The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Nebraska Water Science Center is offering a cooperative agreement for CESU-affiliated partners. This grant is for conducting test-hole drilling, geophysical well logging, and monitoring well installation along the Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB). The purpose is to understand groundwater and surface-water interaction, particularly given the High Plains Aquifer’s role and significant irrigation in Nebraska. Current monitoring is sparse, despite the NIOB’s high responsiveness to groundwater level changes. This research will help assess how new groundwater irrigation impacts water levels and quality. The ultimate goal is to equip National Park Service managers with data to determine necessary management actions to protect the unique characteristics of the NIOB.
Opportunity ID: 353108
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | G24AS00307 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Plains 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: | – |
| Assistance Listings: | 15.808 — U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Mar 21, 2024 |
| Last Updated Date: | Mar 21, 2024 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Apr 24, 2024 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: | Apr 24, 2024 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: | $90,000 |
| Award Floor: | $36,000 |
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 Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (GP CESU) Program. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | Geological Survey |
| Description: | The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Nebraska Water Science Center (NEWSC) is offering a funding opportunityfor test-hole drilling, geophysical well logging, and monitoring well installation along the Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB). The NIOB is a 76-mile segment of the Niobrara River that begins near Valentine, Nebraska at Borman Bridge and follows the Niobrara River east to Mariaville, Nebraska at HWY 137 Bridge. The NIOB is known for its scenic, geologic features of the river valley, its recreational opportunities, and its abundance of fish and wildlife. These unique characteristics led to its establishment as a National Scenic River in 1991 (Roeder, 2004). Groundwater discharge from the High Plains aquifer makes up approximately 70% of the Niobrara River’s total streamflow (Shaffer, 1975; Bentall and Shaffer, 1979). Because of this, the NIOB is highly responsive to changes in groundwater levels. The High Plains Aquifer is also the primary source of irrigation water in Nebraska and has allowed Nebraska to irrigate more acres than any other state. Previous studies have indicated that the NIOB and its tributaries are highly influenced by groundwater inflow/outflow (Soenksen and others, 2010, Bentall and Schaffer, 1979); however, groundwater monitoring in the area is sparse and no efforts have been made to relate adjacent stream water levels to groundwater levels. NPS managers would like to have dedicated monitoring wells and water-level sensors installed at select locations to better understand the groundwater and surface-water interaction along the NIOB. Future monitoring will be needed to assess how changes to the system (new groundwater irrigation) are impacting groundwater levels and water quality. If impacts to the groundwater system are discovered, NPS managers will be better equipped to determine what management actions are needed to protect the NIOB. USGS is pursuing research on the subsurface characterization and assessment of groundwater and surface-water interaction along the NIOB. |
| Link to Additional Information: | – |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
FAITH GRAVES
fgraves@usgs.gov Email:fgraves@usgs.gov |
Version History
| Version | Modification Description | Updated Date |
|---|---|---|
Related Documents
Folder 353108 Full Announcement-Full Announcement -> FUNDING OPPORTUNITY.pdf
Packages
| Agency Contact Information: | FAITH GRAVES fgraves@usgs.gov Email: fgraves@usgs.gov |
| Who Can Apply: | Organization Applicants |
| Assistance Listing Number | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.808 | G24AS00307 | Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | PKG00285485 | Mar 21, 2024 | Apr 24, 2024 | View |
Package 1
Mandatory forms
353108 SF424_4_0-4.0.pdf
353108 ProjectNarrativeAttachments_1_2-1.2.pdf
353108 SF424A-1.0.pdf
353108 SF424B-1.1.pdf
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