Reese Creek Watershed Enhancement

Description

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD This announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to award financial assistance for the following project activities without competition. ABSTRACT Funding Announcement Number NOIP17AC00260 Project Title Reese Creek Watershed Enhancement Recipient Trout Unlimited, Inc. Anticipated Federal Funding 42800 Non-federal Cost Share 11000 Anticipated Period of Performance March 2017 through March 2021 Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority •54 U.S.C. §101702(a) Cooperative Agreements, Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds •54 U.S.C. §101702(b) Cooperative Agreements, Cooperative Research and Training Programs •Organic Act 16 U.S.C. s1, the Clean Water Act •Endangered Species Act 16 U.S.C. s1531 •Wilderness Act. 16 U.S.C. 1131-1136, 78 Stat. 890. CFDA # and Title 15.954 Single Source Justification Criteria Unsolicited Proposal – The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives; Continuation - The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity. Point of Contact Tina Holland, email: tina_holland@nps.gov, phone: 307-344-2082 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The objective of this Agreement is to Yellowstone National Park is the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE).This ecosystem encompasses an uncommon abundance of geologic features which gives rise to a diversity of habitats and wildlife species. Within Yellowstone Park over 51% of the surface area is covered by water. There are more than 220 named and hundreds of unnamed streams with a cumulative length of 4,300 kilometers, most of which are habitat for cold-water fish species. Included are a number of native fish species important both as a food source for predator species and visitor enjoyment. Non-consumptive angling contributes significant experiential and economic value locally, regionally, and to visitors from around the world. To help ensure the long term viability of these resources and values, Yellowstone National Park (YNP) seeks a partner with demonstrated experience and expertise in public/private partnership collaboration and development, knowledge of Montana water rights, and a successful track record of carrying watershed improvement projects to completion. The primary goal of this cooperative agreement is to facilitate a project that reduces irrigation water lost to infiltration and evaporation by replacing an open, unlined ditch with a flow metered pipe system. This saved water will be kept in the Reese Creek flow channel, reduce or eliminate dewatering events, and increase water available to benefit native trout, riparian habitat, and an ongoing USDA Forest Service restoration project. Cooperator must be able to assist with project coordination between NPS, USDA Forest Service, state permitting agencies, and private water rights holders. This project may also serve as a case study for education and outreach efforts to highlight public/private conservation successes. Use staffing and funding of the NPS and the Recipient, to accomplish the following goals: 1. Protect, and where appropriate, restore the ecosystems associated with riparian and aquatic habitats for cold-water fisheries according to and within the legal and regulatory parameters of the NPS and Recipient organizational guidelines. 2. To preserve and restore indigenous subspecies of cutthroat trout and other native species through cooperative programs, i.e. habitat conservation assessments, watershed enhancement projects, etc. 3. Conduct education programs to: a. Increase public awareness of the social and economic values of native fisheries, as well as the threats that exotic species threats. b. Engage and enhance project stakeholders appreciation and understanding of habitat protection and management requirements for fisheries and habitat rehabilitation for Yellowstone watersheds in general and specifically for Reese Creek, and, c. Promote public involvement and enjoyment of GYE's recreational fishery resources, their enhancement and management. 4. Facilitate the transfer of funds, development, planning, and oversight of habitat improvement projects to benefit native fisheries. a. Transfer funds to accomplish specific activities purchase supplies, equipment, services, or data between participants. The primary goal of this cooperative agreement is to complete a project to reduce irrigation water lost to infiltration and evaporation by replacing an open, unlined ditch with a flow-metered pipe system. This saved water will be kept in the Reese Creek flow channel, reduce or eliminate dewatering events, and increase water available to benefit native trout populations and angling opportunities, improve riparian habitat, and benefit an ongoing USDA Forest Service restoration project. Cooperator must be able to assist with project coordination between NPS, USDA Forest Service, state permitting agencies, and private water rights holders. Project elements include: Survey existing irrigation infrastructure and elevations Conduct professional review of student-designed engineering plans Initiate required permits Provide project oversight Purchase supplies and materials needed to install pipeline STATEMENT OF WORK A. The Recipient agrees to: This project will be jointly administered between the Recipient and Yellowstone National Park staff. Purpose: The purpose of this agreement is to establish a cooperative relationship between the participants to ensure that the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is protected, maintained and managed to achieve the goals established for the Park. Encompassed within those goals is the protection and management of ecosystems in such a way that the indigenous cold-water fisheries will be perpetuated for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The cooperative activities will include habitat management and enhancement, stakeholder outreach, joint project coordination, ecosystem inventory and monitoring, and public education. Scope of Work Tasks to be completed by the recipient: 1. Survey existing irrigation infrastructure and elevations (see Survey SOW detail attachment for this task) 2. Conduct professional review of student-designed engineering plans by a certified civil Engineer, make corrections, review and certify 100% plans. (see attached draft plans) 3. Determine requirements and serve as applicant for all required project permits, including the following: 124 permit 404 Permit: 318 Authorization Water Right Permit and Change Authorization Stormwater Discharge Permits 4. Purchase supplies and materials needed to install pipeline. 5. Serve as co-lead with NPS for all project construction oversight B. NPS agrees to: Contribute $123,800 in funding, staff time, and in-kind contributions to the project. Manage all NEPA and NHPA compliance. Engage and direct student involvement to develop scoping alternatives, draft designs, and presentations. Co-lead with recipient all project oversight. Lead all post-construction restoration activities and monitoring. C. The Recipient and NPS, jointly, agree to: A. Use staffing and funding of the NPS and the Recipient, to accomplish the following goals: B. Protect, and where appropriate, restore the ecosystems associated with riparian and aquatic habitats for cold-water fisheries according to and within the legal and regulatory parameters of the NPS and awardee organizational guidelines. C. To preserve and restore indigenous subspecies of cutthroat trout and other native species through cooperative programs, i.e. habitat conservation assessments, watershed enhancement projects, etc. D. Conduct education programs to: Increase public awareness of the social and economic values of native fisheries, as well as the threats that exotic species threats. E. Engage and enhance project stakeholders appreciation and understanding of habitat protection and management requirements for fisheries and habitat rehabilitation for Yellowstone watersheds in general and specifically for Reese Creek, and, F. Promote public involvement and enjoyment of GYE's recreational fishery resources, their enhancement and management. G. Facilitate the transfer of funds, development, planning, and oversight of habitat improvement projects to benefit native fisheries. H. Transfer funds to accomplish specific activities purchase supplies, equipment, services, or data between participants. SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria: Unsolicited Proposal – The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives; Continuation - The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity. Yellowstone National Park staff is currently working on a watershed enhancement project for Reese Creek, located within the park in Gardiner Basin, MT. Reese Creek is unique because it is the only watershed in Yellowstone NP where the park does not own all the water rights. Privately held deeded water rights deplete in-stream flows annually, endange

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