Central Socorro Bosque Restoration Project | BOR UC 18 N016

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR UC 18 N016

The Central Socorro Bosque Restoration Project is a Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) cooperative agreement opportunity focused on on-the-ground restoration and fuels reduction in the Rio Grande Bosque near Socorro, New Mexico. The work targets bosque stands primarily located between the Socorro North Flood Control Feature and the Brown Arroyo Outflow. The project is designed to reduce wildfire risk by cutting and treating dense invasive vegetation while also improving habitat conditions for sensitive wildlife, with particular emphasis on supporting the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the threatened Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, along with other species that rely on the Middle Rio Grande flyway.

This effort is structured as a joint initiative between New Mexico State Forestry and the BOR. New Mexico State Forestry has been implementing restoration and fuels reduction using state funding, including funds appropriated by the 2017 New Mexico State Legislature. The BOR role includes issuing land use permits and providing environmental consultation and technical assistance to support compliant, science-based implementation. In practical terms, the funded work supports coordinated field operations, use of crews and equipment, and follow-through treatments needed to make vegetation removal and habitat improvement stick over time.

The core ecological goal is to remove and control invasive and undesirable woody species that have altered bosque structure, increased fuel loading, and reduced native habitat quality. The primary target species are Tamarisk (salt cedar) and Russian olive, with additional removal of elm species, mulberry, and tree-of-heaven where present as seedlings, saplings, or mature trees. Because these invasives commonly resprout or re-establish after cutting, the project is explicitly built around mechanical removal paired with herbicide application and a required follow-up treatment within six months to improve effectiveness and limit regrowth.

Implementation is organized around three distinct treatment methods, chosen based on site conditions and operational needs. The first method uses chainsaws and hand crews to mechanically remove target vegetation, followed by an initial herbicide treatment and then a follow-up herbicide treatment within six months. The second method uses mechanical masticators to remove target species, again followed by an initial herbicide treatment and a follow-up treatment within six months. The third method uses track hoes equipped with hydraulic thumbs to "pluck and pile" the target vegetation, followed by the same sequence of initial and follow-up herbicide treatments. Together, these methods allow the project to address a range of stand densities and access constraints while meeting fuels reduction and habitat objectives.

After initial removal and the first herbicide application, the project includes active re-vegetation where conditions support successful establishment. Planting efforts focus on native species that are characteristic of healthy Rio Grande bosque systems, including cottonwood and willow poles, as well as native shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Planting locations are to be selected based on practical site suitability factors such as soil type, access to groundwater (including water table depth), and the depth of slash or masticated material that could affect planting success. This replanting component is intended to accelerate recovery of native structure and function, improve habitat for target bird species, and reduce the likelihood that invasives reclaim treated areas.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, indicating that the federal agency expects to remain substantively involved during the period of performance (for example, through technical guidance, coordination, or oversight). Eligibility is limited to state governments, aligning with the described partnership and the role of New Mexico State Forestry as the implementing entity. The opportunity was posted under Funding Opportunity Number BOR UC 18 N016, with an expected single award and an award ceiling of $50,000. The original posting dates list a creation date of September 7, 2018 and an original closing date of September 21, 2018.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Central Socorro Bosque Restoration Project" 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 Sep 07, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 21, 2018. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

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