Opportunity Information: Apply for F23AS00539
The Hydrilla Early Detection, Surveillance, and Response in the Connecticut River grant (Funding Opportunity Number F23AS00539) is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) focused on addressing infestations of hydrilla in the Connecticut River watershed. The funding comes from FY2023 congressional appropriations that were specifically set aside to manage and improve understanding of submerged aquatic invasive plants, with particular emphasis on hydrilla, milfoil, and elodea. Within that broader appropriation, the USFWS Northeast Region is administering a total pool of $250,000, and is inviting proposals aimed directly at hydrilla issues in the Connecticut River system.
The opportunity is framed around the growing concern over hydrilla, an aggressive submerged invasive plant that can spread quickly and disrupt aquatic ecosystems, recreation, and water uses. Hydrilla was first detected in the Connecticut River in 2016, and the river itself is a major New England waterway running from near the Canadian border through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut before draining into Long Island Sound. With 38 main tributaries, the watershed creates many pathways for hydrilla to move into connected rivers, backwaters, and inland waters, which is why the program emphasizes both river-wide coverage and attention to tributaries and nearby waterbodies.
USFWS is looking for projects that align with several priority goals. A central theme is prevention: stopping hydrilla from spreading farther into inland and tributary waters connected to the Connecticut River. Another major emphasis is expanding surveillance, both within the main stem of the Connecticut River and outward into tributaries and nearby waters that could serve as new introduction points. Closely tied to that is early detection surveillance, meaning structured efforts to find new or small infestations quickly, before they become established and more expensive or difficult to control.
The grant also prioritizes rapid response capacity, specifically supporting control and eradication efforts when new infestations are discovered. In practice, this can include actions that allow agencies to move quickly from detection to treatment or containment while an infestation is still localized. For areas where hydrilla is already established, the program supports management and containment efforts designed to limit further expansion, reduce impacts, and keep populations from seeding new satellite infestations elsewhere in the watershed. Beyond field operations, the opportunity highlights the importance of education and outreach intended to improve awareness and change behavior among water users. This reflects the reality that aquatic invasive species often spread through human activity, such as movement of boats, trailers, fishing gear, and other equipment between waterbodies, so outreach can be a practical part of prevention.
Eligibility is limited to state governments, and the funding instrument is a grant under a natural resources assistance category (CFDA 15.608). The notice lists an award ceiling of $150,000. The posting indicates an original closing date of 2024-05-25 and a creation date of 2024-04-25. Overall, the program is designed to help states take coordinated, proactive steps to monitor, contain, and respond to hydrilla in one of the region’s most significant river systems, combining on-the-water surveillance and response work with public-facing prevention efforts to slow or stop further spread.Apply for F23AS00539
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Hydrilla Early Detection, Surveillance, and Response in the Connecticut River" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-25. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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FAQs: Hydrilla Early Detection, Surveillance, and Response in the Connecticut River (F23AS00539)
What is the Hydrilla Early Detection, Surveillance, and Response in the Connecticut River grant?
It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) focused on addressing infestations of hydrilla in the Connecticut River watershed through prevention, surveillance/early detection, rapid response, and management/containment activities.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F23AS00539.
Which federal agency is offering and administering this opportunity?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Within USFWS, the Northeast Region is administering the funding pool described in the notice.
What problem is this grant intended to address?
The program targets hydrilla, an aggressive submerged aquatic invasive plant that can spread quickly and disrupt aquatic ecosystems, recreation, and water uses. Hydrilla was first detected in the Connecticut River in 2016, creating concern about spread across the river system, tributaries, connected backwaters, and nearby inland waters.
What geographic area is the focus of the grant?
The focus is the Connecticut River watershed, including the main stem of the Connecticut River as well as tributaries and nearby/connected waterbodies that could serve as pathways for hydrilla spread or new introduction points.
Which states does the Connecticut River run through, as described in the notice?
The Connecticut River runs from near the Canadian border through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and drains into Long Island Sound.
Why does the opportunity emphasize tributaries and connected waters?
The watershed includes 38 main tributaries, creating many pathways for hydrilla to move into connected rivers, backwaters, and inland waters. The program therefore emphasizes both river-wide coverage and attention to tributaries and nearby waterbodies.
What are the main funding priorities or goals of this program?
The notice emphasizes several priority goals: prevention of further spread into inland and tributary waters; expanded surveillance across the main stem and outward into tributaries and nearby waters; early detection surveillance to find new or small infestations quickly; rapid response capacity to control or eradicate new discoveries; management and containment in areas where hydrilla is already established; and education/outreach to reduce human-assisted spread.
What does the grant mean by prevention?
Prevention is centered on stopping hydrilla from spreading farther into inland waters and tributaries connected to the Connecticut River system.
What does the grant mean by surveillance and early detection?
Surveillance includes expanded monitoring within the main stem of the Connecticut River and in tributaries and nearby waters that could be introduction points. Early detection refers to structured efforts to find new or small infestations quickly, before they become established and more expensive or difficult to control.
What types of activities fall under rapid response?
Rapid response refers to supporting control and eradication efforts when new infestations are discovered, including actions that help agencies move quickly from detection to treatment or containment while an infestation is still localized.
Are projects allowed to address areas where hydrilla is already established?
Yes. The program supports management and containment efforts in areas where hydrilla is already established, with the aim of limiting further expansion, reducing impacts, and preventing established populations from seeding new satellite infestations elsewhere in the watershed.
Does the opportunity support education and outreach?
Yes. The notice highlights education and outreach to improve awareness and change behavior among water users, reflecting that aquatic invasive species often spread through human activity such as moving boats, trailers, fishing gear, and other equipment between waterbodies.
What is the total amount of funding available in the pool described?
The USFWS Northeast Region is administering a total pool of $250,000 for proposals aimed directly at hydrilla issues in the Connecticut River system.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed in the notice?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $150,000.
What is the source of the funding for this grant?
The funding comes from FY2023 congressional appropriations that were specifically set aside to manage and improve understanding of submerged aquatic invasive plants, with particular emphasis on hydrilla, milfoil, and elodea.
Is this a discretionary or formula grant?
This is described as a discretionary federal grant.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state governments.
What is the funding instrument used for awards?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the assistance listing or CFDA number associated with this program?
The notice lists CFDA 15.608 under a natural resources assistance category.
When was the opportunity posted and what was the closing date shown?
The posting indicates a creation date of 2024-04-25 and an original closing date of 2024-05-25.
What kinds of impacts is hydrilla associated with in this opportunity?
The notice describes hydrilla as disruptive to aquatic ecosystems, recreation, and water uses, and emphasizes the risk of rapid spread across connected waterways.
Why is the Connecticut River considered a high-priority system for this work?
The river is described as a major New England waterway with many tributaries and connected waters, which increases opportunities for hydrilla to move and become established in new locations. That connectivity is a key reason for emphasizing watershed-scale surveillance and response.
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