BLM CO Lake Fork River and Cebolla Creek Watershed Water Quality Monitoring and Protection. | L16AS00177

Opportunity Information: Apply for L16AS00177

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grant opportunity titled "BLM CO Lake Fork River and Cebolla Creek Watershed Water Quality Monitoring and Protection" is a cooperative agreement focused on monitoring and protecting water quality in the Lake Fork River and Cebolla Creek watersheds in Colorado. The work centers on collecting and managing scientifically useful water quality information, with a strong emphasis on understanding conditions during different hydrologic periods and making the resulting data accessible through established state and federal systems. The project is designed to support practical watershed protection and improvement efforts by pairing field monitoring with data reporting, project development support, and community engagement.

The core technical activities include water quality sampling of both surface water and groundwater, with laboratory testing for heavy metals as a primary component. In addition to chemistry-based monitoring, the project also includes biological assessment through sampling of aquatic macroinvertebrates, which are commonly used as indicators of stream health because their community composition can reflect both short-term and long-term water quality conditions. Sampling is specifically intended to occur during both low-flow conditions and peak-flow events, recognizing that contaminant concentrations, sediment movement, and pollutant transport can change dramatically across seasons and storm or runoff events. By capturing data at these different flow regimes, the monitoring effort is better positioned to detect episodic pollution pulses, evaluate baseline conditions, and identify patterns tied to runoff and watershed processes.

A major deliverable of the project involves data management and public accessibility of results. The recipient is expected to input water quality and runoff data into appropriate state and federal databases, specifically including EPA STORET and the Colorado Data Sharing Network. This requirement signals that the project is not just about collecting samples, but also about ensuring the information is standardized, quality-controlled, and integrated into systems used by agencies, researchers, and watershed partners for assessment and decision-making. Proper database entry helps ensure that the monitoring results can inform regulatory assessments, watershed planning, and future restoration or protection priorities.

Beyond monitoring and data reporting, the opportunity includes capacity-building and implementation support for water quality improvements. The awardee is expected to assist with developing or supporting grant proposals for water quality improvement projects, helping translate monitoring results into actionable next steps and potential funding pathways for remediation, best management practices, or restoration work. The project also includes a public outreach and volunteer recruitment component, aimed at expanding participation in water quality sampling and building local stewardship. This suggests an emphasis on collaboration with community members and watershed stakeholders, potentially strengthening long-term monitoring continuity and public awareness of watershed health.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the Bureau of Land Management under CFDA 15.236, using a cooperative agreement instrument, which typically implies substantial involvement or coordination with the federal agency during project implementation. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of applicant types may apply as long as they can meet project and administrative requirements. The funding opportunity number is L16AS00177, the original closing date was August 5, 2016, and the program anticipated making one award with an award ceiling of $100,000. The opportunity was created on June 9, 2016, and it falls under the natural resources activity category, reflecting its focus on watershed monitoring, aquatic ecosystem condition, and resource protection.

• The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM CO Lake Fork River and Cebolla Creek Watershed Water Quality Monitoring and Protection." and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.236.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-06-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-08-05. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for L16AS00177

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