The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has announced a new funding opportunity under the funding opportunity number G24AS00185, focusing on research in the Great Lakes region. This cooperative agreement is specifically for a CESU-affiliated partner within the Great Lakes – Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The initiative underscores the USGS’s commitment to advancing scientific understanding and effective management of the Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs), which have been impacted by sediment contamination from legacy pollutants like organic contaminants, mercury, and trace metals.
The central objective of this funding opportunity is to support research aimed at assessing the effectiveness of remediation efforts in these AOCs. Remediation, managed by the US EPA Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) under the Great Lakes Legacy Act, is critical for addressing various Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) such as restrictions on fish consumption, degraded fish and wildlife populations, and loss of fish and wildlife habitat. A key aspect of this research will be to evaluate the success of the remedies and habitat restorations implemented in these areas. The ultimate goal is to assist the EPA in petitioning for the delisting of an AOC, which can only occur once all BUIs have been addressed and the area has recovered to a baseline, reference, or pre-defined condition.
Eligible applicants for this funding are partners of the Great Lakes – Northern Forest CESU Program. The program represents a collaborative approach, bringing together partners to provide research, technical assistance, and education. This funding opportunity from the USGS is a significant step towards enhancing the scientific community’s capacity to develop innovative solutions for environmental challenges in the Great Lakes region, ensuring the restoration and preservation of these vital ecosystems.
Opportunity ID: 351072
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | G24AS00185 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Lakes – Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Cooperative Agreement |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Science and Technology and other Research and Development |
| Category Explanation: | |
| Expected Number of Awards: | |
| CFDA Number(s): | 15.808 — U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Nov 21, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | Nov 21, 2023 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Dec 22, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date. |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Dec 22, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date. |
| Archive Date: | |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | |
| Award Ceiling: | $200,000 |
| Award Floor: | $0 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESU’s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Great Lakes – Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | Geological Survey |
| Description: | The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in assessing remedy effectiveness assessments at Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs). These AOCs suffer from a legacy of sediment contamination by legacy pollutants such as organic contaminants, mercury, and trace metals. Remediation of AOCs is managed through the US EPA Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO). Each AOC is listed for a defined set of Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) such as restrictions on fish consumption, degraded fish and wildlife populations, and loss of fish and wildlife habitat. In order for EPA to petition for delisting an AOC, all BUIs have to be removed, indicating that the AOC has recovered to some baseline, reference or pre-defined condition. GLNPO, under the Great Lakes Legacy Act, is responsible for managing and remediating AOCs in order to remove BUIs. However, many questions remain regarding the best ways to assess the effectiveness of remedies and habitat restorations employed at AOCs. |
| Link to Additional Information: | |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: FAITH GRAVES
fgraves@usgs.gov |