Lake Mead/las Vegas Wash Program (15.540)

Program

15.540 Lake Mead/las Vegas Wash Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of the Interior
Office: Bureau of Reclamation

Authorization

Water Resources Development Act of 2000 and Energy and Water Appropriation Acts., Public Law 106-541; Soil Moisture Conservation Act of 1935, Public Law 74-46.

Program Number

15.540

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

The objective of this program is to develop and implement management strategies for the Las Vegas Wash to improve water quality, habitat integrity, and reduce the salinity and sediment transport while providing environmental enhancement and recreational opportunities.

Types of Assistance

Project Grants

Uses and Use Restrictions

The Secretary of Interior shall continue to participate in implementation of the Project.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The Secretary of the Interior shall continue to participate in implementation of the Project at Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead in accordance with the Comprehensive Adaptive Management Plan (Plan): Provided, that issuance of any such grants shall not modify the cost sharing requirements provided in section 529(b) of Public Law 106-541.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and the General Public.

Credentials/Documentation

No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. A Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Projects, Standard Form 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Projects, Standard Form 424C, Budget for Information for Construction Projects, Standard Form 424D, Assurance for Construction Projects, Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, and written proposals should be submitted via hard-copy, directly to the Program Manager and include: a title, background, objectives, performance schedule, points of contact, most current audit and indirect cost documentation, corrective action plan if needed, any other documentation that is directly associated with the Projects. Funding is authorized, mandatory, so posting on grants.gov is not necessary. This is a cost share program.

Award Procedure

For grant agreements awarded as a component of the eligible beneficiary (SNWA) and project, approved by the Secretary of the Interior, and funded under Public Law 106-541 and subsequent amendments, all Federal rules, regulations, and agency specific guidelines for awarded procedures will be followed.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after receipt of the application forms and proposal submissions, and relies on the passing of a fiscal year appropriations bill for the availability of authorized funds.

Appeals

None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, upon request, the Bureau of Reclamation will provide applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected for award.

Renewals

When renewals or extensions are applicable, continuation of funding for these activities is at the discretion of Congress and will be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The SNWA must submit written requests for renewals or extensions director to the Program Manager for approval, at least 45 days prior to the expiration of the specific project agreement. Once the term of the project is expired, no renewal or extension will be approved, due to non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the specific projects agreement.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: In accordance with Section 529(b) of Public Law 106-541, the cost share for the SNWA is 35 percent, Reclamation's is 75 percent, and the authorized appropriated amount is limited to a ceiling of $20,000,000.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

There are no specific restrictions for these projects; however, most of the projects are awarded for a 1 to 3 year period and funded on a year-by-year basis. No projects exceed a 5 year period. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Information not available.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Performance reports are required and are prescribed within the terms and conditions of the financial assistance award. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Post-award reporting requirements are prescribed within the terms and conditions of the financial assistance award utilizing Standard Form 425 Federal Financial Report and Standard Form 270 Request for Advance or Reimbursement. Generally reports are due on a quarterly basis, due not later than 30 days after the quarter ends, and final reports are due no later than 90 days following the termination or expiration of the agreement period. Reimbursements are submitted on a regular basis and usually accompany the quarterly or final reports. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

State, local and Indian Tribal governments shall maintain project records in accordance with 43 CFR 12.82. All other recipients shall maintain project records in accordance with 43 CFR.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: 11 of 22 grade control structures have been built. Four were constructed by Reclamation. The structures along with bank stabilization activities, vegetation efforts, scientific studies, and biological restoration activities help to support the fulfilling of the 44 action items identified in the Plan for the long-term management of the LVW. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-0680-0-1-301.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $2,342,573; FY 09 est $900,000; FY 10 est $0

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range is $25,000 to $300,000; Average $1,621,287.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Regulations 43 Part 12 and the OMB Circulars. These documents may be obtained by contacting the Reclamation Office listed below.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Bureau of Reclamation, Resources Management Office, P.O. Box 61470, Boulder City, Nevada 89006. Telephone (702)293-8501. LC 2721.

Headquarters Office

Director Bureau of Reclamation, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20240 Phone: (202)208-3100

Web Site Address

http://None.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Las Vegas Walsh projects have been awarded under this program since fiscal year 2000 and have included the following: conversation education initiatives; residential irrigation retrofit study; water smart calendars; efficient construction site water uses studies; restoration phases; Lake Mead Razorback studies; botanical inventories; diversity and distribution of bats in the Clark Count Wetlands Park; historical research and investigations on Euro-American sites in the Clark County Wetlands Park; native plant materials for revegetation; bioassesment monitoring plan; water quality analysis; archaeological studies and collection; wetlands enhancement; invasive plant and weed management/removal; biological resource studies and monitoring; landscape designs at revegetation sites; plant and animal field guide; avian monitoring phases; Henderson demonstration pond water quality analysis; tributary water quality improvement demonstration; revegetation site maintenance/monitoring with the Nevada Division of forestry for site protection and controlled burns; bank stabilization; fish and wildlife management plan; security enforcement for safety of personnel working, vandalism, vagrancy, illegal activities; loitering/dumping, etc.; development of recreational areas and activity opportunities; and ecological enhancement studies. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee has decided that the SNWA will be the lead agency for receiving funding for this program due to the high costs and types of environmental improvement and enhancement, and ability to maintain restoration projects. The Las Vegas Wash Program plays an important role in environmental and water resource issues in Southern Nevada. Historically, the Las Vegas was an ephemeral stream carrying storm flows from the Las Vegas Valley to Lake Mead and the Colorado River. Urban development over the past 60 years has resulted in the formation of the wetlands that helped remove nutrients from these wastewater flows. As the rate of discharges increased, erosion also increased, gradually destroying the existing natural treatment systems and wildlife habitat and creating a large delta in the Las Vegas Bay of Lake Mead. Accelerating erosion, declining water quality, and loss habitat are some of the more pressing issues. Proposals submitted will be reviewed and awarded based on priority fulfillment of the 44 action items identified in the Plan and the availability of funding appropriations.