National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements | F17AS00351

Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00351

The National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00351) is a discretionary Department of the Interior grant administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the Fish and Wildlife Service expects to stay actively involved in carrying out the approved work rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The overall intent is to support enhancements tied to the National Wildlife Refuge System, aligning with a long list of federal statutes that govern wildlife conservation, refuge management and recreation, youth conservation engagement, protection of archaeological resources, and certain transportation-related improvements that can connect to refuge access and infrastructure.

This particular posting is not a broad, open competition. It is explicitly a Notice of Intent to make a sole-source award to a specific local government entity: the Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation Division. Eligible applicants are listed as county governments, but the notice indicates the agency planned one award to the named county partner rather than accepting proposals from multiple counties nationwide. The expected number of awards is one, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $95,000. The opportunity was created on July 31, 2017, with an original closing date of August 4, 2017, reflecting a very short window typical of administrative postings that formalize an intended sole-source action.

The funding activity areas associated with the opportunity include community development, education, environment, natural resources, and regional development (CFDA 15.654). In practical terms, refuge system "enhancements" can cover projects that improve visitor services and recreation opportunities compatible with refuge purposes, strengthen conservation and habitat-related outcomes, support volunteer and community partnership activities, and potentially incorporate youth-oriented conservation work consistent with the Youth Conservation Corps Act. Because the authority list includes the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, projects must also be mindful of cultural and archaeological resource compliance when any ground disturbance or site work is involved.

The legal authorities cited in the notice collectively frame what the Fish and Wildlife Service can fund and how refuge-related projects must be carried out. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1934 and the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 provide broad authority for conserving and managing fish and wildlife resources. The Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 supports development and management of recreation on refuges when it is compatible with conservation goals. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended, is a cornerstone law directing how refuges are administered, including the well-known compatibility standard for public uses. The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 further modernized refuge management by emphasizing mission-first management, wildlife-dependent recreation priorities, and comprehensive conservation planning. The 2004 Volunteer and Community Partnership Act reinforces the role of volunteers and partners in refuge work. Finally, the reference to Federal Aid for Highways provisions signals that, where applicable, certain access, trail, roadway, or transportation-related components may be supported if they fit within those statutory boundaries and are consistent with refuge purposes and federal requirements.

Applicants (in this case, the intended county partner) are instructed that their application must address all activities and stipulations described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, specifically the items in Section 1 (Description of Funding Opportunity) and the Application Checklist. That phrasing indicates the award would be conditioned on meeting defined scope, deliverables, and compliance obligations, which commonly include coordination with refuge staff, documentation of work plans and budgets, and adherence to applicable federal rules and any refuge-specific constraints. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted, cooperative, county-level partnership investment meant to improve or expand refuge-related facilities, programs, or services in a way that supports conservation and compatible public use under established refuge system law.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the community development, education, environment, natural resources, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.654.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 31, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 04, 2017 This is a Notice of Intent to sole source to Bernalillo Co Parks Recreation Div. Applications must address all activities stipulations in Section 1 (Description of Funding Opportunity) Application Checklist (via Notice of Funding Opportunity).. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $95,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: County governments.

Apply for F17AS00351

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