ENDANGERED SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) supports federal projects and grants aimed at jump-starting achievement of GLRI long term goals: safely eating the fish and swimming at our beaches, assuring safe drinking water, and providing a healthy ecosystem for fish and wildlife. The GLRI was announced in May of 2009 as part of the President's FY 2010 budget. To guide this work, federal agencies have drafted GLRI Action Plan II, which summarizes the actions that federal agencies plan to implement during the years 2015-2019. Information about the GLRI, including agency-by-agency funding allocations, and general descriptions of the work that's planned, is posted at http://greatlakesrestoration.us. For FY 2016, the GLRI-ES will provide grants, cooperative agreements and other assistance that benefits species listed as endangered or threatened or candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), within the Great Lakes Watershed of the United States. For FY 2016, the Service is not soliciting projects through a formal Request for Proposals (RFP). Instead, in coordination with our partners, the Service will direct FY 2016 GLRI ES funding to projects that benefit priority species, or those that complete a previously funded GLRI-ES project. Eligible applicants should contact one of the Ecological Services Field Offices listed in Section IX of the NOFO to determine which projects will be eligible to receive FY 2016 GLRIES funding. For Cooperative agreements that are issued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service may/will be responsible for the following: Participates and collaborates jointly with the recipient partner, volunteer, scientist, technician or other personnel, in carrying out the scope of work, including training recipient personnel or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort; Reviews and approves one stage of work before the next stage can begin; Reviews and approves, prior to recipient action, proposed modifications or sub-awards; Helps select project staff or trainees; Directs or redirects the work because of interrelationships with other projects; Has power to immediately halt an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; and Limits recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award.