Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Education and Outreach | BOR PN 19 N013

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR PN 19 N013

The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Education and Outreach grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BOR PN 19 N013) is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, focused on strengthening Oregon's efforts to prevent and detect aquatic invasive species, with a particular emphasis on quagga and zebra mussels. It falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.517) and was posted on May 9, 2019, with an original closing date of May 24, 2019. The program anticipated making one award, with a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $92,000.

The proposal centers on the Oregon Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program (AISPP), which has operated since 2010. Historically, AISPP has been funded primarily through sales of an AIS permit, bringing in roughly $700,000 per year on average. Most of that revenue is consumed by staffing and supplies needed to run six watercraft inspection stations located at key entry points into Oregon. Because those inspection operations take up the bulk of the budget, AISPP has had limited capacity to invest in public-facing education and outreach materials, even though compliance and public awareness are critical to preventing new infestations.

A major component of the funded work is expanded outreach and education built around the "Clean, Drain, Dry" message, a widely used prevention framework aimed at reducing the risk of transporting invasive species between waterbodies on boats, trailers, and gear. The grant would support purchasing practical, branded educational items meant to reinforce behavior change and keep the message in front of recreationists. Examples listed include chamois-style towels, "Keep Oregon Quagga and Zebra Mussel Free" magnets, whistles with messaging, and related outreach materials designed to be distributed to boaters and other water users.

The opportunity also includes a roadside billboard campaign intended to improve inspection-station stopping compliance and increase general awareness of the inspection requirement. AISPP planned to place billboards near two high-importance inspection locations: the Brookings inspection station and the I-5 Ashland inspection station. The signs would feature the "Clean, Drain, Dry" message and images of multiple types of watercraft, including motorized and non-motorized craft, to make it clear that the stop requirement applies broadly and to prompt drivers to comply as they approach stations.

In addition to highway outreach, the project proposes producing and distributing 30-second informational segments for movie theaters in multiple Oregon communities, including Portland, Salem, Bend, Wilsonville, Corvallis, White City, Klamath Falls, Lincoln City, and Astoria. These short theater spots would promote "Clean, Drain, Dry" and explain watercraft inspection expectations, using a high-visibility venue to reach recreational audiences who may be boaters themselves or influence household recreation choices. The intent is to normalize prevention behaviors and reduce unintentional spread by increasing baseline understanding of what inspections are for and what boaters are expected to do.

Finally, the grant addresses early detection capacity by investing in specialized training to enhance monitoring for quagga and zebra mussels. The project would send senior staff for advanced instruction at Aquaticus LLC in Chiefland, Florida. The training is described as a two-day course focused on identifying Dreissena veligers (the microscopic larval stage of quagga and zebra mussels), distinguishing them from similar organisms such as Corbicula straight-hinge juveniles and ostracods, and using digital imagery to support identification across multiple bivalve species. The training also includes ongoing species identification support, which is important because early detection work often depends on consistently accurate lab-based identification and quick confirmation when potential detections occur.

Overall, this opportunity is designed to complement Oregon's inspection-station operations by filling two gaps that inspection budgets often struggle to cover: sustained, targeted public outreach that increases compliance and awareness, and upgraded technical capacity for early detection monitoring. The combined approach reflects a prevention strategy that tries to stop invasives at the border through inspections, reduce risky behavior through education, and improve the odds of catching any introduction early enough to respond before a mussel population becomes established.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Education and Outreach" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.517.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 09, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 24, 2019. (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 $92,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for BOR PN 19 N013

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