern for major infrastructure such as hydroelectric dams and irrigation systems, which are vulnerable to mussel fouling and resulting operational and maintenance impacts.
What specific damages or costs can invasive mussels cause if they become established?
They can foul intake pipes, screens, and mechanical systems at dams and irrigation facilities, leading to extremely expensive long-term mitigation that may cost millions of dollars each year.
How does this opportunity align with regional and federal invasive species priorities?
The work directly supports the Quagga Zebra Action Plan (QZAP) and aligns with the Department of the Interior's Safeguarding the West from Invasive Species commitments, emphasizing prevention as the most cost-effective approach compared with the long-term burdens of managing an established infestation.
Why is prevention emphasized in this grant?
Prevention is highlighted as the most cost-effective strategy because it can avoid the long-term operational and maintenance burdens associated with a full-scale mussel infestation.
What pathways are identified for mussels to enter the region?
The opportunity notes risk from trailered boats and equipment that can transport mussels from established infestations in nearby states (Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California) and from movement indicated by veliger detections in Eastern Montana reservoirs.
Is the project only about mussels, or does it address other aquatic invasive species too?
While the main focus is quagga and zebra mussels, the inspection and prevention measures are described as identifying boats that may be carrying mussels or other aquatic invasive species.
What types of locations will roving inspections prioritize?
They will operate at high volume and high priority watercraft launch ramps within the Central Columbia River Basin, particularly during busy seasons or at ramps that pose elevated risk.
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