Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00138

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?

The funding opportunity number is G24AS00138.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through the Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC).

What type of funding instrument is this?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement, not a standard grant.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial involvement by USGS staff during the project. Based on the notice description, USGS involvement may include collaboration on planning, technical direction, data integration, and coordination so the work aligns with USGS science needs and produces usable decision-support outputs.

Is this opportunity open to all applicants?

No. This opportunity is limited to eligible applicants that are participating partners in the USGS Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

What is the CESU framework and why does it matter for eligibility?

The opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework. In practical terms, an applicant organization (such as a university or other institution) must already be formally affiliated with the Colorado Plateau CESU to apply, because CESU is designed to strengthen collaboration with USGS through research, technical assistance, and education among participating partners.

Which CESU is specifically associated with this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with the USGS Colorado Plateau CESU Program.

What is the main scientific focus of the project?

The project focuses on the development of research and modeling related to dust emissions and dust dispersion originating from the shorelines of Lake Powell and Lake Mead.

Why are Lake Powell and Lake Mead important in this project?

Lake Powell and Lake Mead are described as the two largest reservoirs in the Colorado River Basin. Their fluctuating water levels can expose large areas of sediment along reservoir margins, creating potential source areas for dust emissions.

What kinds of conditions are driving the dust issue described in the opportunity?

The opportunity highlights that fluctuating reservoir water levels can expose (or later inundate) shoreline sediments. These changes can vary with operational and seasonal conditions, affecting when and where dust may be emitted.

What is meant by "dust emissions" and "dust dispersion" in the context of this project?

In this opportunity, "dust emissions" refers to the potential for dust to be released from exposed shoreline sediments. "Dust dispersion" refers to how that dust could move and spread once airborne, including where it might travel downwind.

What are the expected modeling outcomes?

The funded work is intended to support integrated model predictions that estimate where and when dust could be emitted from exposed shoreline areas and how that dust could move and spread once airborne.

Is the project focused on modeling for academic purposes only?

No. The opportunity emphasizes that the purpose is not modeling for its own sake. The intent is to generate predictions that can be used to inform decisions about water use and reservoir operations, as well as related regulation and policy choices.

How is this work intended to support decision-making?

The notice describes the project as decision support tied to real-world impacts. The modeling is meant to provide a stronger scientific basis for evaluating tradeoffs associated with reservoir management, including operational scenarios that expose or inundate sediments at different times of year.

What types of decisions could the modeling inform?

Based on the description, the modeling outputs are intended to inform decisions related to water use, reservoir operations, and associated regulation and policy choices that may influence shoreline exposure and dust risk.

What impacts is the project trying to help evaluate?

The project is intended to help evaluate potential consequences for natural resources and human health.

How can dust affect natural resources according to the opportunity?

The notice states that dust can affect ecosystems by altering soil and plant conditions.

How can dust affect human health according to the opportunity?

The notice indicates that dust can degrade air quality, which is directly relevant to public health concerns for nearby communities and downwind areas.

What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?

The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, reflecting applied research and modeling deliverables.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed in the notice is 15.808.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $30,000.

How many awards does the notice expect to make?

The expected number of awards is listed as one.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2023-10-30.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was 2023-11-30.

Does the opportunity emphasize collaboration with USGS?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly frames the work as promoting cooperation between USGS and a CESU-affiliated university partner to build integrated modeling products relevant to agency and stakeholder decision-making.

Why is this described as a targeted award?

Based on the information provided, it is targeted because it has a specific technical focus (dust emissions and dispersion modeling for Lake Powell and Lake Mead), a relatively small funding ceiling ($30,000), and an expected single award.