Dworshak Natural Resource Training and Education | W912EF 26 2 A002

Dworshak Natural Resource Training and Education (USACE Walla Walla District) - FAQs

1) What is the Dworshak Natural Resource Training and Education opportunity?

It is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walla Walla District. The project focuses on hands-on outdoor education, workforce training, and practical support for managing and maintaining public resources at and around Dworshak Dam in Ahsahka, Idaho.

2) What is the overall purpose of this funding?

The purpose is to blend real-world work experience with public service at a USACE project site. Participants and partner organizations would help with flood control infrastructure maintenance, environmental and recreational resource management, and activities that strengthen public engagement with Dworshak Dam, while also delivering training and education connected to water and natural resource careers.

3) Where will the work take place?

The work is centered at and around Dworshak Dam in Ahsahka, Idaho.

4) What kinds of activities does the project support?

Based on the posting information, supported activities include hands-on outdoor education and training, flood control infrastructure maintenance support, environmental and recreational resource management, and public engagement activities associated with the Dworshak Dam site.

5) Is this primarily an education program, a workforce training program, or a resource management project?

It is designed as a blended program. The project pairs stewardship of public lands and facilities with career development by providing structured learning and job-training experiences while also improving on-the-ground management and public services at the site.

6) Who is this opportunity intended to benefit?

A central theme is developing future professionals in water and natural resources through challenging, structured learning and job-training experiences, especially for young adults. The program is also intended to benefit the public by strengthening management, maintenance, and engagement tied to the Dworshak Dam area.

7) Does USACE indicate any preferences in the types of applicants or programs?

Yes. USACE signals a preference for organizations that can provide meaningful skill-building in the field and that can support pathways into formal post-high school education. This indicates the work is intended to be more than short-term labor and should connect to longer-term career development.

8) What careers or fields does the training and education align with?

The description ties training and education to water and natural resource careers, including experience relevant to conservation, recreation management, environmental operations, and related technical or maintenance roles connected to flood risk management infrastructure.

9) What is the legal authority for this cooperative agreement?

The agreement is authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, specifically 33 U.S.C. 2339 (Section 213(a)), which supports partnerships that improve natural resource management and public benefits associated with Corps projects.

10) What type of funding instrument is being used?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

11) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

The posting notes that a cooperative agreement generally implies active involvement by USACE in coordination, oversight, or collaboration during performance, rather than a more hands-off grant arrangement.

12) Who is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walla Walla District.

13) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

W912EF 26 2 A002.

14) What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number?

12.010.

15) How many awards does USACE anticipate making?

The posting indicates an anticipated single award.

16) What is the award ceiling?

The award ceiling is $36,000.

17) Is this opportunity competitive or discretionary?

It is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is open to eligible non-federal public and non-profit entities. The eligibility field is listed as "Others," with the description clarifying non-federal public and nonprofit organizations.

19) Are federal entities eligible to apply?

The eligibility description specifies non-federal public and nonprofit organizations, indicating the intended eligible applicants are non-federal entities.

20) When was the opportunity posted?

The posting date is April 30, 2026.

21) What is the application deadline?

The original closing date is May 30, 2026.

22) What is the core partnership goal of the project?

The opportunity is aimed at forming a local, mission-aligned partnership that improves on-the-ground management and public services at Dworshak Dam while providing structured training, education, and career pipeline support for emerging water and natural resource professionals.

23) What kinds of public benefits are emphasized?

The description emphasizes improving natural resource management and public benefits associated with a Corps project site, including stronger public engagement and improved support for environmental, recreational, and flood risk management-related functions.

24) What is the relationship between the work and flood risk management?

The project includes practical support for flood control infrastructure maintenance and is tied to technical or maintenance roles connected to flood risk management infrastructure.

25) Does the opportunity describe the training as structured or informal?

The opportunity repeatedly emphasizes structured learning and job-training experiences, including challenging and meaningful skill-building in the field.