PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 1. Authority This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity is being announced under the following legislative authority:
WATERSHED RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENTS (WYDEN AMENDMENT), Public Law 104-208, Section 124, as amended

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Public Law 105-277, Section 136, which states:
"Appropriations made for the BLM may be used by the Secretary of Interior for the purpose of entering into cooperative agreements with the heads of other Federal agencies, Tribal, State, and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other resources on public or private land and the reduction of risk from natural disaster where public safety is threatened that benefit these resources on public lands within the watershed, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other resources on public or private land and the reduction of risk from natural disaster where public safety is threatened that benefit these resources on public lands within the watershed." 2. Description of Program and/or Project a.

Background:
The Yuma Field Office includes many acres along the lower Colorado and Gila Rivers.

Extensive damming and conversion to upland has re-characterized the lands along the river that once were natural system, but are now dominated by invasive species.

An increase in wildland fires in these areas also greatly affect the reduction in native vegetation and increase in invasive species.

Rehabilitation efforts to improve sites offer migratory birds and other wildlife species native habitat for foraging and potential nesting.

The Walker Fire in December of 2014 burned 1,110 acres of native marsh and riparian habitat.

This area is home to the largest population of the Federally endangered Yuma clapper rail.

The native riparian habitat also provides migratory habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher.

The Walker ESR Plan outlines replacing what was lost in the fire in order to provide the much needed habitat to these and other wildlife species.

b.

Objectives:
The principle purpose of this agreement is to improve wildlife habitat within YFO by offering properly functioning native riparian habitats along the lower Colorado and Gila Rivers.

Wildlife habitat improvement projects increases partnerships, public involvement, and prime native riparian habitat within degraded and minimally functioning systems.

The objective of this agreement is for the public to gain an appreciation for wildlife and their habitats within Arizona so that wildlife are available for future generations to enjoy.

The Walker Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan directly relates to the Yuma Resource Management Plan and associated Biological Opinion for improving degraded habitats, replacing what was lost by wildland fires and extending habitat resources so that the public can enjoy those species in which it utilizes.