Yolo bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project | BOR MP 19 N009

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR MP 19 N009

The Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project is a federal financial assistance action from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, structured as a cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.512 and authorized by Public Law 102-575, Section 3406(b)(4) and (e). The Bureau of Reclamation announced its intent to make a single award to the California Department of Water Resources, with an estimated total agreement value of $41,076,963 and an initial federal contribution of $25,500,000 provided in Fiscal Year 2019. Although the listing identifies general eligibility categories (including state governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and small businesses), the notice is explicitly a noncompetitive Notice of Intent to Award rather than an open solicitation, meaning it is not requesting proposals from the public and the government is reserving discretion to proceed without competition under applicable departmental policy.

The project is centered on improving ecological conditions and movement pathways for native fish in and around the Yolo Bypass, with an emphasis on salmonids that depend on connected river-floodplain habitats. A major goal is to increase the availability and usability of seasonal floodplain rearing habitat for juvenile Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, and Central Valley steelhead. The biological outcomes described focus on enabling fish to enter floodplain habitats on their own (volitional entry), expanding both access to and the total acreage of suitable seasonal floodplain habitat, and reducing the risk of fish becoming stranded as floodwaters recede or encountering migration barriers that prevent them from reaching or leaving productive rearing areas. The project also targets increased aquatic primary and secondary production, essentially boosting the food web (from algae and plankton up through aquatic invertebrates) using an ecosystem-based approach so that juveniles rearing on the floodplain have better feeding opportunities and improved growth and survival prospects.

A second major goal is to reduce migratory delays and direct fish loss associated with Fremont Weir and other structures in the Yolo Bypass. The intent is to improve connectivity both within the bypass itself and between the Sacramento River and the Yolo Bypass so fish can move more safely and efficiently through the system. The connectivity improvements are framed around supporting “safe and timely passage” during periods when Sacramento River water surface elevations allow passage to occur. Specific target windows are identified for different species and life stages: adult Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon from mid-November through May, adult Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon from January through May, and adult California Central Valley steelhead when their presence overlaps with those seasonal windows and water levels are suitable. The project also includes passage considerations for adult Southern Distinct Population Segment green sturgeon, with an identified window from February through May when river elevations are amenable to passage. Collectively, these actions are meant to reduce bottlenecks, shorten delays that can increase stress or predation risk, and prevent fish from being blocked, misdirected, or harmed at key control structures.

Administratively, the opportunity is cataloged as BOR-MP-19-N009, categorized under natural resources, and was posted on September 12, 2019, with an original closing date of September 25, 2019, reflecting the timing of the notice rather than a typical competitive application cycle. The award ceiling matches the total estimated agreement value ($41,076,963) and the expected number of awards is one. For official questions tied to the notice, the point of contact listed is Christina Munoz, Grants Management Specialist, reachable by email at cmunoz@usbr.gov, and the notice references BOR-MP-19-N009 for additional context and details.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Yolo bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.512.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 12, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 25, 2019. (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 $41,076,963.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Small businesses.

Apply for BOR MP 19 N009

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