Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Network: (http://www.cesu.psu.edu/materials/partners.htm). The CESU network provides research, technical assistance, and education to federal land management, environmental, and research agencies and their partners. The partners serve the biological, physical, social, cultural, and engineering disciplines needed to address natural and cultural resource management issues at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context. The purpose of this announcement is to provide up $186,000 of federal funds in support and assistance to the successful applicant in a cooperative agreement. The period of performance and budget for this award will be for five years. The project is to be funded at up to $186,000. The award is expected to be made over two years, up to $90,000 with FY2019 funds and up to $96,000 with FY2020 funds. The goal of this project is to assess the impact of extreme hydrological changes such as dewatering and flooding on freshwater mussels. Freshwater mussels are particularly sensitive to drought events because they are relatively immobile and cannot easily escape from dewatered habitats. Direct effects of flooding events include scouring that results in the removal of mussel beds and loss of habitats, or stranding mussels in newly formed pools that later dry out. The intensity and frequency of such disturbance events are expected to increase with future climatic changes. An increase in groundwater pumping due to human population growth and intensification of agriculture can also further affect stream base flows during drought conditions. In order to assess the threats for mussels in Central Texas and to develop sound conservation plans, the impact of such disturbances on mussels needs to be investigated further. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will be substantially involved in the project funded under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following: - Work with the recipient in the development of strategies and actions to meet goals and objectives of this agreement, - Provide technical support and assist with data gathering, analysis, interpretation, public outreach, reporting, and publications, - Provide previously collected data for management and analysis, - Participate and collaborate jointly with the recipient in carrying out the scope of work; - Review and approve stages of work; - Prior to award, review and approve proposed modifications or sub-awards; and - Immediately halt an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met.