N6247319SMH01_DRAFT-Annex_18_SPEC_ITEM_4_2_Other_Services-Marine_Habitat.pdf

Annex 1800000 – Environmental/Natural Resources

Spec Item 4.2 Permits and other requirements Description:

The Contractor shall conduct marine habitat surveys, prepare marine habitat maps, perform marine habitat transplanting, monitoring, and perform other related services of marine habitats in compliance with sub-sections under Spec Item 4.2.

Performance Objective A. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining any necessary state and federal permits to conduct work specified under the Task Order (TO). Example, Endangered Species Act 10(a)(1)(A) permits, including protocol survey permits under the Act. Copies of permits shall be submitted to the COR prior to conducting any field surveys or prior to the Pre-Performance Conference under Spec Item 4.4.1.

B. Unless otherwise specified in the TO, the Contractor shall inform the Government of any federally listed species found within 48 hours.

Performance Standard A. Services were performed in a timely manner.

B. Services were conducted at the appropriate time of year to maximize the probability of detection and to allow identification of applicable species.

C. Services were conducted at the appropriate time of day or night to maximize the probability of detection.

D. Temporal spacing and frequency of survey effort maximized probability of detection.

E. Species observed were identified to the appropriate level of taxonomic classification (including subspecies or variety when of biological and/or regulatory significance).

F. If applicable, services adhered to most recently issued protocol by Federal (and, as appropriate, State or Local) Resources Agencies.

G. If applicable, standardized protocol was followed, service was conducted and report was prepared per standardized protocol/reporting requirements.

H. Collection, analysis and/or reporting of data support the application of the data (as specified in the Performance Objective for this Spec. Item).

I. Appropriately qualified personnel (with appropriate degree and professional work experience in the subject field of expertise) were utilized in performing services.

J. The Contractor obtained all required permits (e.g., federal, state, or local) within the timeframe necessary to conduct work under TO.

Spec Item 4.2.1 Eelgrass Transplanting Description:

The Contractor shall conduct Eelgrass transplanting services in compliance with sub-sections under Spec Item 4.2.

Performance Objective A. For all eelgrass transplanting services the Contractor shall prepare an eelgrass restoration/mitigation plan and planting plan, conduct field work, document field work with photographs and maps, and prepare reports. All documents shall be submitted to the COR for approval and dissemination to appropriate parties. All tools to complete the job shall be provided by the Contractor. The Contractor shall follow protocols established by the governing version of the Southern California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy (SCEMP) and adopted by the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Game. Eelgrass bundles shall consist of a minimum of 10 turions per bundle planted at a minimum of one meter on center.

B. The Contractor shall review all literature pertinent to transplantation and establishment of eelgrass beds.

C. The Contractor and the COR shall meet with representatives from the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and appropriate State agency to insure that the objectives of regulatory policy are achieved. The Contractor shall obtain the required authorizations from appropriate state agencies to transplant eelgrass.

D. The Contractor shall transplant eelgrass from existing beds to the specific site as stipulated in the eelgrass restoration/mitigation plan. The distance between eelgrass planting units shall be no greater than one meter on suitable substrate that does not have existing eelgrass. The planting shall be completed within 75 days after the award of TO.

E. Transplanting eelgrass shall not begin until the Contractor has submitted an eelgrass restoration/mitigation plan and planting plan for approval by the COR and had this plan approved. The Plan shall include:

1) Proposed location of eelgrass transplant site within the eelgrass transplant area limits and the recommended location of the eelgrass control bed as identified in the revegetation plan;

2) Detailed procedures for collecting donor eelgrass, preparing eelgrass planting units for transplanting, transporting and transplanting the prepared units;

3) Description of the anchoring system for prepared bare root planting units;

4) Supporting data from at least one similar successful eelgrass transplanting project completed by the Contractor using procedures similar to (b) and (c); and

5) A copy of appropriate state agency approvals to conduct the harvesting and transplant of aquatic vegetation for this project.

F. The Contractor shall notify the Navy and the appropriate resources agencies in writing at least seven calendar days prior to the start of eelgrass transplanting. The appropriate agency representatives shall be identified for each TO by the COR.

G. These agencies will have the opportunity to inspect the eelgrass transplant site and eelgrass control bed immediately following the completion of all transplanting and to provide recommendations to the Navy concerning the acceptability of the work. All transplanted eelgrass not in compliance with the contract documents and Contractor submittals shall be removed and replaced by the Contractor at no additional cost to the government.

H. The Contractor shall maintain the growth of the eelgrass in the transplanted eelgrass for a period of 90 days. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to replace dead material within this period unless it is determined that the eelgrass loss is the result of natural conditions, supported by data from the control site, and mutually agreed upon between the Contractor and the COR.

I. The transplanting of eelgrass shall be conducted in accordance with the implementation work plan and shall be planted at one meter on center at the following bundle densities (See eelgrass bundle definition Section 2.1).

J. The surveys shall be conducted at one of the following levels.

1. Very small transplants - Very small transplants are those whose planting areas are defined as less than or equal to 2,500 m2. This site will require a maximum of 2,625 bundles.

2. Small transplants - Small transplants are those whose planting areas are defined as greater than 2,500 m2 and less than or equal to 5,000 m2. This site will require a maximum of 5,250 bundles.

3. Medium (A) transplants - Medium (A) transplants are those whose planting areas are defined as greater than 5,000 m2 and less than or equal to 10,000 m2. This site will require a maximum of 10,500 bundles.

4. Medium (B) transplants - Medium (B) transplants are those whose planting areas are defined as greater than 10,000 m2 and less than or equal to 20,000 m2. This site will require a maximum of 21,000 bundles

5. Large transplants - Large transplants are those whose planting areas are defined as greater than 20,000 m2 and less than 30,000 m2. This site will require a maximum of 31,500 bundles.

6. Extra large transplants - Extra large transplants are those planting areas are defined as greater than 30,000 m2. This site will require greater than 31,500 bundles.

Performance Standard A. Transplants were performed in a timely manner.

B. Eelgrass transplanting services were conducted at the appropriate time of year to maximize the probability of detection and to allow identification of applicable species.

C. Eelgrass transplanting services were conducted at the appropriate time of day or night to maximize the probability of detection.

D. Temporal spacing and frequency of survey effort maximized probability of detection.

E. Species observed were identified to the appropriate level of taxonomic classification (including subspecies or variety when of biological and/or regulatory significance).

F. If applicable, transplanting adhered to most recently issued California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy (CEMP) protocol.

G. If applicable, standardized transplanting protocol was followed, transplanting was conducted and report was prepared per standardized protocol/reporting requirements.

H. Collection, analysis and/or reporting of survey data support the application of the survey data (as specified in the Performance Objective for this Spec. Item).

I. Appropriately qualified personnel (with appropriate degree and professional work experience in the subject field of expertise) were utilized in performing services.

J. The Contractor obtained all required permits (e.g., federal, state, or local) within the timeframe necessary to conduct work under TO.

Spec Item 4.2.2 Underwater and Airborne Acoustic Monitoring Description:

The Contractor shall record both underwater and airborne sound levels for the various in-water construction activities.

Performance Objective A. The contractor shall conduct standard acoustic ambient data analyses reporting on noise levels and use a transmission loss model to calculate Sound Exposure Level (SEL) estimates based on anticipated pile driving sound source levels.

B. Acoustic technicians are responsible for set up, calibration, the deployment of remote acoustic data collection systems, as well as documenting real time readings from field units.

C. Ambient data collection must consist of both hydroacoustic and airborne measurements and must be conducted in a manner consistent with NOAA’s Regional Office Guidelines.

A. Services were performed in a timely manner.

B. Services adhered to the most recently issued protocol by Federal (and, as appropriate, State or Local) Resources Agencies.

C. Appropriately qualified personnel (with appropriate degree and professional work experience in the subject field of expertise) were utilized in performing services.

D. The Contractor obtained all required permits (e.g., federal, state, or local) within the timeframe necessary to conduct work under TO.

E. A Draft and Final Report detailing the accomplishment of all Performance Objectives including a brief description of methods utilized for ambient data collection, analyses and modeling along with maps with estimated SELs as a function of range and bearing from the anticipated sound source.

Spec Item 4.2.3 Sediment Characterization for Dredging Operations Description:

The Contractor shall perform sediment characterization of material proposed for dredging to support disposal alternatives and provide supporting documentation in compliance with sub-sections under Spec Item 4.2.

Performance Objective A. Sediment characterization shall be performed at one of the following project sizes or a combination of project sizes:

1) Very small project – a very small project is defined as a project with a total proposed dredge volume of 10,000 cy or less.

a. No stratified samples

b. Including two stratified samples

2) Small Project – a small project is defined as a project with a total proposed dredge volume of 25,000 cy or less.

a. No stratified samples

b. Including two stratified samples

3) Medium Project – a medium project is defined as a project with a total proposed dredge volume of 50,000 cy or less.

a. No stratified samples

b. Including two stratified samples

4) Large project - a large project is defined as a project with a total proposed dredge volume of 100,000 cy or less.

a. No stratified samples

b. Including two stratified samples

5) Extra Large project – an extra-large project is defined as a project with a total proposed dredge volume of 200,000 cy or less.

a. No stratified samples

b. Including two stratified samples

A. Tier III Sediment characterization shall be performed in compliance with all relevant and applicable EPA and USACE guidance, including but not limited to, the Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal and/or Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Discharge in Waters of the U.S. – Testing Manual Inland Testing Manual.

B. Preparation of an approved Sediment Analysis Plan (SAP) in compliance with all relevant EPA and USACE guidance. This standard includes necessary coordination with the resource agencies to obtain approval prior to the collection of cores.

C. Preparation of an Explosive Site Safety Determination Request (ESS-DR) per NOSSA Instruction 8020 15D for approval prior to sediment collection.

D. Coordination for access to the installation with Port Operations for the Region and the Installation.

E. Performance of a pre-construction survey for Caulerpa taxifolia per the Caulerpa Control Protocol (CCP). A pre-construction eelgrass survey may be necessary depending on the location of the project footprint and the water depth. This requirement would be priced with an additional ELIN based on the size of the potential eelgrass habitat within the dredge footprint.

F. Sediment core collection will be performed in compliance with the Programmatic Consultation under Endangered Species Act Section 7(a)(2) and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 305(b)(4)(A) for waterfront structure maintenance and new construction projects occurring in San Diego Bay conducted by the Navy (April 2017).

G. Preparation of an approved SAP report (SAPr) based on the results of the Tier III sediment analysis and in compliance with all relevant and applicable EPA and USACE guidance, including but not limited to, the Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal and/or Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Discharge in Waters of the U.S. – Testing Manual Inland Testing Manual. This standard includes the necessary coordination with the resource agencies to obtain a suitability determination for all sediment proposed for dredging.

Spec Item 4.2.4 Water Quality Monitoring Operations for Dredging Operations Description:

The Contractor shall perform water quality monitoring, including turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and pH, during in-water construction activities and provide supporting documentation in compliance with sub-sections under Spec Item 4.2.

Performance Objective Water quality monitoring shall be performed at one of the following project sizes or a combination of project sizes:

1) Very small project – a very small project is defined as a project with a single construction location with a project footprint no larger than 1.0 acre of impact area.

2) Small Project – a small project is defined as a project with up to two in-water construction locations, not simultaneous, with a footprint no larger than 5.0 acre.

3) Medium Project – a medium project is defined as a project with up to three in-water construction locations, not simultaneous, with a footprint no larger than 8.0 acres

4) Large project - a large project is defined as a project with up to five in-water construction locations, not simultaneous, with a footprint no larger than 12.0 acres

5) Extra Large project – an extra-large project is defined as a project with six or more in-water construction locations, not simultaneous, with a footprint no larger than 20.0 acres

Performance Standard

A. Due to the dynamic nature of a turbidity plume, turbidity monitoring shall include the use of automated buoys and manual monitoring from a vessel in the water. All devices shall monitor for turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and pH. Automated buoys shall collect data continuously during all in-water construction activities.

B. Turbidity monitoring stations shall include, at a minimum:

1. An “early warning” arc at a distance from in-water construction activities determined appropriate per regulatory requirements and project-specific conditions;

2. A “compliance” arc at a distance from in-water construction activities determined appropriate per regulatory requirements and project-specific conditions.

3. A reference station at a location with sufficient distance from in-water construction activities to avoid detecting turbidity resulting from project activities.

C. The Contractor shall coordinate access, communications, and schedule with the Construction Contractor and the Construction Manager assigned to the project. Safety plans and procedures associated with the turbidity monitoring contract shall be coordinated and in compliance with safety plans and procedures prepared by the Construction Contractor.

D. The Contractor shall coordinate with the installation project-specific personnel and security and with Port Operations for the Region and the installation for water and land access.