CONSERVATION Native fish, wildlife and their habitat
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has over 11 billion dollars to invest in creating healthy natural areas that support our wildlife, recreation, and economy. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for conservation and communities in Oregon.
Video update by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife featuring Gov. Kate Brown provides background information on the long-standing project to rehabilitate the Wallowa Lake dam. View on YouTube.
ODFW IIJA Focal Areas
ODFW is focusing efforts in a few key places where additional funding is needed to get us over the finish line, achieving great outcomes for fish and wildlife and for Oregon’s communities. The six focal themes/areas include:
The department is currently developing implementation strategies for each of our focal areas. Keeping checking in for more information, and make sure to explore our vision for IIJA funding implementation! ODFW IIJA Focal Areas (pdf)
IIJA Grants Currently Open:
Bureau of Reclamation Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration funding opportunity
Focus: Funding will support the study, design and construction of collaboratively developed ecosystem restoration projects that provide widespread regional benefits and improve the health of fisheries, wildlife and aquatic habitat through restoration and improved fish passage
Application Period: March 14 – June 1, 2023
Funding: Study and design projects are eligible for $500,000 to $2 Million, and construction projects can receive between $3 million to $20 million
Eligible Applicants: States, Tribes, Irrigation Districts, and water districts or local authorities with water or power authority. Non-profit conservation organizations may apply in partnership with the Category A eligible applicants.
Apply: www.grants.gov by searching for opportunity number R23AS00106.
Focus: To conserve, connect and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife. Priority proposals will implement voluntary, large-scale, multi-state, on-the-ground conservation activities or otherwise lead to on-the-ground implementation through capacity building, community engagement, planning, and project design.
Application Period: Pre-Proposal due by April 20 (8:59 PST)
Awards: $200K - $5M ($116M total)
Eligible Applicants: Grant Category 1 & 2 (States, Tribes) and 3-5 (Non-profits, local governments, educational institutions, States, and Tribes)
Bureau of Reclamation Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity
Focus: restoration of river and stream habitats, watershed health and the surrounding environment that will lead to increased water availability for families, farmers and Tribes. The investment will repair aging water delivery systems, secure dams, complete rural water projects, and protect aquatic ecosystem.
Application Period: Applications are due by March 28, 2023, at 4 p.m. MDT
Funding: Funding is available for up to $3 million per project and up to a 25 to 50% non-federal cost share
Eligible Applicants: states, Tribes, irrigation districts and water districts; state, regional, or local authorities. Non-profit conservation organizations may apply in partnership with an agreement with one of the prior entities listed.
Apply: funding opportunity is available at grants.gov under opportunity number R23AS00089Grant Info: www.usbr.gov/watersmart. Bureau of Reclamation will host a webinar on Monday, February 6, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. MST to discuss eligible applicants and project types.
BLM Oregon/Washington Forest and Woodlands Resource Management
Focus: Activities that promote forest and woodland health, sustainable forest management, fire resiliency, biomass utilization for bioenergy, habitat conservation needs, and insect, disease, and fire recovery.
Focus: Activities that support maintaining or achieving land health and productivity, increasing carbon sequestration, and creating resilient landscapes.
Application Period: Dec. 14, 2022 – April 17, 2023
BLM Oregon/Washington Plant Conservation and Restoration Management
Focus: Increase the quantity, diversity, and effectiveness of native forbs and grasses for restoration of wildlife habitats and rehabilitation after wildfires.
NOAA Climate Program Office, Climate and Societal Interactions Division
Focus: To support collaborative research and community engagement projects that improve climate adaptation planning and action.
Application Period: Jan. 3 – March 29, 2023
Awards: $
Eligible Applicants: States, counties, cities, tribes, educational institutions, NGOs, commercial organization, with lead PIs being team members in current CAP/RISA teams.
DLCD/NOAA Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection & Restoration Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Competitive Grant: The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) will hold an initial informational zoom meeting on Thursday, February 9th at 9am to review basic information about applying for the Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection & Restoration Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Competitive Grant and to answer questions. Register for this informational zoom meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpfu6hpzorHd0sh95FlUJ_gmx_hYBVRcMZ
EPA Columbia River Basin Restoration Program - Toxic Reduction Lead Grant Webinar: The EPA hosted a webinar to provide information about the Columbia River Basin Restoration program, highlight changes, and review eligibility criteria, funding limits, and the match waiver. A recording of the webinar and slides from EPA's presentation are available upon request to ColumbiaRiverBasinGrant@epa.gov.
Upcoming IIJA Grants
DLCD/NOAA Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection & Restoration Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Competitive Grant
Anticipated Notice of Funding Opportunity: May 2023
Focus: To increase resilience through landscape-scale habitat restoration and land conservation/acquisition in coastal ecosystems nationwide and promote coastal resilience in underserved coastal communities, as well as those most vulnerable to climate impacts.
There is a lot we can all do to benefit both fish and wildlife, our communities, and our economy. Funds from the IIJA are a once in a lifetime opportunity to do the work but the time is short. We have just 5 years to make the most of this chance.
Apply for an IIJA grant directly or with partners, and bring vital funding into Oregon!
Communicate Oregon’s IIJA funding needs with federal agency partners
Provide support for IIJA funding in ODFW focal areas
Let us know if you receive any IIJA funding in Oregon
Where to find more information on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:
Build.gov: The White House website on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Where to find more information on IIJA funding opportunities:
Visit Grants.gov: for more information on IIJA grant opportunities, enter ‘Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’ in the keyword search. You can also subscribe to grant updates.
Click here to see a summary of the potential funding opportunities ODFW is following that relate to natural resources in Oregon. Please note that not all funding opportunities are included, and make sure to check back frequently as the information will be updated in real-time. Updated 06/29/22
4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE :: Salem, OR 97302 :: Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW [6339]
Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov
Share your opinion or comments on a Fish and Wildlife Commission issue at: odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov
Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? Contact 503-947-6042 or click here.
