Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative - Fiscal Year 2016
Research Funding Opportunity: Prairie Rivers and Streams
The Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GPLCC) is an applied science and
conservation partnership that supports the strategic, science-based conservation of fish, wildlife
and plants in the mid- and short-grass prairie of the southern Great Plains; see
http://www.gplcc.org/images/region_lrg.jpg for a map of the GPLCC geographic area. GPLCC
works in close collaboration with the South Central Climate Science Center
(www.southcentralclimate.org) in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, particularly on issues
related to climate variability, climate uncertainty, and ecological drought.
On behalf of the GPLCC, the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) is soliciting proposals for
applied research to inform resource management decisions that address landscape-scale stressors
to fish, wildlife, and plants of the Great Plains, with a focus on the Colorado, Brazos, Canadian
and Red Rivers in western Texas and Oklahoma. For complete instructions for submission of
proposals see Attachment 1.
Request for Proposals: Protecting and restoring flows in Prairie Rivers and Streams
The GPLCC has identified alteration of natural flow regimes as a key stressor for Prairie Rivers
and Streams in the Great Plains Ecoregion. Restoring natural flow regimes, to the extent
possible given valid existing water rights, is essential to conservation of native fishes. To
accomplish this goal, GPLCC partners need information regarding the status of water uses and
water rights, as well as opportunities for conservation measures.
Proposals are being solicited that: 1) inventory, assess and quantify existing surface and
groundwater rights, and identify patterns of water use in the Colorado, Brazos, Canadian and
Red River watersheds within the GPLCC geographical boundary; and 2) utilize that information
to identify potential areas of opportunity focused on current availability of water, water leases,
water rights acquisition, and for voluntary incentive-based programs in these watersheds that
improve natural flow regimes in these rivers. Proposals may focus on one or more of the four
watersheds identified in this solicitation and will be ranked accordingly. Research should
synthesize data and information and delineate where the “best bang for buck” conservation
opportunities exist and make recommendations to inform instream-flow management strategies
with the potential to improve natural flow regimes and habitat conditions. Final products should
be provided in a GIS/Database/User Interface for ease of use by a multitude of partners.
Ultimately, information would support: 1) Development of water conservation and management
strategies consistent with the biological and ecological requirements of priority aquatic and
riparian species and their habitats (see Attachment 2 for priority species) while taking into
consideration valid existing water rights and human needs; and, 2) Inform delivery of aquatic
and riparian habitat restoration techniques and strategies that improve natural flow regimes and
habitat conditions (e.g., restoration of springs, riparian buffers, etc.).
EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS
A Great Plains LCC designated Review Panel, including representatives for the South Central
Climate Science Center, will evaluate and rank proposals based upon the following five criteria:
1. Responsiveness to the GPLCC
 Does the proposed project address specific resource management needs determined in
consultation with a GPLCC partner(s)?
 How clearly does the proposal define proposed deliverables and useful outputs/results
relevant to the needs of the GPLCC?
2. Project Quality
 What is the geographic scope of the proposal and its subsequent impacts/benefits?
 Are sound approaches identified and described in the proposed methodology to produce
the proposed project objectives and goals?
 Are the project objectives clearly defined, achievable, measurable, and connected to
specific goals, milestones/deliverables, and timelines (i.e., a work plan) for completion?
 How will the proposed methodology produce the desired outcomes of partner(s)
identified in the proposal?
 What is the anticipated, extended use/life of the project’s results/products/services after
the project is completed, and are they clearly stated in the proposal?
3. Practical Relevance to resource management partners of the GPLCC
 Will the objectives/goals of the project benefit the management of priority species and
habitats of the GPLCC?
4. Project Value
 Is the project budget reasonable and does the applicant leverage any existing assets or
partnership funds?
5. Applicant's Qualifications
 What are the qualifications of all project personnel?
 How well-suited are the project team’s experience and background to successfully
conducting this project?
 If the applicant plans to hire a sub-contractor, is the sub-contractor specified?
Please direct any additional questions to the Great Plains LCC Science Coordinator, James
Broska (505) 761-4768, or, [email protected].
ATTACHMENT 1
GREAT PLAINS LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION COOPERATIVE
Prairie Rivers and Streams - Flows Management Research
Fiscal Year 2016
PROPOSAL FORMAT and INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Great Plains LCC is soliciting proposals for applied scientific research that help inform
resource management decisions and address effects of landscape-scale stressors on fish, wildlife,
and plants of the Great Plains. All funded research should benefit the Great Plains LCC in its
mission to “lead the development, facilitation and integration of science and management to
ensure strategic natural resource conservation on the Great Plains.”
FUNDING INFORMATION:
Projects selected under this FY2016 opportunity shall be funded on an annual basis with out-year
funding dependent upon availability of future funds and project performance. Therefore,
projects with multi-year timeframes need to show intermediate results by the end of each fiscal
year.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
A Letter of Support from one or more Great Plains LCC management agency(s) that clearly
describes how the agency will specifically utilize the results of the proposed research and
integrate the results in management of species and/or habitats of the Great Plains. Letter(s) of
Support should address the following:
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

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How will this project meet the specific needs of at least one GPLCC partner?
What are the measurable outcomes or products that will result from this project?
What activities or actions will partners undertake with project results?
How will project results benefit the GPLCC partnership as a whole?
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Proposals must be submitted via email to [email protected] with a subject line “GP LCC
Flow Management Proposal” no later than 5:00 p.m. MDT on May 27, 2016.
PROPOSAL FORMAT:
Proposal Narrative: 6 Pages
Proposal narratives may not exceed 6 pages with an additional 1 page allowed for the budget
narrative. All proposals should be submitted as a single MS Word Document and use 12-point
Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. For multiple year projects, include detailed
information for each year’s funding request. All proposals must be formatted, numbered and
lettered as outlined below.
1. TITLE: Provide a brief descriptive title for the project.
2. NAMES and CONTACT INFORMATION of AUTHORS: Provide the name(s), title,
affiliation, mailing address, telephone, fax, and e-mail.
3. ABSTRACT: The abstract should provide a brief, informative description of the project,
anticipated deliverables, and a clear description of the relevance to the GPLCC. The abstract
should not exceed 300 words.
4. INTRODUCTION: The introduction should include the following components.
A. Background: Address the priority GPLCC science needs and issues that underlie the
proposed scientific project. Information should include related ongoing activities, current
relevant findings, and scientific value of proposed results.
B. Problem Statement and Implications: Clearly describe the specific management
problem being researched and how the proposed study will address management needs
associated with this issue.
C. Integration: State what GPLCC partner agency and agency personnel the project is
being developed in consultation with and how the project will enhance and integrate with
partners’ conservation of priority species and habitats?
D. Objectives: Clearly describe the objectives of the proposed project or the need for
continuation of an existing project. Explain the priority and significance of the project as it
relates to the issue(s) being addressed.
5. METHODS and STUDY AREA: Clearly describe proposed methodologies and how they
will achieve the stated objectives. Methods must detail the means by which each of the
objectives will be achieved. Provide sufficient detail so that the likelihood of achieving each of
the objectives can be fully evaluated. Please define the proposed study area(s).
6. PARTNERSHIPS and ROLES: Describe the partnership and the responsibilities of each
participant in the project. If there are GPLCC collaborators not included in the list of authors,
include a letter (not included in page total) from the GPLCC collaborator describing support of
the project and commitment to participation.
7. PROJECT DURATION/TIMELINE: Provide the start date and completion date (the
completion date is when deliverables are provided to the Wildlife Management Institute Pointof-Contact). Include a table that describes major milestones towards project completion.
8. PRODUCTS: Provide information on specific products expected and delivery dates (include
quarterly progress reports for multi-year projects). Provide a timetable for achievement of
milestones, major accomplishments, and completion of project. Specify the product format in
which these results would be most useful. Products must be in electronic format to streamline
dissemination as well as enable the GPLCC to include such products into its Science Base - LC
Map Data Portal. Special requests for products in hard copy format, in addition to electronic
format, should be included in this section of the proposal.
Budget Narrative: 1 Page
9. BUDGET NARRATIVE and JUSTIFICATION: Provide a budget itemized in the
following categories as appropriate: (1) Personnel, (2) Fringe Benefits, (3) Travel, (4)
Equipment, (5) Supplies, (6) Contractual, (7) Construction, (8) Other, and (9) Indirect Charges.
 The budget must include a breakout by federal government fiscal year (10/1 –
9/30).
 If a project involves personnel with different fringe benefit or indirect rates,
please apply the appropriate rates to each portion.
 Itemize partner contributions in a separate column in the budget breakout, one
column per partner.
ATTACHMENT 2
Great Plains LCC Priority Habitats and Species
Habitat
Species
Grasslands
Burrowing Owl, black-tailed prairie dog, American
bison, American burying beetle, black-footed ferret,
Mountain Plover, Ferruginous Hawk, Long-Billed
Curlew, Lesser Prairie-Chicken, Grasshopper Sparrow,
Cassin’s Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Harris’ Sparrow,
Prairie Falcon
Playa wetlands
Northern Pintail, Sandhill Crane, Least Sandpiper,
Western Sandpiper, Dowitchers
Non-playa wetlands
Whooping Crane, Snowy Plover
Saline lakes
Snowy Plover, Sandhill Crane, Wilson’s Phalarope,
Least Sandpiper
Prairie rivers and streams and
riparian corridors
Arkansas River shiner, Piping Plover, Interior Least
Tern, Sandhill Crane, Whooping Crane, Bell’s Vireo,
Arkansas darter, Topeka shiner, Pallid and Shovelnose
sturgeon, paddlefish, Snowy Plover
Cross-timbers
Black-Capped Vireo
Savannahs, shrub lands, and sand
dunes
Lesser Prairie-Chicken, sand dune lizard, blowout
penstemon, American burying beetle