A04 Statement of Work.pdf

Condition Assessment and Treatment Plan Mojave National Preserve

Statement of Work

Artificial watering devices (guzzlers) have been constructed throughout the southwestern United States to provide rainwater storage for use by game animals and other wildlife. In the eastern Mojave Desert region of California, more than 200 small-game guzzlers of the type described by Glading (1943) have been installed to provide access to stored water over extended time periods. Construction of guzzlers in the California desert region was the result of efforts by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and associated wildlife conservation groups over a period of four decades beginning in the 1940s. Also known as upland game bird guzzlers, they were initially intended to enhance the habitat of small game birds such as the native California quail (Callippepla californicus), Gambel’s quail (Callipepla gambellii), and mountain quail (Oreortyx pictus) as well as the introduced chukar (Alectoris chukar). Ideal locations for guzzler installation were considered those areas with adequate cover and feed in which water was the only missing component to satisfy wildlife needs (Benolkin 1991). Small-game guzzlers of this type function by collecting rainwater on a concrete apron and storing it in an underground tank. Early tank designs specified concrete construction but later designs utilized prefabricated fiberglass tanks. Tank storage capacity is approximately 2,000 L. The majority of guzzler aprons have a very moderate slope (<5%) with an average apron catchment area of approximately 40 m2. Tank openings range from approximately 10 to 100 cm wide by 6 to 25 cm high.

Established in 1994 under the California Desert Protection Act, Mojave National Preserve inherited 133 small-game guzzlers when the area became part of the National Park System.

The Biological Opinion for the Preserve’s General Management Plan called for an assessment of all small-game guzzlers within the Preserve boundaries (United States Department of the Interior 2002). Of particular concern was the impact these guzzlers may have to the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (United States Fish and Wildlife Service 1990). Ongoing maintenance of these historic structures has been conducted without any real attention to the historic character of them. Treatments that are not in accord with the original construct of these objects speak to a lack of knowledge about them and the history behind the legislated intent and drive for their construction.

Scope of Work: This project will result in the fully investigated and documented history of small game guzzlers in the Preserve as well as a Condition Assessment and Treatment Plan.

In addition, treatment recommendations will be made as to further proper maintenance in keeping with whatever is historically appropriate. A Determination of Eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places will also be resultant (required). Formatting of the document(s) is left to the contractor although examples of such documents previously accepted can be provided.

The successful applicant will be required to field visit, inventory and describe individual guzzlers, developing feature type categories as convenient and/or necessary for management and maintenance purposes. Attention will be paid to unique elements such as dates, inscriptions, etc. that call out individuality that speaks to special treatment recommendations. Research at identified archives is likely necessary, including but not limited to interviews with individuals that may be familiar with the decision making processes that formulated the ultimate dictate to install these features. Research details should include biological opinions that led to the understanding of why this project was considered necessary by the governmental agencies that moved forward with the constructs.

Project Area: The (small game) guzzlers are distributed across the entire Preserve, at various elevations and geographical locations, in various states of repair. An Excel sheet listing all 133 guzzlers with their locations is attached. A map of the Preserve, shown here, shows the distribution:

Period of Performance: One year from Notice to Proceed.