The FY 2007-09 innovative proposal solicitation continues the effort of the Council to encourage creative solutions for improving the benefits to fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin from projects implemented through their Fish and Wildlife Program. Fifty-nine proposals were submitted for the FY 2007-09 innovative proposal solicitation, requesting about $16 million. The Bonneville Power Administration agreed to make available up to a total of $2 million to fund innovative projects during these fiscal years.
Of the 59 proposals submitted, the ISRP found that nine proposals substantially meet the innovative solicitation criteria: employ innovative techniques, are on-the-ground, describe scientifically sound techniques, and offer potential benefits to fish and wildlife. Five of these are highly justified, and four are adequately justified. In addition, the ISRP identified five proposals that are innovative and highly justified, but are research oriented and thus are not on-the-ground. The ISRP did not rank the remaining 45 proposals. For a variety of reasons, the ISRP found that these proposals do not meet the standards for funding under the innovative solicitation.
