EPA opens $440K to map Chesapeake Bay submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Eligible applicants: states, nonprofits, tribal entities, local governments, interstate, higher education institution. Applications are due September 6, 2023.
Announcement Type: Request for Applications
Opportunity: EPA, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
Overview and Eligible Uses: There are two overarching objectives of this RFA, which EPA is seeking project proposals to address. The first objective is to map the density and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) accurately, efficiently, and effectively throughout the mesohaline habitat in Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries from high-resolution satellite imagery using automated detection and classification methods, and, in doing so, develop and document a protocol that would inform Bay-wide SAV assessment efforts.
The second objective is to develop and document a robust, repeatable method of generating vector-based polygons that:
represent SAV beds from the pixel-based SAV classifications developed under Objective 1 that are calibrated to results generated from hand-delineated SAV mapping of beds as estimated from the present SAV survey protocol; and
applies the polygon bed delineation method to SAV classification results from high resolution satellite imagery to produce SAV cover maps of Zannichellia palustris that are suitable for summarizing acreage and density throughout the mesohaline portion of Chesapeake Bay.
Although the Chesapeake Bay Program is comprised of federal and non-federal organizations, activities funded under this RFA will support the non-federal partners. The recipient of the cooperative agreement awarded under this RFA may work directly with federal agencies, but the nature of the work will result only in direct, significant benefits to the non-federal agencies, partners, and the general public.
The project includes two activities in accordance with its objectives – proof of application and methods development.
Amount: The total estimated funding under this solicitation is approximately $440,000 overall, with an estimated $150,000 available for years 1-2, and $70,000 available for years 3-4.
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement
Eligible Applicants: Competition under this solicitation is available for technical and general assistance grants to nonprofit organizations, states, federally recognized tribes and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies.
For-profit organizations are not eligible to submit applications in response to this RFA.
Key Dates: The application submission deadline is September 6, 2023. The approximate date of the award/project start date is January 1, 2024.
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