Opportunity Information: Apply for L17AS00213
The grant opportunity titled "BLM-(MT), Traditional Properties and Sacred Site Identification" (Funding Opportunity Number L17AS00213) is a Bureau of Land Management cooperative agreement focused on helping identify and document Native American Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) and sacred sites on public lands in Montana and in the broader regional context that includes North and South Dakota. It is rooted in the idea that tribes have deep cultural and religious connections to specific landscapes, and that many locations across these states hold significance that may not be visible or well understood through standard land management processes. Because BLM authorizes and manages a wide range of activities on these lands, the agency is seeking better information about where culturally important places are located and why they matter, so those places can be appropriately considered in planning and day-to-day decision-making.
The project is centered initially on the Spring Creek area, covering roughly 1,350 acres. The main objective is to facilitate the identification of TCPs and sacred sites that are important to tribes, particularly within their aboriginal territories. The funded recipient is expected to carry out on-the-ground fieldwork and to record historic properties, bringing specialized expertise that can help recognize, document, and evaluate sites that may qualify as TCPs or sacred sites. In practice, this implies systematic survey and documentation activities, coupled with the professional skill needed to assess potential eligibility and significance in a way that aligns with historic preservation standards while also respecting tribal perspectives and knowledge systems.
A key purpose of the effort is to support tribes in reconnecting with culturally important places, including locations that may be known through oral traditions but not formally mapped or recorded in existing agency files. By helping to rediscover and document these places, the project aims to generate information that is useful both to tribes and to land managers. BLM highlights that the results are intended to provide "background and holistic use information" that can strengthen future management of public lands, meaning the findings should improve how BLM understands landscape-level cultural values when evaluating projects, authorizing activities, and planning for long-term stewardship.
The public benefit rationale is framed around expanding and completing the national historical record. The opportunity emphasizes that potential TCPs and sacred sites contribute to a fuller picture of the United States' national heritage and that these sites are irreplaceable. The project is presented as beneficial to the broader public because it creates a pathway for tribes to share culturally important information that can lead to better protection and management of sensitive places. In other words, the public value is not simply academic; it is tied to improved decision-making, avoidance of inadvertent damage to significant sites, and more informed stewardship of resources that carry cultural, historical, and spiritual importance.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement instrument through the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, listed under CFDA 15.224 and categorized under natural resources. The funding opportunity was created July 17, 2017, with an original closing date of September 14, 2017. The expected number of awards was one, with an award ceiling of $86,400. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any additional eligibility language that may have been included in the official notice.Apply for L17AS00213
- The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM-(MT), Traditional Properties and Sacred Site Identification" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.224.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 17, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 14, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $86,400.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "BLM-(MT), Traditional Properties and Sacred Site Identification."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is L17AS00213.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
Is this a discretionary or mandatory grant?
It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.224.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized under natural resources.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The main objective is to facilitate the identification and documentation of Native American Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) and sacred sites on public lands, so those places can be appropriately considered in BLM planning and day-to-day decision-making.
What kinds of places is the project trying to identify?
The project focuses on Native American Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) and sacred sites, including culturally important locations that may be known through oral traditions but not formally mapped or recorded in existing agency files.
Where will the work take place?
The work is focused on public lands in Montana, with a broader regional context that includes North and South Dakota. The initial project area is the Spring Creek area.
What is the size of the initial project area?
The Spring Creek area covers roughly 1,350 acres.
Why is BLM seeking this work?
BLM authorizes and manages a wide range of activities on public lands. The agency is seeking better information about where culturally important places are located and why they matter, so those places can be considered in planning, project review, authorizations, and long-term stewardship.
What activities is the funded recipient expected to perform?
The recipient is expected to conduct on-the-ground fieldwork, carry out systematic survey and documentation, and record historic properties. The work also involves recognizing, documenting, and evaluating sites that may qualify as TCPs or sacred sites.
What expertise is expected from the recipient?
The recipient is expected to bring specialized expertise to recognize, document, and evaluate potential TCPs and sacred sites, including professional skill to assess potential eligibility and significance in a way that aligns with historic preservation standards while respecting tribal perspectives and knowledge systems.
How does the project support tribes?
A key purpose is to support tribes in reconnecting with culturally important places, including locations that may be known through oral traditions but not formally mapped or recorded in existing agency files.
How will the results be used by BLM?
BLM indicates the results are intended to provide "background and holistic use information" to strengthen future management of public lands, improving BLM understanding of landscape-level cultural values when evaluating projects, authorizing activities, and planning for stewardship.
What is meant by "public benefit" in this opportunity?
The public benefit is framed around expanding and completing the national historical record and improving protection and management of irreplaceable culturally significant places. The intent is to enable better decision-making, help avoid inadvertent damage to significant sites, and improve stewardship of resources with cultural, historical, and spiritual importance.
How many awards does BLM expect to make?
The expected number of awards is one.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $86,400.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created July 17, 2017.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was September 14, 2017.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any additional eligibility language that may have been included in the official notice.
Does the opportunity emphasize a landscape or site-specific approach?
It emphasizes both: the initial effort is site-focused in the Spring Creek area, while also placing the work in a broader regional context (Montana plus North and South Dakota) and highlighting landscape-level cultural values for land management decisions.
Why does BLM emphasize that significance may not be visible through standard processes?
The opportunity notes that many culturally significant locations may not be visible or well understood through standard land management processes, even though tribes may have deep cultural and religious connections to specific landscapes. The project is intended to help fill that gap with better information about location and meaning.
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