rfp-des-2025-19.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Cultural and Historic Resource Consulting Services for

“Restoring New Hampshire Salt Marshes Project”

April 4, 2025

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

Watershed Management Bureau, Coastal Program 222 International Drive, Suite 175, Portsmouth, NH 03801

SECTION 1 – Overview and Schedule

A. Overview The State of New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services, Coastal Program (NHCP) is soliciting proposals from a qualified firm or qualified team to provide comprehensive Architectural History and Archeological consulting services for the “Restoring New Hampshire Salt Marshes” grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - America the Beautiful Challenge (NFWF ATBC).

The “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” grant will provide funding to a bundle of salt marsh restoration projects that will work to restore tidal wetland systems that were altered through centuries of salt marsh farming, subsequent eras of mosquito ditching, and through impacts from development and invasive species. The selected restoration projects will use certain salt marsh restoration techniques, including runnels and ditch remediation, as primary methods to restore “single channel hydrology” within selected salt marshes. The ultimate goal of the “single channel hydrology” restoration practice is to preserve high marsh tidal wetland plant communities and their associated functions and values.

NHCP is seeking cultural resource consulting services to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for the overall NFWF ATBC grant award, as well as to assist “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” partners with any individual assessments that may be determined through consultation with NH Division of Historical Resources (NHDHR). As the primary funder of the NFWF ATBC grant under CFDA # 15.669, US Fish and Wildlife Service will serve as lead federal agency (LFA) relative to the performance of Section 106 requirements for the “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” grant. All cultural resource consultants must meet the Professional Qualifications Standards of the National Park Service for the positions they hold (previously published under 36 CFR 61).

B. Schedule of Events The following table provides an estimated Schedule of Events for this Request for Proposals (RFP) through contract finalization, approval, and kickoff. The Agency reserves the right to amend this Schedule at its sole discretion and at any time.

EVENT DATE TIME (EST)

RFP Released April 4, 2025 Deadline for Consultant Inquiries April 18, 2025 4:00 PM Responses to Consultant Inquiries Published April 25, 2025 4:00 PM Proposal Submission Deadline May 2, 2025 4:00 PM Estimated Timeframe for Consultant Interviews May 19-23 2025 Estimated Notification of Selection May 23, 2025 Estimated Timeframe for Contract Negotiations June 26-30, 2025 Estimated Start Date (upon Governor & Council approval) August 2025 Project Kickoff Meeting August 2025

SECTION 2 – Description of Agency or Program issuing the Request for Proposal

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Coastal Program (NHCP) is a program located within the Watershed Management Bureau in the Water Division of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and is supported by 10 full-time staff members. One of 34 federally approved coastal programs authorized under the Coastal Zone Management Act, NHCP protects clean water, restores coastal habitats, and helps make communities more resilient to flooding and other natural hazards by providing staff assistance and funding primarily to New Hampshire’s 17 coastal zone communities, as well as other local and regional organizations. NHCP programmatic focus areas include Coastal Resilience (technical and financial assistance), Habitat Restoration (technical and financial assistance), Federal Consistency, Ocean Planning, Shellfish, and Talent Management (i.e., recruitment and retention of employees, NOAA fellows, and volunteers).

SECTION 3 – Proposed Scope of Work

NHCP is seeking a Section 106 – 36 CFR 61 qualified consultant for both Architectural History and Archeology to include pre-contact and post-contact periods. The selected consultant will provide comprehensive cultural and historic resource consulting services for the “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” grant.

A. Project Tasks Interested consultants shall prepare and submit proposals covering the Project Tasks listed below and otherwise respond to the instruction and guidance provided in this RFP.

1. Initiate Section 106 review through New Hampshire Division of Historical Resource’s (NHDHR) EMMIT+ portal. Documentation will describe the scope of the “Restoring NH’s Salt Marshes” grant relative to historical and cultural resources and Section 106 of the NHPA including a narrative with an overview of the grant and rationale for landscape restoration; typical project impacts, and any other narrative that may be useful for the NHDHR to understand the nature of the projects. In addition, the consultant will provide project locations during the initial submission, understanding that the Area’s of Potential Effects for each project will be further defined and submitted as part of individual area review.

2. Prepare and submit an Architectural Survey Plan upon request by NHDHR. The Survey Plan will conform to “2024 - Guidance for New Hampshire Architectural Survey Plans” prepared by NHDHR unless otherwise determined through consultation. Because of the unique nature of the resource as a cultural landscape; it is expected that the Architectural Survey Plan prepared by the selected consultant will include and consider https://www.des.nh.gov/water/coastal-waters https://www.des.nh.gov/ https://www.des.nh.gov/ https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/nh-coastal-zone-map.pdf https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/dhr/documents/architectural-survey-plan-guidance.pdf both above and below ground resources. The Architectural Survey Plan would be comprised of two parts:

a. PART 1 (Historical, Archaeological and Architectural Data): include an overview discussion of the grant project to include objectives and goals, describe and justify APE’s for the specific project areas, provide a survey plan methodology, complete an EMMIT search of all known architectural and archaeological records and provide results in table form, and identify potential consulting parties who may have an interest in providing comment and provide a methodology on survey efforts to identify historic resources in the APEs (both above and below ground). This portion of the document would be considered confidential as it will note locations of archaeological sites and will assist the project team, NHDHR, and USFWS in decision making

b. PART 2 (Historical and Architectural Context Overview and Survey Recommendations): Include the historic context on salt marshes in NH. This document would provide an overview of the history of the uses of salt marshes through time (from pre-contact to current day) and document the changing uses and attitudes regarding salt marshes in the seacoast area of New Hampshire. It would also lay out the expected resource types associated with the context and give a brief overview of what a salt marsh area must convey (integrity, resources etc.) in order to meet eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Finally, the document will provide recommendations on best approaches to both above and below-ground survey for individual projects requiring review. Part 2 would be prepared by a multi-disciplinary team (archaeologists, architectural historians, natural resource professionals, and scientists who are experts in the field), accessible to the public, and would serve as a baseline document for future cultural resources (Section 106) work in the state. NHCP is specifically interested in exploring specific research questions, including but not limited to:

i. Evaluate available research and coordinate with regional salt marsh experts to describe the eras of salt marsh farming in New Hampshire, including descriptions of methods and incorporating local historical records of salt marsh farming.

ii. Research Federal investments in mosquito ditching through the Civilian Conservation Corps/ Works Progress Administration, including any associated regional and local information. If possible, NHCP is interested in any descriptions site specific locations, and any means and methods deployed in the Hampton Seabrook Estuary.

iii. A recent study by the Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC) that evaluated deed ownership of the salt marsh in the Hampton Seabrook Estuary found that the 4,000 salt marsh was subdivided into 1,278 parcels to enable salt marsh farming. Today, 685 parcels (54% of the salt marsh area) have unresolved ownership (Final report and parcel mapper expected April 2025). Utilize and build upon the HSE Salt Marsh Parcel Project as one source of information for the analysis of historical land holdings to gather information on farm families in the region to better understand early settlement patterns and growth of farms over time.

iv. Provide an overview of the different phases of land use through time and the features associated with each period. Use historic images, drawings, or aerials to show how the landscape looked during each period, if feasible.

v. How did each period of use impact regional development patterns?

3. Additional Consultation Services

a. Work with USFWS, NHCP and NHDHR to identify and help to deploy program improvements to help inform knowledge of these cultural landscapes, such as a spreadsheet that catalogs specific features found in the field during project implementation.

b. Represent each of the subawards supported by “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” grant (listed in Appendix A) by preparing and submitting Requests for Project Review (RPR) and coordinating with NHCP, USFWS and NHDHR to determine if individual assessments of project areas will be necessary to determine NR eligibility/ boundaries.

c. If determined necessary through Task 3.b, work to advance individual assessments at selected sites. Individual assessments may include Phase 1B, Phase 2 along with potential mitigative documents such as interpretive documents, monitoring, or educational materials. NHDHR will work with the lead federal agency and project team to identify streamlined approaches that will help to “right-size” follow up work at specific project locations in order to advance the Section 106 process in a cost-effective way. Since the exact level of effort necessary for this task is currently unknown, prospective bidders shall provide an expected scope and bid price for a typical site. Prospective bidders should assume that post restoration project architectural or archeological monitoring will be performed at each site.

d. If requested, provide an Assessment of Effects evaluation (including NHDHR Tables of Effect found here: https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/dhr/documents/effect-tables-guidance.pdf https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/dhr/documents/effect-tables-guidance.pdf https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/dhr/documents/effect-tables-guidance.pdf

B. Deliverables

- All Project Tasks must produce deliverable(s) and be submitted through NHDHR’s

EMMMIT+ portal.

- All deliverables (shapefiles, geodatabases, reports, photos) shall meet applicable state and federal guidance and standard and ensure that sensitive information is protected through confidential/redacted versions.

- Deliverables shall be submitted as draft for review by NHCP, USFWS, and NHDHR. The schedule should assume a 4-week review period for all draft deliverables.

- Deliverables that are created with funding from “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” grant shall provide funding credit to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - America the Beautiful Challenge, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and the NH Coastal Program.

- All final work products must meet the applicable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II Regulations to the extent practicable and shall be guided by best practices outlined in the Revised Section 508 Standards of the Rehabilitation Act and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). At minimum, final work products shall include sans-serif fonts, underlined and descriptive text links, color best practices, captions for audio and video content, headers in tables, images with alt text, gender-neutral text, and consideration of the Plain Writing Act. Examples of final work products and outreach materials include, but are not limited to, project reports, press releases, newsletter articles, websites, videos and signage.

C. Assumptions:

Proposals and associated cost estimates should include all related activities that will be necessary to successfully implement the Project Tasks, including Kickoff meeting, project status meetings, (1) Public Meeting, and communications with project team, NHDHR, and consulting parties.

D. Budget and Funding Source The budget for the proposal may not exceed $100,000, inclusive of labor, subcontract, and all project expenses related to the scope of work. Funds paid under this agreement are from a Grant Agreement to the State of NH from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the America the Beautiful Challenge, which provides funding from US Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA # 15.669. All applicable requirements, regulations, provisions, terms and conditions of this Federal Contract Agreement are hereby adopted in full force and effect to the relationship between this Department and the Contractor.

E. Supporting Materials

1. Appendix A: “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” Program Overview, dated 4/1/25

2. Appendix B: “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” Grant Application to NFWF ATBC, dated 8/23/24

3. Resources Recommended by NHDHR and NHCP

a. EMMIT+ portal registration and help https://emmit.dncr.nh.gov/landing

b. 2024 Guidance for New Hampshire Architectural Survey Plans architectural-survey-plan-guidance.pdf

c. NHDHR Tables of Effect guidance https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/dhr/documents/effect-tables-guidance.pdf

d. NPS Historic Context on Fruit Orchards:

https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/432510

e. NPS study: Farming At the Waters Edge: An Assessment of Agricultural and Cultural Landscape Resources in the Proposed Port Oneida Rural Historic District at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan http://npshistory.com/publications/slbe/farming-waters-edge.pdf

f. NPS Preservation Brief #36 Protecting Cultural Landscapes: Planning, Treatment and Management of Historic Landscapes https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/515137

g. General Guidelines For Identifying and Evaluating Historic Landscapes https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/environmental-analysis/documents/ser/languide-a11y.pdf

h. A Historical Context and Methodology For Evaluating Agricultural Properties in California https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/environmental-analysis/documents/ser/historical-context-agricultural-properties-ca-a11y.pdf

i. Farmers in the Marsh: Lessons from History and Case Studies for the Future July2020_Farmers-in-the-Marsh.pdf

j. NHDES Coastal Program- Story Map A Site Walk in Fairhill

k. From Marsh to Farm- The Landscape Transformation of Coastal New Jersey.

National Park Service: From Marsh to Farm (Contents)

l. American Farmer Journal American Farmer 1820-03-03: Vol 1 Iss 49 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming :

Internet Archive

m. The Loss of Wetland Agricultural Value in North-eastern North America, 1800 to 1840 66_1_Teale.pdf https://emmit.dncr.nh.gov/landing https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/dhr/documents/architectural-survey-plan-guidance.pdf https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/dhr/documents/effect-tables-guidance.pdf https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/432510 http://npshistory.com/publications/slbe/farming-waters-edge.pdf https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/515137 https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/environmental-analysis/documents/ser/languide-a11y.pdf https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/environmental-analysis/documents/ser/languide-a11y.pdf https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/environmental-analysis/documents/ser/historical-context-agricultural-properties-ca-a11y.pdf https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/environmental-analysis/documents/ser/historical-context-agricultural-properties-ca-a11y.pdf https://growthzonesitesprod.azureedge.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1889/2023/08/July2020_Farmers-in-the-Marsh.pdf https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1f2e016823914e0fb95956923eb1b4f8 https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/nj3/contents.htm https://archive.org/details/sim_american-farmer-devoted-to-agriculture-horticulture_1820-03-03_1_49/page/388/mode/2up?view=theater https://archive.org/details/sim_american-farmer-devoted-to-agriculture-horticulture_1820-03-03_1_49/page/388/mode/2up?view=theater https://www.bahs.org.uk/AGHR/ARTICLES/66_1_Teale.pdf

SECTION 4 – PROPOSAL INQUIRIES AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

A. Proposal Inquiries All inquiries concerning this RFP (e.g., requests for clarification, questions, etc.) must be submitted via email by 4:00 PM EST on April 18, 2025 to the following designated RFP Points of Contact:

To: Kevin Lucey, NHCP Habitat Coordinator, kevin.p.lucey@des.nh.gov Cc: Merissa Silva Robertson, NHCP Habitat Specialist,merissa.g.silvarobertson@des.nh.gov

All questions and responses will be posted to the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services Statewide Bids and Proposals Website by 4:00 PM EST April 25, 2025.

B. Submission Instructions Consultant proposals must be submitted via email by 4:00 PM EST May 2, 2025 to the following designated RFP Points of Contact:

To: Kevin Lucey, NHCP Habitat Coordinator, kevin.p.lucey@des.nh.gov Cc: Merissa Silva Robertson, NHCP Habitat Specialist, merissa.g.silvarobertson@des.nh.gov

Consultant proposals must be submitted in PDF format with a maximum file size of 10MB.

SECTION 5 – REQUIRED PROPOSAL COMPONENTS

Consultant proposals must include the following required components.

A. Summary of Project Tasks In their proposal, the consultant should describe their preferred approach and provide a technical plan for accomplishing the work listed herein that will correspond to the project budget. The consultant proposal shall include all assumptions relevant in preparation of the scope and clearly describe any changes or alternatives to the proposed scope of work in their response to this RFP. Consultant proposals are invited to propose creative ideas and approaches to improve the overall work.

B. Qualifications Information on the firm shall be provided. Such information shall elaborate on the firm’s size, areas of specialization, and list current projects underway. The proposal will describe the relevant experience and qualifications of the firm and identify key project staff that are qualified under 36 CFR 61. Provide similar information on all subcontractors that will be utilized.

The proposal will identify the primary project contact along with staff that will complete this project. The proposal will also describe the roles and responsibilities and level of effort that each team member will perform (including subcontractors) as part of the project. Provide resumes for key personnel that will be assigned to this project.

mailto:kevin.p.lucey@des.nh.gov mailto:merissa.g.silvarobertson@des.nh.gov https://apps.das.nh.gov/bidscontracts/ https://apps.das.nh.gov/bidscontracts/ mailto:kevin.p.lucey@des.nh.gov mailto:merissa.g.silvarobertson@des.nh.gov

C. References or Examples of Similar Projects The consultant will provide references who can speak to the consultant’s experience. The consultant will provide examples of similar projects completed.

D. Project Schedule The consultant will provide a detailed project schedule and schedule narrative. The project schedule should show project activities for each task laid out in a Gantt chart that identifies the duration, activity interdependencies, activity start and completion dates, and key project milestones. The schedule should also show approximate dates of meetings, site visits, and submission of deliverables. The schedule narrative should describe the proposed phasing and workflow.

Contingent upon successful negotiation and Governor and Executive Council contract approval, the project is expected to start in August 2025. The Architectural Survey Plan shall begin as early in the project schedule as possible and shall be completed by December 31, 2026. The source funds expire on June 30, 2028.

E. Project Budget The consultant will provide a detailed proposed project budget and budget narrative, not to exceed $100,000. The proposed budget should itemize the cost of performing the work at the activity level. This will entail providing estimated hours for each activity for each person/role as well as the hourly rates for each person/role. The budget should show sub-contractual fees and any associated markup, as well as stipends/compensation for community participants.

F. Confidentiality Statement Each proposal will include a confidentiality statement covering all firms and individuals involved in this project. The confidentiality statement will prohibit the use, distribution or discussion of collected information for any purpose other than development and documentation of the Project Tasks included in this RFP. Consultants must also identify any aspects of their proposed work and deliverables that will be proprietary.

SECTION 6 – Selection Criteria

A. Scoring of Proposals Consultants will be ranked according to the criteria listed below for a maximum total of 100 points. Rankings will be based on the following evaluation criteria and weightings:

• Understanding of the Project (10 Points) NHCP will rate the responsiveness of the applicant’s proposal, evaluating whether all required components of the proposal are included and whether the proposal is easy to review.

• Strength of Proposed Scope of Work (35 Points) NHCP will rate the applicant on their descriptions of the activities, preferred approach, and technical plan required to complete the project tasks.

• Qualifications: Experience of Firm/ Team (20 Points) NHCP will rate the applicant, or team of applicants, on their experience, knowledge, and team cohesion. NHCP will evaluate references who can speak to the applicant’s previous experience, as well as examples of similar projects completed by the applicant.

• Qualifications: Experience of Personnel (15 Points) NHCP will rate the qualifications of individuals identified by the application based on their experience and knowledge.

• Project Schedule and Budget (20 Points) NHCP will rate the applicant’s project schedule and budget. Selection will not be determined by lowest cost; instead NHDES will evaluate if the project schedule and budget are both realistic and appropriate. A detailed schedule and budget which propose discrete segments of work will be favored.

B. Interviews and Final Selection After scoring the proposals, NHCP will choose consultants to continue through interviews.

Interviews will be held during the week of May 19, 2025 and conducted remotely via an online meeting platform. NHCP will then rank the interview candidates based on a structured review of proposals and interviews. NHCP will notify the highest-ranked consultant that NHCP intends to engage in contract negotiation.

NHCP will negotiate with the highest-ranked consultant to determine final project scope and cost based on fair and reasonable compensation for the services required. Negotiations may entail eliminating, amending or adding activities, and therefore a detailed schedule and budget that propose discrete segments of work will be favored. NHCP and the consultant will determine the most effective means of completing the project tasks given the budget, workflow and staffing conditions during final contract negotiations.

If no agreement is reached on scope of services and price, NHCP will terminate negotiations and begin negotiations with the next-highest ranked consultant until a contract has been successfully negotiated.

SECTION 7 – DISCLAIMER

This RFP does not commit NHCP to award a contract or pay any costs incurred during the preparation of the proposal. NHDES reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. NHCP reserves the right to reduce the scope of work to meet its budget or to ensure continuity of the overall project. NHCP also reserve the right to eliminate the need for the selected consultant to complete one or more tasks, based on the outcome of preceding activities or tasks.

APPENDIX A:

“Restoring NH Salt Marshes” Program Overview, Date: 4/1/2025

APPENDIX A

Program Overview: The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services - Coastal Program (NHCP) is serving as principal investigator, coordinator, and grantee for a $2,000,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - America the Beautiful Challenge (NFWF ATBC) for the project entitled “Restoring New Hampshire (NH) Salt Marshes (EasyGrantsID: 80763).” As part of the “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” grant, NHCP is partnering with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), University of New Hampshire – Jackson Estuarine Laboratory (UNH JEL), Town of Hampton, and Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD) to support the restoration of four high priority salt marsh projects in New Hampshire (NH), as well as to enact a coordinated program to evaluate program performance. The grant will also conduct a cultural resource investigation of the salt marsh uses in NH.

The “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” project addresses the legacy effects of salt marsh farming, which was practiced in NH from the 1600’s through the mid-20th century. Salt marsh farmers modified the landscape to optimize conditions for salt hay production, which disconnected tidal wetlands from natural channel hydrology through an extensive network of ditches and embankments. During the era of salt marsh ditching for mosquito control in the 1930s, massive volumes of salt marsh peat were moved/removed from NH marshes to create ditches to drain the salt marsh plain. The combined effect of salt marsh farming and mosquito ditching continues to have considerable influence on tidal wetlands in NH, causing changes to tidal wetland type and condition, as well as by increasing the vulnerability of these tidal wetlands to erosion and subsidence. This collaborative project endeavors to restore and preserve high marsh plant communities, largely through the emerging practice of “Single Channel Hydrology Restoration” and associated techniques to enhance native salt marsh habitat for rare species, which may include but are not limited to the following restoration practices:

- Runnel: is a technique developed to balance the hydrology on the marsh surface to optimize conditions for a vegetated plant community. It involves the excavation of shallow channels on the marsh surface to allow for effective flooding and draining.

- Ditch Remediation: is a technique developed to “heal” ditches. It involves the addition of salt marsh hay that is staked to targeted ditch bottoms over a series of years. Otherwise, this restoration practice uses natural processes to accumulate sediment and create peat over time. The ultimate goal of the practice is to sufficiently raise the elevation of the ditch bottom to support plant growth.

- Tidal Channel Enhancement: often requiring heavy equipment, tidal channel enhancement may be necessary to change channel capacity and gradation to allow for effective flooding and draining.

- Sediment Placement: refers to the application of dredged or upland sediments to the marsh surface for the purpose of increasing marsh elevation, including the creation of low-profile islands on the marsh plain with sediment generated from runnel and tidal channel enhancement. A primary goal of these vegetated islands is to provide nesting habitat for the imperiled salt marsh sparrow.

- Integrative Pest Management (IPM): refers to a best management practice that enacts multiple strategies for effective control of invasive plants. IPM strategies for Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) may entail modifications to tidal hydrology, mechanical control (cutting and pulling), as well as through the targeted and limited use of herbicides.

Program Principles: In pursuit of the work described in this agreement, Subawardee agrees to follow the Principles of the “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” grant, as follows:

1. Stakeholders (e.g. landowners; restoration partners; and municipal, state and federal regulatory entities) are provided opportunity to provide input on proposed restoration plans.

2. Restoration goals, outcomes, and performance metrics are clearly articulated to enable evaluation of program performance.

3. Adaptive management principles are incorporated into restoration plans, permit applications, and contracts to enable continued optimization of restoration interventions to achieve intended outcomes.

4. All on-the-ground restoration activities must:

i. Have written approval from NHCP to ensure that the on-the-ground activities have received the necessary NEPA and Section 106 approvals from NFWF ATBC.

ii. Have landowner permissions and approvals.

iii. Have necessary local, state, and federal permits and approvals.

iv. Adhere to the requirements of local, state, and federal permits.

v. Conduct Implementation Monitoring (See Item 6B (below).

5. NHCP staff will be substantially involved in all subawards associated with the “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” project, including providing services, technical assistance and guidance to Grantees, as follows:

i. Collaborate on the scope of work through meetings and review of documents.

ii. Provide assistance with technical aspects of the habitat restoration project such as assistance with assessment, design, permitting or development of detailed work plans.

iii. Review and comment on design plans at various stages throughout any portion of the design process that occurs during the award.

iv. Track the progression of the restoration from planning through implementation and post-construction monitoring.

v. Assist with fund raising to support existing and future salt marsh restoration.

6. Program to Evaluate Project Performance: NHCP has partnered with the University of New Hampshire - Jackson Estuarine Laboratory and Biological Sciences Department for the assessment and evaluation of restoration projects supported by the “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” grant.

a. Effectiveness Monitoring: UNH will be responsible for collecting pre and post restoration Effectiveness Monitoring data (field and geospatial), including the following parameters: salt marsh vegetation, water level, porewater salinity, and salt marsh sparrow.

b. Implementation Monitoring: All subawardees implementing on-the-ground projects will be responsible for documenting Implementation Metrics to ensure that all restoration interventions are: thoroughly documented (as to their description and location), built to specification, and achieve the target performance criteria. Implementation Metrics will be submitted annually to NHCP. UNH will utilize Implementation Metrics for final reporting.

7. Compliance with National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA): With support from an Architectural and Archeological consultant, NHCP will collaborate with lead federal agency (LFA), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), NH Division of Historical Resources (NHDHR), to conduct a cultural landscape investigation of salt marsh in NH. NHCP’s consultant will also support all “Restoring NH Salt Marshes” subawardees with all aspects of NHPA Section 106 compliance.

Table 1. Subawards details of the "Restoring NH’s Salt Marshes” grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation America the Beautiful Challenge

Task Projects Grantee Target Acres

Target Schedule

2025 2026 2027 2028

1 Restoring Philbrick Pond Salt Marsh The Nature Conservancy A Implement Demonstration Project 2.7 B Plan and Permit Expansion Project C Implement Expansion Project 6.2 D Explore Additional Restoration tbd

2 Restoring Hampton Salt Marshes Town of Hampton A Implement Demonstration Project 14 B Plan and Permit Expansion Project C Implement Expansion Project 106

3 Adaptive Management at Odiorne Point Rockingham County Conservation District A Plan and Permit Demonstration Project B Implement Demonstration Project 83 C Enact Adaptive Management

4 Great Bay Phragmites Project Rockingham County Conservation District

A Demonstration Assessment, Permitting, & Implementation

B Expansion Assessment, Permitting, & Implementation tbd

5 Program to Evaluate Project Performance University of New Hampshire A Prepare Restoration Monitoring Plan B Implement Restoration Monitoring Plan C Develop Restoration Monitoring Report

6 Salt Marsh Cultural Landscape Investigation Contractor TBD A Prepare Survey Guidance Document n/a B Conduct Section 106 Compliance Services

APPENDIX B:

“Restoring NH Salt Marshes” Grant Application

Date: 08/23/24

EasyGrantsID: 80763

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – America the Beautiful Challenge 2023, Full Proposal

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New

Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 1 of 22

Grant Information

Title of Project

NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New Hampshire Salt Marshes to

Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal Resilience

Total Amount Requested $ 2,000,000.00 Matching Contributions Proposed $222,222.40 Proposed Grant Period 09/01/ 2023 - 08/31/ 2027

Project Description

As part of the NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration package, this project will create a collaborative salt marsh restoration program in New Hampshire focused on deploying low impact, nature based restoration techniques at (3) sites along NH’s Atlantic Coast to enhance salt marsh habitat for at-risk species and to increase tidal wetland resilience to sea level rise while fostering a community of practice focused on adaptive management of salt marsh among partners and stakeholders through the NH Salt Marsh Task Force.

Project Abstract

The Atlantic Coast of the Northeast Region includes a diverse complex of wetlands, beaches, bays, estuaries, and rivers that support significant concentrations of priority fish, wildlife and plants alongside communities that are increasingly impacted by development, rising seas and more frequent and intense storms. An urgent and coordinated landscape approach is needed to continue the momentum of states and partners to accelerate coastal habitat restoration and build resiliency of natural systems, habitats, priority species, and coastal communities in the face of these impacts. The Coastal Program at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHCP) will support implementation of (3) high priority salt marsh restoration projects that endeavor to restore single channel hydrology of tidal wetlands, primarily through salt marsh ditch remediation and runnels, as well as through other interventions to enhance plant communities and habitat for Saltmarsh Sparrow and other priority species. NHCP will provide technical assistance to each project and regularly convene the Salt Marsh Task Force to foster a collaborative adaptive management approach for the maintenance and restoration of salt marsh health and resilience.

Organization and Primary Contact Information

Organization New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Organization Type State or Local Government City, State, Country Concord,New Hampshire,North America - United States

Region (if international)

Primary Contact Kevin Lucey Position/Title Phone and E-mail x ; Kevin.p.lucey@des.nh.gov

Additional Contacts

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New

Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 2 of 22

Role Name

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New

Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 3 of 22

Project Location Information

Project Location Description This project is part of a multi-state proposal that includes projects in NH, RI and NJ.

The NH proposal includes 3 sites located in Rockingham County, NH.

Philbrick Pond: Lat 42.96575, Long -70.7756

Hampton Seabrook Estuary: Lat 42.91955, Long -70.8252

Odiorne Point: Lat 43.04047, Long -70.720

Project Country(ies) North America - United States Project State(s) New Hampshire Project Congressional District(s) District 1 (NH)

Permits and Approvals

Permits/Approvals Description: Philbrick Pond will require a NHDES Wetlands Bureau Standard

Dredge and Fill Wetlands Permit. The 'Wetlands Permit' is authorized by the US Army Corps of Engineers under the

"Programmatic General Permit," which also ensures compliance with federal requirements (e.g ESA, NHPA) through completion of consultation with the NH Division of Historical Resources, NH

Heritage Bureau, NH Fish and Game. NH_NEAFWA project will be categorized as restoration, providing certain permitting benefits at

NHDES.

Permits/Approvals Status: Intend to Apply

Permits/Approvals Agency-Contact Person: Kevin Lucey

Permits/Approvals Submittal-Approval Date: 07/01/2024

Permits/Approvals Description: Hampton Ditch will require a NHDES Wetlands Bureau Standard

Dredge and Fill Wetlands Permit. The 'Wetlands Permit' is authorized by the US Army Corps of Engineers under the

"Programmatic General Permit," which also ensures compliance with federal requirements (e.g ESA, NHPA) through completion of consultation with the NH Division of Historical Resources, NH

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New

Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 4 of 22

Heritage Bureau, NH Fish and Game. NH_NEAFWA project will be categorized as restoration, providing certain permitting benefits at

NHDES

Permits/Approvals Status: Intend to Apply

Permits/Approvals Agency-Contact Person: Kevin Lucey

Permits/Approvals Submittal-Approval Date: 07/01/2024

Permits/Approvals Description: Odiorne Point will require a NHDES Wetlands Bureau Standard

Dredge and Fill Wetlands Permit. The 'Wetlands Permit' is authorized by the US Army Corps of Engineers under the

"Programmatic General Permit," which also ensures compliance with federal requirements (e.g ESA, NHPA) through completion of consultation with the NH Division of Historical Resources, NH

Heritage Bureau, NH Fish and Game. NH_NEAFWA project will be categorized as restoration, providing certain permitting benefits at

NHDES.

Permits/Approvals Status: Intend to Apply

Permits/Approvals Agency-Contact Person: Kevin Lucey

Permits/Approvals Submittal-Approval Date: 12/31/2024

Permits/Approvals Description: The Great Bay Phragmites Project will require a "watershed permit" from the NH Division of Pesticide Control for use of herbicides on invasive Phragmites australis within wetlands. The permit process requires submitting mapping products of all treatment sites. The maps must also depict public water supplies and natural resources, such as wetlands and waterbodies.

Permits/Approvals Status: Intend to Apply

Permits/Approvals Agency-Contact Person: Kevin Lucey

Permits/Approvals Submittal-Approval Date: 12/31/2024

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New

Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 5 of 22

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New

Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 6 of 22

Activities and Outcomes

Funding Strategy: Planning, Research, Monitoring Metric: ATBC - Monitoring - # monitoring programs Required: Recommended Description: Enter the number of monitoring programs established or underway

Starting Value 0.00 # monitoring programs Target value 1.00 # monitoring programs

Note: As described in Task 5D, NHCP will enact 1 overall program to evaluate project performance.

Funding Strategy: Habitat Management Metric: ATBC - Project footprint - Acreage of project footprint Required: Recommended Description: Enter the total number of acres impacted by one or more project conservation activities. Only count an acre once, even if multiple activities or treatments will occur on that acre during the project.

Starting Value 0.00 Acreage of project footprint Target value 486.00 Acreage of project footprint

Note: The total project area within which restoration work will occur is 486 acres, which were measured from Marsh Units Codes (MUC) established by the State of NH. NHCP attempted unsuccessfully to upload MUC Shapefiles and instead had to hand draw polygons on the NFWF site, which may result in slight difference of Acreage of Footprint.

Funding Strategy: Planning, Research, Monitoring Metric: ATBC - Restoration planning/design/permitting - # E&D plans developed Required: Recommended Description: Enter the number of Engineering and Design plans developed. Generally there will be 1 plan per project to be constructed.

Starting Value 0.00 # E&D plans developed Target value 3.00 # E&D plans developed

Note: Funding from NFWF ATBC will enable NH Partners to expand existing restoration initiatives at the 3 selected sites, which will require amendments to existing restoration designs and re-visiting of permitting decisions to incorporate additional acreage and possibly additional restoration practices. To advance the restoration of 239 acres of tidal

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New

Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 7 of 22 wetland restoration, we anticipate creating restoration design/ permitting packages at 3 sites.

Funding Strategy: Habitat Restoration Metric: ATBC - Wetland restoration - Acres restored Required: Recommended Description: Enter # acres of WETLAND (not riparian or instream) habitat restored. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (Marsh, Tidal marsh, Wet meadow, Swamp) and indicate % of vegetation on pre-project site (0-20%, 21-40%, 41-60%, 61-80%, 81- 100%).

Starting Value 0.00 Acres restored Target value 239.00 Acres restored

Note: At the pre-proposal phase, NHCP proposed delivering 300 acres of wetland restoration. While the initially proposed restoration metric target value may likely be achievable, NHCP is concerned about the potential unintended consequences of forcing sub-awardees to contractually achieve such high rates of restoration intervention per Project Footprint area. In addition, the suite of projects proposed by NHCP are novel approaches to tidal wetland restoration that haven’t been implemented in NH yet, and therefore NH partners lack certainty about the costs and levels of effort to perform the restoration work.

As a bottomline principal for the demonstration of these practices in the State of NH, NHCP wants to emphasize quality restoration work above the quantity of acres restored, which we propose to achieve through the incremental process of adaptive management.

Therefore, NHCP proposes to reduce Wetland Acres Restored from 300 acres to 239 acres.

239 acres was selected because it represents 50% of the proposed Project Footprint Area.

Among the 239 acres to be restored, 191 acres have been identified by NH Partners. The remaining 48 acres of Wetland Acres Restored will be determined and accomplished by NH Partners with funding from NFWF ATBC. Upload6 provides detailed footprint and restoration acreage, which is summarized below.

- Hampton Ditch: 239.7 acre footprint, 119.9 acres restored

- Hampton Ditch area anticipates enacting restoration practices in 50% of the Project Footprint Area.

- Philbrick Pond: 29.5 acre footprint, 9 acres restored -Philbrick restoration acreage is currently limited by landowner approval.

- Odiorne Point: 216.8 acre footprint - 62 acres restored -Odiorne restoration acreage is not fully known as restoration design is on-going.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation –

America the Beautiful Challenge 2023, Full

Proposal

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal

Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 8 of 22

I. PERSONNEL $0.00

Staff Name Position Annual Salary Project Hours

Hourly Rate LOE

Project Salary % Fringe $ Fringe Total Personnel

Totals $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

II. TRAVEL $0.00

Domestic Airfare – Per Flight

Purpose/Destination Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

International Airfare – Per Flight

Purpose/Destination Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

Train – Per Ticket

Purpose/Destination Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

America the Beautiful Challenge 2023, Full

Proposal

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal

Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 9 of 22

Rental Car – Per Day

Purpose/Destination Days/Duration Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

Taxis – Per Trip

Purpose/Destination Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

Mileage – Per Mile

Purpose/Destination Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

Gasoline – Per Gallon

Purpose/Destination Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

Per Diem (M&IE) – Per Day

Purpose/Destination Days/Duration Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

America the Beautiful Challenge 2023, Full

Proposal

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal

Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 10 of 22

Lodging – Per Night

Purpose/Destination Days/Duration Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

Meals (no M&IE) – Per Meal

Purpose/Destination Days/Duration Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

SubTotal $0.00

III. EQUIPMENT $0.00

Item Name Description Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

IV. MATERIALS & SUPPLIES $4,319.00

Type Purpose Unit of Measure Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

Supplies iPad Pro $999.00 2 $1,998.00

Supplies Mud Boots $109.00 8 $872.00

Supplies Laser Level $1,049.00 1 $1,049.00

Supplies GPS $400.00 1 $400.00

V. CONTRACTUAL SERVICES $1,993,681.00

Subcontract/Contract – Per Agreement

America the Beautiful Challenge 2023, Full

Proposal

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal

Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 11 of 22

Contractor Name Description Total Cost

TBD Cultural Resource Consultant $100,000.00

SubTotal $100,000.00

Subgrant – Per Agreement

Subrecipient Description Total Cost

The Nature Conservancy (Cost for 9 acres of restoration: Philbrick Pond) $388,000.00

Town of Hampton (Cost for 120 acres of restoration: Hampton Ditch) $595,000.00

Rockingham County Conservation District (Cost for 62 acres restoration: Odiorne Point) $300,000.00

Great Bay Stewards (Cost for Great Bay Phragmites Project) $100,000.00

University of New Hampshire- Jackson Estuarine Lab

(Cost for Program to Evaluate Project Performance) $400,000.00

TO BE DETERMINED Adaptive Management Fund $110,681.00

SubTotal $1,893,681.00

VI. OTHER DIRECT COSTS $2,000.00

Type Purpose Unit of Measure Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

Audit Set-Aside Required charge to external grants for audits

(1/10% of grant request)

$2,000.00 1 $2,000.00

VII. TOTAL DIRECT COSTS $2,000,000.00

VIII. INDIRECT COSTS $0.00

Explanation of Modified Total Direct Cost Base(MTDC) Rate Type NICRA Expiration $MTDC Rate(%) Total Cost

America the Beautiful Challenge 2023, Full

Proposal

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal

Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 12 of 22

IX. TOTAL PROJECT COSTS $2,000,000.00

America the Beautiful Challenge 2023, Full

Proposal

Title: NEAFWA Atlantic Coast Resiliency and Coastal Habitat Restoration: Restoring New Hampshire Salt Marshes to Benefit At Risk Species and Increase Coastal

Resilience

Organization: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

1625 Eye Street, NW Version 1.1

Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Page 13 of 22

Budget Narrative

Budget Narrative: NHCP is proposing a multi-site, multi-partner project with the goal of restoring tidal wetland conditions for Saltmarsh Sparrow and increased resilience of the salt marsh…