Combined_Synopsis_and_Solicitation.pdf

SOLICITATION NO.140FS124Q0152 FWS

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has a requirement for Developmental copy editing, formatting, layout, and 508 remediation. The services require a 1 Year Base with dates ranging from September 5, 2024 to September 4, 2025. With 4 Option Years ranging from 2025-2029

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is a TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDE and is conducted under the procedures of FAR Parts 12 and 13, incorporating provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-06. The NAICS code is 561410 and the small business size standard is $19 Million.

Instructions

All responsible small business sources may submit a quote, which shall be considered by the agency.

The Agency intends to award a firm fixed priced purchase order. The basis of award is best value . An award will be made to a responsible source pursuant to FAR subpart 9.1 most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered factors can be found on page 2.

Please submit your quotation (showing unit and total price) on company letterhead or the enclosed SF-1449 form with SAM.gov UEI code. and point of contact phone number and e-mail address.

Additionally, if your company holds a GSA contract that would apply to this requirement, please provide the contract number. Refer to FAR provision 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items for additional submission guidance and include a copy of FAR provision 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items with applicable sections completed.

Solicitation Questions Due: 1600 Aug 27, 2024 Eastern Daylight Time to Oscar_orozco@fws.gov Quotes Due: 1500 September 3, 2024 Eastern Daylight Time E-Mail Quote Submission: Oscar_orozco@fws.gov

In order to have a quote considered for award, respondent must be registered at the System for Award Management (SAM) website (https://www.sam.gov) as an active vendor by the time an award decision is necessary.

Contract Evaluation Factors

Factors #1 and #2 will be evaluated by review of strengths and weaknesses as follows. Evaluation Factor #1 – Capabilities of the Company

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Evaluation Factor #2 – Past Performance (Vendor is to provide 2 past performance references )

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Evaluation Factor #3 – Writing/Editing Samples

Factor #3 will be evaluated with the criteria in the following table and a score will be given for consideration in the overall performance of the Contractor.

Please edit the indicated section of the Humboldt Bay NWR Conservation Summary as a demonstration. The section begins on page 26 at the start of Chapter 3 and ends at page 35. If edits are needed to the References section please comment on what is needed.

General Overall Comments

Performance objective Standard

Scoring possible points

Score

Basic editing: correct spelling, grammar, and syntax, use of consistent language Text is 99% free of errors 2 Consistent terminology (abbreviations and names of site features, natural resource priorities, facilities, geographic features, units of measure, etc.) Text is 99% free of errors 2 Consistent document structure:

headings, and page numbering, figure table consistency Text is 99% free of errors 2

Developmental editing: tone, clarity, and economy of language

Text is clear and consistent throughout. Language is concise. 5

Consistent use of Open Standards process terminology for OS methods, steps, and project outcomes

Open Standards terminology is used consistently and correctly. Project language and outcomes are consistently referred to. 5

Total possible score: 16

STATEMENT OF WORK

Developmental and copy editing, formatting, layout and 508 remediation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Region 8, CA

1.General:

1.1 The Pacific Southwest Region (Region 8) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Inventory and Monitoring Program (2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606, Sacramento, CA 95825) is engaged in conservation planning with National Wildlife Refuges in California and parts of Nevada and Oregon using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation1. The support of a services contractor (Contractor) with experience in 1) natural resource or science planning in government agencies and 2) the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation methods in planning documents to provide additional editing, formatting, graphics, technical writing expertise, and 508 remediation and to assist the Inventory and Monitoring Program with meeting the Region’s conservation planning goals.

1.2 Purpose/End Application: The Contractor shall furnish all labor and materials necessary to perform services in accordance with this Statement of Work (SOW). The Contractor shall provide developmental and copy editing, formatting, layout and 508 remediation for 9 conservation planning documents. Editing services (described in 3.2) and Formatting Services (described in 3.3) will be needed on all 9 documents. None of the documents in the base period will only require Formatting Services including 508 remediation.

1.3 Contractor Qualifications:

Selection of the Contractor will be based on qualifications, cost, and performance on a sample editing test.

Selection criteria in addition to price include:

1. Demonstrated ability to perform the tasks described in this SOW within agreed budgets and schedules.

2. Demonstrated expertise in technical writing, editing, and formatting natural resource planning documents that use the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation.

3. Experience in natural sciences or resources planning following the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation.

4. Technical expertise in federal or state natural resource agency planning, wildlife management, biology, or ecology.

To evaluate the technical expertise a sample editing test will be performed on a

1 More recently referred to as the ‘Conservation Standards’. https://conservationstandards.org/ section of the draft Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Conservation Summary, which is consistent in the type of content, writing, and format to the target conservation planning document for this contract. The editing test section begins on page 26 at the start of Chapter 3 and ends at page 35. This section is indicated by comments within the text. If edits are needed to the References section based on review of this section, please comment on what is needed.

Performance on this test will be scored against the editing and formatting scope described in sections 3.2 and 3.3.

2. Place of Performance and Period of Performance The Contractor shall perform all work required under this task order at their place of business.

2.2 The period of performance is 1 year, starting at the award date.

2.3 Normal duty hours for the Service are Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time Zone. In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

2.4 Non-duty hours include weeknights, weekends, and Federal Government holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King JR’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day).

3.0 Scope

3.1 The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, necessary coordination with any subcontractor, equipment, and materials, necessary to complete the following services for the development of the deliverables. Nine documents will require both Editing and Formatting Services.

3.2 Editing Services. The Contractor shall provide developmental and copy editing in the preparation of planning and other documents. This task will include review of the document for: correct spelling, grammar, and syntax, use of consistent language, tone, clarity, and economy of language, and terminology (abbreviations and names of site features, facilities, geographic features, units of measure, etc.), use of consistent document structure, headings, and page numbering, figure and table insertion, review of alternative captions for figures, and assure consistency between references and literature cited.

3.3 Formatting Services. The Contractor shall provide layout design of the report and appendices for printing or electronic distribution.

The Contractor will remediate the final documents to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 and revised Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Revised 508 Standards” at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/01/18/2017-00395/information-and-communication-technology-ict-standards-and-guidelines). This will include review of alternate https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/01/18/2017-00395/information-and-communication-technology-ict-standards-and-guidelines https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/01/18/2017-00395/information-and-communication-technology-ict-standards-and-guidelines text for tables and figures and proposal of additional alternative text if needed for review by the FWS Technical Coordinator.

Developmental and Copy Editing Services are needed on 9 documents. Formatting and 508 Remediation is needed on all 9 documents. The range of expected pages, figures and tables in these documents is as follows:

Documents # of pages

# of figures

# of tables

9 Documents needing editing and formatting including 508 remediation 340-380 65-80 85-100 0 documents needing only formatting and 508 remediation 0 0 0 Total expected range 340-380 65-80 85-100

3.4 Quantities.

Contractor shall provide one (1) electronic copy of each draft and final deliverable.

3.5 Deliverable Format.

Edited documents shall be submitted in Office 365 MS Word format. At the Government’s request, formatted documents shall be submitted in Adobe Acrobat, or compatible formats.

3.6 For style and grammar, the Contractor shall follow the conventions used in the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex Natural Resource Management Plan (https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/114709). Style convention conflicts or questions shall be resolved per the as directed by the Service’s Technical Coordinator.

3.7 Quality. The Contractor shall provide quality assurance/quality control review of all deliverables to ensure quality standards are met. The deliverables shall in all text, tables, figures and alternative text:

• be free of errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax,

• use consistent language, tone and terminology (abbreviations and names of site features, facilities, geographic features, units of measure, etc.),

• use consistent document structure, headings, and page numbering, and

• show consistency between references and literature cited.

4. Deliverables and/or Delivery Schedule:

4.1 A review schedule will be established and agreed upon by USFWS and the Contractor for each document. In general, a first editorial review will be completed within 30-60 days. USFWS will then provide comments and review within 30-60 days. A final draft will be due from the Contractor in a subsequent 30-60 days. The following is an example of the document schedule:

Number of documents

Month

Month

Month

Month

Month

Month

Month

Month

2 Send Review Accept 1 Send Review Accept 1 Send Review Accept 1 Send Review Accept 1 Send Review Accept 1 Send Review Accept

Six of the 9 documents will be available at the start of the project. All of the documents that are ready at the start of the contract can be provided, but USFWS review of the edited documents will need to be scheduled across USFWS reviewers.

4.2 Base period and option periods

Government may have a in scope changes to add additional effort. The base period timing

Base period – 1 year from award date

Option period I – 1 year from 11/1/2025

Option period II– 1 year from 11/1/2026

Option period III – 6 months from 11/1/2027

Option period IV– 1 year from 11/1/2028

5. Data Management Plan (DMP) for Science Data Agency Reference. NA

6. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) / Government-Furnished Information (GFI)

NA

6.1 Identify any Government-furnished equipment (GPE) and Government-furnished information (GFI) or note N/A

6.2 Identify any limitations. NA

7. Evaluation and Acceptance

7.1 Two rounds of revision will be conducted.

The USFWS will review the deliverable and provide comments and edits to the Contractor within 30 business days. A signature page will be included by USFWS with comments on the draft product for inclusion in the final product. Electronically signed signature pages (if included) shall be protected from loss or corruption during remediation and will be included in the final product (pdf).

The Contractor shall then submit a final deliverable that addresses the comments completely as directed by and to the satisfaction of the Service’s Technical Coordinator and includes the signed signature pages.

8. Quality Control/Quality Assurance:

8.1 For commercial supplies reference clauses for inspection and acceptance. Where appropriate, QC will be maintained according to industry standards and made available to the agency with the contractor’s proposal.

8.2 Identify and detail measures for assessing quality control and acceptance; each requirement is unique and a table format is visually friendly and may be desirable.

9. Technical Coordinator:

The Technical Coordinator for this SOW is Kara Moore-O’Leary (916-533-1066, kara_moore-oleary@fws.gov). The Technical Coordinator may assign another representative of the Service as the primary technical point of contact for individual work products.

Conservation Summary of Coastal Dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

May 2023

ON THE COVER

Coastal Dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge/Dave Kenworthy

SUGGESTED CITATION

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2023. Conservation Summary of the coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. National Wildlife Refuge System, Pacific Southwest Region, Inventory and Monitoring Initiative, Sacramento, CA. https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/ 159922.

https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/%20159922 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/%20159922

Conservation Summary of Coastal Dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge iii

Table of Contents

Contents

Contents ........................................................................................................................................ iii

Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................... vii

Chapter 1 - Introduction

1.1 Project Purpose

1.2 Project Scope and Overview

Chapter 2 - Documenting Priority Resources of Concern

2.1 Resources of Concern

2.2 Overview of Coastal Dunes

Nested ROC: Native Dunegrass Community Nested ROC: Dune Mat Community Nested ROC: Dune Swale Community Nested ROC: Dune Riparian Forest and Swamp Community Nested ROC: Coniferous Dune Forest Nested ROC: Humboldt Bay wallflower (Erysimum menziesii) Nested ROC: Beach layia (Layia carnosa)

Chapter 3 - The Conservation Situation: Assessing threats and opportunities

3.1 Threats and Conceptual Model for Coastal Dunes

Chapter 4 - Viability analysis and SMART Objectives

4.1 Key Ecological Attributes for Coastal Dunes

Chapter 5 - Management Strategies and Action Plan

5.1 Management Strategies for Coastal Dunes

5.2 Evaluation of Assumptions

Chapter 6 - Discussion

6.1 Improving the Current Analysis

Update and Adapt Evaluation

6.2 Uncertainties and Information Gaps

Literature Cited

Appendix A

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Process Details for the Coastal Dunes Documentation Project for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

A.1 Project Timeline

A.2 Project Team

A.3 Process Conceptual Model/Situation Analysis Threat Analysis Viability Analysis Strategies and Theories of Change

A.4 Literature Cited

FIGURES

Figure 1. Geographic setting of the coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Figure 2. Visual representation of landforms found in active dune systems in Northern California

(source: Andrea Pickart) Figure 3. Rows of staggered planting hills of Leymus mollis planted on the Lanphere Adaptation Site in 2016 Figure 5. Native dunegrass community at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Figure 6. Dune mat community at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Figure 7. Dune swale community at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Figure 8. Dune riparian forest and deciduous swamp at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Figure 9. Coniferous dune forest at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Figure 10. Erysimum menziesii at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Figure 11. Map showing distribution of Erysimum menziesii in the Lanphere Dunes Unit at Humboldt

Bay NWR from 1988-2015 (source: Andrea Pickart, Refuge data) Figure 12. Layia carnosa at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Figure 13. Conceptual model of coastal dunes at the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Yellow hexagons are strategies, orange boxes are contributing factors (an indirect threat/root cause or an opportunity), pink boxes are direct threats, olive boxes are biophysical factors, and the light green oval is the priority resource of concern

Figure 14. Example result chain. The purpose of the results chain is to detail the series of actions, outcomes, and objectives that are hypothesized to result in achievement of a ROC objective

Figure 15. Assumptions linking strategies “develop and implement integrated pest management plan” and “invasive species management: status quo” to coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Human well-being target = gray oval; green oval = priority resource of concern; blue box = interim result of strategy; purple box = threat reduction result; yellow hexagon = strategy. ServCat holds more detailed results chain diagrams, including activities and strategic objectives

Figure 16. Assumptions linking the “oil spill preparedness and response” strategy to coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Human well-being target = gray oval; green oval = priority resource of concern; blue box = interim result of strategy; purple box = threat reduction result; yellow hexagon = strategy. ServCat holds more detailed results chain diagrams, including activities and strategic objectives

Figure 17. Assumptions linking the strategy to “maintain or change native dune plant populations” to coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Human well-being target = gray https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/HumboldtBayNWRC/Shared%20Documents/NRMP-IMP%20Reflect-Learn-Adapt/06-Final%20Products/ServCat%20Documentation/hmbc_dunes_conservation_summary.docx#_Toc146287056 https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/HumboldtBayNWRC/Shared%20Documents/NRMP-IMP%20Reflect-Learn-Adapt/06-Final%20Products/ServCat%20Documentation/hmbc_dunes_conservation_summary.docx#_Toc146287056 https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/HumboldtBayNWRC/Shared%20Documents/NRMP-IMP%20Reflect-Learn-Adapt/06-Final%20Products/ServCat%20Documentation/hmbc_dunes_conservation_summary.docx#_Toc146287063 https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/HumboldtBayNWRC/Shared%20Documents/NRMP-IMP%20Reflect-Learn-Adapt/06-Final%20Products/ServCat%20Documentation/hmbc_dunes_conservation_summary.docx#_Toc146287063

National Wildlife Refuge v

Chapter 1: Introduction oval; green oval = priority resource of concern; blue box = interim result of strategy;

purple box = threat reduction result; yellow hexagon = strategy. ServCat holds more detailed results chain diagrams, including activities and strategic objectives

Figure 18. Assumptions linking the strategy to “restore dunes in the Wadulh Unit” to coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Human well-being target = gray oval; green oval = priority resource of concern; blue box = interim result of strategy; purple box = threat reduction result; yellow hexagon = strategy. ServCat holds more detailed results chain diagrams, including activities and strategic objectives

Figure 19. Assumptions linking the strategy to “maintain intern and biotech support” to coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Human well-being target = gray oval;

green oval = priority resource of concern; blue box = interim result of strategy; purple box = threat reduction result; yellow hexagon = strategy. ServCat holds more detailed results chain diagrams, including activities and strategic objectives

Figure 20. Assumptions linking the “climate adaptation strategy: coastal dunes” to coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Human well-being target = gray oval; green oval = priority resource of concern; blue box = interim result of strategy; purple box = threat reduction result; yellow hexagon = strategy. ServCat holds more detailed results chain diagrams, including activities and strategic objectives

Figure 21. Assumptions linking the strategies to “reduce impacts of human disturbance on the coastal dunes” and “monitor sediment as parabolic dune reaches slough at Ma-le’l” to coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Human well-being target = gray oval; green oval = priority resource of concern; blue box = interim result of strategy;

purple box = threat reduction result; yellow hexagon = strategy. ServCat holds more detailed results chain diagrams, including activities and strategic objectives

Figure 22. Assumptions linking the strategy to “work with the sediment management working group and Corps of Engineers to change the dredging disposal area” to coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Human well-being target = gray oval; green oval = priority resource of concern; blue box = interim result of strategy; purple box = threat reduction result; yellow hexagon = strategy. ServCat holds more detailed results chain diagrams, including activities and strategic objectives

Figure 23. Assumptions linking the strategy to “convert inland Ammophila at Ma-le’l to forest” to coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Human well-being target = gray oval; green oval = priority resource of concern; blue box = interim result of strategy;

purple box = threat reduction result; yellow hexagon = strategy. ServCat holds more detailed results chain diagrams, including activities and strategic objectives

Figure A1. Example of acceptable range in variation (FOS 2009)

TABLES

Table 1. Outcomes and products for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge generated during the coastal dunes documentation project Table 2. Direct threats, contributing factors, and associated impacts to the coastal dunes at

Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge over the next 10 years Table 3. Key ecological attributes and indicators of coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife

Refuge Table 4. Indicator scales, status, and desired future state of coastal dunes attributes for Humboldt

Bay National Wildlife Refuge Table 5. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge coastal dunes objectives and associated surveys Table 6. Strategies associated with coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Table 7. General conservation activities for the coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay NWR

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Table 8. Activities and information associated with invasive species management: status quo Table 9. Activities and information associated with oil spill preparedness and response Table 11. Activities and information associated with increasing native dune plant populations Table 8. Activities and information associated with developing and implementing an integrated pest management plan Table 12. Activities and information associated with restoring dunes in the Wadulh Unit Table 13. Activities and information associated with maintaining intern and biotech support Table 14. Activities and information associated with a climate adaptation plan for the coastal dunes Table 17. Activities and information associated with reducing the impacts of human disturbance on the coastal dunes Table 18. Activities and information associated with monitoring sediment as the parabolic dune reaches the slough at Ma-le’l Table 15. Activities and information associated with working with the Sediment Management

Working Group and Army Corps of Engineers to change dredging disposal area Table 16. Activities and information associated with converting inland Ammophila at Ma-le’l to forest Table 19. Information needs identified by Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge to help support conservation of coastal dunes at the Refuge

National Wildlife Refuge vii

Table of Contents

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Definition

CCC California Conservation Corp

CCP comprehensive conservation plan

IMP inventory and monitoring plan

KEA key ecological attribute

NWR National Wildlife Refuge

NWRS National Wildlife Refuge System

Conservation Standards Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation

PRIMR Planning and Review of Inventory and Monitoring on Refuges Database

Project Coastal Dunes Documentation Project

Refuge Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Complex Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex

ROC resource of concern

SMART specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented, time-bound

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

National Wildlife Refuge 8

Chapter 3: The Conservation Situation

Chapter 1 - Introduction

1.1 Project Purpose

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is committed to using information from natural resource surveys to adaptively guide conservation decisions (USFWS 2011; 620 FW 1; 052 FW 1). In 1997, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act was signed (Public Law 105-57), requiring preparation of a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for each National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) or NWR Complex. A CCP describes desired future refuge conditions and provides guidance and management direction to achieve refuge purposes, fulfill the NWR System mission, and conserve or restore the ecological integrity of the refuge. Although most refuges now have a CCP, many factors have made implementation difficult, including significant declines in Federal funding and staffing levels; staff turnover and loss of refuge-specific knowledge; and environmental stressors such as disease, invasive species, extreme drought, and sea level rise.

In 2016-2017, staff at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge addressed these challenges by identifying priorities and building the infrastructure for reflection and adaptation. During the Humboldt Bay NWR Natural Resource Management Plan development process, resources of concern were identified and prioritized based on several factors including refuge purposes, the National Wildlife Refuge System Mission, Goals, and Refuge Purposes Policy, the FWS Policy on Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health, and additional criteria developed by Refuge and Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) staff. Additional details about how priority Resources of Concern (ROC)s were selected and ranked are in “Methodology for Identifying Priority Resources of Concern at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge” (USFWS 2015). Results of this work are summarized in the Humboldt Bay NWR Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) (USFWS 2018) and companion Humboldt Bay NWR Inventory and Monitoring Plan (IMP)

(USFWS 2017).

A five-year review of these planning documents in 2022 identified a gap in documentation: the coastal dune ecosystem. The purpose of this project is to document information about the conservation situation and management of the dune ecosystem at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge with the intention of building a comprehensive set of priorities for the Refuge. This conservation summary will document information about the coastal dunes at the Refuge, analogous to information about priority resources of concern in the Humboldt NWRC Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) and Inventory and Monitoring Plan (IMP). We will use these results to adjust priorities (ROCs, strategies, survey and long-term workplan) that were developed in the NRMP and IMP, and ultimately support the Refuge in effectively and efficiently managing the priority resources of concern.

The ROC objectives and associated indicators outlined in this plan are intended to support systematic evaluation, learning, and adaptation to improve the health of the Refuge https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/7679?Reference=7935 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/7679?Reference=7935 https://www.fws.gov/policy/052fw1.html

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Chapter 2: Documenting Priority ROCs

Complex’s resources of concern and are not tools for gauging Refuge Complex performance. If an indicator is below expected or desired levels, the Refuge can evaluate the cause and determine if current management strategies can be adapted in response.

1.2 Project Scope and Overview

In May 2022, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) staff and Region 8 Natural Resources Division’s I&M staff initiated a project to reflect on the Refuge’s Natural Resource Management Plan and IMP and adapt the information as needed. These plans were developed by previous Refuge staff in collaboration with the Inventory and Monitoring program (USFWS 2018, 2017).

A component of this project involves incorporating the Refuge’s coastal dunes as an additional priority resource of concern to those that were documented in the NRMP and IMP. The effort to document the coastal dunes as a resource of concern was initiated in September 2022. The scope of the effort includes the dune units at Humboldt Bay NWR (figure 1). We assessed the resource of concern across the scope, developed a conservation situation diagram for the resource, and assessed management strategies and expected results related to the resource. This conservation summary serves as an addition to the information in the Refuge’s Natural Resource Management Plan, which is a step-down plan from the Humboldt Bay Complex CCP. Additionally, this conservation summary includes information that will be incorporated into an update of survey priorities in an associated IMP. Products and data associated with this effort are stored within the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Natural Resource Management Plan Project on ServCat (ServCat Reference 98313).

Table 1. Outcomes and products for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge generated during the coastal dunes documentation project.

Project Step Product Name and Link Identify resources of concern

Documentation of the coastal dunes as a priority resource of concern

Overview of Coastal Dunes Pg. 11

Assess threats and opportunities

Conceptual model of the coastal dunes pROC

Conceptual Model Pg. 22

Assess threats and opportunities

Assessment of environmental threats and current conservation situation of the coastal dunes

Environmental Threats Pg. 23

Assess threats and opportunities

Assessment of strategies and expected results related to the coastal dunes

Management Strategies;

Pg. 43

Describe

SMART

objectives

Development or refinement of SMART objectives that describe the desired state of a priority ROC, the coastal dunes

SMART Objectives;

Pg. 33 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/98313 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/98313

National Wildlife Refuge 10

Chapter 2: Documenting Priority ROCs

Figure 1. Geographic setting of the coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

National Wildlife Refuge 11

Chapter 3: The Conservation Situation

Chapter 2 - Documenting Priority Resources of Concern

2.1 Resources of Concern

The USFWS defines Resources of Concern (ROCs) as “all plant and/or animal species, species groups, or communities specifically identified in refuge purpose(s), System mission, or international, national, regional, state or ecosystem conservation plans or acts” (Habitat Management Plan Policy: 620 FW1). Legacy Region 8 further specifies a priority ROC as a species, species group, community, landcover, or ecosystem that is managed to fulfill obligations to refuge purposes, system mission, and biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health (Paveglio and Taylor 2010, Taylor and Paveglio 2017; USFWS 2015).

Priority ROCs can contain “nested ROCs” (for example, an ecosystem-level priority ROC may contain nested ROCs that are species or species groups). If a priority ROC is conserved or restored, then its nested resources will likely derive benefits. Likewise, threats to a priority ROC put stress on nested resources, and strategies aimed at removing or mitigating threats will benefit the priority ROC and its nested resources.

Additional information about the priority resources of concern that were previously identified can be found in the Refuge’s Natural Resource Management Plan (USFWS 2018).

However, coastal dunes were excluded as a documented priority resource of concern at that time.

2.2 Overview of Coastal Dunes

Large coastal dune systems are formed by a complex geologic history, and include cycles of stabilization and rejuvenation events (Wiedemann 1984; Wiedemann and Pickart 1996, Pickart and Hesp 2019). Vegetated dunes are semi-stable and somewhat mobile as a result of constant exposure to erosional and depositional forces, which include enduring winds and wave surges, burrowing animals, and herbivory (Pickart and Sawyer 1998;

Hansom 1988; Wiedemann 1984). Coastal dunes in northern California are typically associated with mouths of rivers, which provide the sediment needed for the formation of dune systems and are located at the openings of river valleys between coast ranges (Pickart & Sawyer 1998; Cooper 1967). A low landscape allows for migration of dunes inland and these factors result in the formation of large dune systems (Hansom 1988; Pickart and Sawyer 1998). Coastal dunes represent a mixture of old and new geomorphic features and distinct vegetation patterns, with older dunes characterized by forested vegetation and newer dunes by herbaceous vegetation forming a mat-like cover (Pickart and Sawyer 1998). Primary coastal dune types include foredunes, blowouts, parabolic dunes, and transgressive dune fields (or dune sheets) (Hesp 2012; Hesp and Walker 2013). Active dune systems in northern California contain a variety of landforms (figure 2).

https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/7679?Reference=7935

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Chapter 2: Documenting Priority ROCs

Figure 2. Visual representation of landforms found in active dune systems in Northern California (source: Andrea Pickart).

Humboldt Bay NWR was established in 1971 for the primary purpose of conserving coastal habitats, of which coastal dunes are a key component, to support diverse animal and plant life, particularly migratory birds (USFWS 2009). Acquisition of the Lanphere Dunes and Ma-le’l Dunes units in 1997 and 2006 allowed the Refuge to conserve the best remaining example of a pristine dune ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest (USFWS 2009).

Currently, the Refuge maintains a goal to conserve and restore globally rare dune and dune forest habitats, associated native plant and animal species, and support recovery of threatened, endangered, and endemic species dependent upon these rare habitats (USFWS 2009). The dune units at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge are part of the larger Humboldt Bay Dunes coastal barrier system, which extends north to south from the mouth of the Mad River to Table Bluff (EDAW 2005; Pickart and Hesp 2019). The Refuge’s dune units lie to the northwest of Humboldt Bay in the upper North Spit of the Bay and cover approximately 648 acres of coastal dune and salt marsh ecosystem (figure 1) (USFWS 2009). A third unit, the Wadulh Unit, was established in 2020 and restoration has begun, National Wildlife Refuge 13

Chapter 2: Documenting Priority ROCs but it is still largely dominated by invasive species. The total size of the three dune units is 894 acres.

The Lanphere Dunes Unit was donated to the Refuge by the Nature Conservancy in 1998 and contains one of the few remaining areas of globally endangered foredune grassland community, one endangered plant species, Menzies’ wallflower (Erysimum menziesii), one threatened plant species, beach layia (Layia carnosa) and a number of California rare plants. These include pink sand-verbena (Abronia umbellata spp. brevifolia), dark-eyed gilia (Gilia millefoliata) and American glehnia (Glehnia littoralis ssp. leiocarpa).

The Ma-le’l Dunes were incorporated as part of the Refuge in 2006 as a result of a years-long cooperative effort between numerous federal and state agencies, nonprofit groups, and the Wiyot Tribe, among numerous other individuals. The acquisition was funded by the State Coastal Conservancy. The Lanphere and Ma-le’l Dunes have been used for millennia by the Wiyot people, who gave the Ma-le’l area the name still used today (USFWS 2009).

The importance of the dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge have been recognized at local (Humboldt County Coastal Plan) and eco-regional (The Nature Conservancy) scales (Humboldt County Local Coastal Program 2022; USFWS 2009). In 2021, the Lanphere and Ma-le’l Dunes ecosystem was recognized as one of the 602 designated National Natural Landmarks, due to its importance as the largest and best quality coastal dune ecosystem in the Northern Pacific Border Biophysiographic Region (NPS 2021; USFWS 2022a).

Invasive and non-native plants pose a significant threat to the Ma-le’l and Lanphere Dunes. This threat results from dispersal from surrounding areas and introductions of invasive species meant to stabilize the inherently unstable nature of the dunes (EDAW 2005;

Pickart & Sawyer 1998). Dunes are particularly vulnerable to threats of exotic invasive plant species due to their nature of frequent disturbance and the dispersed growth pattern of vegetation. Thus, invasive vegetation is a primary focus for management actions on the dunes at Humboldt Bay NWR (Pickart and Sawyer 1998).

Invasive annual grasses, particularly ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus) and rattlesnake grass (Briza maxima) have been managed annually since 2000 at the Refuge and continue to be monitored to understand the efforts and success of removal (Reynolds 2021). Restoration of the Lanphere Dunes, specifically removal of European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria), which can dominate coastal foredunes and disrupt sediment exchange, began during ownership by The Nature Conservancy (USFWS 2009; Pickart 2011; Pickart 2021).

Similar to other coastal dunes ecosystems in California that have incurred disproportionately high levels of human impacts, the dunes at Humboldt Bay NWR have been heavily impacted by human disturbance, particularly by Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)

Figure 3. Rows of staggered planting hills of Leymus mollis planted on the Lanphere Adaptation Site in 2016.

National Wildlife Refuge use on the Ma-le’l Dunes (Pickart and Sawyer 1998; EDAW 2005). Previous owners of the property include the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, which allowed public OHV use of the open dunes, and a private OHV club during the 1990s (EDAW 2005). A major restoration effort occurred within the past several decades at the Ma-le’l Dunes Unit as part of a mitigation program funded by the California Department of Corrections (USFWS 2009;

EDAW 2005). The primary restoration action has been removal of invasive species including European beachgrass, yellow bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus), jubata grass (Cortaderia jubata), iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis x C. chilense hybrids), and English ivy (Hedera helix). Other management actions have included the restoration of three acres of degraded coastal forest, habitat manipulation, and revegetation efforts (EDAW 2005;

USFWS 2009).

More recent restoration efforts are focused in the Wadulh Unit, a 300-acre management unit composed of land parcels acquired by the Service between 1997 and 2019 (figure 1).

Minimal management has been conducted on this unit outside of the south end of the Bair parcel (USFWS 2022b). A planned $2.7 million restoration, which began in 2022, will take place on the Wadulh Unit and the nearby Friends of the Dunes parcel and focuses on removal of European beachgrass and yellow bush lupine, along with revegetation with native plants (figure 4, Pickart 2011, USFWS 2022b). Plans to restore areas of foredune and backdune to dune mat, native dunegrass, and dune forest will contribute to goals of restoring ecological and geomorphic processes that foster biodiversity and increase resiliency to effects of climate change by reconnecting beach-foredune-backdune sediment budgets (USFWS 2022b).

Nested resources of concern for the coastal dunes at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife include five important vegetation communities (figure 4) and two rare plant species.

Conserving these nested resources of concern will contribute to the conservation of the coastal dunes ecosystem.

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Chapter 2: Documenting Priority ROCs

Figure 4. A depiction of important vegetation communities that comprise the coastal dunes ecosystem. From top (furthest inland) to bottom, these communities include the coniferous dune forest, dune riparian forest and swamp, dune swale, dune mat, and foredune grassland.

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Chapter 3: The Conservation Situation

Nested ROC: Native Dunegrass Community

Figure 5. Native dunegrass community at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

The native dunegrass community (American dunegrass) is restricted to the seaward (stoss) face of foredunes, where salinity is high and burial by sand is common. Dunegrass intergrades with the dune mat community (below) which can also occur on foredunes.

American dunegrass is classified as the Leymus mollis herbaceous alliance (Leymus and Elymus are synonyms) (Sawyer et al. 2009). Dominated by native dunegrass (Elymus mollis), this community is rare in California and the Pacific Northwest due to the spread of invasive European beachgrass. Native dunegrass and European beachgrass are both ecosystem engineers that vary in function. European beachgrass is a superior sand trapper due to its dense shoots and ability to withstand a high degree of burial. Beachgrass builds a narrow, steep foredune. In contrast, native dunegrass is less dense, traps less sand (allowing sand to bypass the foredune and reach the backdune), and builds a broader, more gradual foredune. The height of the foredunes built by the two species is not significantly different (McDonald 2020). The native-built foredune is more resilient to storm erosion (Hilgendor et al. 2022)

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Chapter 2: Documenting Priority ROCs

Nested ROC: Dune Mat Community

Figure 6. Dune mat community at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

The dune mat is composed of upland herbaceous plants that grow low to the ground, including both annual and perennial species. These species are found throughout semi-stable dunes on the northwest coast of North America. Dune mat is now rare in the Pacific Northwest (USFWS 2022b). The term “dune mat” is the common name for the Coastal sand verbena (Abronia latifolia) – Beach bur sage (Ambrosia chamissonis) herbaceous alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009). Generally, dune mat is characterized by low vegetative cover of about 40% and areas of open sand (EDAW 2005; USFWS 2022b; Pickart 2013).

Dune mat includes a diverse set of species (USFWS 2022b; EDAW 2005) such as dune goldenrod (Solidago spathulata ssp.spathulata), beach pea (Lathyrus littoralis), dune buckwheat (Eriogonum latifolium), seashore bluegrass (Poa macrantha), sand-verbena, beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), dune sagebrush (Artemisia pycnocephala) and seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus) (EDAW 2005).

Rare and/or endemic species may occur in coastal dune ecosystems due to the relative isolation of dune habitats (USFWS 2009). Dune mat occurring on the Refuge remains an area of pristine habitat, hosting globally declining native vegetation communities, federally endangered plant species, and plant species listed as California Rare Plant Rank 1B (rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere) by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) (USFWS 2009; Pickart and Barbour 2007). Federally listed plant species occurring on the dunes include the endangered Humboldt Bay wallflower and threatened beach layia. CNPS rare or endangered plant species of rank 1B include dark-eyed gilia and pink sand-verbena (USFWS 2009). Potentially rare or endemic

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Chapter 2: Documenting Priority ROCs species, such as lichens, insects, and mycorrhizal fungi, may also be present in dune habitat

(USFWS 2009).

Invasive species such as European beachgrass, yellow bush lupine, and iceplant are major threats to the dune mat at Humboldt Bay Refuge (EDAW 2005; Pickart and Sawyer 1998). Such invasive species may reduce the extent of dune mat, alter dune morphology, directly compete with desirable native vegetation, and alter ecosystem processes (EDAW 2005).

Nested ROC: Dune Swale Community

Figure 7. Dune swale community at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Dune swales are comprised of seasonal, freshwater wetlands that occur in coastal dune basins (USFWS 2022b; EDAW 2005). These swales form in the depression basins behind the foredune and at the trailing edge of moving dunes (USFWS 2009; Pickart and Barbour 2007). During the spring and summer, strong winds erode the sand surface down to the summer water table level, which rises again in the winter and creates ephemeral pools

(EDAW 2005).

The successional process of dune swales begins with colonization by algae, cyanobacteria, and herbaceous plants (EDAW 2005). The dune sedge (Carex obnupta) herbaceous alliance occurs most commonly in early successional stages; dune rush (Juncus breweri), often occurs in the transitional boundary between swales and uplands(Sawyer 2009; USFWS 2022b; EDAW 2005). Later successional stages of dune swale are characterized by woody vegetation, dominated by Hooker’s willow (Salix hookeriana) and beach pine (Pinus contorta ssp. contorta). Co-occurring species include California

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Chapter 2: Documenting Priority ROCs blackberry (Rubus ursinus) and wax myrtle (Morella californica) (EDAW 2005; USFWS 2022b).

Dune swales are a rare habitat type that support several reptile, amphibian, and bird species, including the northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora aurora, CA species of special concern), black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), yellow warbler (Setophaga aestiva), and Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii). Additionally, a variety of mammals use dune swales as foraging, cover, and breeding habitat (USFWS 2009).

Threats to the dune swale communities are not immediate, but drought, sea level rise, and other effects of climate change pose long-term threats.

Nested ROC: Dune Riparian Forest and Swamp Community

Figure 8. Dune riparian forest and deciduous swamp at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Dune riparian forest and deciduous swamp consists of woody vegetation in stabilized, forested dunes that provides important habitat for wildlife on the Refuge dunes units (EDAW 2005; USFWS 2009). The riparian forest and swamp community consists of overstory species such as red alder (Alnus rubra), Hooker’s willow, and wax myrtle. Shrubs include California blackberry, and salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), and understory species such as skunk cabbage (Lystichiton americanum), hedge nettle (Stachys chamissonis), sedges (Carex spp.), and rushes (Juncus spp.) (Clifford 2003; EDAW 2005). At the Refuge, dune riparian forest and swamp may occur along Iron Creek and in transitional areas between the dune forest and moving dunes or salt marsh (Clifford 2003).

Species that rely on native dune riparian forest and swamp vegetation include amphibians and reptiles, migratory birds, and mammals. Species of Special Concern known

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Chapter 2: Documenting Priority ROCs to use the dune riparian swamp habitat at the Humboldt Bay Refuge dunes include the northern red-legged frog, Vaux’s swift (Chaetura vauxi), Willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii), Yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), and Yellow warbler (USFWS 2009).

Threats to the dune riparian forest and swamp are not immediate, but drought, sea level rise, and other effects of climate change will be a primary threat in the long-term.

Nested ROC: Coniferous Dune Forest

Figure 9. Coniferous dune forest at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Coniferous dune forest, a globally declining habitat type, occurs in older stabilized dunes at Humboldt Bay NWR. Coniferous dune forest at the Refuge includes three distinct forest types of beach pine, Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), and mixed species. Other important species include Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzeisii), grand fir (Abies grandis), and Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) (EDAW 2005; USFWS 2009; USFWS 2022b).

Understory vegetation ranges from low-density areas of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) to denser areas of shrubs, especially evergreen huckleberry (Vaccineum ovatum) (EDAW 2005; USFWS 1998; USFWS 2022b). Coastal dune forests are exposed to a variety of harsh conditions, and research supports the hypothesis that high winds and subsequent windfall events have been the most important disturbance factor in dune forest seedling establishment over the last 150 years (Green 1999; Wiedemann 1984).

Beach pine forest occurring at Humboldt Bay NWR forms a disjunct fragment of forest type that stretches along the coast from northern California to Alaska, with a southern limit near Humboldt Bay (Clifford 2003; Green 1999; Pickart 1990). Beach pine forest is considered a Sensitive Natural Community (Rank S3) by the California Natural

Diversity Data Base (CDFW 2022). Continued restoration of coniferous dune forest may create wildlife corridors by connecting disjunct forest habitat, improve habitat for special status species, and prevent expansion of European beachgrass (USFWS 2009).

The dune forest…