Upper Salmon Basin Habitat Improvement Planning and Coordination

Description

The objective of this FOA is to invite applicants to submit proposals that will build on the recently completed Integrated Rehabilitation Assessment (IRA) document. At a minimum, these proposals should address each of the following: 1. Completion of reach assessments and final reports for the Lemhi, Pahsimeroi and Upper Salmon rivers. 2. Identification, prioritization, and development of specific projects in these areas. 3. Further development of analytical tools, including but not limited to, reach level carrying capacity. 4. Habitat monitoring coordination. 5. Collection, analysis, management, and sharing of data. 6. Enhanced land owner coordination, outreach, and coordination of technical efforts within the basin. The Upper Salmon Basin is defined as the Salmon River watershed above the confluence with the Middle Fork Salmon River. The recently completed IRA provides a comprehensive subbasin strategy for strategically implementing projects to get the most benefit from available fishery improvement funds. The next steps after completion of the IRA will involve completing detailed analysis of key reaches and development of sound, science-based projects within those reaches, along with acquiring data to fill key data gaps, and the continued to development of analytical techniques. The regional planning and facilitation for habitat improvement actions shall be based on biological priorities and informed by implementation feasibility, including geomorphic and physical appropriateness, community support, regulatory feasibility, and financial resource availability. This effort will help facilitate ongoing efforts by local partners to create, enhance, and document a long-term planning process to help leverage funding opportunities, create and document a science-based approach to salmon restoration, and document results and improvements. The expectation is that the awardee will coordinate and complete one or more reach assessments in each river (Lemhi/Pahsimeroi/Upper Salmon), as identified by the IRA. The awardee will identify data gaps and recommend additional analysis and data collection most critical to the implementation of key habitat projects. These analyses may include biological, physical/geomorphic, social, monitoring, and financial studies. The report content and format has not been determined at this time. Monitoring and analysis of existing key reaches, and results of post-project implementation further inform the adaptive management process and are a key component of this agreement. This agreement will also enhance regional communication and subbasin planning and position local entities to compete favorably for regional salmon recovery funds and resources. Strong project management skills and an intimate understanding of the current stakeholders and processes engaged in habitat improvement activity in the Upper Salmon Basin will be critical to this scientifically sound and locally supported work. It is expected that the awardee will need to work within the framework of the Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Program and other partners in the Upper Salmon subbasin. The ability to manage a team of disparate and sometimes competing interests is necessary to develop a process that fosters broad stakeholder support.

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