A04_SOW_Muddy_River_BL91_TE_Survey_Solicitaion.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

LAS VEGAS FIELD OFFICE

STATEMENT OF WORK

PRESENCE/ABSENCE SURVEY

FOR

SOUTHWESTERN WILLOW FLYCATCHER: MUDDY RIVER BERM REMOVAL PROJ

Background

· The southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus: flycatcher or SWFL) is one of five subspecies of willow flycatchers recognized in North America. The southwestern willow flycatcher is a riparian obligate bird restricted to dense riparian vegetation.

· The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the southwestern willow flycatcher as an endangered species in March 1995.

· The BLM project requiring this survey will remove an earthen agricultural levee along an approximately 1 mile reach of the Muddy River near Moapa Nevada (map attached below) using heavy earthmoving equipment that will remove existing vegetation. Material will be removed used to create a new flood control berm several hundred feet from the stream in an area that does not contain SWFL habitat.

· The 1 mile reach of the Muddy River is deeply incised and currently unable to support significant obligate riparian vegetation. Very small patches of willow, cottonwood, ash, and tamarisk occur within a narrow 5-15 meter ribbon on either side of the river, with individual tamarisk extending further from the stream along with thickets of young mesquite. The area was overwhelmingly dominated by tamarisk until BLM treatments reduced the tamarisk concentration significantly between 2013 and 2019.

· Contract Options: The surveys are planned to be conducted in three successive years if needed. After the Base year the contract can be renewed at the BLM’s option for an additional year. Please prepare quotes to have the following structure:

· Base Year

· Option Year 1

· Option Year 2

Objective

· Determine and document the presence or absence of southwestern willow flycatchers along the approximately 1 mile reach the Muddy River near Moapa, Nevada where BLM will remove an earthen agriculture levee.

Tasks

The Contractor tasks are:

· Determine location(s) and route(s) to conduct survey where SWFL could be affected by the berm removal.

· Conduct SWFL presence/absence surveys beginning in the Spring of 2023 in accordance with the most recent USFWS protocol. (available online at https://www.fws.gov/media/survey-protocol-southwestern-willow-flycatcher)

· Submit data/reports to USFWS as required by Contractor’s permit/certification.

· Submit a Final Report of the survey to the BLM by the end of August 2023 to include:

· Documentation of surveys conducted

· location of SWFL occurrence

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

Contractor Basic Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Must possess current permit/certification to conduct SWFL surveys

· Must possess or be able to possess a permit from NDOW to conduct SWFL surveys

· Must be able to read and interoperate maps

· Must be able to utilize GPS and GIS technology

· Must be able to work with and communicate with BLM staff

· Must know the habitat requirements and biological needs of the southwestern willow flycatcher

· Must have the ability to recognize suitable habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher.

Contractor Educational Requirements

· Contractor must have a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology or closely related field.

· Must have taken USFWS training for SWFL surveys and possess a current certificate/permit to conduct SWFL surveys

Contractor Physical Requirements

· The Contractor must have the hearing and vision to Identify flycatchers and other birds.

· The Contractor must have the ability to traverse uneven terrain and dense vegetation.

Contractor Licenses

State and Federal permits are required to search for nesting flycatchers. The contractor shall have a permit on file with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct presence/absence surveys for Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. The contractor shall also pay for (if applicable) and obtain all rights-of-way permits for surveys on public and private lands. If right-of-way permits cannot be obtained the contractor shall contact the BLM representative.

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