Natural_Channel_Design_AZGFD_BPM004493_SOQ.pdf

Statement of Qualifications

Aquatic Habitat Services

Arizona Game and Fish Department

RFQ Number: BPM004493

Submitted to:

Elizabeth Burgard

Senior Procurement Specialist

5000 W Carefree Highway

Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000 eburgard@azgfd.gov

Phone: 623-236-7459

Point of Contact:

Allen Haden, President/Project Manager

Natural Channel Design, Inc.

2900 N. West Street Ste 5

Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Phone: 928-774-2336

Fax: 928-774-2336 allen@naturalchanneldesign.com

NCDengineering.com

May 19, 2022

River and Conservation Engineering

NCDengineeringinc.com mailto:eburgard@azgfd.gov mailto:allen@naturalchanneldesign.com

Aquatic Habitat Assessment Services AZGFD BPM004493

Request for Qualifications

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 1 May 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORMS AND ATTACHEMENTS I-III

ATTACHMENT IV. EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Company Background

Knowledge, Skills, Education, and Certifications

Relevant Project Examples

Additional AGFD and Other Relevant Projects within Past 5 Years

ATTACH MENT V. SCOPE OF WORK SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

2.1.1. Evaluate Existing Habitat Conditions and Identification of Areas and Practices for

Enhancement

2.1.2. Locations for Enhancement, Practices, and Designs with Costs

Oversight and Project Administration

2.2. Deliverables

Natural Channel Projects’ Task Schedule

Current Workload and Ability to Start Immediately

NATURAL CHANNEL DESIGN, INC. STAFF RESUMES

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 2 May 2022

FORMS AND ATTACHEMENTS I-III

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 3 May 2022

ATTACHMENT IV. EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Company Background

Firm Name: Natural Channel Design, Inc.

Year Established: 2000

Entity Type: S Corporation

Main Contact: Allen Haden, President, allen@naturalchanneldesign.com, 928-774-2336

Natural Channel Design, Inc., Licenses and Registrations

Arizona State Board of Technical Registration #15602-0

Arizona Corporation Commission 2022/ Certificate of Good Standing

Federal Registration (SAM) 2022 DUNS 145408980. Qualified Small Business

City of Flagstaff Business License #01131

Natural Channel Design, Inc. (NCD) is a Flagstaff, Arizona civil engineering firm with more than 20 years of experience in river and hydrologic restoration, environmental assessment, restoration ecology, permitting and compliance, and construction design and management for clients across the Southwest. NCD is a leader in the combined use of geomorphic, hydrologic, and hydraulic principles to evaluate watershed processes and stream and wetland stability. We integrate geomorphic/analytic assessments with process-based analyses and ecological principles to design innovative biological and value-engineering solutions for erosion problems, stream enhancement, and aquatic and riparian restoration. NCD has ecologists and biologists who are familiar with the arid Southwest and are an integral part of the design team to ensure that projects are designed with multiple functions. Our design philosophy is integrated with the principles of preserving riparian and aquatic ecosystems and enhancing natural resilience while minimizing long-term maintenance costs, protecting property, and improving recreation.

NCD has a long and successful history of working well with the Arizona Game and Fish

Department (AGFD) on stream, spring, and wetland restoration projects as well as fish and aquatic species habitat assessments and improvements. NCD is familiar with the biology and habitat requirements of Arizona fish and aquatic wildlife. Our experience and expertise will benefit AGFD with an environmental engineering approach and project development tailored to meet the AGFD mission.

Knowledge, Skills, Education, and Certifications

NCD’s multidisciplinary team includes three Arizona-registered Professional Engineers, two

Engineers-in-Training, one Hydrogeologist, three environmental scientists, two administrative support staff, and two summer engineering interns. The organization chart below shows the professional staff who will be working on Arizona Game and Fish Department projects and in the following table, a summary is provided of key personnel, their time available for AGFD project, and their knowledge, skills, and education.

mailto:allen@naturalchanneldesign.com

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 4 May 2022

Natural Channel Design, Inc. Staff, Roles, Project Time Available, and Education, Skills, and Knowledge

NCD Staff/ Roles/

Time on Project

Years’

Experience

Licenses, Registrations, and

Certifications

Education

Allen Haden, NCD

President, Principal

Project Manager, and

Lead Ecologist. 15% of Time on Project

• Wildland Hydrology Rosgen

Courses I-IV

• B.S. Forestry and Wildlife, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 1989

• M.S. Aquatic Ecology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. 1997

Allen has been involved in research and management of human impacts on Southwest river ecosystems for more than 25 years and has been the project manager for nearly every project NCD has performed, including multi-year, multi-stakeholder, million-dollar riparian restoration projects. He is an effective project manager with a long and successful record of understanding client goals and project constraints to ensure that all concerns are incorporated into final plans, and he has excellent rapport with federal, state, and local agencies.

Allen has provided numerous fish barrier, riparian, and aquatic wetland assessments for Southwest streams and watersheds and he has managed design development for those projects. He has also developed assessments of fire-impacted watersheds—notably on the Coconino National Forest for the 2010 Schultz Fire and 2019

Museum Fire—and coordinated permitting and construction of NCD bio-engineered designs to mitigate post-fire impacts and flooding risk.

Michael Kearly, PE, CFM

Senior Design Engineer

Jake Fleishman, PE, CFM

Design Engineer /

Geomorphologist

Cathy Scudieri, E.I.T, M.S.

Restoration Ecologist

Natural Channel

Design Organization

Chart

Allen Haden, M.S.

Project Manager

Lead Ecologist

NCD President

Jon Ebers, PE

Design Engineer/ Fish Barrier

Design

Mark Wirtanen

Biologist/ Engineering Tech/

GIS and Modeling

Chris Liszewski, E.I.T.

Engineering and Hydraulic

Modeling & Design

Alex Wood, M.S.

Geologist, Hydrogeologist

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 5 May 2022

NCD Staff/ Roles/

Time on Project

Years’

Experience

Licenses, Registrations, and

Certifications

Education

Michael Kearly, P.E., CFM, Senior

Engineer and Project

Manager, Hydrology and Hydraulic

Modeling. 15% of

Time on Project

• Certified Floodplain Manager

(US-11-05834)

• Civil Engineer licensed in AZ

(34587), NM (23330), NV

(22774), CO (0050515), UT

(9570660-2202), & TX

(138596)

• American Society of Civil

Engineers (306391)

• Wildland Hydrology Rosgen

Courses I-III

• B.S. Civil Engineering, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. 1995

Michael’s past experience includes a position as a geotechnical engineer, based in Prescott, Arizona, a site development consulting engineer in Flagstaff, Arizona, and Assistant County Engineer for Coconino County.

At Natural Channel Design, Michael routinely designs and/or manages the design of the larger NCD projects in addition to providing in-house oversight and review of staff plans for other projects. During his career, he has gained more than 20 years of experience in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling of watersheds and planning for stormwater mitigation for developed and undeveloped sites.

Jake Fleishman, P.E., CFM, Design

Engineer, Geomorphologist, Hydraulic Modeling, Construction

Supervision. 20% of

Time on Project

• Certified Floodplain Manager

(US-21-12097)

• Civil Engineer licensed in AZ

(72044) & NM (27410)

• SWPPP –Compliance

Inspector of Stormwater

• Wildland Hydrology/Rosgen

Course I

• B.S. Civil Engineering, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. 2016

Jake has been with NCD since 2016 and received his Professional Engineer’s license in 2020. He has developed engineered designs for several of NCD’s recent projects. Jake’s specialized experience is modeling using CADD and hydrology and hydraulic software including HEC-RAS 1D & 2D, HEC-HMS, HydroCAD, Terramodel, RiverMorph, and AutoCAD software. He is also skilled at working on-site with contractors to assist implementing NCD designs that are often novel or unfamiliar to equipment operators.

Jon Ebers. P. E., Design Engineer, Fish Barrier Designs.

20% of Time on

Project

• Civil Engineer licensed in AZ

(54729)

• B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, 2007

Jon has a wide range of engineering experience and, since joining NCD in 2019, he has specialized in the hydrologic and hydraulic assessment and design of fish barriers including a current US Fish and Wildlife

Service project on the White Mountain Apache Reservation to assess six barrier sites and design construction-ready barrier plans at two sites. Jon’s design approach integrates research on fish species biology and the physics of fish jumping with hydraulic environments at predicted flow regimes to model the best value-engineering solution for what are often remote sites with limited access for construction equipment.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 6 May 2022

NCD Staff/ Roles/

Time on Project

Years’

Experience

Licenses, Registrations, and

Certifications

Education

Alex Wood, Hydrogeologist. 20% of Time on Project

• Arizona Hydrological Society, Member

• American Institute of

Professional Geologists, Member

• B.S. Geology, Northern

Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.

• M.S. Geology, Northern

Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. 2021

Alex began working with NCD in 2021. As a hydrogeologist, Alex combines his extensive knowledge of western US geological provinces with geochemical and hydrological analysis techniques to evaluate a variety of water resources problems. Through his time as a graduate researcher and environmental consultant, he has gained experience and expertise in environmental statistics, resource protection as it relates to surface and ground water supplies, geochemistry of contaminated areas and for baseline hydrogeological characterizations, and sediment supply and transport modeling.

Mark Wirtanen, Biologist, Engineering

Technician, GIS

Modeling and Data

Analysis, Construction

Supervisor. 15% of

Time on Project

• Wildland Hydrology/Rosgen

Courses I-III

• Certified Arizona Agricultural

Commercial Herbicide

Applicator

• B.S. Wildlife Biologist, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. 1990

Mark serves as NCD’s primary geomorphic assessment personnel. He has expert knowledge of field methods, is skilled in the use of CAD and GIS software, and provides geomorphic and hydrologic assessment and topographic surveys. Mark also has extensive experience with permitting and jurisdictional delineation services. And he provides field construction observation services working with contractors and equipment operators to ensure NCD designs are installed as intended.

Chris Liszewski, EIT, Engineering

Modeling and

Design, 30% of Time on Project

4 • Engineer-in-Training

• B.S. Environmental

Engineering, Northern

Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. 2019

Chris specializes in technical drafting, hydraulic modeling, feature designs, and construction plans. He is adept at using modeling and design software including AutoCAD, ArcGIS, HEC-RAS, and Terramodel.

Cathy Scudieri, EIT, Restoration

Ecologist. 20% of

Time on Project 29

• Engineer-in-Training

• Wildland Hydrology Rosgen

Courses I-III

• Wetland Delineation Course

• Certified Arizona Agricultural

Commercial Herbicide

Applicator

• B.S. Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 1991

• M.S. Forestry, Restoration

Ecology, Northern Arizona

University, Flagstaff, AZ.

Cathy has a deep interest in both environmental engineering and ecological restoration. She has extensive experience in the study of vegetation in southwestern riparian and wetland ecosystems and has developed revegetation/ restoration plans for NCD’s larger projects. Cathy provides drafting, engineering, surveying, revegetation and weed management plans, and permitting expertise for NCD projects.

Relevant Project Examples

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 7 May 2022

Arizona Fish Barrier Assessment, White Mountain Apache Reservation

Role of Consultant: Stream

Geomorphic and Hydrologic

Assessment, Hydraulic Models for Fish Barrier Sites, Barrier

Design

Location: White

Mountain Apache

Reservation, AZ

Project Dates: 2021-ongoing

Client: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Zachary Jackson, Program Coordinator, zachary_jackson@fws.gov, 515-450-9187.

Tom Ketcham, Contracting Specialist, tom_ketcham@fws.gov, 505-248-6844

Three existing fish passage barriers are failing and/or ineffective at protecting endangered Apache trout habitat from non-native fish. For Big Bonito Creek, Natural Channel Design (NCD) selected a new barrier site based on geotechnical assessments and hydrologic and hydraulic analyses of flow depths and velocity. Final construction-ready plans were developed that included specifications and estimates of materials and quantities. At Flash and Squaw Creeks, barrier sites were surveyed, alternate sites selected, and geotechnical, stream hydrology, and hydraulic assessments completed and integrated with research and models of fish-jumping ability. Conceptual plans for these two sites were completed to 30% design level. This project is continuing under a new 2022 contract to evaluate six barrier sites and design construction-ready plans for two sites.

Willow Creek Watershed Plan

Role of Consultant: Geomorphic and Hydrologic Assessment, Sediment Reduction Designs and

Revegetation Plans to Reduce

Erosion and Water Temperatures

Location: Mogollon

Mountains, Gila

Wilderness, NM

Project Dates:

2018-ongoing

Client: New Mexico Environment

Department

Susan Styer, susan.styer@state.nm.us, 505-

819-9923; Carolyn Koury, Gila National

Forest Hydrologist, carolyn.koury@usda.gov, 575-388-8201

The Willow Creek Watershed, which includes Little Turkey Creek in the Gila Wilderness, was a high-quality, cold-water aquatic habitat for native fish and the threatened Gila Trout. Severe fires burned most of the watershed causing loss of canopy cover, higher water temperatures, and increased sediment and aluminum in stream beds which resulted in federal §303(d) listing of Willow Creek as an impaired stream. The New Mexico

Environment Department received a Clean Water Act, Section 319 Grant and hired Natural Channel Design

(NCD) to develop an assessment of the entire 15 square mile watershed. The assessment was based on the

Watershed Assessment of River Stability and Sediment Supply (WARSSS) methodology and included geomorphology and hydrology, Rosgen stream classification, and assessment of channel stability and canopy cover. These data combined with in-stream temperature data from key reaches were used to design 15 practices integrated with riparian revegetation aimed at reducing erosion and stream temperatures, improving stream function, and enhancing native fish habitat. NCD prioritized work plans by stream reaches’ erosion potential and provided conceptual level costs which allowed staged planning that could be grant-funded and implemented over multiple construction periods.

Oak Creek Social Trails Rehabilitation and Hydrologic Assessment, Sediment Reduction Designs and

Revegetation Plans to Reduce

Erosion and Water Temperatures

Location: Oak Creek

Canyon, Coconino

County

Project Dates: 2020-ongoing

Client: Arizona Department of

Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Elizabeth

Boettcher, Boettcher.Elizabeth@azdeq.gov, Ron Tiller, Senior Environmental Scientist, Tiller.Ronald@azdeq.gov, 602-771-0367

ADEQ in cooperation with Coconino National Forest supervised American Conservation Experience crews in Oak Creek Canyon to rebuild access trails and eliminate social trails. The goal is to improve water quality in the creek by reducing stream-side erosion from trail traffic. NCD completed site assessments at 84 separate areas in the canyon and designed practices that included estimates of required materials. NCD provided training for field crews and was available for field assistance at work sites.

Quitobaquito Pond, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument mailto:zachary_jackson@fws.gov mailto:tom_ketcham@fws.gov mailto:susan.styer@state.nm.us mailto:carolyn.koury@usda.gov mailto:Boettcher.Elizabeth@azdeq.gov mailto:Tiller.Ronald@azdeq.gov

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 8 May 2022 and Hydrologic Assessment, Evapotranspiration Monitoring, Water Budget Model, Restoration

Design

Location: Organ Pipe

Cactus National

Monument, Ajo, AZ

Project Dates: 2020-ongoing

Client: National Park Service

Ami Pate, ami_pate@nps.gov, 520-387-

6849, Rijk Moräwe, rijk_morawe@nps.gov, 520-387-6849 x7110

Quitobaquito Pond is a unique, spring-fed desert oasis composed of a manmade pond that provides habitat for the endangered endemic Quitobaquito pupfish and critical habitat for the endangered Sonoyta mud turtle. Fluctuations in water levels and low water episodes began in 2006 and have continued to increase in part due to groundwater pumping in Mexico. NCD reviewed existing data on climate and the hydrology of the pond and wetland. Additional monitoring instruments were installed to record on-site evaporation rates.

The historical and field data were used to model a water budget for current and future climate conditions and spring flows. NCD recommended alternatives and developed conceptual designs that required rebuilding the basin with an improved liner and a separate, smaller refuge pond sized to reduce evapotranspiration. In 2021, NCD subcontracted with SES, Civil and Environmental to complete construction-ready plans with specifications for a composite design derived from the alternatives.

Mogollon Rim Trout Stream Improvements

Geomorphic and Hydrologic

Assessment, Restoration Design, Construction Observation, Reporting, Monitoring Setup

Location: Tonto

National Forest, AZ

Project Dates: 2008-

Client: Arizona Game and Fish Department

(AGFD)

Curt Gill, cgill@azgfd.gov, 480-981-9400;

480-324-3545

For more than 10 years, Natural Channel Design (NCD) has worked with AZGFD on a series of stream restoration and aquatic enhancement projects to improve fish habitat and reproduction potential in Mogollon

Rim streams. NCD reviewed historical fisheries and geomorphic data to prioritize areas with the greatest restoration and recreation potential. NCD provided assessment of stream stability, trout and native fish habitat, and development of concept and final construction designs on Tonto Creek, Haigler Creek, Canyon Creek, Christopher Creek, and East Verde River. We also assisted AGFD with applications for state and federal permits when required. The projects resulted in the assessment of nearly 20 miles of stream reaches and habitat improvement designs for approximately 10 miles of stream reaches. Designs included bank stabilization, installation of fish habitat improvements using on-site wood and rock, low water crossing enhancements, construction of pools and riffle sections, suggested management changes, and revegetation of denuded stream banks with native species. Designs also provided flow break-up and redirection to redistribute stream bed substrates. The Rim Streams project has been the focus of several public talks to highlight the effectiveness, environmental benefits, and lower costs of habitat designs using bioengineering practices.

Tonto National Forest Streams Classification and Assessment

Classification for Tonto National

Forest Watersheds

Location: Tonto

National Forest, AZ

Project Dates: 2021-

Client: National Forest Foundation

Sasha Stortz, sstortz@nationalforests.org, 928-961-0318

NCD used LiDAR derived-topography and previously collected stream cross-section and classification data from Tonto National Forest to evaluate aerial images and determine specific valley types, hydro-physiographic regions, and stream types. A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to classify valleys by width, slope, and stream patterns to identify and code stream sections as stable or unstable. The project resulted in 750 miles of streams classified by the Rosgen Stream Classification System.

White Mountain Fish Barriers mailto:ami_pate@nps.gov mailto:rijk_morawe@nps.gov mailto:sstortz@nationalforests.org

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 9 May 2022

Assessment, Hydrology Analysis, Structure Evaluation, Fish Barrier

Design and Enhancement, Construction Observation, Reporting

Location: White

Mountains, AZ

Project Dates: 2008 to

Client: AZ Game and Fish Dept.

Julie Carter, AGFD CAMP project coordinator, 623-236-7576

Mike Anderson Former AGFD Native Trout project coordinator, 623-236-7653

NCD evaluated the effectiveness and structural integrity of eight fish barriers on Conklin Creek, South Fork of the Little Colorado River, West Fork of the Black River, and Fish Creek. The barriers are designed to protect native fish species by limiting the passage of non-native fish. NCD provided geomorphic surveys and watershed and hydraulic analyses and developed recommendations to ensure barrier efficacy. NCD designed plans for repair and/or new barriers depending on site conditions. This project required the development of a standardized method to determine fish jumping ability compared to barrier geometry and stage discharge of the stream. This method has been effectively utilized on subsequent barrier evaluations as well as post-fire barrier assessments following the 2011 Arizona Wallow Fire.

Additional AGFD and Other Relevant Projects within Past 5 Years Client Project/

Location

Natural Channel Design, Inc. Roles

Dates Contact

Arizona Game and Fish Dept

T Six Spring

Restoration, Coconino

National Forest

Geomorphic Assessment, Permitting and Delineation, Restoration Design, Construction Drawings and

Specifications

2017 Steve Rosenstock, 602-942-3000

Arizona Game and Fish Dept

Hoxworth

Channel

Assessment, Coconino

National Forest

Geomorphic Survey of

Stream Channel Features

(pools, riffles, headcuts, etc.)

and Assessment

2017 Steve Rosenstock, 602-942-3000

New Mexico

Environment

Department, Surface Water

Quality

Black Canyon

Creek, Grant

County, New

Mexico

Trout Habitat Assessment, Design to Improve Fish

Habitat, Stabilize Channel, and Reduce Stream

Temperatures

2018-2019 John Money, johnmoeny@state.nm.

us, 575-956-1545

US Forest

Service, Regional

Office, Region

Dude Creek, Gila County

Designs Developed to

Stabilize Headcut

2020 Michael Carico, 602-

225-5330, mcarico@fs.fed.us

Coconino

County Public

Works

Museum Fire

Sediment

Reduction/

Coconino

National Forest

Post-Fire Watershed Sediment

Yield Assessment, Develop

Treatment Options to Reduce

Erosion and Sediment

Transport

2022 Lucinda Andreani, Director Public

Works, Coconino

County, landreani@coconino.a z.gov, 928-679-7166

Upper Pecos

Watershed

Association

Pecos River at

Cowles, New

Mexico

Geomorphic and Hydrologic

Assessment, Restoration

Design for Channel Stability and Aquatic Habitat

Improvement

2022 Lela McFerrin, lelam@wildblue.net mailto:johnmoeny@state.nm.us mailto:johnmoeny@state.nm.us mailto:mcarico@fs.fed.us mailto:landreani@coconino.az.gov mailto:landreani@coconino.az.gov mailto:lelam@wildblue.net

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 10 May 2022

Client Project/

Location

Natural Channel Design, Inc. Roles

Dates Contact

Rio Tinto Queen Creek, Town of

Superior, AZ

Geomorphic and Hydrologic

Assessment, Evaluate

Potential Changes to Water

Resources from Resolution

Copper Mine Expansion, Recommendations for

Channel and Riparian Zone

Enhancement

2019-ongoing

Greg Ghidotti, greg.ghidotti@riotinto.

com; Todd Keay, tkeay@elmontgomery.

com, 520-401-7901

Desert

Concervation

Program and

Dept. of Air

Quality, Clark

County, Nevada

Muddy River, Moapa

Geomorphic Assessment of

Channels, Mass Grading

Design, Hydraulic Analyses per FEMA, Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR)

2019-ongoing

Caryn Wright, Environmental

Specialist, caryn.wright@clarkco unt.gov, 702-455-2972 mailto:greg.ghidotti@riotinto.com mailto:greg.ghidotti@riotinto.com mailto:tkeay@elmontgomery.com mailto:tkeay@elmontgomery.com mailto:caryn.wright@clarkcount.gov mailto:caryn.wright@clarkcount.gov

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 11 May 2022

ATTACH MENT V. SCOPE OF WORK SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

2.1.1. Evaluate Existing Habitat Conditions and Identification of Areas and Practices for

Enhancement

NCD’s approach to aquatic and riparian projects begins with three distinct steps: 1-characterization of existing conditions; 2 - identification of the potential, or reference condition, of the system; 3 - identify limitations and determine design criteria to meet the restoration potential. For streams, NCD utilizes the characterization of an appropriate, functioning

“reference reach” or “natural channel” to establish the basic design parameters. Once these parameters are determined an analytical assessment of critical velocities, shear stresses, sediment transport and other physical processes can be incorporated to meet project objectives. However, we recognize that there are many cases, for example after wildfires, when changes to hydrology, sediment supply and transport, floodplain encroachment, or other factors have permanently impacted the functional potential of lentic and stream systems. When these factors are found during the assessment phase, they are carefully analyzed, and the basic geomorphic form is altered to accommodate the alterations to the watershed.

For each project, AGFD personnel will provide a description of the project area and general objectives. NCD’s first task will be to estimate watershed area and basic hydrologic data (flood frequency estimates) for the sites in question. The study area may be broken up into specific reaches as determined by management objectives, watershed area, geomorphic features, hydrologic variables, and potential for successful restoration or enhancement. Additionally, NCD will begin to gather background materials on the area. These will include water quality reports, flood history, land use history, and fisheries data, or fish-catch and other available surveys. Fire extent, severity, and other land features will be evaluated to understand current runoff regimes.

GIS maps and recent aerial photography will be utilized to interpret the general site layout and conditions prior to field visits.

Field work will consist of a survey of the entire project site or area in question. This is most productive when AGFD personnel or others with specific knowledge of the project and fishery can be available for questions and comment. Once the general site layout has been determined, surveys will focus on specific representative reaches of the project. Assessment protocols for streams will include a Rosgen Level II to determine slope, sediment type, substrate characteristics, channel dimensions, and classification. Where appropriate, Level III analysis of sediment supply and sediment transport potential will be completed. Additionally, general channel condition will be determined through the use of Pfankuch survey methods that document channel blockages, vegetation types and condition, as well as general channel condition.

Representative reaches will include various channel types (Rosgen Classification Scheme) and conditions.

Fish habitat availability and quality will be determined from the site survey and the potential for increasing habitat evaluated. This assessment will include depth, spacing, and location of riffles, pools, substrate sediments, natural and manmade habitat structures, as well as evaluation of overhead cover and shade or high temperatures, and specific water quality changes noted by changes in flow or algae cover. A visual determination of the type and abundance of aquatic

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 12 May 2022 macroinvertebrates will be made to determine the type of food base available to fish in addition to the presence or absence of invasive crayfish, mudsnails, or other nonnative species.

Factors limiting fish populations will be determined from field assessment data combined with fisheries data from the site. These data often include stocking reports, historical creel sample information about species, size, and abundance in addition to other aquatic sampling reports and water sampling. Limiting factors may include lack of appropriate water quality, spawning substrate, nursing habitat, feeding and hiding habitat, and lack of adequate food production, or conditions that allow excessive predation by anglers or natural predators.

2.1.2. Locations for Enhancement, Practices, and Designs with Costs

Once limiting factors and conceptual practices to remedy specific habitat limitations have been identified, the site will be surveyed to locate specific areas for enhancement. At stream sites, this includes reaches that provide reference conditions. We utilize RTK GPS survey grade equipment and other tools to gather the data needed for geomorphic analysis and GIS-based design maps.

Reference conditions may not be available within the project area if flooding and fire damage are widespread. Additionally, the site’s potential may have been compromised by development or watershed changes to the point that reference conditions may not apply and the expectations for the site may need to be revised.

The enhancement design for specific locations will focus on areas with the highest potential for repair and enhancement. Designs will be compatible with the restoration goals and assessment of the project wetland, pond, and/or central tendencies of streams in addition to addressing geomorphic stability and fish and aquatic habitat objectives. Factors included in the preliminary design are stated goals from the client, site potential, availability of materials, required construction (hand crews, equipment, or both), potential biological conflicts (spawning or nesting), water supply, and nearby infrastructure, as well as engineering and geomorphic design elements.

In streams, plan features will be sized to match stream dimensions for maximum lifespan and sustainability. Care will be taken to enhance the physical function of the stream with regards to sediment transport, flood capacity, and floodplain interaction. Designs will utilize natural materials to the greatest extent possible and include bioengineering practices that improve the native riparian vegetation community and function. It is also recognized that many areas in need of enhancement are not accessible by heavy equipment. While the use of equipment lowers the cost of many projects, it is not always required to achieve the project objectives. Designs that can be constructed with hand crews and limited equipment will be utilized when required. In many cases, small modifications to stream structure can greatly improve function, allowing the stream to build and maintain suitable habitat.

At sites where fish barriers are proposed to restrict upstream movement of non-native fish, NCD’s design approach integrates geomorphic/geotechnical field surveys and research on fish species biology and the physics of fish jumping trajectories (experimental and theoretical) with hydraulic models of different flow regimes. The results of the field surveys and analyses are used to evaluate the effectiveness of existing barriers and to select new sites to replace failed fish

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 13 May 2022 barriers. This same process is used to design the best value-engineering solution for new barriers that are often located in remote sites with limited access for construction equipment.

A conceptual plan to address geomorphic and hydrologic constraints at restoration sites will be developed and presented to AGFD for comment. NCD’s study methods, analysis, results, proposed practices, areas to be treated, preliminary cost estimates, and expected outcomes will be outlined. Other services that are frequently required are permitting prior to implementation of the design. NCD provides jurisdictional and wetland delineations, 401 and 404 permitting services to meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act in addition to Storm Water Pollution

Prevention Plans and local grading permits. We provide documentation as needed to support

NEPA including Biological Assessments and can coordinate State Historical Preservation Office

(SHPO) permitting requirements.

If requested, a formal presentation will be made to AGFD project managers and stakeholders.

Questions and comments will be addressed prior to development of final design.

Recommendations and preliminary costs will be presented for consideration along with proposed practices so that stakeholders have as much information as possible to make determinations.

NCD will provide construction drawings, specifications, suggested construction sequencing and performance time, materials and quantities, and engineer’s estimate of probable costs (EOPC).

The EOPC will be based on current knowledge of market costs for labor and materials and should be utilized for planning purposes only since labor and materials availability and costs can vary considerably between plan submission and construction bidding. NCD can also provide pre-bid construction administration services to help clients advertise for, educate, and select appropriate contractors.

NCD will produce and provide sealed construction drawings and specifications for chosen practices and site plans. Any construction drawings will be signed and stamped by NCD’s project engineer. Sealed drawings can be submitted in hard copy or electronically to reviewers designated by the AGFD project manager. NCD’s engineered design documents include basis of design reports that specify the criteria and analysis methods used and other information to document the design process.

Oversight and Project Administration

Common Problems, Issues, and Solutions

Problems encountered by NCD generally fall into three basic categories: permitting complexities, multiple funding entities and requirements for larger projects, and competing design requirements from multiple stake holders.

Permitting complexities are most often overcome with a solid understanding of the permitting requirements and information needs for the regulators involved. Additionally, protection of infrastructure when encountered is designed using natural materials and geomorphic concepts that are easily acceptable under the existing nationwide permit system. Larger projects and/or state and federal projects are often funded through multiple sources. We have found that scoping

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 14 May 2022 with funding sources in mind works well to take advantage of the all the potential stakeholders by tailoring specific design items to meet agency criteria. NCD budgets are also typically written with line-item task estimates that allow the project owner to separate costs for specific items which can be paid for by different funding sources.

Large publicly funded projects have diverse stakeholders. Often these stakeholders are agencies with competing interests in the project (flood control, habitat creation for various species, public and private infrastructure interests, water rights, etc.). NCD’s approach has been to identify noncompeting interests and focus on as many of those as possible in the design. When interests are in direct competition, we can emphasize those interests that have priority and use education and outreach to ensure that all parties understand the plans and intended function. NCDs strength in this regard is a wide skill set within the company that can utilize geology, hydrology, and ecology in combination with a thorough understanding of engineering technical and legal aspects to understand and incorporate many different points of view into a project design.

Quality Control Procedures

Allen Haden will act as project manager for all AGFD projects. He will be the main NCD contact and will be responsible for development of key project goals, design criteria, project schedule, and budget requirements in addition to progress reports and meetings to update AGFD staff. Mr. Haden is responsible for communicating project information to NCD staff responsible for project tasks.

NCD team members have overlapping skill sets that allow for effective peer review and cross-checking of team members’ designs and plans to ensure that designs meet the project goals and requirements as well as key geomorphic, hydraulic, constructability, and safety concerns. Design charrettes and close collaboration amongst the design team help improve the overall quality of the project.

As an engineering firm, a licensed engineer is responsible for analysis and design of engineering related work. The lead engineer for each project is responsible for the review and approval of all final documents prior to delivery to the client. Allen Haden is responsible for ensuring that final documents meet the project goals set forth in the work request and are within the costs outlined in the cost proposal. Long term projects are reviewed monthly to ensure that deliverables and expenditures are on schedule and on budget with project projections.

NCD has found it useful to build several stages for our clients for information and review of important projects. These include specific review of available information and design criteria early in the project and the opportunity for clients to review both construction sheets and the design report prior to finalization. This final step helps to ensure that no new information, which could affect the design, has become available and the clients understand and are satisfied with the specific product being delivered.

During the construction phase, habitat restoration can be a complicated endeavor for contractors and equipment operators unfamiliar with natural channel concepts. Early review with a contractor can lead to significant cost savings and efficient schedules. Implementation of NCD designs and techniques is most successful when we are available during construction. NCD often

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 15 May 2022 supervises and trains field crews who may be unfamiliar with bio-engineering practices and designs. We offer construction services including bid-ready contract packages, pre-construction meetings, construction staking and layout, and administration (scheduling, on-site observation and training, change order negotiation, and dispute resolution). By participating in the construction phase, we are able to utilize local labor and construction services while ensuring our clients receive a high-quality implementation at a reasonable cost.

Finally, NCD realizes that long-term monitoring of habitat enhancement and restoration projects will help AGFD and others determine the benefits for future projects. NCD utilizes the construction period to document the location and condition of each project. We provide a construction record and as-built records of locations and conditions of each practice installed for future reference.

2.2. Deliverables

A final project report will be submitted to AGFD for each project. The report will include a description of:

• Project objectives

• Assessment protocols and methods

• Results of review of existing reports and information

• Results of existing morphological classification and condition

• Existing hydrology of the site

• Existing fish habitat conditions as related to water quality, habitat, food and other limiting factors

• Description of reference morphological condition or site potential and habitat conditions based upon overriding site conditions

• Maps and GIS shape files and other deliverables to indicate locations of reference condition sites, potential enhancement sites, and other locations related to the morphological and habitat survey

• Potential habitat enhancement practices and treatments with description of purposes, construction methods, and associated costs per treatment

• Map and table of locations for selected treatment areas with prescribed practices

• Design criteria and logic utilized to design enhancement practices

• Materials list

• Suggested construction sequence

• Engineers Opinion of Probable Costs

• Construction drawings and specifications

• Photographs and descriptions of pre- and post- installations of design practices

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 16 May 2022

Natural Channel Projects’ Task Schedule

Tasks Description

Initial

Scope, Schedule, and Budget

Estimate

Allen Haden, NCD’s project manager, will work directly with AGFD personnel to identify key issues, deliverable needs, and initial schedule. A schedule and budget estimate are developed based on several key issues. These include construction constraints (season and need), permitting time requirements, required time for design and analysis along with review, seasonal and schedule restraints on collection of baseline data (topography, boundary surveys, vegetation mapping, etc.). NCD begins works once the schedule and budget are set.

Geomorphic

Site Surveys and

Assessment.

Existing

Literature

Review

NCD environmental staff evaluate existing geomorphic and habitat conditions of project sites.

Assessments include watershed area determinations, geomorphic field surveys, Rosgen stream classifications, hydrology, vegetation, aquatic habitat availability and quality, and identification of factors limiting habitat. Condition of the watershed is also assessed including fire and flood history, landuse, vegetation, invasive plant species, and other physical characteristics. Background information is collected and reviewed including aerial photography, GIS maps, water quality reports, climate data, and hydrological data. Fisheries data are acquired if available from stocking reports, historical creel samples, and other aquatic sampling reports.

Analysis and

Design

NCD’s multidisciplinary staff analyze field and research data utilizing a variety of software tools (GIS, RIVERMorph, HEC RAS, Terramodel) and, working as a team, outline the best value-engineering solution for the concept design.

Design and

Concept

Level Costs

NCD’s team of engineers, environmental scientists, and drafting personnel produce a Concept

Design to provide a robust plan which can be utilized for public outreach and concept refinement from stakeholders. Conceptual level costs are used to ensure that everyone is aware of the potential construction costs. NCD also provides a draft basis of design memorandum explaining the assumptions, design logic, potential operations and maintenance of the project so that stakeholders can fully understand the implications of the work.

Final Design The final or 100% design package includes sealed construction drawings and specifications, an estimate of probable costs as well as a design report outlining the basis of design, any assumptions, analysis notes, and construction logistical considerations which would be included in a bid package. The final design deliverable also includes a blank bid schedule set up in the same format as the engineer’s opinion of probable costs (EOPC) to allow for easy comparison of unit costs among bidders and the EOPC.

Construction

Services

NCD offers construction services including bid-ready contract packages, pre-construction meetings, construction staking and layout, and administration (scheduling, on-site observation and training, change order negotiation, and dispute resolution)

Revegetation and

Monitoring

If requested, plans are developed to revegetate with locally harvested, native willows, cottonwoods, and wetland species, and when available, seed mixes of native grasses and herbaceous species. NCD also provides options for long-term monitoring to track the performance of habitat improvement installations, fish barriers, and recovery of stream environments.

Current Workload and Ability to Start Immediately

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 17 May 2022

Natural Channel Design, Inc. will be able to begin work on task orders generated by this solicitation immediately. Our current projections for the coming calendar year are approximately

75% of total staff capacity. This includes current projects as well as committed projects that are not under contract yet but will be within the next year. Accordingly, there is about 25% of capacity left for 2022. Individual project commitments are provided in the table below and we expect the 2023 work schedule will be similar. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with AGFD on their project needs and always try to prioritize these projects for completion within AGFD funding cycles.

2022 NCD Staff Key Commitments and Time Percentages

Personnel

Project A

H ad en

E co lo g is t

M

K ea rl y

P .E

J.

F le is h m an

P .E

J.

E b er s, P

.E

A

W o o d

H y d ro

G eo lo g is t

C

S cu d ie ri

E .I

.T

C

L is ze w sk i, E .I

.T

M

W ir ta n en

B io lo g is t/ G

I

S

Business Administration/ Project

Review 15% 20% 5% 5%

ARIZONA

Museum Fire Restoration, Coconino County 20% 15% 25% 10% 5% 15%

Quitobaquito Pond, SES

Environmental 20%

White Mountain Fish Barriers, US

Fish and Wildlife Service 5% 30% 5% 5%

AZ Game and Fish Dept./ Well

Site Evaluations/ Montgomery &

Associates

5% 40% 5%

Kachina Wetland, Coconino

County 10%

Coconino County Weeds 20% 5%

Shepherd Wisnitzer, City of

Flagstaff Rio de Flag Low Flow

Channel

10% 15%

Queen Creek, Town of Superior, AZ, Riparian Plan 5% 15%

NEW MEXICO

Willow Creek 10% 10% 20% 5% 10% 5% 15%

Los Alamos Restoration

Assessment 5% 5% 5% 5% 10%

NEVADA

Muddy River, Clark County 10% 20%

COMMITTED/

UNCONTRACTED

20% 15% 25% 25% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Available 15% 20% 25% 25% 20% 25% 30% 20%

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 18 May 2022

NATURAL CHANNEL DESIGN, INC. STAFF RESUMES

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 19 May 2022

Allen Haden, President Natural Channel Design, Inc.

Senior Ecologist and Project Manager

Allen Haden is the president, senior ecologist, and principal project manager at Natural Channel Design, Inc. (NCD). Allen has been involved in research and management of southwestern river ecosystems for more than 26 years with the last 16 years devoted to design and implementation of stream and wetland habitat restoration and improvement. Since joining NCD in

2006, Allen has had a role in nearly every project the company has performed, including management of multi-year, million-dollar riparian restoration projects.

His academic training and work experience allow him to integrate ecological and geomorphic principles and engineering designs into innovative solutions for restoration. Allen is an effective project manager with a long and successful record of implementing bioengineered designs to solve watershed problems.

PROJET EXPERIENCE

Museum Fire/ Spruce Avenue Wash Grade

Stabilization, Flagstaff, AZ, Project Manager

Client: City of Flagstaff, Stormwater Division, Ed

Schenck, Edward.Schenk@flagstaffaz.gov, (928-774-

2336), Dates: 2019-2022

A 2019 wildfire devastated approximately 7 mi2 of forest in the steep Spruce Wash watershed that drains into City of Flagstaff residential neighborhoods. From 2019-2020, NCD designed channel grade control with native rock at critical locations to reduce erosion and improve sediment transport. In 2021, post-fire flooding during a record monsoon overwhelmed channel capacity and damaged private property and city infrastructure. Emergency services provided by NCD included hydrologic assessment and modeling of flood channels, engineered designs to improve channel stability, and construction administration and on-site observation. On-going work in the Spruce Wash watershed includes a 2021 sediment reduction study that assessed the geomorphic state of all fire-impacted channels and presented a restoration plan prioritized by high-risk erosion stream reaches. Multiple federal and local stakeholders are currently funding construction of NCD engineered designs to mitigate the potential for future floods.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Total 26 | NCD 16

EDUCATION

B.S. Forestry and Wildlife, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, M.S. Aquatic Ecology, Northern

Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, PROFESSIONAL

QUALIFICATIONS

River Engineering Short Courses, Wildland Hydrology, Dave

Rosgen: Level I – Applied Fluvial

Geomorphology

Level II – River Morphology and

Applications

Level III – River Assessment and

Monitoring

Level IV – River Restoration and

Natural Channel Design

AFFLIATIONS

Friends of the Rio de Flag, Flagstaff, AZ mailto:Edward.Schenk@flagstaffaz.gov

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 20 May 2022

Willow Creek, Mogollon Mountains, New Mexico, Watershed Plan, Project Manager

Client: New Mexico Environment Department, Susan Styer, susan.styer@state.nm.us, 505-819-

9923, Dates: 2018-2021

The Willow Creek Watershed, which includes Little Turkey Creek in the Gila Wilderness, was a high-quality, cold-water aquatic habitat for native fish and the threatened Gila Trout. Recent severe fires burned most of the watershed causing loss of critical riparian cover, increased water temperatures, and sediment erosion. Higher water temperatures and aluminum in stream sediments led to federal §303(d) listing of Willow Creek as an impaired stream. The New

Mexico Environment Department received a Clean Water Act, Section 319 Grant and hired

Natural Channel Design (NCD) to develop an assessment of the entire Willow Creek Watershed.

The assessment included stream geomorphology and hydrology, bank erosion, channel stability, and canopy cover. These data combined with field surveys of stream temperatures were used to design 15 installations integrated with riparian revegetation aimed at reducing erosion and stream temperatures. NCD also prioritized stream reach plans by erosion potential and provided conceptual level costs. The staged plans allowed project development that could be funded and implemented over multiple construction periods.

Mogollon Rim Trout Stream Improvement, Gila County, AZ, Project Manager

Client: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Curt Gill, cgill@AZGFD.gov, (480-981-9400; 480-

324-3545)

Dates: 2014-2020

Natural Channel Design (NCD) was hired by the Arizona Game and Fish Department to assess all of the fish barriers constructed in Mogollon Rim streams for Gila and Apache Trout conservation. NCD developed a working model of barrier efficacy that utilized site geomorphology and hydrology, stream hydraulics, and fish jumping ability and tested the model on a subset of barriers with known histories. This baseline research has aided the successful rehabilitation of conservation barriers as well as the design and location of numerous new barriers.