Quagga/Zebra Mussel News

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the California State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways:

SAVE-THE-DATE GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) expects to open the application window for the 2022 Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Program Grant Cycle in March 2022, subject to available funds.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

1. Grant applicant must own/manage any aspect of the water in a reservoir;
2. The reservoir must be open to the public for recreation; and
3. Grant applicant must demonstrate that the reservoir is uninfested with dreissenid mussels.

To demonstrate that the reservoir is uninfested, applicants must provide mussel monitoring data collected since March 2021. Monitoring data can be from surface surveys, artificial substrates, and plankton tows.

Tier 2 Implementation Grant:

• To be eligible for an implementation grant, applicants must provide a letter from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) at the time of application that states CDFW has reviewed and accepted a prevention plan for the reservoir (per Fish and Game Code Section 2302 and California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 672.1(b)).

Tier 1 Planning and Assessment Grant:

• Applicants that do not already have a CDFW-accepted prevention plan can apply for a planning and assessment grant in order to develop a CDFW-accepted prevention plan for the reservoir.

For questions regarding quagga/zebra mussel monitoring, or for prevention planning, including how to obtain a letter from CDFW, contact CDFW at Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov or Telephone: (866) 440-9530.

A Solicitation Notice including specific dates and application information will be sent prior to opening of the grant application window. The notice will also be posted on the DBW website.

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force requests proposals to build upon previous assessments and evaluate aspects of the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! campaign, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™, and PlayCleanGo campaign to determine what messages and delivery strategies are most effective to achieve desired behavioral changes. It is the intent that the results of this assessment will be used by the ANS Task Force, regional ANS panels, states, and partners to produce a national communications and marketing framework that increases the effectiveness and reach of outreach campaigns and encourages prevention behaviors to stop the spread of invasive species through recreational activities.

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: F21AS00229

Applications should be submitted electronically using the GrantSolutions system. Applications are due by midnight Eastern Time on March 10, 2021.

Questions may be directed to Susan Pasko, US Fish and Wildlife Service at (703) 358-2466 or susan_pasko@fws.gov.

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

The Funding Opportunity for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife QZAP FY2020 has officially been posted. The total funding amount for projects is approximately $1,830,000.00, which is a significant increase from years past. Consequently, USFWS has expanded the categories and priorities of potential projects. Additionally, there is a significant change in the application process this year resulting from our transition to GrantSolutions.gov. This opportunity will be open for application through October 18, 2020. As of now, applications will need to be submitted through GrantSolutions.gov, and you will need to create a login and password to access the system. There are recipient tutorials online linked below. Below are the steps you will need to take to access and locate the funding announcement. The funding announcement number is F20AS00078 and the full title is "Implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) in the Western United States". Please disseminate this opportunity to all interested parties. Please feel free to reach out to Barak Shemai, USFWS Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, at barak_shemai@fws.gov or (505) 248-6593 with any questions.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER CREATING A LOGIN AND PASSWORD!

• Sign into GrantSolutions.gov
• Go to the Funding Opportunities page
• Once there use CTRL + F to search the name of the opportunity "name in full" or "QZAP"
• You should see the QZAP opportunity - Select Apply on the far right

Links to the recipient training videos:

• U.S. Department of Interior – GrantSolutions
• GS Recipient Training Videos

Link to general information:

• FWS GrantSolutions