MT (BLM) Invasive and Noxious Plant Management | L19AS00011

FAQs: MT (BLM) Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Grant (Opportunity L19AS00011)

What is the MT (BLM) Invasive and Noxious Plant Management grant?

It is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funding opportunity focused on protecting ecosystem health on public lands in Montana by preventing and reducing the spread of invasive plants and state-designated noxious weeds.

What problem is this program trying to solve?

The program targets the rapid expansion of weeds that can outcompete native vegetation, permanently alter plant communities, and degrade the ecological functions that public lands are meant to support. BLM describes invasive and noxious plants as a major driver of long-term damage to native habitats, with high public costs for control and management and ripple effects across wildlife habitat, watershed function, recreation, working landscapes, and local economies.

Why does BLM emphasize invasive and noxious plants as a public concern?

Because their impacts extend beyond individual sites and across jurisdictional boundaries. The spread affects farms and ranches, parks, forests, natural areas, and residential settings, can move onto adjacent private lands, and can cause economic losses (especially for agriculture and other land-based industries). The opportunity also notes that noxious weeds are legally designated by states as harmful to public health, the environment, or the economy, which reinforces control as a public-interest responsibility.

Does this opportunity focus only on public lands?

The stewardship mission centers on BLM-managed public lands in Montana, but the opportunity stresses cross-boundary realities: weeds move across jurisdictions and can impact neighboring private lands and other ownerships. The program intends to support coordinated, cross-boundary weed management with partner organizations.

What kinds of activities can be funded?

Projects can include coordinated treatments to remove existing infestations, rapid response to new invasions, systematic inventories and mapping, long-term monitoring, prevention actions, and education and outreach designed to reduce future introductions and spread.

What is meant by "coordinated, cross-boundary weed management"?

It refers to collaborative weed management that improves efficiency across multiple jurisdictions, recognizing that invasive plants and noxious weeds move across property and administrative boundaries.

How does wildfire and disturbance relate to this grant?

The opportunity highlights that disturbed sites are more vulnerable to invasion, especially areas affected by more frequent wildfires and other disruptions, where weeds often gain a foothold quickly. The program connects weed management to improving post-disturbance resilience and reducing risks where invasive plants can exacerbate fire cycles.

What is the expected management approach for weed control under this program?

The grant emphasizes an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. Applicants are expected to select the most effective mix of control tools based on the weed species, site conditions, and management goals.

What control methods are mentioned as examples within the IPM approach?

The notice mentions targeted herbicide application, grazing strategies, and mechanical removal. When chemical treatment is used, it emphasizes selecting the most effective and targeted herbicide.

Is monitoring required, or is treatment alone enough?

Treatment alone is not enough. The program stresses monitoring, including post-application monitoring to evaluate herbicide effectiveness and overall treatment success. It also emphasizes using monitoring results to adjust strategies over time through adaptive management.

Does the program support restoration after weed treatment?

Yes. The opportunity stresses stabilization, rehabilitation, and restoration of disturbed areas to prevent reinfestation and to reestablish functional native plant communities.

What are the strategic goals projects are expected to address?

BLM lists goals including: inventorying and documenting weed locations; prioritizing undesirable plant species (or groups of species) within defined geographic areas; implementing treatment and containment actions; monitoring and evaluating weed control and site rehabilitation efforts; and using results to inform future management.

How important are education and outreach components?

They are strongly emphasized. The program calls for developing and sharing education and outreach materials, promoting public engagement and learning opportunities, and supporting events or products that help communities understand prevention and responsible land use practices.

Is there a public benefit requirement?

Yes. A key requirement is that every proposed project must clearly state a benefit to the public, reflecting the public stewardship mission of BLM-managed lands.

Which Department of the Interior priorities are referenced in the opportunity?

The notice explicitly links project outcomes to Secretarial Order 3347 (Conservation Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation) and Secretarial Order 3372 (Reducing Wildfire Risks through Active Management).

What type of funding opportunity is this (discretionary or mandatory)?

It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management.

What is the funding instrument for awards under this program?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning BLM anticipates substantial involvement or collaboration during the project.

What is the opportunity number and CFDA listing?

The opportunity number is L19AS00011. It falls under CFDA 15.230 (Natural Resources).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full notice.

What was the application timeline for this opportunity?

The opportunity opened April 24, 2019 and closed June 22, 2019 at 4:30 PM Eastern. It offered two application rounds: Round One due May 23, 2019 and Round Two due June 22, 2019.

What was the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling was $200,000.

About how many awards were expected?

The opportunity anticipated about 15 awards.

What compliance and planning requirements are referenced for funded projects?

Projects are expected to align with federal planning and vegetation management requirements and guidance, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and relevant BLM policies and manuals.

Which BLM guidance documents are specifically referenced?

The notice points to NEPA guidance including BLM Handbook 1790-1, the Integrated Weed Management Manual (IWM-9015), and the Integrated Vegetative Management Handbook (BH-1740) as core references influencing project design, review, and implementation.

How does BLM describe the broader impacts of invasive and noxious weeds?

BLM describes wide ripple effects across wildlife habitat, watershed function, outdoor recreation values, working landscapes, and local economies, along with significant public costs for control and management.

What factors does the notice highlight as drivers of invasive spread?

The program highlights human activity (trade, travel, tourism) as accelerating movement of invasive species. It also notes that disturbed areas, including those affected by wildfire, are especially vulnerable to invasion.