Notice of Intent | USGS 17 FA 0267

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a USGS Notice of Intent (Funding Opportunity Number USGS 17 FA 0267) for a discretionary funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of the Interior. The topic area is natural resources, with a focus on research and management approaches for managing urban tree canopy to mitigate ecological drought and urban thermal pollution above salmonid streams.

Which federal agency is offering the funding?

The funding opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which is part of the Department of the Interior.

What is the main focus of the proposed work?

The opportunity centers on how urban forests and tree canopy cover can be planned, maintained, or expanded to reduce heat and water-stress impacts in stream-adjacent environments where salmonid species depend on cool, well-oxygenated water and stable flow conditions.

What problem is this opportunity trying to address?

The underlying problem is the combined impact of climate change and urbanization on stream ecosystems. Urban development can increase impervious surfaces and reduce vegetation, which may increase stormwater runoff, reduce infiltration and groundwater recharge, and elevate stream temperatures. Climate change can intensify warm-season drought, raise air temperatures, and alter precipitation and snowmelt patterns. Together these pressures can create ecological drought conditions and urban thermal pollution that are harmful to salmonids.

What does "ecological drought" mean in this context?

In this opportunity, ecological drought refers to conditions where water availability and thermal conditions become unfavorable for aquatic ecosystems, even when drought is not defined solely by low rainfall. In other words, stream habitat conditions can degrade due to altered hydrology and elevated temperatures driven by urbanization and climate change.

What does "urban thermal pollution" mean?

Urban thermal pollution refers to elevated water temperatures caused by factors such as heated runoff from impervious surfaces and reduced shading due to loss of vegetation. Warmer stream temperatures can be especially harmful to salmonid species because they are temperature-sensitive.

Why are salmonids specifically mentioned?

Salmonids (such as salmon and trout) are highlighted because they depend on cold-water habitats for migration, spawning, and rearing. They are sensitive to elevated stream temperatures and rely on cool, well-oxygenated water and suitable flow conditions.

How does urban tree canopy relate to stream temperature and drought impacts?

The Notice of Intent indicates that managing urban tree canopy may help mitigate ecological drought and thermal pollution by increasing shading and influencing local microclimate conditions. The described project space also includes how canopy may affect evapotranspiration and soil moisture, which can influence local water balance in urban watersheds.

What types of projects are likely to fit this opportunity?

Based on the stated focus and title, likely projects include applied research or demonstration efforts such as evaluating how tree canopy affects shading and microclimate over streams, quantifying relationships between canopy cover and stream temperature reductions, assessing how urban trees influence evapotranspiration and soil moisture, and developing management guidance to help municipalities prioritize canopy interventions to protect salmonid-bearing streams.

Is this basic research or applied work?

The description emphasizes applied research or demonstration work intended to produce actionable strategies for mitigating heat and drought stress in urban watersheds and improving resilience of salmonid habitats as climate change and urban growth continue.

What is the expected award type?

The award is expected to be made as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency in the project compared with a standard grant.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The maximum funding amount listed (the award ceiling) is $97,822.

What does it mean that this is a "Notice of Intent"?

A Notice of Intent typically signals that a full funding announcement or solicitation may follow, or that USGS is indicating an intention to fund or collaborate in a particular area and is seeking alignment with potential applicants. The information provided labels this posting as a Notice of Intent rather than a full solicitation.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is USGS 17 FA 0267.

When was this opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on July 14, 2017, and had an original closing date of July 28, 2017, which reflects a short response window.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, meaning public universities and similar state-run academic entities.

Are private universities eligible?

The eligibility information provided specifies public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and does not list private institutions.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number associated with this opportunity is 15.820, which corresponds to USGS research and related assistance programs.

What does it mean that the opportunity category is "discretionary"?

"Discretionary" indicates that awards are made through a competitive or agency-selected process rather than by formula.

What fields or disciplines does this opportunity intersect?

The opportunity sits at the intersection of urban forestry, hydrology, stream temperature dynamics, and fisheries habitat conservation, with an emphasis on practical management and resilience strategies for urban watersheds affected by climate change and urbanization.

What outcomes is the opportunity aiming for?

The described goal is to produce actionable strategies for mitigating heat and drought stress in urban watersheds so that salmonid habitats are more resilient as climate change and urban growth continue.