2015-noi-zlt.doc

Bureau of Reclamation Form, RF-102 12-2011 Bureau of Reclamation Form, RF-102 12-2011

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the Bureau of Reclamation’s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT

OVERVIEW

This project will continue ongoing surveys of the ZTL population at the Diamond Creek Dune and translocate species from Peach Springs Canyon to Diamond Creek. This will support genetic diversity for reproduction of the population. While the ZTL exists in the middle Peach Springs Wash drainage, which is the only ZTL population in the Colorado River ecosystem (CRE) in the Grand Canyon, they previously existed in the super-riparian sand dunes at the mouth of Diamond Creek on the Hualapai Indian Reservation. That population was extirpated in the mid-1980s when high flows on the Colorado River flooded the mouth of Diamond Creek and large trucks used the dune-top area for staging river take-outs. Repeated censuses for ZTL at the mouth of Diamond Creek from the late 1980’s through 2010 have consistently failed to reveal any of these conspicuous, diurnal lizards, and the population has been extirpated. Reclamation funded the Hualapai Tribe in 2012 to conduct translocations of the ZLT which proved to be successful. In August, 2014, nine individual zebra-tailed lizards were detected on the monthly survey suggesting that the zebra-tailed lizard population at Diamond Creek was viable and growing. It is important to continue the monthly surveys over the next five years to quantify the ZLT population, document future reproductive evidence, and diversify the species population, and translocate species to support their conservation.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Surveys will be performed on days when there is no rain or strong winds. The surveys consist of the two biologists systematically walking the entire Diamond Creek dune, adjacent campground, and trail areas, and counting the number of each species of lizard observed. The location of each lizard is recorded on an aerial photograph. For each zebra-tailed lizard encountered, the animal’s behavior (e.g. sunning in roadway, edge of brittle bush) is recorded as is the distance to vegetation and vegetation species. The surveys will start in late March and continue through September. A total of seven surveys will be performed each year. Also recorded is the presence of all lizard species, in an effort to understand if other lizard species are undergoing similar population fluctuations.

A Survey Report is prepared after each survey where the field data sheets are reproduced digitally as well as the mapped lizard location aerial photographs. Our GIS technician transposes lizard locations on the monthly aerial photograph. Each monthly survey report will be provided to Reclamation within two days of the survey. The Mid-term and Final Report will be prepared by the Senior Scientist. Quarterly reports can be provided on request.

In April, 2016, we propose to capture two adult male and adult female zebra-tailed lizards in Peach Springs Canyon using the same methods and protocols used in 2012 and translocate the lizards to the Diamond Creek Dune area. One male and one female will be released in the eastern wash area, and the southern dune area. If deemed necessary, future translocations would follow the same protocol.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

N/A

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

(1) 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;

(2) 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;

(3) Legislative intent – The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;

(4) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;

(5) Emergencies – Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

Reclamation did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(4) Unique Qualifications

Single Source Justification Description:

The project site is located entirely on the Hualapai reservation. Access is restricted to tribal members and individuals that work for the tribe. Therefore, the project can only be conducted by tribal members and/or tribal government employees.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934, as amended, provides the following authority (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.): § 661. Declaration of purpose; cooperation of agencies; surveys and investigations; donations for the purpose of recognizing the vital contribution of our wildlife resources to the Nation, the increasing public interest and significance thereof due to expansion of our national economy and other factors, and to provide that wildlife conservation shall receive equal consideration and be coordinated with other features of water-resource development programs through the effectual and harmonious planning, development, maintenance, and coordination of wildlife conservation and rehabilitation for the purposes of sections 661 to 666c of this title in the United States, its Territories and possessions, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized (1) to provide assistance to, and cooperate with, Federal, State, and public or private agencies and organizations in the development, protection, rearing, and stocking of all species of wildlife, resources thereof, and their habitat, in controlling losses of the same from disease or other causes, in minimizing damages from overabundant species, in providing public shooting and fishing areas, including easements across public lands for access thereto, and in carrying out other measures necessary to effectuate the purposes of said sections;

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