Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Western Fisheries Research Center in partnership with the Grand Canyon Science Center and Wetland and Aquatic Research Center solicits technical assistance from a CESU partner to: a) integrate a novel road network model into an existing invasive quagga and zebra mussel risk assessment model for Washington State; and b) expand that model to establish a standardized risk assessment for golden mussels in California. This new optimization framework will be designed to identify ideal locations for mitigation interventions like watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) stations and "clean-drain-dry" information campaigns. This work will leverage a collaborative multi-year effort that developed standardized risk assessment models in the Missouri and Columbia river basins (Raymond et al. 2024 and 2026). This risk-based approach is being done as part of a call to action by state and federal resource managers in Washington State and California. USGS staff will provide model development guidance, assist with gathering needed datasets, and will help facilitate relationships with state and federal resource management partners. This work supports the President's Executive Order 14154 – Unleashing American Energy (January 20, 2025 and adjoining Interior Secretarial Order 3418 -Unleashing American Energy (February 3, 2025) as well as Executive Order 14156 - Declaring a National Energy Emergency (January 20, 2025) by protecting numerous hydro-electric facilities and ensuring reliable energy is readily accessible. It protects new water delivery infrastructure investments associated with Executive Order 14181 - Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas (January 24, 2025). It also ensures that the "Gold Standard of Science" (Executive Order 14303- Restoring Gold Standard Science (May 23, 2025) is being applied to issues of significant economic, safety, and security importance to the nation.

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.