KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it is seeking pre-proposals for projects supported by up to $15 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for ecosystem restoration activities that address high-priority Klamath Basin challenges in southern Oregon and northern California. Tribes, local and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, small businesses, private landowners, and other conservation partners are highly encouraged to take advantage of this funding opportunity.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure and economic competitiveness. We were directly appropriated $455 million over five years in BIL funds for programs related to the President’s America the Beautiful initiative.
Learn more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes a $1.4 billion down payment in the conservation and stewardship of America’s public lands that will lead to better outdoor spaces and habitats for people and wildlife for generations to come, with the Klamath Basin set to receive $162 million over five years to restore the regional ecosystem and repair local economies.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes unprecedented investments in ecosystem recovery and drought resilience,” said Service Regional Director Paul Souza. “The Klamath Basin’s fragile ecosystem and our regional economies depend on partnerships among a wide variety of stakeholders. These projects will go a long way toward building up those partnerships and developing sustainable solutions that are collaborative and forward-thinking.”
In 2022, the Service provided an initial $16 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund 32 ecosystem restoration projects in the Klamath Basin and $10 million to expand the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery, which will increase rearing capacity and help prevent the extinction of two federally listed species endemic to the Klamath Basin.
This second round of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for the Klamath Basin will continue to support programs and projects to restore habitat, control invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species , conserve at-risk and listed species, improve habitat connectivity for aquatic species, address water quality and quantity issues, and support projects that will help improve conditions for native species. This funding opportunity is intended for projects and activities that support or will help improve rivers, lakes, wetlands, and their associated riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian habitats, which historically supported millions of fish and waterbirds.
Today’s announcement comes as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) turns 50 years old in 2023. Throughout the year, the Department of the Interior will celebrate the ESA's importance in preventing imperiled species' extinction, promoting the recovery of wildlife, and conserving the habitats upon which they depend.
Based on stakeholder and community feedback to simplify the application process, the Service invites applicants to submit pre-proposals that describe how their projects advance the restoration of the Klamath Basin. All pre-proposals should align with the conservation goals and objectives outlined in the Service’s strategic plans for the Klamath Basin, including the newly finalized Klamath Basin Integrated Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Plan, which guide collaborative conservation in the area. This initial step will allow the Service and other federal and state agency partners to work closely together and ensure that the best projects move forward for further consideration. Applicants whose pre-proposals are highly ranked will be asked to submit a full project proposal.
Collaborative, solution-oriented project pre-proposals that demonstrate how projects will improve the ecosystem and achieve habitat restoration for waterfowl or native fish and other aquatic species may be submitted no later than April 14, 2023, to KlamathBIL@fws.gov. For more information about the submission process, please visit Grants.gov or the Klamath Basin Bipartisan Infrastructure Law website. Examples of funded Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments may be found in the Service’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 2022 Annual Report.
Klamath Basin photo gallery can be found here.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit https://www.fws.gov/cno/ or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.
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