P18AS00492 NOI.docx

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This announcement is not a request for applications.

This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to award a task agreement under a previously competed or single source justified master cooperative agreement.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Cooperative Agreement Number P14AC00998 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and the River Management Society (RMS) for the purpose of working jointly to promote and enhance river conservation and management and advancing the profession of river management by providing managers, researchers, educators and others with a forum for developing and sharing information about the appropriate use and management of river resources. With the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 2018, which provides the legal framework for river conservation and technical assistance in the U.S., this agreement is intended to leverage increased attention to rivers to improve river management and public opportunities for river recreation and stewardship.

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:

1. Improve public access to information about river recreation opportunities through the National River Project, including but not limited to:

i. Compile information about recreation opportunities at hydropower sites where NPS has recommended recreation enhancements and explore opportunities to include results in the National Rivers Project.

ii. Add select NPS river recreation access sites to the National Rivers Project.

iii. Explore opportunities and upgrade system to share National Rivers Project data with other recreation/conservation databases, such as Rec.gov, #FindYourPark, PADUS.

iv. Outreach and technical assistance to expand participation by state protected rivers programs, national water trails, and state water trail programs, whitewater boating, and other river recreation opportunities.

2. Improve river recreation, conservation and management by supporting development (through project scoping, facilitation, and contract administration) and dissemination of informational and education tools (through the RMS website, newsletter and training programs), including but not limited to:

i. Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers: Toolkit – Phase 2 including: recreation successes and priorities, support development of materials to describe community benefits of designation, including, but not limited to: NAU – CESU ecosystem service benefits case study on a PWSR; Compilation of PWSR Origin Stories; PWSR newsletter.

ii. Public Access Resources:

1. River Access Framework Guide – Phase 2 - finalize report on how to design, develop, and select appropriate sites for low-impact recreational boating access and related facilities.

2. Portage and Access Standards Project – Phase 1- article and planning workshop to support decision-making, including in FERC hydropower licensing proceedings.

3. Training - Develop a long-term training strategy and coordinate workshops and training and, including but not limited to, depending on the availability of funds:

i. Establish a River Training Center Business Model and training schedule in cooperation with USFS, BLM, and other parties.

RMS Symposium Training, Vancouver, WA.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

1. Substantial involvement by NPS is anticipated during the period of performance of this agreement. In support of this agreement NPS will be responsible for the following:

a. Consult with RMS on enhancements to the National Rivers Project and identify hydropower project recreation opportunities and NPS recreation access sites for potential inclusion.

b. Assist in the scoping, partner involvement, oversight, and implementation of project content for informational and education tools including soliciting staff input and review.

c. Participate in and support development of a long term training strategy, workshops and training events.

d. Provide mentoring opportunities for river conservation professional development interns and exposure to NPS river management efforts.