Archeology Site Stabilization | P17AS00275

Archeology Site Stabilization Grant (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00275) - FAQs

What is the Archeology Site Stabilization grant opportunity (P17AS00275)?

P17AS00275 was a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, focused on rapid, on-the-ground protection of archeological resources on Great Smoky Mountains lands affected by the 2016 Chimney Tops Two and Cobbly Knob fires.

What was the main purpose of this grant?

The core purpose was emergency stabilization: reducing the immediate risk that post-fire conditions could damage archeological sites or cause permanent loss of cultural information. The emphasis was on practical, field-based actions rather than research-heavy work.

Why was this funding considered an emergency or rapid-response opportunity?

The grant targeted urgent post-wildfire threats such as erosion, slope failure, and disturbances from falling fire-killed timber. The short application window (posting on May 18, 2017 and closing on May 29, 2017) also reflects the emergency nature of the work.

Which fires prompted this stabilization effort?

The stabilization work was tied to impacts from the 2016 Chimney Tops Two and Cobbly Knob fires.

Where was the work intended to take place?

The work focused on archeological resources located on Great Smoky Mountains lands affected by the 2016 fires.

What kinds of risks to archeological sites did the grant aim to address?

The grant aimed to reduce immediate post-fire risks including erosion, slope failure, and disturbance caused by falling timber, all of which can damage archeological deposits or permanently erase cultural information.

Was this opportunity intended for academic or research-focused archeology projects?

No. The opportunity emphasized practical, field-based stabilization actions intended to prevent additional impacts after the fires, not a research-heavy project.

How was the project staffing approach described?

The project was designed around employing two youth workers who already had education in archeology.

What were the youth workers expected to do first?

The first step was to conduct site-by-site assessments to evaluate conditions at each archeological site and determine what interventions were appropriate.

Why were site-by-site assessments important for this project?

Post-wildfire threats can vary from site to site depending on terrain, burn severity, soil exposure, and hazards such as dead standing trees. The assessments were intended to guide which stabilization treatments made sense at each location.

What stabilization actions were anticipated under this opportunity?

The anticipated measures included: removing fire-killed trees that could fall and disturb cultural deposits; seeding disturbed or exposed areas using a park-approved seed mix to reduce erosion and reestablish ground cover; and scattering woody debris or other organic material on steep slopes to slow runoff and trap sediment.

How would removing fire-killed trees help protect archeological sites?

Removing fire-killed trees was anticipated as a way to reduce the risk that falling timber could disturb cultural deposits and damage archeological site integrity.

What does "park-approved seed mix" mean in this context?

The opportunity referenced using a seed mix approved by the park, indicating that stabilization seeding was expected to follow National Park Service standards or requirements for materials used on park lands.

How does scattering woody debris or organic material help with stabilization?

Scattering woody debris or other organic material on steep slopes can slow runoff, trap sediment, and provide a protective surface layer, which helps reduce surface movement and erosion that could displace archeological materials.

What type of award mechanism was used for this funding?

Funding was offered through a cooperative agreement.

What does a cooperative agreement suggest about the National Park Service role?

A cooperative agreement typically signals substantial involvement by the National Park Service in coordinating or guiding the work, such as aligning methods with park standards, confirming approved seed mixes, or prioritizing sites.

What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity was $34,800.

How was this opportunity categorized?

The opportunity was categorized under Natural Resources.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was linked to CFDA number 15.931.

Who was eligible to apply based on the information provided?

Eligibility was open to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and to other eligible applicants as clarified in the full announcement's eligibility notes.

Were institutions of higher education eligible as 501(c)(3) applicants?

The eligibility description specified 501(c)(3) nonprofits excluding institutions of higher education.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posting date was May 18, 2017. The original closing date was May 29, 2017.

How long was the application window?

Based on the posting date (May 18, 2017) and closing date (May 29, 2017), the application window was very short, consistent with an emergency stabilization effort.

Which federal agency and bureau issued the opportunity?

The opportunity came from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

What makes this grant different from long-term restoration or monitoring projects?

The stated focus was short-term, immediate risk reduction after wildfire impacts. The actions described were practical stabilization steps intended to prevent additional near-term damage rather than long-term research or monitoring.