Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G23AS00305

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary cooperative agreement issued through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. It supports spatial research products that help analyze habitat use and movement patterns of invasive Black Carp in major Midwestern rivers.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The purpose is to strengthen scientific understanding of where invasive Black Carp are likely to occur and how they move through large river systems. The project does this by improving the spatial and bathymetric mapping foundation needed to interpret telemetry (tag-tracking) data in a habitat context.

Which organization is leading the related field and telemetry work?

The opportunity is designed to complement ongoing field and telemetry work led by the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center.

Why is USGS focusing on Black Carp?

Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) are rapidly expanding within the Mississippi River basin and are considered a threat to native mollusks. They have a specialized crushing adaptation in their pharyngeal apparatus that enables them to consume thick-shelled mollusk prey, which raises concern for native mussels and other molluscan species already stressed by habitat alteration and other invasive species.

What rivers are included in the study area?

The work focuses on defined mainstem portions of the Mississippi River, Missouri River, and Illinois River.

What types of spatial work are being funded?

The technical focus is bathymetric mapping and development of a seamless spatial layer across the study area. The funded work is intended to compile or generate riverbed elevation/depth information and integrate it into a consistent, analysis-ready geospatial dataset.

What does "bathymetric mapping" mean in this project?

In this context, bathymetric mapping means creating or compiling information about riverbed depth/elevation (the shape of the river bottom) and producing it in a usable spatial format for the specified river mainstems.

What does "seamless spatial layer" mean?

A seamless spatial layer is a consistent geospatial dataset covering the defined river mainstems without gaps or mismatched formats, so it can be used across the full study area for analysis.

Are engineered river structures part of the mapping and analysis?

Yes. In addition to bathymetry, the project calls for associated spatial metrics describing proximity to wing dikes and other engineered river control structures.

Why are wing dikes and other engineered structures important for this work?

These structures can shape flow patterns, create scour holes and deposition zones, and influence habitat conditions. Because they may attract fish or channel movement, proximity metrics can help explain observed carp distribution and movement patterns in telemetry data.

What is the intended end use of the deliverables?

The deliverables are meant to be paired with Black Carp telemetry observations for statistical spatial ecology analysis. The overall intent is to improve risk assessment and management decisions related to the species' spread and impacts.

Is the deliverable only a map?

No. The opportunity describes deliverables as analysis-ready layers and derived measures (for example, bathymetry plus structure-proximity metrics) that can be combined with telemetry locations for habitat-use and movement analyses.

How does this project connect to telemetry tagging work?

USGS is tracking Black Carp with telemetry tags and relocating tagged individuals to observe habitat use and seasonal movement patterns throughout the year. The grant-funded spatial layers provide the depth, channel structure, and engineered-feature context needed to analyze those telemetry locations.

What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement under the CESU Program.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be active participating partners in the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).

Is this opportunity open to organizations outside the Great Rivers CESU network?

No. The eligibility constraint stated is that applicants must be active participating partners in the Great Rivers CESU.

How many awards are expected?

The opportunity anticipates a single award.

What is the maximum funding amount?

The award ceiling is $32,000.

What is the assistance listing / CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under USGS assistance with CFDA number 15.808.

What are the official identifiers for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G23AS00305. The title is "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit."

What category is this opportunity filed under?

It is categorized within Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

When was the opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on March 15, 2023, and the original closing date was April 17, 2023.

What broader management or conservation outcome is this project trying to support?

By improving habitat mapping and spatial context for telemetry analyses, the project supports better understanding of Black Carp occurrence and movement, which in turn is intended to inform risk assessment and management decisions related to the species' spread and impacts in large Midwestern river systems.