“Aquatic Invasive Species Survey and Treatment on Lake Umatilla and Lake Celilo” | W81EWF 22 SOI 0017

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81EWF 22 SOI 0017

The "Aquatic Invasive Species Survey and Treatment on Lake Umatilla and Lake Celilo" opportunity is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Department of the Army) cooperative agreement focused on early detection, documentation, and on-the-ground response to aquatic invasive plants in two Columbia River reservoirs: Lake Umatilla and Lake Celilo. The central concern is flowering rush, an invasive aquatic plant that is still considered a "leading-edge" population in this area, meaning it may be spreading into new habitat and could expand quickly if left unchecked. The project is designed to produce practical field information that helps managers prevent new infestations, respond to existing patches, and improve regional understanding of what works (and what does not) for treatment and long-term prevention.

A major piece of the work is comprehensive surveying in coordination with John Day and The Dalles Ranger staff. Surveys are expected to prioritize habitat most likely to support establishment, especially slow-moving and shallow-water areas, but the scope is broader than simply mapping where flowering rush already exists. The project also calls for documenting locations that look suitable even if the plant is not yet present. For each surveyed site, the partner is expected to capture detailed baseline conditions such as the native plant community, signs of disturbance, and relevant abiotic conditions. This baseline approach is intended to help managers recognize patterns of invasion and understand how flowering rush establishes and spreads, while also creating a reference point to compare against if these areas become colonized later.

The grant also supports treatment of flowering rush where feasible, with an emphasis on manual and small-scale methods suited to site depth and access. Examples provided include careful hand-pulling in shallow water or along shorelines and using weighted weed mats designed specifically for flowering rush to smother small patches or individual plants. Importantly, the opportunity is not just about doing treatment; it explicitly highlights a need for continued learning about effective manual strategies, including how plant growth stage (phenology) and timing of treatment might influence success. The recipient may also propose additional treatment methods and evaluate them for efficacy, as long as they align with the project goals and are appropriate for the setting.

While flowering rush is the main target, the survey work is also meant to build awareness and readiness around other aquatic invasive plants encountered during field efforts. The recipient is expected to provide treatment recommendations and control strategies for additional invasive species identified, which may include Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), among others. The opportunity notes that the abundance and distribution of these other invaders are not well understood near Corps-managed recreation areas on Lake Umatilla and Lake Celilo, and improving that understanding is seen as valuable for preparedness and future rapid response. In other words, even if the primary deliverable is flowering rush-focused, the project aims to strengthen overall invasive aquatic plant management in the area.

Deliverables culminate in thorough documentation and reporting. The recipient is expected to record known infestation locations, identify potential future locations using factors such as flow rate and modeling, and describe all treatment methods used. These findings are to be compiled into a final report shared with John Day/The Dalles Ranger staff and with partners in the Flowering Rush Working Group, ensuring the results are immediately usable by local managers and also contribute to broader regional coordination and knowledge-sharing.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity under a cooperative agreement, categorized under science and technology and other research and development (CFDA 12.630). The funding opportunity number is W81EWF 22 SOI 0017. The opportunity was created on May 16, 2022, and originally closed on July 15, 2022. The stated award ceiling is $30,000. Eligibility is restricted: only non-federal partners of the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) may apply, which typically means qualified universities, tribes, non-profits, or other partner organizations formally affiliated with that CESU network.

• The Dept. of the Army -- Corps of Engineers in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "“Aquatic Invasive Species Survey and Treatment on Lake Umatilla and Lake Celilo”" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.630.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-05-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-07-15. (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 $30,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for W81EWF 22 SOI 0017

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: