Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G23AS00053

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G23AS00053.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through its Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC).

What program is this opportunity issued under?

The opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, which connects federal agencies with partner institutions to conduct applied research, technical assistance, and education supporting natural resource and ecosystem management.

Who is eligible to apply?

Only organizations that are official participating partners of the Gulf Coast CESU are eligible to apply. The applicant pool is limited to CESU-affiliated partners rather than the general public.

What type of award is this?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument. This generally indicates that USGS expects substantial involvement during the project, such as collaboration on study design, data interpretation, and coordination with partners.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to improve understanding of how border wall construction is affecting ecosystems and wildlife habitat in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, and to use that information to identify practical ways to reduce or offset harm.

Where is the work focused geographically?

The work is centered on the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, with particular attention to areas where border wall construction has affected ecosystems, hydrology, and wildlife habitat connected to the Rio Grande River and associated riparian wetlands.

What kinds of impacts is the project trying to understand?

The project targets impacts tied to habitat fragmentation, with a specific focus on changes in water movement, water availability, and wildlife access to the Rio Grande River. It also considers resulting effects on riparian wetland ecosystems and habitat conditions.

What are the two main focal areas of the project?

The project is organized around two focal areas: (1) convening a workshop and producing a synthesis of existing and ongoing research related to ecological impacts of border wall construction in the region, and (2) conducting research to evaluate effects on hydrologic connectivity, wildlife access to water, and riparian wetland ecosystems.

What does the workshop and synthesis component involve?

It involves convening scientists, agency staff, and other knowledgeable partners to share findings, identify what is known, highlight data gaps, and produce an integrated synthesis that can guide future monitoring and management in the region.

Why is a synthesis of existing research emphasized?

The emphasis suggests that relevant information is scattered across different studies, organizations, and jurisdictions, and the expected deliverable is an integrated picture of impacts across the landscape that can support decision-making and future work.

What is meant by "hydrologic connectivity" in this opportunity?

Hydrologic connectivity refers to how water moves through the environment, including overland flow during storms (sheet flow), exchanges between river channels and floodplains, and how wetlands receive and retain water.

How can border wall construction affect hydrologic connectivity?

The notice describes ways barriers can change water movement patterns by blocking sheet flow, altering drainage pathways, and modifying flood behavior. These changes can affect wetland function, vegetation condition, and the availability of surface water or moist habitats.

How does the project address wildlife impacts?

The opportunity calls for examining wildlife impacts with an emphasis on water movement and water availability, including how physical barriers can prevent animals from reaching the river or moving among water sources, especially during dry periods.

Is mitigation part of the expected work, or only impact assessment?

Mitigation is explicitly part of the expected work. The opportunity requires identifying mitigation opportunities where the wall has reduced or eliminated direct wildlife access to the Rio Grande River.

What mitigation pathways are specifically mentioned?

Two broad mitigation pathways are highlighted: (1) identifying locations where natural wetlands could be restored to improve water availability on the landscape, and (2) identifying places where engineered water sources could be created to provide reliable water for wildlife in areas cut off from the river.

Does the opportunity suggest the project should produce site-based recommendations?

Yes. The notice indicates the project should move beyond documenting impacts toward generating actionable, site-based options that conservation partners could realistically implement, such as wetland restoration planning, water provisioning strategies, and prioritization of intervention areas.

What is the program category for this award?

The award is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 15.808.

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

The listed award ceiling is $497,000.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on October 13, 2022.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was November 28, 2022.

Who is expected to use the results of this project?

The effort is positioned as decision support for USGS WARC and conservation partners who are evaluating and working to mitigate ecological damage associated with border wall construction in the region.

What kinds of deliverables are implied by the description?

Based on the description, implied deliverables include: a convened workshop, a synthesized summary of existing and ongoing research, research findings on hydrologic connectivity and riparian wetland impacts, analysis of wildlife access to water, and identification of practical mitigation opportunities (including potential wetland restoration and engineered water-source locations).