Modeling habitat correlates of chronic wasting disease and identifying areas of higher risk in the San Andres Mountains of south-central New Mexico.

Post Date

July 9th 2010

Application Due Date

July 21st 2010

Funding Opportunity Number

NWRS-R2-22521-02A

CFDA Number(s)

15.650

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Cooperative Agreement

Funding Activity Categories

Environment

Number of Awards

1

Eligibility Categories

Public and State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $224000

• Award Range:

  $224000 - $224000

Grant Description

This announcement is for US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) San Andres National Wildlife Refuge (SANWR), New Mexico, Region 2, FY 2010-2014. This announcement includes updated estimated funding for Opportunity Number NWRS-R2-22521-01; no guarantee is made that funding will be available as indicated in the Estimated Total Program Funding. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a relatively recently recognized generalized disease of deer (Odocoileus spp.) and elk (Cervus elaphus) in North America. CWD is characterized by emaciation, neurological impairment, and eventual death of infected individuals. Uncertainty still exists as to whether CWD-associated protease-resistant prion protein (PrPCWD) is a transmissible infectious agent (supported by the preponderance of evidence), a product of spontaneous mutation, or both. CWD is characterized by low prevalence and low morbidity. If infectious, because the mode of transmission is uncertain, CWD may be either contagious (i.e., capable of being directly transferred from a sick individual to another susceptible host), noncontagious (indirectly acquired from the environment), or both. CWD was first documented in mule deer (O. hemionus) in the San Andres Mountains (SAM) of south-central New Mexico in June 2002 with the confirmation of a single case on White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). Subsequently, 14 additional deer have tested positive for CWD, with all cases to date associated with 3 distinct geographic areas in the SAM: the WSMR Headquarters area, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Dripping Springs Recreational area and surrounding BLM lands; and a single positive from the Stallion Range Center area of WSMR. Modeling of potential population-level impacts of CWD suggested that CWD could decimate elk and deer populations. However, values for model inputs were speculative and assumptions regarding rates and modes of transmission, especially the assumption of frequency-dependent transfer, were questionable and could result only in extinction of the host population. Further, both direct transfer among deer or indirect acquisition from the environment are influenced by movement and habitat use patterns of mule deer and the ecological factors that drive deer habitat use, which are variable throughout mule deer range including the SAM. 17) Required Forms: (website for 424 forms: http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/docDetails.do?dId=12707) a. 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) b. 424a (Budget Information) c. 424b (assurances for Non-Construction) d. Attachment B (Certifications for Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements) 18) Full Announcement to upload (see attached).

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of the Interior

• Office:

  Fish and Wildlife Service

• Agency Contact:

  Mara Weisenberger
  Wildlife Biologist
  575-382-5047
  

• Agency Mailing Address:

  mara_weisenberger@fws.gov

• Agency Email Address:

  mara_weisenberger@fws.gov

• Location:

  Region 2