15.658

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to make a sole source award of a Cooperative Agreement to Virginia Tech for the project "Best Management Practices to Protect Streams". The project involves developing response protocols for mussels, and Dr. William Henley at Virginia Tech is uniquely qualified to accomplish this task. The project requires specialized expertise in mussel monitoring, assessment, and spill response. The key objectives of the project include developing histological evaluations of organ tissues and providing in-kind technical support to the project. • The project is funded by the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration program (CFDA 15.658). • The award amount is $46,750. • The project requires expertise in freshwater mussel biology and regional mussel faunas and habitats. • The Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center at Virginia Tech will provide in-kind technical support to the project.