ATT2_SOW.docx

AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION MODELING & ASSESSMENTS

STATEMENT OF WORK

Description of Work:

Contractor must have the technical ability and resources to update the Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) using ArcGIS (version 10.1 or later), complete acidic deposition critical load and target load analysis using simple mass balance calculations and one or more dynamic models. The analysis area for the base contract is the Southern Appalachia region as shown below (also see McDonnell et al. 2014, Reynolds et al. 2012). The contractor must have the technical ability and resources to complete the two base items and the nine option items listed in the schedule of items and described below.

Base Item 1: The contractor will begin this task by incorporating new stream and soil chemistry data into the EMDS database. The source of the data will be from the Appalachian Trail Corridor study, and samples collected from National Forests in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia between 2010 and 2013. This will also include evaluating the internal consistency (quality assurance) of the new data. Once the new data and existing data are integrated then the contractor will conduct a cursory evaluation of spatial patterns in stream and soil chemistry. Once this first task is completed, then the USDA Forest Service air staff (before the contractor proceeds with Base Item 2) will review the updated EMDS spatial database and any report.

Base Item 2: This task will update the model to predict base cation weathering (BCw) for Southern Appalachia (see figure above) and generate revised aquatic steady state critical loads (CL). The incorporating results into EMDS from the item listed below will allow a person using the software to evaluate if sulfur deposition is exceeding the steady state critical load. The contractor will need to complete the following:

· Update EMDS for the total base cation and sulfur deposition (by catchment) using the USDA Forest Service wet deposition spatial files, dry deposition estimates from the TDEP group, and cloud deposition based upon cloud:wet deposition estimates from the Southern Appalachian Mountains Initiative (SAMI)

· Calibrate Model of Acidification of Groundwater in Catchments (MAGIC) to all catchments having new soil and stream data (i.e. the first task noted above)

· Recalibrate MAGIC to existing catchments previously analyzed for use within EMDS

· Utilize the new soil chemistry results to re-examine the statistical relationships between MAGIC estimates of BCw throughout Southern Appalachia. The resultant model needs to provide a means for calculating surface water critical loads of acidity (and associated exceedances) in EMDS using steady state watershed chemistry calculations. The contractor also needs to allow for the use of these results to facilitate the development of terrestrial critical loads with dynamic models such as the Very Simple Dynamic model (VSD+ Studio) results.

· Working in cooperation with Researchers from the Pacific Northwest Research Station, update, as needed, predictor variables for extrapolating BCw to the Southern Appalachia region

· Working in cooperation with Researchers from the Pacific Northwest Research Station, explore modeling options for extrapolating BCw, considering linearity of response, existing biases, and spatial autocorrelation

· Update, as needed, base cation uptake (BCup) values for each catchment used in the steady state watershed chemistry calculations in EMDS

· Produce a report describing the steps completed for this base contract, including the critical load and exceedance estimates for the Southern Appalachia region.

Option Item A: Critical load and target load analysis for sulfur and nitrogen deposition using the MAGIC, MAGIC-WAND, PnET II, PnET-BGC, or other similar environmental effects models.

Critical loads and target loads using dynamic modelling will estimate the historic (1860), current, and future (2040, 2060, and 2100) year stream acid neutralizing capacity (20, 30, 50, and 100 micro-equivalents per liter [ueq/L]) and soil base saturation (<=10% , <=15% and <=20%) utilizing the MAGIC, MAGIC-WAND, PnET II, PnET-BGC, or another ecological model that can address base cation, sulfur and nitrogen dynamics and is deemed appropriate by the Forest Service. The analysis area could be anywhere in the United States or Puerto Rico where the Forest Service has land ownership. If water or soil chemistry data are not available then the Forest Service may request assistance through Option F listed below.

For an example report see:

http://webcam.srs.fs.fed.us/impacts/acid/reports/MAGIC_Modeling_Report_October_2007.pdf

Option Item B: Air quality technical report writing, analysis, and/or review for air quality input to Forest Plan Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, or inventory and monitoring reports.

In this option the tasks can occur for a project area where one or more land management activities may occur, or any National Forest or wilderness area located in the United States or Puerto Rico where the Forest Service has land ownership. The contractor should provide citations of reports that demonstrate they have performed these types of report writing, analysis, and technical review. Also, please include a list of the computer software that may be utilized in any analysis and report writing.

Option Item C: Spatial, geospatial and/or statistical analysis and summaries of air quality or environmental (such as water or soil chemistry) inventory and monitoring data.

The contractor will conduct an analysis using statistical and/or geographic information system software for any National Forest or wilderness area located in the United States or Puerto Rico where the Forest Service has land ownership. In many Forest Service Regions, the chemistry data from lakes, streams, or soils have not yet been fully analyzed. Assistance is needed in analyzing existing data, identifying trends, and providing a summary report. Additionally, issues such as nitrogen deposition, mercury deposition, and climate change, may pose threats to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The contractor will work with Forest Service staff to assess the adequacy of the existing programs to address these issues and make recommendations for modifications to the existing monitoring program(s).

The contractor should note the brand of geographic information system and statistical software they will plan to use for any projects. The contractor will be expected to provide electronic copies of statistical input and output files, as well as shapefiles or geodatabases that are compatible with ArcGIS software used by the Forest Service. The contractor needs to provide citations of reports that demonstrate they have previously conducted spatial, geospatial, and statistical analysis.

Option Item D: Development and/or refinement of any decision support system for air quality, critical loads, or climate impacts to natural resources.

The Forest Service is currently using the Ecosystem Management Decision Support System (EMDS) software to estimate steady-state critical loads for the southern Appalachians (see: http://www.spatial.redlands.edu/emds/Default.aspx) The contractor may be asked to provide updates to one or more modules or databases of EMDS, or develop a new air quality or climate application using EMDS or another decision support system. The contractor needs to provide citations of reports if they have designed or conducted studies using decision support system software.

Option Item E: Development and/or refinement of inventory and monitoring sampling protocols.

The contractor may be requested to develop wilderness, National Forest, Regional, or National protocols, such as for soil chemistry sampling. A National protocol for water sampling (see: http://www.fs.fed.us/air/program_spotlight.htm) is one example of a previously developed protocol for the Forest Service.

Option Item F: Conduct biological (such as lichens or fungal), water, or soil chemistry inventory or monitoring projects.

These tasks can occur for any National Forest or wilderness area located in the United States or Puerto Rico where the Forest Service has land ownership. The contractor should provide citations of reports or peer-reviewed literature that demonstrate they have performed these types of inventorying and monitoring projects.

Option Item G: Technical assistance with watershed, lake, or stream restoration projects for nutrient enrichment or acid deposition impacts.

These tasks can occur for any National Forest or wilderness area located in the United States or Puerto Rico where the Forest Service has land ownership. The contractor should provide citations of reports or peer-reviewed literature, describe their involvement with previous restoration projects, or state why they believe they are technically capable of providing this type of service to the Forest Service.

TRAVEL AND EXPENSES

Travel may occur with any of the base items or option items in order to conduct inventory or monitoring projects, or to meet with Forest Service staff to discuss project implementation, progress, or final presentation on findings.

The cost estimates for travel includes the time between the Contractor’s office and the location where the meeting will occur, or the location where the inventory and monitoring project will occur. The task orders will include an estimated amount for the contractor to be reimbursed for per diem, lodging, or use of personal vehicle at the government rate set for the locality. Actual costs for airline flights, train, or rental car costs will be reembursed. All travel will be reimbursed in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations.

Literature Cited:

McDonnell, Todd C., Timothy J. Sullivan, Paul F. Hessburg, Keith M. Reynolds, Nicholas A. Povak, Bernard J. Cosby, William Jackson, and R. Brion Salter. “Steady-State Sulfur Critical Loads and Exceedances for Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems in the U.S. Southern Appalachian Mountains.” Journal of Environmental Management 146 (December 2014): 407–19. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.07.019.

Reynolds, K.M., P.F. Hessburg, T. Sullivan, N. Povak, T. McDonnell, B. Cosby, and W. Jackson. “Spatial Decision Support for Assessing Impacts of Atmospheric Sulfur Deposition on Aquatic Ecosystems in the Southern Appalachian Region.” In 2012 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Science (HICSS), 1197–1206, 2012. doi:10.1109/HICSS.2012.542.

PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS:

If field sampling or training is conducted then the contractor should expect to work in a wide range of environmental conditions and in terrain that can be relatively flat to mountainous.

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED MATERIAL

Contractor shall furnish labor, equipment, and computer software with the necessary licenses, supervision, transportation, operating supplies and incidentals necessary to successfully complete the work on this contract and resultant task orders.

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