DNR Crystal Waters Habitat Improvement Invitation To Bid (1).docx

Subject: Request for Proposal: Coarse Woody Habitat Project Contracting Services

Michigan DNR Fisheries Division Lake Erie Management Unit 7806 Gale Rd, Waterford, MI 48327 10-23-2023

Dear Interested Party, We are pleased to invite your company to submit a proposal for the completion of the ‘Crystal Waters State Game Area Reservoirs Habitat Improvement’ project for which grant funds have been successfully secured by our organization with an already fully planned and designed project. We have identified your company as a reputable and experienced entity in the field of aquatic habitat restoration and are eager to explore the possibility of collaboration.

Project Overview We will improve aquatic habitat in up to three, former sand pit lakes in a recently acquired state game area by installing small, downed trees on the shorelines. The coarse woody habitat (CWH) additions will provide habitat structure and complexity not currently present, which over time will provide increased productivity in the form of periphyton growth, forage (macroinverts), areas of refuge, and rearing habitat. This should lead to improved growth, recruitment, and abundance of the fish community.

Woody fish habitat is lacking or absent in all of these lakes. A lack of a diverse forage base has resulted in high levels of predation on the young of both the panfish and largemouth bass. This predation, along with the lack of other forage and protective habitat, keeps overall fish numbers low. Without significant management efforts to enhance habitat and increase productivity within these lakes, there is little chance of improving, or sustaining the existing fisheries now that they are open to the public for fishing. As a temporary protective measure, only catch-and-release fishing is currently allowed.

This project will improve habitat in the 35-acre Sand Lake with 5,100 feet of shoreline and on the 8- and 9-acre lakes with 2,350 and 2,900 feet of shoreline. All three lakes are accessible to shoreline and paddle boat anglers. Lakes in this state game area are the only publicly accessible inland lakes in Monroe County. Wisconsin DNR has been successfully implementing and evaluating “fish sticks” projects to improve lake habitat for several decades. Michigan DNR has been interested in CWH installations and prioritizes these efforts.

Scope of Work Haul small to large dead, dying, and freshly cut trees and large branches to three lake perimeters from adjacent property (50-200 ft for two 9-acre smaller lakes (Dusky and Blossom) and 1000 to 2000 ft for one 35-acre lake (Sand)). Transport of trees to be done when ground is frozen. Assemble woody structure “fish sticks” using 1 to 3 trees/branches with heavy duty twine. Install and anchor (with natural materials preferably) structures in nearshore area of the three lakes (within 0-10 ft depth) at approximately every 35-50 ft of shoreline. Monitor and re-anchor any structures that move within one year. Number of small trees or big tree branches needed to be moved and assembled will range from 200 to 300.

CWH structure will be installed around the Sand Lake as first priority then the two smaller western ponds, using whole and partially dead, dying, or felled trees, at least 4“ in diameter (up to 12 inches), approximately every 50 feet of shoreline (Sass 2009). We will source most of the wood adjacent to or within the project site to reduce costs.

Most of the wood/trees for the Sand Lake priority site will be previously hauled out to the property line by the landowner, which ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 ft from the installation site around the lake shoreline. We need these trees and branches to be hauled to the lake edge when ground is frozen to minimize habitat damage to surrounding property. For the other two smaller waterbodies, Dusky and Blossom lakes, there is an abundance of live and dying trees close to the lake edge and would only require cutting them down and moving the trees 50 to 200 ft from the adjacent forested land.

CWH will be installed using different tree sizes (length and width), configuration or shape, depths, and distance from shore to provide a variety of microhabitats. All of the structures will need to be anchored to the shoreline with smaller, natural looking anchors to ensure stability. We will leave several areas along the shorelines free of CWH to maintain easy/open angling access. Ideally, some type of heavy equipment (skid steer, ATV, etc.) will be used to place trees on top of the ice during the winter months. If ice is not of suitable thickness, a minimum transport of the downed trees to the lakes edge should occur when ground is frozen. A variety of tree species will be used to diversify aquatic invertebrate communities, but preference for hardwood trees is ideal for long-term habitat.

The big Sand Lake will need approximately 64 fish stick units (each unit needing 2 to 3 small trees or branches), and roughly the same number of structures for the remaining two lakes on the west end of the property combined. We will prioritize the big Sand Lake for the first construction season (on the ice - winter 2023) and if source trees are abundant, we will work on adding structures to the remaining two small lakes (see ‘Deductive Alternate’ on bid contract) the next construction season (on the ice - winter 2024) with flexibility on this timeline.

If ice cover or thickness is not enough to safely work on, we will use an alternate method of dragging trees into the littoral zone (e.g. wading, canoes, smaller crane/excavators). If there are any leftover funds remaining, we will use them to plant new trees/shrubs around the shorelines of the lakes following herbicide treatments for terrestrial invasives.

General Timeline (flexible)

• Fall/Winter 23’ – Finalize installation design with consultant. We have already marked waypoints for dead/fell and dying trees to use for structures. Drop a few trees or trim branches.

• Winter 23/24’ – Transport trees to priority big Sand Lake edge once ground freezes to reduce soil erosion during transport. Place trees on ice if safe ice forms.

• Spring 24’ – If ice thickness not adequate (e.g., 5” or greater), place trees on lake edge. If trees were placed, assess structure stability after ice melts and re-anchor as necessary.

• Fall 24’ - Pick and mark trees to use for structures for two smaller lakes. Drop a few trees and/or trim branches

• Winter 24/25’ - Drop more and drag trees to lakes edges once ground freezes. Place trees on ice.

This project already has commitment from several different volunteer groups and agency staff donating match. We will save on some costs with the help of Wildlife Division staff to move some trees. Because we have plenty of trees to use as a source on the property, this should free up funds and we could use the remaining funds to install saplings around several areas of the shoreline the following year once the invasive phragmites currently present on the property has been successfully treated by Wildlife Division.

MDNR-Fish will serve as the grant administrator and project manager. Technical staff will assist with pre-and post-monitoring. The lead fisheries biologist, John Buszkiewicz has been involved with a variety of habitat restoration and improvement projects. We also have support from the MDNR Fisheries Habitat Management Unit to offer their expertise and support. MDNR-Wildlife biologist, Zach Cooley is on the project team and have the resources and knowledge to assist with all aspects of the project. Their work involves habitat management and have access to heavy equipment and will select which trees to use. MSU Extension Limnologist, Erick Elgin has vast experience implementing aquatic habitat projects using wood. He will offer guidance throughout the process for outreach events and ensuring ecosystem-based approaches are considered. Staff from EGLE, Eric Calabro has extensive experience on lake habitat and restoration are also on the project team and will assist with reviewing project design and installation. Two different MUCC units have committed to volunteering for installation work and outreach events. MUCC Lansing’s Habitat Volunteer Coordinator deals solely with this type of work and has found willing volunteers in the past and expects the same on this project. The Region 8 Fisheries group has been in contact with local sports groups and expressed support. Both EGLE and MDNR have Voluntary Wetland Restoration staff that have offered to be of assistance throughout the project if desired.

An EGLE permit has been submitted (on 11/17/2023) to ensure that the fill volume below the OHWM is feasible. A pre-application site visit with EGLE and MDNR’s Voluntary Wetland Restoration coordinators occurred 1/6/2023 and they anticipated no issues with the proposed project. They were very supportive and willing to work together as much as possible. Minimal shoreline and wetland erosion (if any) should be occurring throughout construction. Verbal commitment was obtained to source downed and dying trees from an additional 80 acres of wooded land adjacent to the property by the owner and manager of the three distinct wooded parcels.

Basis of Award Award of contract will be based upon the lowest figure received from a responsive and responsible bidder, provided such a bid does not exceed available funding.

Proposal Submission Deadline The deadline for the submission of written proposals by email is Wednesday December 6, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., Eastern.

Site Visit There will be an opportunity for interested contractors to conduct a site visit to gain a better understanding of the project which can occur at any time, if requested. Please refer to the supplementary materials provided along with this solicitation letter.

Questions and Conclusion Please reach out to John Buszkiewicz for any inquiries or clarifications regarding the RFP. We look forward to receiving your proposal and potentially working together to bring this important project to fruition. Thank you for your interest in our organization's mission and for your dedication to environmental conservation.

Sincerely, John Buszkiewicz Fisheries Biologist Buszkiewiczj@michigan.gov

(248) 296-2498