Disaster Prevention and Relief Grants

Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) includes approximately 57,000 acres of coastal, estuarine and upland habitats along the east coast of central Florida. Major plant communities include pine flatwoods, hammock, beach dune, freshwater wetlands, beach dune, coastal strand, salt marsh and mangrove shrublands. Development within the boundary is largely restricted to public beach access facilities on the northern and southern ends of the park. The majority of Mosquito Lagoon and associated islands as well as the adjacent open waters of the Atlantic Ocean are included within the CANA boundary. Coastal uplands and wetlands within CANA support a wide variety of listed species. Beaches represent nationally important nesting habitat for marine turtles with more than 16,000 nests within CANA in 2023. Beach dune and coastal strand habitats also support populations of terrestrial species including southeastern beach mouse, gopher tortoise and eastern indigo snake. Salt marsh and mangrove habitats are utilized by organisms including Atlantic salt marsh snake, wading birds, eastern black rail and diamondback terrapin. CANA also protects a wide range of cultural resources that reflect human history in the area from 2000 BC to the early 20th century. In September 2022, Hurricane Ian impacted CANA, resulting in tidal flooding, substantial coastal erosion, widespread vegetation damage and structural modifications to coastal habitats. Subsequently, Hurricane Nicole also made landfall within CANA, compounding the effects of the Hurricane Ian. In addition to direct effects of the storms on natural resources, elevation loss within beach dune communities facilitated regular tidal flooding for several months. While impacts to resources have been generally characterized, detailed information on the majority of species and habitats within the Seashore has not been collected. The trajectory of the natural system, including plant communities and associated species, following these storms is not clearly understood. NPS natural resource managers are seeking proposals for studies and/or surveys of natural and cultural resources that lead to a better understanding of short and long term effects of the 2022 hurricane season on those resources. Successful proposals will seek to improve the understanding of natural resources that became and/or remain vulnerable to post storm conditions that are coupled with the development of implementable management recommendations/actions. The following topics are suggested focal areas. Proposals covering topics outside of these areas are also encouraged, provided the work will evaluate the effects of hurricanes on natural and/or cultural resources within Canaveral National Seashore. Proposals for all focal areas should demonstrate an expected link to implementable management actions. 1. Studies of direct and indirect storm effects on the life history of species of management concern 2. Studies of physical and structural changes to coastal plant communities and adjacent coastal wetlands 3. Studies of non-native species status and trends in storm impacted areas Specific elements of each of these topic areas are described below. These descriptions are provided as a guide to help identify issues and questions that can be addressed in submitted proposals. The geographic area of the proposed studies is the legislative boundary of Canaveral National Seashore. 1. Assessment of direct and indirect storm effects on the life history of species of management concern Storm surge, tidal flooding and wind impacts resulted in short and long term, direct and indirect impacts on a variety of coastal plant and animal species within CANA. Impacts may have resulted in an increase or decrease in occupiable habitats, changes in predation rates, foraging and reproductive habitats and other impacts to one or more life history periods for a variety of organisms. CANA seeks to understand the short- and long-term effects of these storms on species of management concern in order to direct management actions where they are most appropriate and most effective. Additionally, CANA seeks to support work that is expected to result in actionable management recommendations that can be implemented following these and future storms that will mitigate or improve post-storm conditions for species of management concern. Animal species of interest to CANA include southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris), eastern black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis) eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), Atlantic salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkia taeniata), eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius), Wilson’s plover (Charadrius wilsonia) and marine turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriacea and Lepidochelys kempii), Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana) and beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis media). Plant species of interest include Caribbean applecactus (Harrisia fragrans), beachstar (Cyperus pendunculatus) and Curtis’s hoarypea (Tephrosia angustissima var. curtissii). Specific topics of interest include the following: a. Comparison of pre- and post-hurricane distribution of one or more species of management concern that utilize hurricane impacted areas. b. Assessment of effects of hurricanes on life history stages of one or more species of management concern. c. Development of baseline distribution and population estimates of poorly known species in areas affected by hurricanes. 2. Studies of physical and structural changes to coastal upland plant communities and adjacent coastal wetlands Storm surge and associated sand movement resulted in changes in elevation across portions of the barrier island that separates Mosquito Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. Observed storm effects to the physical environment include dune erosion and loss, creation of dune escarpments, elevation loss from erosion and elevation gains from sand accretion. These effects will result in short and long term changes to local and regional hydrology, soil chemistry and ultimately plant community composition on small and large scales within CANA. Characterization of these changes and understanding how these changes will evolve in conjunction with other ongoing natural processes is of interest to CANA managers. Specific topics of interest include the following: a. Creation of detailed elevation profiles of areas affected by storm surge and other hurricane effects. b. Development of updated plant community maps and conducting comparison of pre- and post-storm plant community distribution in affected areas. c. Development of modelling or other predictive tools using remote sensing (LiDAR, satellite imagery, aerial imagery), including techniques that can be readily used by park managers to conduct comparable studies in the future. d. Developing data-based approaches to understanding the relationship of observed hurricane effects with recent and predicted sea level rise projections in the region. 3. Studies of non-native species status and trends in storm impacted areas Wind and storm surge effects appear to have resulted in mixed impacts to existing populations of invasive plant and animal species in CANA. For example, storm effects appear to have resulted in a significant reduction in cover of Brazilian peppertree in areas immediately adjacent to the shoreline, at least in the short term. Openings created by damage and mortality of native plant species and sand deposition have also created potential for invasion or expansion of existing and/or new invasive plant and insect species. Expansion of infestations of opportunistic invasive species such as crowfoot grass have been observed within CANA following the storms but it is unclear if these increases will be short or long lived and if the changes will have a meaningful or measurable effect on plant community recovery and native fauna utilization of the areas. Storm effects are also likely to have impacted existing populations of priority invasive animal species including feral swine and coyote, but it is unclear to what degree these species were affected. Little is understood about the effects of storms on invasive plant and animal species on islands within Mosquito Lagoon. Specific topics of interest include the following: a. Short and long term effects of storms to high priority invasive species that occur in affected areas. b. Species or plant community specific, effective and feasible rapid response recommendations to invasive organisms following current and future, similar storm events. c. Improving understanding of interactive effects of invasive species on native plant and animal populations in the affected areas. The primary objective of this funding program is to supplement the capacity of CANA to assess resource impacts resulting from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole and to develop and implement actionable plans for resource protection from hurricanes.

Climate change is driving the devastating intersection of extreme heat, drought, and wildland fire danger across the United States, creating wildfires that move with a speed and intensity previously unseen. This has created conditions in which wildfires overwhelm response capabilities, resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses, damage to natural resources, devastation to communities, and the tragic loss of human life. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted in November 2021, is bringing much-needed support to communities across the country to increase the resilience of lands facing the threat of wildland fires and to better support federal wildland firefighters. The BIL provides funding and authorizes the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to develop and implement a pilot program to provide local governments with financial assistance to acquire slip-on tanker units to establish fleets of vehicles that can be quickly converted to be operated as fire engines. The objective of this opportunity is to provide funding for these units that meet the required minimum specifications as outlined in Attachment 1.

NSGP provides support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack and located within one of the specific UASI-designated eligible urban areas. The program is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack. The intent is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies.

HSGP is comprised of three interconnected grant programs: State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG). These risk-based grants assist state, local, tribal and territorial efforts in preventing, protecting against, mitigating, responding to and recovering from acts of terrorism and other threats. HSGP provides grantees with the resources required for implementation of the National Preparedness System and working toward the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. Together, these three grant programs fund a range of preparedness activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises and management and administration across all core capabilities and mission areas.

The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program is a grant program authorized under the Stafford Act that can reimburse a large portion of the costs to state, local and federally recognized tribal governments for the mitigation, management and control of fires on publicly or privately owned forests or grasslands. The program is authorized when a fire receives a federal fire declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A federal fire declaration may be requested and issued for an uncontrolled fire when a threat of a major disaster exists. The fire declaration process is initiated by the state when an authorized representative submits a request for a federal fire declaration to the FEMA Regional Administrator. These declarations are requested while a fire is burning uncontrolled and threatens to cause enough damage as would warrant a major disaster declaration (under the criteria for either Public Assistance or Individual Assistance). The entire process is accomplished on an expedited basis and a FEMA decision is rendered in a matter of hours. The FMAG Program provides a 75 percent Federal cost share for eligible emergency response and fire suppression costs.

The Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) provides state, local, tribal and territorial emergency management agencies with the resources required for implementation of the National Preparedness System and works toward the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. The EMPG’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery mission areas. The purpose of the EMPG Program is to provide federal grants to states to assist state, local, territorial and tribal governments in preparing for all hazards, as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act), as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 5121 et seq.) and Section 662 of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, as amended (6 U.S.C. § 762). EMPG provides emergency management agencies with the resources required for implementation of the National Preparedness System and works toward the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. EMPG’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response and Recovery mission areas. A portion of each award is passed through to eligible city, county, and tribal emergency management organizations. Eligibility requirements and allocation methodology are documented within WAC 118-09.

The Janirve Sudden and Urgent Needs (SUN) Grant Program in North Carolina provides up to $10,000 to eligible, financially sustainable nonprofits in select WNC counties, serving economically-disadvantaged individuals, to help them manage unexpected crises that affect their ability to deliver critical services.

This program provides financial assistance to families and individuals in Indiana facing medical emergencies, helping cover essential expenses like medical bills, housing, and food through applications submitted by qualifying faith-based organizations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to states, local governments, and Tribal entities to reduce flood risks and enhance resilience in communities affected by flooding, particularly those participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.

This funding provides support to states, territories, and Native American tribes to develop and enhance emergency response plans and training programs for hazardous materials management based on local needs and risks.

This program provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to implement projects that reduce future disaster risks following federally declared disasters.

Dear Interested Parties:The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Ethiopia has designed a new activity tentatively called "Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Activity" and posts this Request for Information to collect written information as described in Section I - IV of the attached RFI.THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY and is issued solely for information gathering and planning purposes. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor a Request for Application (RFA) and is not construed as a commitment by the United States Government (USG) to issue any solicitation or Notice of Funding Opportunity, ultimately award a contract or assistance agreement based on this RFI, or pay for any information voluntarily submitted as a result of this request. Responses to this RFI must not be portrayed as proposals and will not be accepted by the USG to form a binding agreement. It should be noted that responding to or providing comment on this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization in any subsequent procurement(s), if such procurement(s) is(are) released. USAID will not provide answers to anything submitted in response to this request. If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced or posted on SAM.gov or www.grants.gov. It is the offerors or applicants responsibility to monitor these sites for announcements of new opportunities. Responses to this RFI may be used by USAID without restriction or limitation. Responses to this RFI must be submitted by email to [email protected] no later than the date/time indicated in the attached RFI. Please include RFI Number in the subject line. Responders will not receive individualized feedback. All inquiries concerning the RFI must be directed only to the email addresses identified above. Hard copy submissions will not be accepted nor will phone inquiries be entertained.Thank you for your interest in USAID/Ethiopia programs and we look forward to your comments.Sincerely,//Singed//Caraline DiNunzioContracting/Agreement Officer

HCCF Launches Emergency Grant Round to Support Community Organizations In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Huron County Community Foundation (HCCF), in partnership with the Greater Huron County United Way, is providing emergency assistance funding to local organizations that are going above and beyond their typical operations to assist the community during this time. These grants can be used for operations costs, which is typically not a qualified grant per HCCF policies. We know that many food pantries/food banks are feeding more people, food delivery services have been enacted to feed school children who are at home, and numerous other groups have stepped up to fill gaps and support our citizens. Our goal is to “help the helpers”. The funding for these grants is made possible by a generous contribution from Meijer to the United Way and the Health and Medical endowment funds at HCCF.

The Disaster Response & Resilience Fund supports charitable organizations in Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, and Curry counties, as well as adjoining Tribal lands during current and future disasters, including fires, earthquakes, flooding, and other natural and man-made disasters. This fund is unable to support requests for individuals and families. During an active emergency, the fund prioritizes requests that are in response to the applicable disaster and requests that are addressing the immediate needs and safety of the most vulnerable.