BLM-WY, Greater-Sage Grouse Study to Identify Movement Near Wind Farms | L17AS00152

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this BLM Wyoming funding opportunity about?

This discretionary funding opportunity from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming office supports a cooperative research partnership to study greater sage-grouse movements and behavior in relation to wind energy development. The goal is to produce defensible, management-relevant science that helps land managers and partners understand how wind farms may affect sage-grouse and the sagebrush habitat they rely on.

What is the main purpose of the research?

The research is intended to clarify what changes wind energy facilities represent to sage-grouse and their habitat use. The findings are meant to inform future planning, siting decisions, and mitigation measures associated with wind development in sage-grouse habitat.

Where is the project focused?

The project is centered in the Rawlins, Wyoming resource area.

What species is the project focused on?

The project focuses on greater sage-grouse and how their movements and behavior relate to wind energy development and associated habitat conditions.

What types of impacts is the study trying to understand?

The opportunity emphasizes understanding how wind farms may affect sage-grouse and their use of sagebrush habitats. It also highlights the importance of evaluating impacts in ways that separate wind-farm effects from natural variation in grouse populations and habitat conditions.

Does the opportunity recommend a specific study design?

Yes. The description notes that a before-after control-impact (BACI) study design could be useful. Under a BACI approach, researchers compare conditions before and after development at impact sites and compare those changes to similar control areas without development.

Why is separating wind-farm effects from natural variation important?

The funding notice highlights that sage-grouse populations and habitat conditions can vary naturally over time. A key emphasis of the project is to evaluate impacts in a way that can distinguish changes associated with wind facilities from changes that might have occurred anyway due to natural variation.

Do wind facilities being studied have to be on public lands?

No. The notice states that the wind facilities being studied do not have to be located on public lands.

How can BLM-administered lands be used in the study?

BLM-administered lands could serve as suitable control sites if the habitat quality and sage-grouse populations are strong enough to function as a valid comparison area.

Does the opportunity encourage studying existing wind facilities?

Yes. The notice highlights that it would be valuable to measure sage-grouse responses to wind facilities that already exist, not just hypothetical or future projects.

What type of award is being offered?

The award is offered as a cooperative agreement. This generally indicates that BLM expects substantial involvement during the project rather than providing a hands-off grant.

What does "cooperative agreement" imply for how the project will be managed?

Based on the notice description, a cooperative agreement suggests BLM will be substantially involved during the project. In practical terms, applicants should expect an active partnership structure rather than a purely recipient-led project with minimal agency engagement.

What is the funding activity category?

The program falls under the natural resources funding activity category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.231.

How many awards does BLM expect to make?

The agency anticipated making a single award.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $249,000.

Is this a multi-award program?

No. The notice indicates BLM anticipated making a single award, and the ceiling amount suggests a targeted, project-specific research effort rather than a multi-award program.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes:

• State, county, and local governments
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized tribal governments
• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

Are federally recognized tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are explicitly included in the eligible applicant categories.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible, with the notice specifying "other than institutions of higher education."

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on June 9, 2017.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was August 8, 2017.

What kinds of decisions can the research results support?

The opportunity states that the information produced is intended to inform future planning, siting decisions, and mitigation measures tied to wind development in sage-grouse country.

What does the opportunity mean by "management-relevant" science?

Within the context provided, "management-relevant" means the research should generate information that land managers and partners can use for practical decisions related to wind development, including planning, siting, and mitigation approaches in sage-grouse habitat.

What does the opportunity mean by using "appropriate controls"?

The notice emphasizes the value of comparing impact areas (near wind development) to control areas without development, so observed changes can be interpreted in a way that distinguishes wind-related effects from other sources of change. It also notes that BLM lands may serve as control sites if they are sufficiently comparable and support strong habitat and populations.