15.664, Fish and Wildlife Coordination and Assistance Programs | F19AS00353

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under CFDA 15.664 (Fish and Wildlife Coordination and Assistance Programs), opportunity number F19AS00353.

What is the purpose of the grant?

The grant supports a targeted technical project in Interior Alaska: developing a wetland credit-debit methodology that plugs into the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol for Interior Alaska (WESPAK-INT). The intent is to create a consistent, defensible way to quantify wetland impacts (debits) and mitigation benefits (credits).

What problem is the grant trying to solve?

The opportunity notice states that Alaska's compensatory wetland mitigation framework is poorly developed. That makes it harder to apply consistent credit and debit concepts and leaves FWS at a disadvantage when providing mitigation recommendations. The project is meant to close that gap for Interior Alaska by establishing shared rules for measuring wetland losses and gains in function and ecosystem services.

What are "wetland debits" and "wetland credits" in this context?

Debits represent quantified impacts from actions that unavoidably affect wetlands. Credits represent quantified mitigation benefits generated through compensatory mitigation (for example, actions associated with permittee-responsible mitigation, mitigation banks, or in-lieu fee programs). This project aims to standardize how those debits and credits are calculated in Interior Alaska.

How does WESPAK-INT relate to the funded work?

The funded methodology is specifically intended to integrate with WESPAK-INT (the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol for Interior Alaska). In practical terms, the credit-debit method should be compatible with WESPAK-INT so that wetland impacts and mitigation benefits can be quantified in a way that fits that protocol.

Who is expected to use the final methodology?

The methodology is intended to support wetland permitting and compensatory mitigation decision-making in Interior Alaska, including use alongside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' mitigation decision processes and by stakeholders involved in mitigation planning and review.

Why is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mentioned in the grant description?

The Corps is the primary regulatory decision-maker referenced in the notice for wetland permitting and oversight of compensatory mitigation mechanisms. The grant description highlights that the methodology should be developed with input from the Corps, indicating the end product should align with real-world permitting needs and be acceptable in that decision-making context.

What outcomes is the grant aiming for in Interior Alaska?

The intended outcome is an improved mitigation process for Interior Alaska, including more consistent mitigation determinations, clearer expectations for project proponents, and a more credible basis for comparing mitigation options (such as permittee-responsible mitigation versus mitigation banking or in-lieu fee approaches).

Is this grant focused on a specific geography?

Yes. The project is specifically targeted to Interior Alaska.

Is this a broad program or a small, discrete project?

The award is described as small and focused. The maximum award amount is $30,000, and only one award is expected, which points to a single, discrete deliverable rather than a broad or multi-year program.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The maximum (ceiling) award amount is $30,000.

How many awards are expected to be made?

Only one award is expected.

What type of grant is this?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity.

Which federal agency is offering the grant?

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service.

What is the CFDA number and opportunity number for this grant?

CFDA 15.664; opportunity number F19AS00353.

When was the opportunity posted, and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was posted on August 26, 2019, with an original closing date of August 31, 2019.

How long was the application window?

Based on the posted date (August 26, 2019) and the original closing date (August 31, 2019), the opportunity had a very short application window typical of specialized or narrowly scoped solicitations.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include special district governments and other entities as specified in the opportunity's additional eligibility information.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is listed under environment, natural resources, and regional development.

Does the grant require collaboration with stakeholders?

Collaboration and usability are central features of the project description. The credit-debit methodology is expected to be developed with input from stakeholders and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

What does "consistent and defensible" mean in the context of this project?

In the way the notice describes it, "consistent and defensible" refers to having a shared, credible approach for quantifying wetland impacts and mitigation benefits so mitigation decisions can be more transparent and comparable across projects.

How is this methodology expected to help Fish and Wildlife Service recommendations?

The notice indicates that the underdeveloped mitigation framework in Alaska leaves FWS at a disadvantage when providing mitigation recommendations. A standardized credit-debit method tied to WESPAK-INT is intended to strengthen and support those recommendations by providing clearer measurement rules for losses and gains.

Will the methodology help compare different mitigation approaches?

Yes. The notice specifically points to providing a more credible basis for comparing mitigation options, including permittee-responsible mitigation versus mitigation banking or in-lieu fee approaches.