Att_8_-_Questions___Answers_1_0001.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

National Operations Center

Denver Federal Center, Building 85 P.O. Box 25047

Denver, Colorado 80225-0047 http://www.blm.gov

IRA - MORGAN BRIDGE RIPARIAN RESTORATION

140L0624R0038 Attachment 8 - Questions & Answers #1

Q1 - Will the contractors be able to camp on-site during construction?

A1 – The BLM Pocatello Field Office will allow the contractor to camp on the project site at a government-selected location. The contractor will be responsible for all amenities while on site.

Q2 - What are the wildlife season requirements?

A2 – For Sage Grouse: During lekking: 3/1-5/15- No repeated or sustained behavioral disturbance

(e.g., visual, noise over 10 dbA at lek, etc.) to lekking birds from 6:00 pm to 9:00 am within 2 miles (3.2 km) of leks during the lekking season.

Q3 – Is the Contractor responsible for the bird survey if ground disturbance activities happen between February 1 and August 15?

A3 – Contractor shall notify the government if there are ground disturbing activities planned between Feb 1 and August 15.

Q4 – What kind of access is there on private land vs access that is on BLM land?

A4 – Access on BLM is generally provided by two-track trails; cross-country travel is permitted for local access. For certain sections of BLM land within the project site the Contractor is responsible for obtaining permission for access from the private landowners.

Q5 - Is the plan for recontouring to occur on the riverbank or on the floodplain?

A5 – The Government is leaving all design aspects up to the Contractor.

Q6 - Is there any existing LiDAR of the area?

A6 – No

Q7 - Is the work site actively being grazed?

A7 – No, the project area downstream of the bridge is closed to livestock grazing.

Q8 - Does the fence near the river on both sides need to remain intact?

A8 – The sections of fence running parallel to the river will be removed before the start of this contract. A map of the fencing located within the project area will be attached. The map will show existing fencing and if it will be removed or removed and replaced.

Q9 - Does the fence go the entire length of the river on both sides where the work will be done?

A9 – A map of all existing fencing within the project area is attached.

Q10 - How long has this been BLM property?

A10 – Since 2016.

Q11 - Was there a previous cattle operation at this project site?

A11 – It is unknown what operations were previously run.

Q12 - Are there any specific wildlife goals or objectives that the BLM is wanting to achieve from this project? Example: Yellow belly cuckoo habitat.

A12 - Streambank stabilization and rehabilitation. Stream is identified as Cutthroat Trout habitat.

Q13 - Does the entire corridor of river need work done?

A13 - The Government is leaving all design aspects up to the Contractor.

Q14 - Is there a history of intentional planting of vegetation or is it natural?

A14 - The land was previously private. The exact history is unknown.

Q15 - Is all the work to be done here riparian? Or is there a recreational aspect?

A15 - There are no recreational aspects to this project.

Q16 - Is there more than one tributary feeding into the river? Is the only one where the culvert is?

A16 - The only tributary feeding into the river within the project area is Deadman Creek that runs under the culvert.

Q17 - What is the name of the creek here?

A17 - Deadman Creek.

Q18 - Will there be any required road work or is it only the culvert replacement?

A18 – There is no road work within this project, only culvert replacement and any approach work.

Q19 - Will there be any riparian work to be done near the culvert?

A19 – No, all riparian work shall be done along the Blackfoot River.

Q20 - Has this gone through NEPA?

A20 – Yes.

Q21 - Does the access road past the culvert need to be maintained or rehabbed with recontouring?

A21 – Road will be maintained for administrative access.

Q22 - Are there any restrictions for vehicles in regard to access?

A22 - Not on the BLM managed lands. A travel variance may be required but are issued by the

Pocatello Field Office so shouldn’t be an issue.

Q23 - How many PPQ’s do you recommend? Is there a number or limit that you recommend?

A23 – There is no limit on Past Performance Questionnaires, and no specific number is recommended. However, positive responses sent by references from the most recent and relevant projects will receive higher confidence ratings. See Sections L-10 and M-2 of the solicitation.

Q24 - Why was this site selected and what is the end goal for improvements?

A24 - Recent acquisition with current restoration NEPA completed. End goal is to restore riparian habitat and stabilize streambanks.

Q25 - Does the culvert need to be replaced or can it just be removed?

A25 - Replaced to allow for full sized vehicle travel.

Q26 – Does the BLM have an aggregate material source nearby?

A26 – No.