Assessment of oyster reefs in the Great Wicomico River, VA | W81EWF 25 SOI 0010

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary, science-and-technology focused cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) to support field monitoring of restored oyster sanctuary reefs in the Great Wicomico River, Virginia.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The central purpose is to generate standardized, defensible monitoring data on restored oyster sanctuary reefs. The intent is for these data to guide future management decisions and improve oyster restoration design across the Chesapeake Bay.

What specific reefs or restoration actions are being evaluated?

The monitoring is designed to evaluate the condition and performance of reefs associated with 2025 adaptive management actions, including rehabilitation work and new reef construction.

Where will the monitoring take place?

The work will take place in the Great Wicomico River, Virginia, across a network of reef sites totaling about 18.24 acres.

How many reef sites are included, and which ones are listed?

The geographic scope covers a network of seven reef sites (about 18.24 acres total). The sites listed are: Reefs 1 and 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11, 13, and 16.

What monitoring standard or framework will be used?

The monitoring will follow the Chesapeake Bay Program Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (GIT) Chesapeake Bay Oyster Metrics Report.

What makes a reef "successful" under the oyster metrics described?

Under the metrics referenced in the opportunity, a target reef should meet all of the following biological thresholds:

• At least 50 oysters per square meter
• At least 50 grams of oyster dry-weight biomass per square meter
• Evidence of a minimum of two distinct year classes

Why is the "two distinct year classes" requirement important?

The opportunity emphasizes confirming not only that oysters are present, but that recruitment and survival are occurring across multiple years rather than in a single pulse. Evidence of at least two year classes helps indicate sustained reproduction/recruitment and persistence.

What types of oyster measurements are expected?

The solicitation calls for physical and biological assessments including oyster density, biomass expressed as dry weight, shell accretion, and size-frequency distribution (to show the spread of oyster sizes and help indicate age structure and recruitment patterns).

What is meant by "biomass expressed as dry weight"?

Biomass is to be reported as dry-weight biomass per square meter, consistent with the oyster metrics framework referenced in the opportunity.

What is meant by "size-frequency distribution" and why is it included?

Size-frequency distribution refers to the distribution of oyster sizes on the reef. It helps indicate age structure and recruitment patterns, supporting the assessment of whether multiple year classes are present.

What is meant by "shell accretion" in this monitoring context?

Shell accretion is one of the listed assessment components. It generally refers to the accumulation of shell material on the reef, which can be relevant to reef condition and development as part of restoration monitoring.

Does the opportunity include monitoring beyond oysters?

Yes. Beyond oysters, the opportunity expresses interest in assessing other attached or reef-associated fauna for density and biomass.

Why assess other attached or reef-associated fauna?

The additional community data can help characterize overall reef function and ecological benefits, since oyster reefs often provide habitat for a range of organisms.

What is the anticipated monitoring schedule?

Monitoring is anticipated on a multi-year schedule aligned with common restoration tracking intervals: Year 1, Year 3, and Year 5 assessments.

In what years are the Year 1, Year 3, and Year 5 assessments planned?

The planned assessment years are 2026 (Year 1), 2028 (Year 3), and 2030 (Year 5).

Why does the opportunity emphasize repeated surveys over multiple years?

The repeated surveys are expected to provide a time series that can detect early performance, mid-term trends, and longer-term persistence, which supports adaptive management.

Who is eligible to apply?

This opportunity is limited to non-federal partners that are part of the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). Applicants must be eligible under that partnership framework.

Are federal entities eligible to apply?

The opportunity states it is limited to non-federal partners that are part of the Chesapeake Watershed CESU.

What is the assistance mechanism?

The assistance mechanism is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this will be a cooperative agreement?

The opportunity notes that a cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial involvement by the federal sponsor during project execution, such as coordination on methods, data needs, reporting, or integration with broader Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.

How many awards are expected?

The opportunity anticipates a single award.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $100,000.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is W81EWF 25 SOI 0010.

When is the application due?

The application closing date is August 11, 2025.

What kinds of decisions will the monitoring data support?

The monitoring data are intended to guide future management decisions and improve the design of oyster restoration efforts across the Chesapeake Bay, including informing adaptive management actions.

What is the overall focus area or topic of the work?

The work is focused on field monitoring and evaluation of restored oyster sanctuary reefs using standardized metrics, with an emphasis on generating defensible data for restoration management and design improvements.