BLM-(MT/Dks)- Documentation for improved Paleontology Resource Management | L17AS00217

Opportunity Information: Apply for L17AS00217

The grant opportunity titled "BLM-(MT/Dks)- Documentation for improved Paleontology Resource Management" is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cooperative agreement intended to strengthen how paleontological resources (fossils and related geologic context) are identified, documented, monitored, and managed on BLM-administered lands in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The work is rooted in BLM's responsibility to manage paleontological resources using scientific principles and professional expertise, and it directly supports requirements under the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA), which calls for agencies to develop plans and practices for inventory, monitoring, and appropriate scientific and educational use of these resources.

The core purpose is to establish a partner relationship that can flexibly support a range of paleontology resource management needs over the life of the agreement. Rather than funding a single narrow task, the BLM anticipates "many and varied" projects that help the agency meet on-the-ground resource stewardship goals while also expanding educational and outreach value to the public. Activities may be periodic or miscellaneous in nature, meaning the partner should be prepared for field- and office-based work that occurs as needs arise, including contributing data products and recommendations that can be used in BLM planning and decision-making.

The opportunity outlines several representative project types. One major category is survey and inventory work across BLM lands, including special designation areas such as National Land Conservation System (NLCS) units and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). This kind of work generally involves systematically locating fossil localities, documenting site characteristics, assessing condition and threats, and recording contextual geologic information so BLM can make informed management decisions and prioritize protection, research, and interpretation. A second category is geologic mapping or map-related analysis that supports development and refinement of the Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) system, which is used to evaluate the likelihood of encountering significant paleontological resources in different geologic units and to guide planning, compliance, and mitigation. A third category focuses on education for youth and adults, including events such as National Fossil Day and opportunities that involve the public in field or laboratory experiences, reflecting the intent to connect stewardship activities with public-facing learning. The fourth category leaves room for additional projects that advance paleontology resource management, allowing the agreement to adapt to emerging needs, new discoveries, or priority areas identified by BLM.

The initial project specifically identified under this agreement is a survey of Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) across multiple BLM field office areas in Montana. The survey is intended to determine paleontological potential within these WSAs and to produce management recommendations based on findings. In practice, this means generating information BLM can use to understand what fossil resources may be present, where sensitive areas might be, what kinds of monitoring or protective measures may be appropriate, and how public use and scientific access can be balanced with conservation considerations. The initial WSA survey is also framed as an opportunity for the partner to incorporate outreach and education components so the project benefits both the partner organization and the broader public.

From a public benefit standpoint, the BLM emphasizes that the tools, information, and educational opportunities produced through the agreement will directly support better stewardship of fossils and will increase their value to science and the public. Deliverables such as inventories, monitoring information, PFYC-related mapping improvements, and interpretive or educational programming are meant to improve how resources are conserved and responsibly used, while also expanding access to learning and engagement tied to public lands.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, using a cooperative agreement instrument, which typically implies substantial involvement by the agency in coordinating the work. It falls under the Natural Resources activity category and CFDA number 15.224. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement. The opportunity anticipated a single award with an award ceiling of $21,000. Key dates listed in the source information include a creation date of July 17, 2017 and an original closing date of September 14, 2017.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM-(MT/Dks)- Documentation for improved Paleontology Resource Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.224.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 17, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 14, 2017. (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 $21,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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