BOR-MP-18-N035 Notice of Intent.pdf

Bureau of Reclamation Form, RF-102 02-2016

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

Funding Announcement BOR-MP-18-N035

Project Title Captive Propagation and Reintroduction of Large-flowered Fiddleneck (Amsinckia grandiflora) in Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Joaquin Counties, California - Phase 2 Monitoring

Recipient Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting, Inc. (VNLC) Principal Investigator / Program Manager

Jake Schweitzer

Anticipated Federal Amount $273.464.00

Anticipated Non-Federal Amount

$0.00

New Award or Continuation? Continuation

Anticipated Period of Performance January 16, 2016 through September 30, 2021

Award Instrument Grant Statutory Authority Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934, Public Law 85-624, 16

U.S.C. 661 et seq., as amended, and Section 7(a) of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) (70 Stat 1122; 16 U.S.C. 742f(a)); as amended and delegated by the Department of the Interior Manual Part

255 DM1.

CFDA # and Title 15.564 – Central Valley Project Conservation Program, Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation

Single Source Justification Criteria Cited

(2) Continuation

Reclamation Point of Contact Rosemary Stefani/Crystal Oliver

12-2011

OVERVIEW

The primary purpose of this project is to establish self-perpetuating populations of the critically endangered Amsinckia grandiflora (Gray) Greene (large-flowered fiddleneck or AMGR) on ten suitable sites within its current and historic range in Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Joaquin Counties.

“Phase 2 – Monitoring” of the project involves ongoing consultation with the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), supplemental planting, and the continuation and completion of the monitoring, management, and reporting objectives of the AMGR reintroduction project. Because the drought forced a 12-month delay in planting and the development of irrigation alternatives, the project implementation and monitoring would exceed the five-year grant duration. Thus, the drought-caused planting delay accounts for the purpose and need of Phase 2, to continue and complete the AMGR reintroduction project.

Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting Inc. (VNLC) activities to be funded through Phase 2 of the AMGR reintroduction project are summarized in the following objectives. Please note that earlier project objectives that were completed by VNLC in Phase 1 are indicated in gray font below:

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Recipient will continue to establish self-perpetuating populations of the critically endangered AMGR on suitable sites within its current and historic range in Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Joaquin Counties.

This project will continue to:

(1) Convene and Consult with TAG

(2) Delineate, Prepare, and Plant Re-introduction Sites

(3) Install and Monitor Partial Fencing at Nine Reintroduction Sites

(4) Implement Irrigation of Reintroduction Plots

(5) Conduct Annual Monitoring and Management of Re-Introduction Sites

(6) Prepare Interim Reports and Final Reports

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

No substantial involvement on the part of Reclamation is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. It is anticipated that Reclamation’s involvement will consist of standard federal stewardship responsibilities such as monitoring project performance, technical assistance at the request of the recipient, etc.

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:

(2) CONTINUATION

Single Source Justification Description:

VNLC and their team possess all of the permits required to propagate, reintroduce, and monitor the federally listed species. Furthermore, the AMGR reintroduction site landowners are acquainted with VNLC and have allowed entry onto their property and have signed participation agreements in place with VNLC for this project. This continuity of relationships is essential for garnering and maintaining trust to reintroduce endangered species on private property as well as for continued monitoring and management of the reintroduction sites.

The AMGR reintroduction sites occur in remote locations on extremely steep, often rocky and erosive slopes. Many of the sites are best accessed via the use of all-terrain vehicles, which are owned and operated by VNLC. As the grant recipient of Phase 1, VNLC is familiar with all of the reintroduction sites and employs appropriate safety and training precautions to access and work at the sites.

The continued involvement of VNLC in the monitoring, management and reporting objectives of Phase 2 is crucial to the successful completion of the AMGR reintroduction project. This species is notable for its highly specialized biology and unique ecological niche. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the species, as gained through experimentation and other direct experiences as well as extensive literature review, is essential for its successful reintroduction. The methods for monitoring and management of the reintroduction sites have been developed and refined by VNLC in Phase 1 to suit the particular needs of the species. Management of the reintroduced populations involves irrigation and vegetation management, including thatch control and specialized weeding. These efforts represent on-going experiments that require an intimate knowledge of the species’ requirements and of the micro-habitat conditions within each reintroduction site, gained during Phase 1 by VNLC. The knowledge accumulated by VNLC throughout the duration of the project from these experiments clarifies the Recipients unique qualifications.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934 (March 10, 1934; Public Law 85–624; 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), as amended, was enacted to protect fish and wildlife when federal actions result in the control or modification of a natural stream or body of water.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, [16 U.S.C. 661] 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-resources development programs through the effectual and harmonious planning, development, maintenance, and coordination of wildlife conservation and rehabilitation for the purposes of this Act 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 from the same from disease or other causes, in minimizing damages from overabundant species, in providing public shooting and fishing areas, including elements across public lands for access thereto, and in carrying out other measures necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

The Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (August 8, 1956; 16 U.S.C. 742f; 70 Stat. 1122), as amended, establishes a comprehensive national fish, shellfish, and wildlife resources policy with emphasis on the commercial fishing industry but also with a direction to administer the Act with regard to the inherent right of every citizen and resident to fish for pleasure, enjoyment, and betterment and to maintain and increase public opportunities for recreational use of fish and wildlife resources. Section 7(a) of the Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to:

1) develop measures for "maximum sustainable production of fish";

2) make economic studies of the industry and recommend measures to insure stability of the domestic fisheries;

3) undertake promotional and information activities to stimulate consumption of fishery products; and

4) take steps "required for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of the fisheries resources," and take steps "required for the development, management, advancement, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources" through research, acquisition of land and water or interests therein, development of existing facilities, and other means.

Departmental Manual Part 255 DM 1, Chapter 1 authorizes the Commissioner of Reclamation:

1.1 Delegation. Subject to the exceptions in Section 1.2, the Commissioner of Reclamation

(Commissioner) is delegated the authority of the Assistant Secretary – Water and Science to:

B. Take the following actions, either directly or by providing financial assistance to non-Federal parties, pursuant to the Conservation of Wild Life, Fish and Game Act of March 10, 1934 (Pub. L. 73-121; 48 Stat. 401) as amended by the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of August 14, 1946 (Pub. L. 85-624; 72 Stat. 563; 16 U.S.C. 661-666c); Section 5 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, December 28, 1973 (Pub. L. 93-205; 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C.

1534); and Section 7(a) of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1956, August 8, 1956 (70 Stat. 1122; 16 U.S.C. 742f(a)), regarding the construction and/or continued operation and maintenance of any Federal reclamation project:

(1) plan, design, and construct, including acquiring lands or interest therein as needed for:

(a) fish passage and screening facilities at any non-Federal water diversion or storage project; or

(b) projects to create or improve instream habitat.

(2) acquire or lease water or water rights from willing sellers or lessors; or

(3) monitor and evaluate the effect of Reclamation actions on Endangered Species Act-listed species.