Technical assistance with riparian ecosystem monitoring along the Middle Rio Grande | W81EWF 24 SOI 0015

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this grant opportunity focused on?

This opportunity supports long-term riparian ecosystem monitoring and applied research along the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico. The focus is the river corridor and its adjacent riparian woodland (the "bosque"), with the goal of producing field data that helps agencies understand how management actions and broader stressors are influencing bosque conditions and the wildlife that depend on them.

2) Who is offering this opportunity?

The issuing agency is the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), tied to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) implementation needs in the Albuquerque District.

3) What type of award is it?

It is a discretionary cooperative agreement. This format indicates substantial coordination with the government is expected, rather than a hands-off grant.

4) Why is this monitoring effort important to USACE?

The work is intended to directly inform USACE Civil Works priorities, including aquatic ecosystem restoration, flood risk management, recreation, and environmental stewardship. A key emphasis is on maintaining or restoring natural processes and supporting healthy aquatic and riparian habitats.

5) What is the main goal of the monitoring program?

The program aims to track changing environmental conditions over time, connect those changes to management actions (such as habitat management and restoration work), and produce defensible datasets that can be shared publicly and used in decision-making.

6) What geographic area does the project cover?

The project is focused on the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico, specifically the river corridor and adjacent riparian woodland (bosque).

7) What kinds of stressors does the project consider?

The monitoring is meant to help agencies understand the influence of stressors such as drought, wildfire, invasive species, and climate-driven hydrologic change, in addition to the effects of water operations, habitat management, and restoration work.

8) What coordination is expected with the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program (MRGESCP)?

A central feature of the project is coordination with the MRGESCP, a partnership of federal, state, tribal, and local entities. The monitoring program is designed to help the District and other MRGESCP signatories track conditions over time and connect observed changes to management actions.

9) What is the MRGESCP and how does it relate to this project?

The Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program (MRGESCP) uses a science-based, collaborative approach to improve the status of endangered species in the Middle Rio Grande while also protecting existing and future water uses in the region. This project supports that approach by producing monitoring data and analyses relevant to shared management needs.

10) What field monitoring is required on the physical (abiotic) side?

The awardee will carry out monthly measurements of groundwater levels, water levels in adjacent ditches, precipitation, and air and soil temperatures.

11) What field monitoring is required on the biological (biotic) side?

Biological tasks include monitoring vegetation (tree and shrub composition and productivity), arthropods and leaf litter, and targeted tracking of tamarisk leaf beetle activity.

12) Why is tamarisk leaf beetle activity included in the monitoring?

Tamarisk leaf beetle activity is relevant due to its relationship to tamarisk dynamics and riparian habitat conditions, which can affect bosque structure and habitat quality.

13) How often are monitoring measurements collected?

On the physical monitoring side, measurements are collected monthly (groundwater, ditch water levels, precipitation, and air and soil temperatures). The opportunity also describes ongoing biotic monitoring activities, but only the physical measurements are explicitly stated as monthly.

14) What role does data stewardship play in this project?

Data stewardship is a major component of the work. Responsibilities include managing and analyzing monitoring datasets, maintaining geographic data for mapping and spatial analysis, and ensuring that data products are organized and usable for agency partners.

15) Are data expected to be shared?

Yes. The program is intended to produce defensible datasets that can be shared publicly and used in decision-making. In addition, all collected data must be provided to USACE.

16) What reporting and coordination deliverables are required?

Deliverables include monthly updates to USACE, attendance at quarterly review meetings, and an annual report summarizing long-term trends and short-term patterns in the monitored variables, with attention to results that matter for USACE and MRGESCP mission needs.

17) What is included in the annual report?

The annual report is expected to summarize long-term trends and short-term patterns in the monitored variables and highlight results relevant to USACE and MRGESCP mission needs.

18) Is public engagement part of the project?

Yes. The opportunity notes a public engagement dimension, with a history of involving citizen and student groups in monitoring activities to build understanding of the Rio Grande ecosystem while supporting real research needs.

19) How many awards are anticipated?

One award is anticipated.

20) What is the maximum funding amount available?

The funding ceiling is $470,000.

21) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is W81EWF 24 SOI 0015.

22) What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity falls under CFDA 12.630.

23) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

24) What was the closing date listed for the opportunity?

The original closing date listed is 2024-03-27.

25) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to non-federal partners of the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). This effectively restricts competition to organizations already participating in that CESU network.

26) Does the opportunity require close government involvement during the project?

Yes. Because it is a cooperative agreement, substantial coordination with the government is expected. The deliverables also reflect this, requiring monthly updates and quarterly review meetings.

27) Is the work described more like research or operational monitoring?

It is described as both applied research and an operational monitoring program. The emphasis on required reporting, continuous coordination, and providing all collected data to USACE underscores that it is meant to support ongoing management, maintenance, and restoration decisions across the bosque.

28) What management questions is this monitoring meant to inform?

The monitoring is intended to help agencies understand how water operations, habitat management, restoration work, and broader stressors are influencing bosque conditions and associated wildlife, and to connect observed changes to management actions over time.