Watershed Planning Capacity in Montana | USDA NRCS MT MULTI 21 NOFO0001063

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS MT MULTI 21 NOFO0001063

The Watershed Planning Capacity in Montana opportunity is a discretionary federal funding notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montana (NRCS-MT). It is designed to bring in a qualified outside entity to expand NRCS-MT's capacity to plan and prepare agricultural water management watershed projects across the state. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the recipient would be expected to work closely with NRCS-MT rather than operating entirely independently. The overall purpose is to develop implementation-ready watershed plans and supporting documentation that can later compete for or unlock construction and on-the-ground conservation funding through major USDA and watershed authorities.

The core deliverable is the completion of up to four Watershed Plans that include the environmental documentation required under NEPA, specifically in the form of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and/or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), depending on project needs and impacts. These plans are intended to position future projects to seek implementation funds under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL-566), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). In practical terms, the funded partner is being asked to help move projects from early concepts to well-supported, compliant, decision-ready packages that can be advanced into funding and construction phases.

Beyond producing the plans themselves, NRCS-MT also wants the selected entity to support irrigation districts and other qualifying irrigation organizations in Montana with the administrative and technical groundwork needed to prepare projects for implementation. This includes coordination and consultation with state and federal agencies, assistance with contracting-related needs, and help with billing and reporting processes. The scope is broad and is meant to reduce bottlenecks that often slow down irrigation modernization and watershed investments, especially where multiple agencies, stakeholders, and compliance requirements must be aligned.

The notice emphasizes a wide range of technical and programmatic services that may be required throughout the planning process. These include economic support and analysis, engineering and hydrology assessments, stakeholder engagement, and data collection and analysis. It also calls for comprehensive irrigation system modernization planning, NEPA compliance support, public communications, printing and web publication services, and overall program and project management. Importantly, the partner is also expected to establish, compile, and deliver a complete project record file (administrative record), meaning an organized set of documents that captures what information was considered, how decisions were made, and what the final decision was. This is a critical requirement for NEPA defensibility and for maintaining transparency and continuity as projects move toward implementation.

All Watershed Plan EA/EIS work must follow specific federal and NRCS guidance, including the Principles and Requirements for Federal Investments in Water Resources (including both the Principles and the Interagency Guidelines), the related analysis guidance (DM 9500-013), and applicable CEQ and NRCS NEPA regulations and guidance. The work also must align with NRCS's National Watershed Program Manual and National Watershed Program Handbook. This signals that NRCS is looking for applicants with demonstrated experience in federal water resources planning frameworks, environmental review processes, and the documentation standards expected for federally supported watershed projects.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education. The CFDA/program references tied to the notice reflect NRCS conservation assistance authorities and programs that relate to the kinds of projects likely to be planned, including Conservation Technical Assistance (10.902), EQIP (10.912), CSP (10.924), ACEP (10.931), and CRP (10.069). The opportunity anticipates making one award, suggesting a single organization may be selected to cover statewide planning capacity and deliver the set of watershed planning products and associated services.

Funding levels are substantial. The federal share per agreement is expected to range from a floor of $500,000 to a ceiling of $5,000,000, with those figures applying to the total agreement amount rather than to a single year or budget period. Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov, and the deadline specified was 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 8, 2021. Questions about the opportunity were directed to michele.devaney@usda.gov (with the funding opportunity number in the subject line) by March 22, 2021, with NRCS intending to post a Q&A summary around March 26, 2021. NRCS projected an anticipated selection date of May 17, 2021 and an anticipated agreement execution date of June 30, 2021. The notice also highlights publicly available Grants 101 training as a recommended resource for applicants who need a stronger grounding in federal financial assistance rules, compliance expectations, and administrative requirements.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Watershed Planning Capacity in Montana" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 08, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 08, 2021 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time on April 8, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA NRCS MT MULTI 21 NOFO0001063

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