BLM-CO Strengthening Partnerships for Invasive Vegetation Management, Southwest District | L18AS00068

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the BLM-CO Strengthening Partnerships for Invasive Vegetation Management, Southwest District opportunity?

It is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L18AS00068) focused on slowing and reducing the spread of invasive and noxious weeds on public lands in Colorado, specifically within the BLM Colorado Southwest District.

What is the primary goal of this grant?

The primary goal is to improve overall ecosystem health by supporting work that prevents, controls, and reduces invasive and noxious weeds that can spread rapidly, outcompete native vegetation, and cause long-lasting changes to plant communities.

Why is BLM prioritizing invasive and noxious weed management?

BLM emphasizes that invasive plants can cross boundaries quickly and, without timely eradication or sustained control, can degrade land health. This can threaten wildlife habitat, watershed function, and common land uses such as grazing and agriculture across BLM-managed lands.

What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?

Funding is offered as a cooperative agreement, which means the selected partner is expected to work closely with BLM staff rather than operate independently.

What is the program activity category and CFDA number?

The activity category is Natural Resources, and the CFDA number associated with the program is 15.230.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to government entities in Colorado with relevant authority and responsibility for weed control. This includes state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments.

Are non-governmental organizations or private entities eligible?

Based on the eligibility description provided, the opportunity is limited to certain Colorado government entities (state, county, city/township, and special district governments). No other applicant types are identified as eligible in the information provided.

What kinds of partners is BLM looking for?

BLM is aiming this opportunity at cooperators that can enforce or carry out state and federal requirements related to noxious weed eradication and control, and that can operate effectively across multiple land ownerships where infestations often spread.

What is meant by "integrated weed management" in this opportunity?

Integrated weed management refers to using multiple control strategies together, selected based on site conditions and best available methods. The approach is tailored to the infestation and is coordinated with BLM staff input.

What are the main project activities funded under this grant?

Key activities include inventory and mapping to identify the location and extent of infestations, followed by treatment and monitoring consistent with an integrated weed management plan.

Is inventory and mapping required?

Inventory and mapping are identified as key project activities to determine where infestations are and how extensive they are before treatment and monitoring occur.

Is monitoring required as part of the project?

Yes. Monitoring is described as a necessary component, not an optional add-on, because BLM relies on monitoring data for land management decisions and for assessing land health conditions over time.

What treatment methods are allowed or expected?

The recipient is expected to implement a mix of approaches as appropriate, including chemical treatments (such as herbicide applications consistent with applicable requirements), mechanical treatments (such as mowing or hand removal), and biological control methods.

Can projects include herbicide applications?

Yes. Chemical treatments are specifically mentioned, including herbicide applications, as long as they are consistent with applicable requirements.

Can projects include mechanical weed control?

Yes. Mechanical treatments such as mowing, hand removal, or other physical controls are included as expected tools where appropriate.

Can biological control be part of the work?

Yes. Biological control methods are listed among the approaches that may be used as appropriate for the site and situation.

Does the grant support planning activities?

The work may include land management planning elements and other techniques deemed suitable, with methods and priorities shaped through coordination and input from BLM staff.

How does this opportunity connect to existing weed management programs?

The intent is to build on coordinated weed management efforts, including cooperation with county, district, and state weed programs, and the formation or support of Weed Management Area partnerships.

Is education and awareness part of the strategy?

Yes. BLM highlights education and awareness as part of the broader strategy, noting that long-term success often depends on coordinated prevention, early detection, and shared best practices across jurisdictions.

Where will the funded work take place?

The opportunity is focused on BLM-managed public lands in Colorado within the BLM Colorado Southwest District.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The award ceiling listed is $40,000.

How many awards did BLM anticipate making?

BLM anticipated making one award.

What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on July 15, 2018, and the original application closing date was August 17, 2018.

What is the overall purpose of using a cooperative agreement for this work?

A cooperative agreement signals that the recipient will coordinate closely with BLM staff, with methods and priorities shaped through collaboration and BLM input, rather than the recipient acting entirely independently.

What kinds of outcomes is BLM trying to achieve through this grant?

The grant is positioned as a targeted partnership tool for on-the-ground weed inventory, treatment, and follow-up monitoring to protect ecosystem function and sustain multiple uses on public lands.