NOAA’s Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the IIJA | NOAA NMFS HCPO 2022 2007209

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is NOAA's Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOAA NMFS HCPO 2022 2007209; CFDA 11.463).

Which federal agency runs this grant program?

It is a discretionary federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries, specifically NOAA Fisheries' Restoration Center under the Community-based Restoration Program.

What law is supporting or backing this funding?

The opportunity is backed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, Public Law 117-58).

What is the core purpose of the program?

The core purpose is to provide financial and technical assistance to restore fish passage for native migratory and sea-run fish by removing dams and other in-stream barriers or improving passage at those barriers.

What larger outcomes is NOAA trying to achieve through these projects?

The larger goal is to reconnect habitats so fish can access spawning, rearing, and refuge areas. NOAA also emphasizes stronger fisheries, healthier watersheds, and more resilient ecosystems and communities as key outcomes.

What kinds of fish benefit from the projects supported by this grant?

The focus is on native migratory and sea-run fish. The program also references improving passage for native fish species in the Great Lakes and outcomes tied to fisheries sustainability and conservation priorities.

What are NOAA's main program priorities that proposals are expected to address?

Applicants are expected to directly address four program priorities: (1) delivering measurable and lasting benefits for migratory fish populations; (2) advancing habitat restoration that is important at a regional scale; (3) increasing resilience to climate hazards while producing other co-benefits; and (4) ensuring projects benefit and genuinely engage underserved communities, including through partnerships with Indian tribes.

How important are equity and underserved community benefits in this program?

Equity is presented as a central emphasis. Proposals should show meaningful community engagement and incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles in how projects are identified, designed, and carried out. Applicants are encouraged to clearly state whether work occurs in tribal or underserved communities and whether resilience benefits will flow to those communities.

What types of barriers or infrastructure are eligible to be addressed?

The program supports work to remove dams and other in-stream barriers or improve passage at those barriers. The notice also references aging or vulnerable infrastructure and the resilience benefits of removing or upgrading it.

Does NOAA prefer removing barriers or modifying them?

Based on the stated evaluation emphasis, proposals centered on removing barriers (rather than only modifying them) are positioned to score especially well.

Are planning and early-stage project development activities eligible for funding?

Yes. NOAA allows proposals that cover early-stage planning and future project development, including feasibility studies.

Are engineering, design, and permitting costs eligible?

Yes. Eligible activities include engineering and design, permitting, and stakeholder engagement.

Does the program fund on-the-ground construction and implementation?

Yes. NOAA supports on-the-ground implementation, including actual barrier removal or construction of fish passage solutions.

Can projects include monitoring to document results?

Yes. Pre- and post-construction monitoring to document results is an eligible activity.

Is capacity-building for partners allowed under this funding?

Yes. Capacity-building for new or existing restoration partners is eligible, especially when it helps teams manage complex design and construction efforts.

Can education and outreach be included in a project?

Yes. Education and outreach can be included, particularly when they support durable community understanding and participation.

Will NOAA fund proposals that only focus on planning and design?

Planning and design are eligible, but NOAA indicates that priority will go to proposals that include on-the-ground construction likely to occur during the award period.

Do project narratives need to connect to specific NOAA fisheries and conservation outcomes?

Yes. Project narratives should connect barrier removal or passage improvement to at least one of NOAA's key fisheries and conservation outcomes described in the opportunity.

What are examples of NOAA fisheries and conservation outcomes that a project can align with?

Examples listed include: supporting recovery of species listed under the Endangered Species Act; sustaining or rebuilding fish stocks managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; improving passage for native fish species in the Great Lakes; strengthening the sustainability of saltwater recreational fisheries; improving resilience in tribal and underserved communities by removing or upgrading aging infrastructure while delivering co-benefits; and enabling hydroelectric license surrender where dam removal is appropriate because the facility is no longer economically viable or does not provide significant public benefit.

Can a proposal include multiple project sites?

Yes. Projects may be proposed at a single site or across multiple locations in a watershed or geographic area.

If a proposal includes multiple sites, what does NOAA expect applicants to explain?

Applicants are expected to explain how the set of actions works together to achieve watershed-scale priorities, rather than presenting a disconnected list of culverts, dams, or crossings.

What characteristics make multi-site proposals more competitive under this opportunity?

The opportunity indicates that the most competitive multi-site proposals will typically make a clear case for network connectivity, cumulative habitat gains, and coordinated benefits to targeted fish populations and community resilience.

What type of federal award instrument will NOAA use?

Awards will be made as cooperative agreements.

What does it mean that awards are cooperative agreements?

It typically means NOAA will have substantial involvement during the project period, such as coordination, technical input, and oversight tied to milestones.

How long is the expected period of performance?

NOAA anticipates most projects will have a three-year period of performance.

Can awards be structured across multiple years?

Yes. Awards can be structured as multi-year agreements, and proposals should estimate year two and year three funding needs.

Are year two and year three amounts guaranteed?

No. Final amounts are dependent on future appropriations and performance against milestones.

What is the typical award size for this opportunity?

NOAA expects typical federal awards to fall in the $2 million to $5 million range over three years.

Is there a minimum amount an applicant can request?

Yes. NOAA will not accept requests under $1 million.

Is there a maximum amount NOAA will fund per award?

Yes. NOAA will not fund requests over $15 million total for the entire award.

How many awards did NOAA anticipate making under this notice?

NOAA anticipated making about 25 awards.

What were the original posting and closing dates for this opportunity?

The original posting date was June 14, 2022, and the original closing date was August 15, 2022.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes: state, county, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.

Does NOAA express any stated preference for certain kinds of projects?

Yes. NOAA states a preference for projects that are ready to move into construction within the award timeframe, demonstrate clear biological and community outcomes, and show strong, equitable partnerships, especially where tribal and underserved communities are meaningfully engaged and benefit from the work.

What kinds of co-benefits does NOAA mention beyond fish passage?

Examples of additional benefits beyond fish passage include reduced flood risk, improved public safety, and restored natural river functions.

How does climate resilience factor into project competitiveness?

Projects are expected to reduce climate-related risks and improve community resilience by addressing aging or vulnerable infrastructure and generating co-benefits in addition to fish passage improvements.

Is technical assistance part of what NOAA provides through this program?

Yes. The purpose statement includes providing both financial and technical assistance, and the cooperative agreement structure also signals NOAA involvement through coordination and technical input tied to milestones.