The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recently unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, titled “Assessment of Secondary Production of Restored Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Beds in the Lynnhaven River, VA,” under the funding opportunity number W81EWF-24-SOI-0002. Marking a significant stride in ecological restoration, this program aims to meticulously monitor and estimate the secondary production of restored submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds, with a particular focus on the Lynnhaven River in Virginia.
With an allocated budget of $600,000, the project underscores the importance of scientific research and development in understanding and enhancing aquatic ecosystems. The cooperative agreement, set to award one deserving applicant, will facilitate comprehensive sampling and analysis of various aquatic species, contributing invaluable data to the broader scientific community.
The initiative stands as a testament to the Corps of Engineers’ commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability within the realm of aquatic ecosystems, ensuring the health and vitality of aquatic habitats for generations to come.
Opportunity ID: 350812
General Information
Document Type: Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: W81EWF-24-SOI-0002
Funding Opportunity Title: Assessment of Secondary Production of Restored Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Beds in the Lynnhaven River, VA
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation: Not Provided
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement
Category of Funding Activity: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Category Explanation: Not Provided
Expected Number of Awards: 1
CFDA Number(s): 12.630 -- Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
Version: Synopsis 1
Posted Date: Oct 31, 2023
Last Updated Date: Oct 31, 2023
Original Closing Date for Applications: Jan 8, 2024
Current Closing Date for Applications: Jan 8, 2024
Archive Date: Feb 29, 2024
Estimated Total Program Funding: $600,000
Award Ceiling: $120,000
Award Floor: $0
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants: Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Information on Eligibility: This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU).
Additional Information
Agency Name: Dept. of the Army -- Corps of Engineers
Description:
“THIS IS A 2 PHASE APPROACH. SOI DUE: 30 November 2023 and FULL PROPOSAL DUE: 08 January 2024”
The objectives are to monitor and estimate secondary production at the restored SAV beds, plus compare secondary production associated with the two SAV species habitat patches and to control sites in the Lynnhaven River. This should be done by sampling of all epifauna, infauna, and motile larger fauna within the SAV beds and at several unvegetated control sites outside the SAV beds with similar bottom conditions (sand to silty sand).
Specifically, sampling work shall include:
- Conduct physical sampling within both SAV species beds to assess the benthic infauna, epifauna, and larger motile fauna.
- Fish and crabs can be sampled using a variety of methods, including but not limited to nets, traps, and/or underwater video or direct observational methods that can provide quantitative data.
- Fauna will be classified according to broad taxonomic groups (polychaetes, nematodes, shrimp, amphipods, isopods, etc.). Fish will be classed to species, if possible, otherwise to the nearest taxonomic group. Blue crabs and hard clams will be processed separately for an individual secondary production estimate for each of these two commercially important species.
- Samples shall be processed in a lab to estimate tissue dry weigh and ash free dry weight of fauna per unit area of SAV bed. Overall estimates of secondary production per acre of each species of SAV can then be estimated.
- Produce a report summarizing the methods and results, with recommendations as appropriate.
There are multiple restored SAV sites that will need to be assessed. The pilot study area, Phase 1, consists of two-acres of eelgrass and widgeongrass constructed in 2021. An addition five-acres of test plots were constructed in 2022. Over the course of the performance period, approximately 20 additional acres are planned in a phased approach (10 acres in 2023 and 10 acres in 2024) and should be incorporated into the secondary production assessment following their construction.
All work shall be performed in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
Link to Additional Information: Not Provided
Grantor Contact Information: If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
Stacy Thurman
Grantor
Stacy.Thurman