PreSolicitation_Notice_RGSM_Population_Monitoring_2.pdf

Pre-Solicitation Notice Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (RGSM) Population Monitoring

140R4025R0003

The Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region, has a requirement to solicit federally endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (RGSM) Population Monitoring services. The work to be performed is described below. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541620 Environmental Consulting Services and the related small business size standard is $15 million. Product Service Code (PCS) is B509 Special Studies/Analysis Endangered Species. This notice is not a request for proposals/quotations and the information presented in this announcement will not obligate the Bureau of Reclamation in any manner.

Background

The Bureau of Reclamation seeks contractor services to obtain professional scientific services to monitor the occurrence and trend of the endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (RGSM; Hybognathus amarus) population within the Middle Rio Grande (MRG), New Mexico in accordance with the specific, prescriptive protocol requirements. Ongoing population monitoring of RGSM is now a commitment by Reclamation and is required by Reasonable and Prudent Measure 7 (Term and Condition 7.1) of the more recent 2016 Final Biological and Conference Opinion for Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Non-Federal Water Management and Maintenance Activities on the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico (2016 BiOp).

Objective The scope of this work is to sample RGSM and the MRG fish community from Angostura Diversion Dam to San Marcial with the expectations that it will assist and inform compliance with the 2016 BiOp. The monitoring work includes planning, implementation, analysis, reporting, and presentations as described below. This SOW provides the requirements for conducting fish monitoring to address the needs of Reclamation, the 2016 BiOp Partners, and the Service.

A. Estimate the long-term and short-term trends in densities (e.g., catch-rates – number of fish by species by seine haul and total catch per site) and relative abundance of MRG fish populations. Include reporting of total catch rates; RGSM detections specific to mesh size used and specific to mesohabitat types; separate reporting of catch-rates for larval, young-of-year (YOY), and non-YOY fish; reporting catch rates by sampling gear/mesh size; and reporting density estimates both including and excluding dry sites.

B. Evaluate the densities from Objective A relative to (i) discharge timing, magnitude, and duration; and (ii) extent and duration of river drying as they pertain to population fluctuation of native and nonnative MRG fish species, with a focus on RGSM.

C. Compare changes among sampling periods in RGSM abundance with that of other native and nonnative fish species.

D. Communicate findings to Reclamation, the Service, and the Collaborative Program.

Tasks and Location are included in draft Statement of Work (attached)

The estimated period of performance is 5 years, which includes a Base plus 4 one-year option years.

Anticipated Solicitation Date: December 17, 2024

Other required information per FAR 5.207

(1) Action Code: 140R4025R0003

(2) Date: 12/6/2024

(3) Year: 2025

(4) Contracting Office ZIP Code: 87102

(5) Product or Service Code: B509

(6) Contracting Office Address: 555 Broadway Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

(7) Subject: RGSM Population Monitoring

(8) Proposed Solicitation Number: 140R4025R0003

(9) Closing Response Date: NA

(10) Contact Point or Contracting Officer: Mary Maestas mmaestas@usbr.gov

(11) Contract Award and Solicitation Number. NA and 140R4025R0003

(13) Line Item Number: NA

(14) Contract Award Date: NA

(15) Contractor: NA

(16) Description: NA

(17) Place of Contract Performance: performance will be electronic

(18) Set-aside Status: Small Business Set Aside.

STATEMENT OF WORK

Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Population Monitoring

1.0 Introduction

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) seeks to obtain professional scientific services to monitor the occurrence and trend of the endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (RGSM;

Hybognathus amarus) population within the Middle Rio Grande (MRG), New Mexico.

Past RGSM population monitoring has been conducted to provide trend and abundance information to Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program (Collaborative Program) as it informed their compliance under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (e.g., the 2003 Biological Opinion (BiOp) on the Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) Water and River Maintenance Operations, Army Corps of Engineers’ Flood Control Operations, and Related Non-Federal Actions on the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico).

Ongoing population monitoring of RGSM is now a commitment by Reclamation and is required by Reasonable and Prudent Measure 7 (Term and Condition 7.1) of the more recent 2016 Final Biological and Conference Opinion for Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Non-Federal Water Management and Maintenance Activities on the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico (2016 BiOp).

The Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program (Collaborative Program) provides a collaborative forum for 16 signatories in the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) to support scientific analysis and adaptive management to the benefit and recovery of ESA-listed species in the MRG while protecting existing and future water uses. The endangered RGSM is one of the focus species for the Collaborative Program. The Collaborative Program conducted a scientific workshop on the population monitoring program in 2015, several of those recommendations were added starting in 2016/2017, and those updates and additional adaptive management actions are continued in this SOW as well (e.g., inclusion/exclusion of dry sites, use of replacement sites, use of additional sites, listing of statistical assumptions, et al.).

The purpose of the services described in this Statement of Work (SOW) is to continue to monitor the MRG fish community using similar methodologies and techniques, as modified to incorporate a selection of changes recommended during the 2015 scientific workshop on the past monitoring program that were implemented during 2019 through 2023 timeframe as well and are contained in this SOW. Information on the methodologies and analyses required are provided in this SOW.

2.0 Background

The RGSM is a small fish species (most often less than 80 mm total length) (Propst 1999, Sublette et al. 1990). Historically, this species reportedly occupied the Rio Grande from near the Gulf of Mexico upstream into the upper reaches of the Pecos River and the Rio Grande to the

DRAFT

mmaestas Highlight

Rio Grande Gorge and into the Rio Chama. In 1994, the RGSM was federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 59 FR 36988). It also has been listed as endangered by the State of New Mexico (19 NMAC 33.1; 1988), the State of Texas (Sections

65.171 - 65.184, Title 31 T.A.C; 2003), and the Republic of Mexico in 1994.

Prior to listing, the MRG was surveyed between Cochiti Dam and Elephant Butte Reservoir in 1992 to estimate the distribution and abundance of RGSM and the associated fish community (Platania, 1993). Over 100 sites were sampled twice during that year. Currently the RGSM is considered to occupy only a 280-km (174-mi) reach of the MRG in New Mexico, from Cochiti Dam the headwaters of Elephant Butte Reservoir, including a short reach of the lower Jemez River a Rio Grande tributary north of Albuquerque (Service 1994). Limited fishery surveys since 1994 have not collected RGSM upstream of Cochiti Dam or in the Rio Chama downstream of Abiquiu Dam, suggesting that the species is no longer present in these reaches or occurs in very low densities (Service 2010, Torres et al. 2008). As such, this species is also presumed to be extirpated from the Rio Grande drainage upstream of Cochiti Dam (Platania and Dudley 2003, Buntjer and Remshardt 2005).

RGSM monitoring frequency, site locations, and site numbers have varied over the years.

Quarterly monitoring (February, April, July, October) was conducted between 1993 and 1997, with the last comprehensive fish survey in the Cochiti Reach occurring in 1994, and no monitoring in 1998. In general, from 2000 to the present, 20 fixed locations have been consistently sampled, and although the frequency of sampling varied early on during this timeframe, the protocol typically involved 9 months of sampling at the 20 fixed sites and no sampling at some sites due to the dry channel. Minimal monitoring was conducted in 2009. For most of these monitoring efforts, fish were collected using beach seines, with results reported as numbers of individuals captured by unit area effort or catch per unit effort (CPUE; fish/100m2).

Analyses of results have also been conducted. Long-term RGSM sampling-site density data collected during October (1993–2022) have been analyzed using a mixture model statistical approach to evaluate the long-term trend and relative abundance of RGSM. The October (September-October) CPUE is used as the best indicator for RGSM trends and is the metric being used to determine take and the number of fish needed for augmentation in November.

In 2015, the Collaborative Program conducted a scientific workshop as its review and evaluation of the existing RGSM monitoring program. Recommendations from that workshop are included in this SOW as well as additional management options that have been determined since the recommendations were made. These additional tasks will help inform longer-term decisions by Reclamation on this monitoring effort, using scientific input and recommendations from the Collaborative Program, as well as to help inform other future monitoring efforts that address water and species management requirements within the MRG. Recommendations included increasing the number of sites sampled, which was reflected in prior monitoring through the increase of sampling locations during 2 months of the year from the standard 20 sites to 30 sites.

This SOW now includes an increase to 40 sites.

In addition to Reclamation’s requirements in the 2016 BiOp, the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Recovery Plan (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2010) also outlines specific research objectives (1.4.1. Determine distribution and extent of nonnative fish species; 1.4.3. Determine relationship between flow regimes and nonnative fish species population viability; 4.1. Develop and implement a long-term monitoring program to identify changes in the endangered and other native fish species populations, status, distributions, and habitat conditions) that will be addressed, in part, through continuation of the Rio Grande fish community monitoring program.

Information generated during this long-term study effort has provided the foundation to assess changes in the Middle Rio Grande ichthyofaunal community and supports implementation of adaptive management in the basin as required of Reclamation by the 2016 BiOp. Continuation of the proposed Population Monitoring Program will provide quantitative data necessary for evaluation of temporal and spatial trends in the RGSM population and allow for informed faunal assessment and management decisions.

3.0 Scope

This contract will provide for a continuation of the current monitoring protocol (Dudley et al.

2023) that has been utilized for monitoring the fish community of the MRG. The Contractor shall also present annual results to Reclamation and the Collaborative Program.

The overarching purpose of the monitoring effort is to document long-term trends in population status of RGSM. This monitoring program is not intended to evaluate success of individual projects that might be implemented for the benefit of RGSM.

The scope of this work is to sample RGSM and the MRG fish community from Angostura Diversion Dam to San Marcial with the expectations that it will assist and inform compliance with the 2016 BiOp. The monitoring work includes planning, implementation, analysis, reporting, and presentations as described below. This SOW provides the requirements for conducting fish monitoring to address the needs of Reclamation, the 2016 BiOp Partners, and the Service. Optional tasks are included below, should the Government approve them to proceed, and which should be included in offerors’ proposals.

4.0 Objectives

A. Estimate the long-term and short-term trends in densities (e.g., catch-rates – number of fish by species by seine haul and total catch per site) and relative abundance of MRG fish populations. Include reporting of total catch rates; RGSM detections specific to mesh size used and specific to mesohabitat types; separate reporting of catch-rates for larval, young-of-year (YOY), and non-YOY fish; reporting catch rates by sampling gear/mesh size; and reporting density estimates both including and excluding dry sites.

B. Evaluate the densities from Objective A relative to (i) discharge timing, magnitude, and duration; and (ii) extent and duration of river drying as they pertain to population fluctuation of native and nonnative MRG fish species, with a focus on RGSM.

C. Compare changes among sampling periods in RGSM abundance with that of other native and nonnative fish species.

D. Communicate findings to Reclamation, the Service, and the Collaborative Program.

5.0 Tasks

A. Monthly Sampling at Standard 20 Sites: For seven (7) months of the year (April through October), sample 20 fixed sites (standard sites) consistent with the existing monitoring protocol (Dudley et al. 2023), between Angostura Diversion Dam and Elephant Butte Reservoir. The months of December through February shall not be sampled, unless the Government proceeds with Optional Task D.

B. Additional Sites: For two (2) of these seven (7) monthly sampling events, the Contractor shall increase the total number of sites by 20 additional sites (total of 40 sites), representing 10 sites in each of the 3 reaches with the additional 10 site selection dependent on the government and contractor determining the appropriate sampling scheme. This shall occur once in April, and again in October. Sampling in the other five

(5) months shall occur at the standard 20 sites. The Contractor shall use the established additional sites and shall use consistent methodology across all sites.

C. Replacement Sites: If any of the 20 standard sites are dry at the time of sampling, the Contractor shall use the established alternative, replacement sites to bring the total sampled back up to 20 sites. Any of the 20 standard sites that are dry shall still be recorded as such according to the current monitoring protocol. Replacement sites, as needed, shall be kept the same to the extent possible in subsequent years of this work, when needed.

D. OPTIONAL TASK: Additional Monthly Sampling (Optional task shall begin only after Government approval to proceed):

o Conduct monthly sampling in two (2) additional months – As determined by the government, as per the same protocol used for Task A at the standard 20 sites.

E. OPTIONAL TASK: Additional Sites (Optional task shall begin only after Government approval to proceed):

o Increase the number of sample sites by another 30 sites at two (2) of the monthly sampling events(up to 50 or 70 sites total depending on month selection in support of Task A and Task B) – specific months and site locations will be specified by the Government upon approval to proceed with the task.

o The Contractor shall propose a method for working with Reclamation to identify the additional sites and shall use consistent methodology across all sites.

F. Intensive Sampling Month: The Contractor shall conduct field sampling to determine site-specific sampling variation one (1) month of the year (intensive sampling) in November following the existing protocol (Dudley et al. 2023).

G. OPTIONAL TASK: Additional Data Collection Per Seine Haul (Optional task shall begin only after Government approval to proceed):

o During monthly sampling, collect the following additional data for each seine haul, identifying the associated mesohabitat type and include in the monthly reports and annual report: (a) current velocity, (b) depth, and (c) substrate size (visually determine and record). For each site (not per seine haul), collect three measurements each of (d) turbidity and (e) water temperature.

o Complete a summary report of these data to be included in the annual report.

H. Preliminary Catch Data: Provide preliminary catch data prior to monthly reporting for the months of April/May, September, and October to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

I. Data Analysis: Analyze the data collected in Tasks A through G, as applicable, in accordance with objectives in Paragraph 4.0.

J. Reporting: Prepare monthly and annual reports that meet the requirements in this SOW.

Monthly reporting shall include a brief report characterizing draft catch data, including an excel spreadsheet or acceptable alternative database format within 30 days of sampling completion for each month. Report shall include data from any additional or replacement sites, as applicable, as well as any observations that would aid in interpretation of those data.

K. Presentation: Present to the Collaborative Program the findings of annual sampling efforts in visual and oral presentation.

L. OPTIONAL TASK: Workshop Participation and provide assistance with RGSM database and collection data (Optional task shall begin annually only after Government approval to proceed):

o Participate in an annual population monitoring workshop for the Collaborative Program if it occurs.

o Assist program staff with data compilations as needed.

5.1 Monitoring Locations

The principal area of interest in the Middle Rio Grande is the reach between Angostura Diversion Dam and inflow to Elephant Butte Reservoir (at River Mile 62; Figures 1 and 2).

Reach names are derived from the diversion structure at the upstream boundary of that reach of river. In the Cochiti Reach (between Cochiti Dam and Angostura Diversion Dam), the Rio Grande flows through Cochiti, Santo Domingo, and San Felipe Pueblos, respectively. Systematic sampling in the Cochiti Reach has not occurred since 1994 due to access and data use issues.

For the standard fixed 20 sites in the existing protocol, five (5) sampling localities occur in the Angostura Reach (Angostura Diversion Dam to Isleta Diversion Dam) and six (6) sampling sites in the Isleta Reach (Isleta Diversion Dam to San Acacia Diversion Dam). The San Acacia Reach (San Acacia Diversion Dam to Elephant Butte Reservoir) is the longest Middle Rio Grande reach and contains nine (9) sampling sites.

The twenty (20) standard sampling sites for this project are described in Table 1, Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Population Monitoring Program Fish Sampling Localities. For two (2) sampling months – April and October – the standard 20 sites shall be augmented with 20 Additional Sites.

This involves an additional 5 sites in the San Acacia Reach, 7 sites in the Isleta Reach, and 8 sites in the Angostura Reach or another suitable sampling scheme as determined by the Government and the contractor (see Table 2). If the Government approves Optional Task E to proceed during the Option Year, the total number of sites sampled shall increase to 20 sites per reach for a total of 60 sites with the months sampled determined by the Government. The Contractor shall propose a method for working with Reclamation (who will coordinate with the Service) to identify the Option Task E sites. The Contractor shall use the established Additional Sites and shall use consistent methodology across all sites. Fish monitoring sites may be modified based on management needs, changes in river morphology or reservoir (Elephant

Butte) elevation, or safety and access issues. Any changes to the sampling sites or site selection procedures require approval by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR; in coordination with the Service).

In addition, if any of the 20 standard sampling sites are dry at the time of sampling, appropriate Replacement Sites shall be used to maintain the total number of 20 (wetted) sites sampled (Table 3). The Contractor shall use established Replacement Sites, the distinction between standard and replacement sites shall be maintained, and the dry standard sites shall still be recorded as dry according to the current monitoring protocol.

Replacement sites shall be wet sites, meaning they are not in an isolated stretch of river, are located within the river channel, and are in an area with at least ½-mile of continuous river flow.

Site selection criteria from the established list of sites shall include access considerations (e.g., existing survey rangelines, etc.). For Replacement Site selection, preference shall be given to sites that are nearest to the dry site, within the same reach (Angostura, Isleta, San Acacia), and those that would most likely consistently serve as viable replacement sites over the timeframe of this work. This does not change the level of effort being required for sampling, which remains at 20 sites per month as per Task A. This will also not

Figure 1. Map of Sampling Sites – Standard Sites (All Monthly Sampling) and Additional Sites (April/May and October). Site numbers correspond with descriptions in Tables 1 and 2.

Figure 2. Map of Sampling Sites – Standard Sites (All Monthly Sampling) and Replacement Sites (for dry sites). Site numbers correspond with descriptions in Tables 1 and 3.

Table 1. Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Population Monitoring Program Fish Sampling Localities

Site # Site Locality

ANGOSTURA REACH SITES

1 New Mexico, Sandoval County, Rio Grande, below Angostura Diversion Dam, Algodones.

River Mile 209.7 San Felipe Pueblo Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3916006 N 363811 E Zone 13 NAD 27

2 New Mexico, Sandoval County, Rio Grande, at U.S. Highway 550 Bridge Crossing, (formerly NM State

Highway 44 Bridge Crossing), Bernalillo.

River Mile 203.8 Bernalillo Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3909722 N 358543 E Zone 13 NAD 27

3 New Mexico, Sandoval County, Rio Grande, ca. 4 miles downstream of U.S. Highway 550 Bridge

Crossing, at Rio Rancho Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rio Rancho.

River Mile 200.0 Bernalillo Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3905355 N 354772 E Zone 13 NAD 27

4 New Mexico, Bernalillo County, Rio Grande, at Central Avenue (U.S. Highway 66) Bridge Crossing, Albuquerque.

River Mile 183.4 Albuquerque West Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3884094 N 346840 E Zone 13 NAD 27

5 New Mexico, Bernalillo County, Rio Grande, at Rio Bravo Boulevard Bridge Crossing (NM State Highway 500), Albuquerque.

River Mile 178.3 Albuquerque West Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3877163 N 347554 E Zone 13 NAD 27

ISLETA REACH SITES

6 New Mexico, Valencia County, Rio Grande, at Los Lunas (NM State Highway 49) Bridge Crossing, Los Lunas.

River Mile 161.4 Los Lunas Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3852531 N 342898 E Zone 13 NAD 27

7 New Mexico, Valencia County, Rio Grande, ca. 1.0 miles upstream of NM State Highway 309/6 Bridge

Crossing, Belen.

River Mile 151.5 Tome Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3837061 N 339972 E Zone 13 NAD 27

8 New Mexico, Valencia County, Rio Grande, ca. 2.2 miles upstream of NM State Highway 346 Bridge Crossing (near Transwestern Natural Gas Pipeline crossing), Jarales.

River Mile 143.2 Veguita Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3827329 N 338136 E Zone 13 NAD 27

9 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, at U.S. Highway 60 Bridge Crossing, Bernardo.

River Mile 130.6 Abeytas Quadrangle

UTM Coordinates: 3809726 N 334604 E Zone 13 NAD 27

Table 1. (Continued)

ISLETA REACH SITES (continued)

10 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, ca. 3.5 miles downstream of U.S. Highway 60 Bridge Crossing, La Joya.

River Mile 127.0 Abeytas Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3805229 N 331094 E Zone 13 NAD 27

11 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, ca. 0.6 miles upstream of San Acacia Diversion Dam, San Acacia.

River Mile 116.8 La Joya Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3792603 N 327902 E Zone 13 NAD 27

SAN ACACIA REACH SITES

12 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, directly below San Acacia Diversion Dam, San Acacia.

River Mile 116.2 San Acacia Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3791977 N 326162 E Zone 13 NAD 27

13 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, ca. 1.5 miles downstream of San Acacia

Diversion Dam, San Acacia.

River Mile 114.6 Lemitar Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3790442 N 325263 E Zone 13 NAD 27

14 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, 0.5 miles upstream of the Low Flow Conveyance Channel bridge, east and upstream of Socorro Wastewater Treatment Plant, Socorro.

River Mile 99.5 Loma de las Canas Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3771043 N 327097 E Zone 13 NAD 27

15 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, ca. 4.0 miles upstream of U.S. Highway 380 Bridge Crossing, San Antonio.

River Mile 91.7 San Antonio Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3761283 N 328140 E Zone 13 NAD 27

16 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, at U.S. Highway 380 Bridge Crossing, San Antonio.

River Mile 87.1 San Antonio Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3754471 N 328914 E Zone 13 NAD 27

17 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, directly east of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, San Antonio.

River Mile 79.1 San Antonio, SE Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3740839 N 327055 E Zone 13 NAD 27

Table 1. (Continued)

SAN ACACIA REACH SITES (continued)

18 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, at the San Marcial Railroad Bridge Crossing, San Marcial.

River Mile 68.6 San Marcial Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3728347 N 315284 E Zone 13 NAD 27

19 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, at its former (=1992) confluence with the Low

Flow Conveyance Channel and ca. 8 miles downstream of the San Marcial Railroad Bridge Crossing, San Marcial.

River Mile 60.5 Paraje Well Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3718178 N 309487 E Zone 13 NAD 27

20 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, ca. 10 miles downstream of the San Marcial Railroad Bridge Crossing, San Marcial.

River Mile 58.8 Paraje Well Quadrangle UTM Coordinates: 3716150 N 307846 E Zone 13 NAD 27

Table 2. RGSM Population Monitoring Additional Sites during April/May and October

Site Number Locality

Angostura Reach

21 New Mexico, Sandoval County, Rio Grande, ca. 4.4 miles upstream of Alameda Blvd. (NM State Hwy.

528) bridge crossing, Corrales.

River Mile: 196.6; UTM Easting: 355531; UTM Northing: 3900626; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

22 New Mexico, Sandoval County, Rio Grande, ca. 1.1 miles upstream of Alameda Blvd. (NM State Hwy.

528) bridge crossing, Corrales.

River Mile: 193.1; UTM Easting: 351562; UTM Northing: 3897190; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

23 New Mexico, Bernalillo County, Rio Grande, ca. 1.0 miles downstream of Paseo del Norte Blvd. (NM

State Hwy. 423) bridge crossing Albuquerque.

River Mile: 190.0; UTM Easting: 349214; UTM Northing: 3893063; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

24 New Mexico, Bernalillo County, Rio Grande, ca. 1.1 miles upstream of I-40 bridge crossing, Albuquerque. River Mile: 186.1; UTM Easting: 346011; UTM Northing: 3887973; Zone: 13S; Datum:

NAD83

25 New Mexico, Bernalillo County, Rio Grande, ca. 1.5 miles upstream of I-25 bridge crossing, Isleta. River Mile: 174.0; UTM Easting: 345900; UTM Northing: 3870990; Zone: 13S; Datum:

NAD83

Isleta Reach

26 New Mexico, Valencia County, Rio Grande, ca. 4.1 miles upstream of NM State Hwy. 6 bridge crossing, Los Lunas.

River Mile: 165.2; UTM Easting: 342799; UTM Northing: 3858637; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

27 New Mexico, Valencia County, Rio Grande, ca. 6.2 miles upstream of NM State Hwy. 309 bridge crossing, Belen.

River Mile: 156.0; UTM Easting: 340647; UTM Northing: 3845146; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

28 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, ca. 6.3 miles upstream of U.S. Hwy. 60 bridge crossing, Bernardo.

River Mile: 137.1; UTM Easting: 335554; UTM Northing: 3819543; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

29 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, ca. 1.5 miles upstream of confluence with the Rio Salado, San Acacia.

River Mile: 120.1; UTM Easting: 330498; UTM Northing: 3795053; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

San Acacia Reach

30 New Mexico, Socorro County, Rio Grande, ca. 2.6 miles upstream of Pueblitos Rd. bridge crossing, Escondida.

River Mile: 107.1; UTM Easting: 326303; UTM Northing: 3781123; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

Table 3. RGSM Population Monitoring Replacement Sites during Drying (Sites #31-60)

Site Number Locality

Angostura Reach

31 UTM Easting: 357154; UTM Northing: 3907904; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

32 UTM Easting: 355156; UTM Northing: 3906068; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

33 UTM Easting: 354979; UTM Northing: 3902950; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

34 UTM Easting: 355420; UTM Northing: 3901630; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

35 UTM Easting: 351846; UTM Northing: 3897067; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

36 UTM Easting: 349591; UTM Northing: 3894357; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

37 UTM Easting: 349224; UTM Northing: 3893224; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

38 UTM Easting: 345909; UTM Northing: 3888137; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

39 UTM Easting: 348263; UTM Northing: 3879448; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

40 UTM Easting: 346138; UTM Northing: 3874605; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

Isleta Reach

41 UTM Easting: 343081; UTM Northing: 3855334; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

42 UTM Easting: 340572; UTM Northing: 3843459; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

43 UTM Easting: 340007; UTM Northing: 3842637; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

44 UTM Easting: 340026; UTM Northing: 3837699; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

45 UTM Easting: 339848; UTM Northing: 3831027; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

46 UTM Easting: 335514; UTM Northing: 3819954; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

47 UTM Easting: 334322; UTM Northing: 3813438; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

48 UTM Easting: 334538; UTM Northing: 3809479; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

49 UTM Easting: 332089; UTM Northing: 3806898; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

50 UTM Easting: 329253; UTM Northing: 3799576; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

San Acacia Reach

51 UTM Easting: 326098; UTM Northing: 3786408; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

52 UTM Easting: 326952; UTM Northing: 3774039; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

53 UTM Easting: 327711; UTM Northing: 3767033; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

54 UTM Easting: 327306; UTM Northing: 3764510; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

55 UTM Easting: 327762; UTM Northing: 3763092; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

56 UTM Easting: 329289; UTM Northing: 3758142; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

57 UTM Easting: 329172; UTM Northing: 3752381; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

58 UTM Easting: 317591; UTM Northing: 3728691; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

59 UTM Easting: 312777; UTM Northing: 3720553; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83

60 UTM Easting: 311972; UTM Northing: 3719854; Zone: 13S; Datum: NAD83 change the established protocol because the dry sites shall still be recorded and used in density calculations as noted above in 5.3 General Description of Sampling Protocol, which enables both a viable comparison of past and present data for CPUE, as well as additional reporting aspects for alternate CPUE calculations based on exclusion of dry sites, use of alternate sites, separation of CPUE by mesh size (small vs. fine), and by age class (larval, YOY, non-YOY).

For two sampling months (April and October), the 20 standard sites shall be sampled plus an additional 20 sites to increase the total to 40 sites. This shall include 10 sites in each of the three reaches (Task B) plus an additional 3 in the Angostura Reach, 3 in the Isleta Reach, and 4 in the San Acacia Reach or a sampling scheme determined by the contractor and the Government. If the Government approves Optional Task E to proceed in an Option Year(s), the 20 standard sites shall be sampled plus an additional 40 sites to increase the total to 60 sites in two sampling months (months to be determined by the Government). This shall include 20 sites in each of the three reaches (Task E) or an appropriate sampling scheme as determined by the government and contractor.

For both Task B and Task E, the Contractor shall use the established Additional Sites, and shall use consistent methodology across all sites. Site selection criteria shall include access considerations (e.g., existing survey rangelines, etc.). All other requirements for the 20 standard sites, including sampling, analysis, and reporting, shall apply to the increased number of 40 or 60 sites. When additional sites are sampled then the analysis and reporting shall be conducted in increments of 10 and reported for 20 sites (standard) 30 sites (April and October), 40 sites (April and October), 50 sites (if optional Task E is exercised), and 60 sites (if optional task E is exercised).

5.2 Frequency and Timing of Monitoring Trips

Seven (7) monthly sampling efforts for RGSM population monitoring shall be conducted, to include April through October. This monthly sampling shall include the standard 20 sites, and sampling each month shall be completed over the shortest period reasonable. Two (2) of these months (April and October shall also include the Additional Sites to bring the total number of sites to 40 (10 per reach plus an additional 3 in the Angostura Reach, 3 in the Isleta Reach, and 4 in the San Acacia Reach, or a sampling scheme determined by the government and the contractor), once during April and again during October sampling. Additional intensive field sampling to determine site-specific variation shall be conducted during one (1) month, preferably a month with predictable discharge conditions, such as November.

The April or May monthly sampling provides information on over-winter survival of fish populations sampled the prior fall, as well as information on the status of RGSM available for the spring spawn. The June-July-August monthly sampling provides information on the success of the spring spawn through presence of young-of-year (YOY) fish and potential post-spawn mortality of the spawning adults. The April and October monthly sampling provide monitoring information on RGSM population status for assessment of long-term population trends, determining take for the species under the 2016 BO, for facilitation of augmentation targets, and on the success of annual recruitment of young RGSM into the population.

5.3 General Description of Sampling Protocol

This fish monitoring project monitors the population of RGSM and the associated MRG fish community to characterize the general spatial and temporal changes in population structure and in species abundances. Sampling shall be done according to protocol established and used since October 1993 for RGSM population monitoring (Dudley et al. 2023). Sampling shall be accomplished according to these protocols in order to make a viable comparison of past and present data. Failure to utilize the established protocol will render the data ineffectual. In addition to the established protocol, additional sampling elements shall be conducted, including increasing the number of sampling sites in April and again in October per task descriptions above.

To determine the long-term and short-term trends in densities or catch-rates and relative abundance of fish populations of the MRG (See paragraph 4.0 A., Objective 1), fish shall be collected by rapidly drawing a two-person 3.1 m (10 foot) x 1.8 m (6 foot) small mesh (<5 mm;

3/16 inch) seine through discrete mesohabitats from upstream to downstream. A total of twenty

(20) seine hauls shall be taken at each site in discrete mesohabitats (i.e., not across mesohabitats). Mesohabitat types (See Table 4, Mesohabitat Classification in the Middle Rio Grande) are discrete areas that share common physical characteristics (e.g., pools, runs, riffles, backwaters etc.). Runs, shoreline runs, pools, and shoreline pools shall be sampled up to four (4) times; backwaters debris piles and riffles shall be sampled up to two (2) times; and remaining samples shall be taken in shoreline run habitats. The full range of available mesohabitat types (primary and secondary) present at the site shall be sampled, including areas known to have low densities of fish (e.g., main channel runs). This sampling protocol will ensure that data on the density of RGSM are collected for all available habitats.

Table 4. Mesohabitat Classification in the Middle Rio Grande Mesohabitat Type Description Main Channel The main section of the river Secondary Channel Other channels not designated as main channel.

Backwater A habitat connected to the main channel with no appreciable flow (includes embayments).

Debris Piles Habitat with associated organic cover (grass, weeds, woody vegetation).

Riffle Shallow, high velocity habitats with broken water surface. Often indicated by gravel-cobble substrates.

Shoreline Usually, shallow low velocity areas adjacent to the shore. Used in association with other habitat types (e.g. main channel shoreline run or side channel shoreline pool.

Pool The portion of the river with little velocity compared to the rest of the river channel.

Run A reach of relatively fast velocity water with laminar flow and non-turbulent surface.

Accordingly, a total of twenty (20) mesohabitats (one (1) per seine haul) shall be sampled at each of the 20 standard fish population monitoring sites during monthly sampling, and at the 40 sites during sampling in April and during October (and for 60 sites if Optional Task E is approved for the Option Year(s)). Sampling sites for Task A, D, and F shall be the 20 standard sites listed in Table 1, the Additional Sites listed in Table 2, and the Replacement Sites listed in Table 3 or other additional sampling sites as determined by government and contractor.

From April to October a fine mesh (1.0 x 1.0 mm) seine shall be used to sample shallow, low velocity habitats for larval fish. The mesohabitat type and dimensions shall be recorded for every seine haul, by seine type, and used for subsequent data analyses, reporting, and presentation as described in this SOW.

Fish shall be handled briefly for identification and enumeration prior to being released at the site of capture. Prior to being released, all RGSM collected shall be examined with observations recorded on field sheets, for locations and color of any Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) tags (i.e., stocked fish), measured lengths (total length and standard length), and identification of age-class based on reach-specific standard length and age-length relationships during the same time of year (Dudley et al., 2009; Horwitz et al., 2011). Fish too small to be accurately identified to species in the field (larval fish) shall be fixed in 5% buffered formalin and returned to the laboratory for processing and identification. An accounting of retained material shall be provided in the final report.

Selected water quality parameters (water temperature, conductivity, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, and turbidity – see Data Acquisition below) shall be recorded at each site. Scientific names and common names of fishes for this project shall follow prior reports (e.g., Dudley et al.

2023).

5.5 Selection of Seining Locations at Each Site

Location of individual seine hauls at each site shall be selected by the field crew, working in an upstream to downstream manner over the length of the site (ca. 200 m). A similar route shall be taken through the river during each sampling trip to ensure that similar mesohabitats are sampled over time at a particular site. For example, many of the same mesohabitats (e.g., a particular backwater, riffle, or pool) at a sampling site are present and stationary between trips and at a variety of flows. An effort shall be made to seine similar mesohabitats during each sampling trip to ensure comparability among data sets. Mesohabitat definitions presented in Table 4, Mesohabitat Classification in the Middle Rio Grande, shall be used as the basis of habitat sampling. Habitats shall be spaced apart to avoid overlap of samples, minimize potential disturbance of fishes in other seined locations, and reduce the likelihood of multiple captures of the same fish in different samples.

5.6 Data Acquisition

Electronic records of fish collected by seine haul shall be transferred to Reclamation (who will provide to the Collaborative Program DBMS) within thirty (30) days after collection. Software shall be able to export to Excel or Access data formats for transfer into the Collaborative Program DBMS or subsequent equivalent Program database. The Contractor shall provide full disclosure regarding any security/privacy concerns of all data that are delivered to Reclamation.

The data shall make the distinction between the 20 standard fixed sites under the existing protocol, and any Replacement Sites or Additional Sites (30,40 etc.) used. An accounting of retained material (specimens sent to laboratory for processing and identification) shall be provided in the final report.

All data shall be provided to Reclamation in a Microsoft Excel compatible spreadsheet. The following Site Specific data shall be recorded during each sampling trip:

Field Number Date of Sample Time sampling started and stopped State County Drainage Sampling Locality River Mile (determined from USBR maps) Quadrangle UTM Coordinates UTM Zone Coordinate Datum (i.e., NAD 27) Air Temperature Mean daily discharge (as recorded at nearest USGS gauge) Substrate Water Temperature Turbidity (Secchi Disk or Other) Dissolved Oxygen Conductivity Salinity pH Number of Seine Hauls Total Area sampled Collectors/Field Personnel

The following information shall be generated from each seine haul (sample [seine haul] specific) and recorded during each collection trip:

Field Number (same number as recorded on the above field data sheet) Sample Number (Seine haul number; transfer this summary information to main field data sheet) Method of Capture (seine size and mesh) Length of seine haul Area of sampled Mesohabitat type Presence of fish Fish species and number in each seine haul Presence of Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Number of Rio Grande Silvery Minnow by age class Minimum and maximum length (total and standard) of Rio Grande Silvery Minnow by age class Presence of VIE Mark (color and location of mark) Substrate size (visually determine)(Task G: if Government approves to proceed) Current velocity (Task G: if Government approves to proceed)

Depth (Task G: if Government approves to proceed)

Copies of all field sheets (i.e., scanned to PDF files) shall be provided to Reclamation at the same time as the final report. This information shall be marked as provisional data since it will not have undergone the quality control process that the data provided for final reporting will have undergone. Reclamation will maintain these field sheets on file in case there are future questions regarding sampling. For any statistical model program code that is used to analyze collected data, that code shall also be included in the annual report appendix.

The Government shall have unlimited rights to all data and other work generated under this contract. Examples of such work may include, but are not limited to, raw and final data, analyses, spreadsheets, databases, maps, images, reports, field notes, memorandums, sample design, and sampling methodology. The Contractor will not patent, copyright, trademark or withhold any such work. The Albuquerque Area Office will make all data, analyses, reports, sample designs, and sampling methodologies available for public use (e.g., DBMS or subsequent database). If the Contractor independently pursues publication (journals, conference proceeding, trade publications, marketing materials, etc.) using any data or information developed under this contract, the Contractor shall cite the contract number and provide full acknowledgements to the Bureau of Reclamation. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by the Contractor for independent publication.

6.0 Delivery, Analysis, and Reporting

The Contractor shall provide preliminary RGSM catch data at the earliest time possible after sampling occurs and prior to regular monthly reports, to the COR for distribution to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the sampling months of April/May, September, and October.

Raw data collected as part of this work shall be provided to Reclamation and the Collaborative Program along with the monthly reports and annual reports. Data shall be provided in electronic format compatible with the Collaborative Program DBMS or subsequent Program database (Excel file format is acceptable). At the end of each year, all data collected shall be provided in one (1) comprehensive database (e.g., multiple Excel pages) as well as the comprehensive annual report.

The draft comprehensive annual reports shall be delivered to Reclamation who will provide these to the Collaborative Program for review in March each year. These reports will be reviewed by the appropriate technical workgroup, and comments or recommendations returned to Reclamation’s COR to provide to the Contractor. Comments shall be addressed and incorporated into the final reports, as appropriate. The final reports shall be due thirty (30) days from receipt of comments.

The annual report shall contain a comparison of temporal changes in fish species abundance and density estimates (e.g., catch-per-unit-effort, or CPUE) obtained from the RGSM Population Monitoring Program sampling effort. Minimal analyses in the reports shall include modeling of density estimates vs. pertinent environmental variables such as discharge (e.g., using linear regression, mixture models, etc.). Additional analysis shall be incorporated to inform Reclamation, the Service, and the Collaborative Program of trends of RGSM densities and relationships with other factors. Potential offerors should review and reference the analysis in the most recent population monitoring report (Dudley et al. 2023) for guidance on how previously collected data under this monitoring program have been analyzed. Similar or alternative analytical approaches may be proposed.

An assessment of capture probability shall be included, to the extent possible using the existing data collection tasks (e.g., using occupancy data obtained from the intensive sampling task).

Fish densities as CPUE shall be calculated for each species and each collection as the number of individuals collected per 100 m2 (surface area) of water sampled (CPUE= #/100 m2). Effort is calculated by multiplying the seine width during sampling by the length of the seine haul. As described under 5.6 Data Acquisition, reports shall include fish collected by seine haul as well as collated by sample site.

For RGSM, the following CPUE calculations and reporting elements shall be included in the monthly reports:

(a) CPUE calculation across 20 standard sites consistent with prior RGSM Population Monitoring reports, which does not include dry sites because no area is sampled at those dry sites.

(b) CPUE calculation across 30 and 40 total sites during those two months when increased sites will be used (April and during October), which also does not include dry sites because no area was sampled.

(c) Compare the CPUE calculation from 20 standard sites with that from 30 and 40 full sites during those two months (April and during October).

(d) Compare the CPUE calculation with and without replacement sites, when applicable, to evaluate the use of replacement sites when standard sites are dry.

(e) For each monitoring site, report the number of RGSM individuals detected in each mesohabitat type, including zero detections.

For RGSM, the following CPUE calculations, other density estimates, and reporting elements shall be reported in the annual reports:

(f) Calculation for October densities across the 20 standard sites, which does include dry sites (e.g., if using mixture models), as per the existing protocol,

(g) Calculation for October densities across the 30 and 40 sites, which does include dry sites as per (e).

(h) Calculation for October densities across the standard 20 sites, which does not include dry sites and does include the alternative replacement sites (e.g., if using mixture models). This results in a total of 20 wetted sites used, combination of standard and replacement sites,

(i) Calculation for October densities across 30 and 40 total sites, which does not include dry sites and does include the replacement sites. The additional 20 sites will be wetted sites. This results in a total of 30 and 40 wetted sites used, with a combination of standard, replacement, and additional sites.

(j) Compare the October density calculations for the 20 standard sites with dry sites included and without dry sites (i.e., replacement sites used), with that from the 30 and 40 sites with dry sites included and without dry sites (i.e., replacement sites used).

(k) CPUE calculation specific to the small mesh seine for YOY fish only, across all sites.

(l) CPUE calculation specific to the small mesh seine for non-YOY (all older age classes combined) fish, across all sites.

(m) CPUE calculation specific to the fine mesh seine for larval fish only, across all sites.

(n) An assessment of capture probability, as possible, using existing data collection tasks

(e.g., intensive sampling occupancy data).

Tables of the CPUE calculation outputs shall be provided. Graphs of fish CPUE shall be provided for each sampling locality for the ten (10) most common taxa in the study area.

Comparative figures shall be included that summarize the catch rate of these (10) most common fish taxa by reach and collecting period. A detailed appendix providing collection data from each sample shall also be provided in the annual report.

The Contractor shall clearly list and describe all of the assumptions that apply to the models and analyses, including listing those assumptions in a table format with the risk or likelihood that each assumption could be violated, steps taken by the Contractor to minimize that likelihood (QA/QC, training, etc.) if possible, and explaining the potential impact if each assumption were to be violated.

Additionally, the extensive data set compiled on the Middle Rio Grande ichthyofaunal community shall be evaluated to detect increasing or decreasing temporal trends in native and nonnative fish populations and to compare changes in RGSM abundance with that of other native and nonnative fish species (See paragraph 4.0 C., Objective 3).