Opportunity Information: Apply for F26AS00022
The Butte Creek/Sutter Bypass Weir 1 Improvement Design and Permitting Project is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) discretionary grant opportunity focused on fixing a failing water-control structure in the Butte Creek Sutter Bypass system. Specifically, West Borrow Canal (WBC) Weir #1 is described as dilapidated and no longer functional for its intended role of diverting and delivering water for agricultural uses and for supplying water to the USFWS Sutter National Wildlife Refuge (Sutter NWR). Rather than funding full construction at this stage, the grant is aimed at completing the final design and securing the necessary permits to move a preferred solution forward. A feasibility study has already been completed, and this funding is positioned as the next step to translate that feasibility work into build-ready plans and regulatory approvals.
The planned improvement concept is centered on partially removing the existing weir and constructing a rock ramp. The rock ramp is intended to maintain water surface elevations high enough to support dependable diversion rates for refuge and agricultural deliveries, while also providing flows and physical conditions that allow fish passage. In other words, the project tries to balance water management needs (reliable diversion and delivery) with ecological performance (fish movement through the system), using a design approach that can function as both a grade-control feature and a fish-friendly passage element.
Hydraulics and operational constraints are an important part of the scope. The opportunity notes that diversion and fish-passage flows should align with existing minimum flow agreement requirements, referenced as the M and T Ranch Agreement Decree Diversion 50, and should also be consistent with flows through the fish passage structure at the Giusti Weir, located about 3.75 miles upstream. The description also provides broader system context: flows from Butte Creek are diverted past the natural outlet to the Sacramento River at the Butte Slough Outfall Gates and are typically routed down Butte Slough. Upstream of the State Route 20 crossing, the East-West Diversion Weir splits Butte Slough flows roughly 60 percent to the east borrow canal and 40 percent to the west borrow canal. The text further notes that Butte Slough above the East-West Diversion Weir can carry around 2,000 cubic feet per second within its natural banks, providing a sense of the channel capacity considerations that could influence design assumptions and permitting.
From an agency purpose standpoint, USFWS ties the project to its Fish and Aquatic Conservation program and broader mission of conserving and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for public benefit. The work is framed as supporting resilient habitats, healthy fish populations, and strong partnerships, which is consistent with a project that improves fish passage while keeping water supply infrastructure functional for refuge management and agricultural users.
Key administrative details are straightforward. The opportunity number is F26AS00022 under CFDA 15.648, categorized under Natural Resources, and uses a grant as the funding instrument. Eligible applicants are listed as unrestricted, and USFWS anticipates making one award with a maximum (ceiling) amount of $850,000. The opportunity was created on 2026-05-20 and has an original closing date of 2026-07-19. As part of award due diligence, USFWS will review the SAM.gov Exclusions database for applicant entities and key project personnel; entities or individuals listed as excluded or otherwise ineligible cannot receive funding under this program.Apply for F26AS00022
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Butte Creek/Sutter Bypass Weir 1 Improvement Design and Permitting Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.648.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-19. (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 $850,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the Butte Creek/Sutter Bypass Weir 1 Improvement Design and Permitting Project?
It is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) discretionary grant opportunity focused on addressing a failing water-control structure in the Butte Creek/Sutter Bypass system. The effort centers on West Borrow Canal (WBC) Weir #1, which is described as dilapidated and no longer functional for its intended water diversion and delivery purposes.
2) What problem is this project trying to solve at WBC Weir #1?
WBC Weir #1 is characterized as dilapidated and no longer functional for diverting and delivering water for agricultural uses and for supplying water to the USFWS Sutter National Wildlife Refuge (Sutter NWR). The project is intended to move toward a preferred improvement solution by completing final design and obtaining permits.
3) Is this grant funding construction of a new structure?
No. The opportunity is aimed at completing the final design and securing the necessary permits. It is positioned as the next step after a feasibility study, translating feasibility work into build-ready plans and regulatory approvals rather than paying for full construction at this stage.
4) What work has already been completed before this grant stage?
A feasibility study has already been completed. This grant is framed as the next phase to advance a preferred solution through final design and permitting.
5) What is the planned improvement concept described in the opportunity?
The concept is to partially remove the existing weir and construct a rock ramp. The rock ramp is intended to serve as a grade-control feature while also supporting fish passage.
6) What outcomes is the rock ramp intended to achieve?
The rock ramp is intended to maintain water surface elevations high enough to support dependable diversion rates for refuge and agricultural deliveries, while also providing flows and physical conditions that allow fish passage. The stated goal is to balance reliable water management with ecological performance.
7) How does fish passage factor into the design requirements?
Fish passage is explicitly part of the project intent. The improvement approach is described as providing flows and physical conditions that allow fish passage, aligning the infrastructure improvement with ecological objectives.
8) What flow requirements or operational constraints are referenced?
The opportunity notes that diversion and fish-passage flows should align with existing minimum flow agreement requirements, referenced as the M and T Ranch Agreement Decree Diversion 50. It also indicates flows should be consistent with flows through the fish passage structure at the Giusti Weir, located about 3.75 miles upstream.
9) What is the Giusti Weir, and why is it mentioned?
The Giusti Weir is identified as having a fish passage structure and is located about 3.75 miles upstream. The grant description notes that diversion and fish-passage flows for this project should be consistent with flows through the Giusti Weir fish passage structure.
10) What broader system context is provided about Butte Creek and Butte Slough flows?
The description explains that flows from Butte Creek are diverted past the natural outlet to the Sacramento River at the Butte Slough Outfall Gates and are typically routed down Butte Slough.
11) How are flows split between the east and west borrow canals in this system?
Upstream of the State Route 20 crossing, the East-West Diversion Weir splits Butte Slough flows approximately 60 percent to the east borrow canal and 40 percent to the west borrow canal.
12) Why does the opportunity mention channel capacity in Butte Slough?
The text notes that Butte Slough above the East-West Diversion Weir can carry around 2,000 cubic feet per second within its natural banks. This provides context on channel capacity considerations that could influence design assumptions and permitting.
13) Which USFWS program is associated with this grant opportunity?
USFWS ties the project to its Fish and Aquatic Conservation program and its broader mission of conserving and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for the continuing benefit of the public.
14) How does USFWS describe the purpose or benefits of this work?
The work is framed as supporting resilient habitats, healthy fish populations, and strong partnerships. It also supports keeping water supply infrastructure functional for refuge management and agricultural users while improving fish passage.
15) What is the opportunity number and CFDA number?
The opportunity number is F26AS00022. The CFDA number is 15.648.
16) What category is this opportunity listed under?
It is categorized under Natural Resources.
17) What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
18) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are listed as unrestricted.
19) How many awards does USFWS anticipate making?
USFWS anticipates making one award.
20) What is the maximum funding amount (ceiling) for the award?
The maximum (ceiling) amount is $850,000.
21) When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-05-20.
22) What is the original closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date is 2026-07-19.
23) Will USFWS check SAM.gov exclusions as part of award review?
Yes. USFWS will review the SAM.gov Exclusions database for applicant entities and key project personnel as part of award due diligence.
24) What happens if an entity or key project person is listed as excluded in SAM.gov?
Entities or individuals listed as excluded or otherwise ineligible cannot receive funding under this program.
25) What does this grant phase deliver in practical terms?
Based on the description, this phase is intended to produce final design and obtain the necessary permits to advance a preferred solution to a build-ready stage, following completion of a feasibility study.
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