F25AS00284 Butte Creek - Sutter Bypass Weir 1 Design and Permit

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a funding opportunity titled Butte Creek - Sutter Bypass Weir 1 Design and Permit under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act. This initiative focuses on addressing a significant barrier in Butte Creek, a key tributary of the Sacramento River that provides habitat for federally and state-listed spring-run Chinook salmon. The Butte Creek Sutter Bypass West Borrow Canal Weir #1 is an outdated structure that no longer functions as intended and instead creates obstructions to adult and juvenile fish migration. The project seeks to design and permit the removal of portions of the existing weir and fish ladder, followed by the construction of a rock ramp that will allow fish passage while maintaining necessary water surface elevations. The purpose of this program is to ensure reliable passage for salmonids and other native fish species such as steelhead and Pacific lamprey by modifying or removing obsolete infrastructure that hinders migration. The work will entail preparing detailed engineering designs, obtaining all necessary permits, developing cost estimates, and identifying long-term operation and maintenance requirements. Applicants will also need to facilitate coordination with a Technical Advisory Committee that includes representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Water Resources, and NOAA Fisheries. The program places strong emphasis on hydrological modeling, fish passage engineering, and aquatic habitat mapping expertise. Funding for this opportunity is available through a single award estimated at $800,000. The award ceiling matches the total program funding, and cost-sharing is not required. The project will be funded as a federal grant and must adhere to federal financial regulations, including the use of American-manufactured construction materials where applicable. Indirect costs may be charged in accordance with federal guidelines. Applications must include standard federal forms such as SF-424, SF-424A for non-construction programs, and SF-LLL for lobbying disclosures if applicable. Applicants must also provide a project abstract, narrative, budget narrative, and supporting documentation. Eligibility for this program is broad and unrestricted, meaning it is open to most types of entities including nonprofits, institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, businesses, and state and local governments. Applicants must not appear in the federal exclusions database maintained at SAM.gov. All applicants except individuals must be registered in SAM.gov and GrantSolutions.gov prior to submission. Applications must be submitted electronically via GrantSolutions by November 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The review process will include an initial eligibility screening, followed by merit review conducted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and external experts. Review criteria include demonstrated expertise in hydrology, fish passage engineering, geomorphology, and experience with anadromous salmonid restoration projects in California. Applicants will also be assessed for the clarity of project goals, budget reasonableness, and efficiency. Risk review will be conducted to assess financial management capabilities, past performance, and compliance history. The anticipated start date for the funded project is December 1, 2025, with an end date of May 31, 2027. Notices of award will be issued electronically via GrantSolutions, and award terms and reporting requirements will follow the Department of the Interior’s general conditions. Recipients will be expected to provide both financial and program performance reports and comply with federal transparency and integrity reporting standards. The program contact for this opportunity is Andrew Trent, Habitat Restoration Coordinator, who can be reached at Andrew_trent@fws.gov or by phone at 530-567-1049.

Applicants should register early in SAM.gov and GrantSolutions, demonstrate technical expertise, and provide clear evaluation plans