SOW_for_CAHA_predator_trapping.pdf

SOW for predation management within Cape Hatteras National Seashore

I. Background

The National Park Service at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CAHA) is requesting contracted wildlife trapping and disposal services for purposes of the protection of species of concern such as federally threatened and endangered shorebirds and sea turtles. The trapping services will be carried out along the seashore from Nags Head to Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. The selected Contractor will have demonstrated trapping experience and experience working in sensitive environments such as national parks where discretion during trapping efforts is required to minimize impacts to visitor use and experience. Protection of non-target species will be necessary.

Coastal species of concern include: sea turtles (green sea turtle, Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle) and shorebirds (American oystercatcher, black skimmer, common tern, gull billed tern, least tern, piping plover, red knot, roseate tern, snowy plover, Wilson’s plover. Most of these coastal species of concern are federally listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered

Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. Additionally, several of these species are included on state species of concern lists and are protected by other laws or regulations, such as the Migratory Bird Treaty

Act (MBTA).

The information developed under this Contract is the property of the U.S. government and shall be kept in confidence. All discussions, meetings, miscellaneous requests, reports, transfers of information, etc., shall be coordinated between the Contractor's Project Manager and the Park's Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR). The Contractor’s Project Manager shall identify alternates or additional personnel as deemed necessary for the implementation of the project. The COR does not have the authority to issue changes to the contract, order additional work, increase or decrease the price of work, or alter the period of performance. All such changes must be accomplished through formal written orders or contract modifications issued by the Contracting Officer (CO).

II. Services to be Performed

The Contractor shall provide traps, bait, equipment for humanely euthanizing wildlife, and a 4x4 vehicle to access trapping locations along ORV routes within the Seashore. The NPS can provide a limited number of traps and signage. In addition, the NPS may provide space in shared housing (if requested) for trapping efforts carried out on Ocracoke Island.

The work is planned for a 7-month period from February to August, 2023. Due to the short amount of time between now and the beginning of sea turtle and shorebird nesting season, the Contractor will be expected to begin trapping work within 10 days of contract award.

The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve and protect special places and allow for the future enjoyment of these locations by future generations. This work will take place on public lands that are utilized for various types of recreation, as such Contract work shall not interfere with visitor access or recreation on the Seashore. If species of concern are encountered or impacted during implementation of this contract, the Contractor will stop work and contact the CO immediately.

Task 1 - Implementing wildlife trapping. The expectations for work under this task include: collection of wildlife information from the Seashore via on-site scouting and through coordination with CAHA

Biological Science Technicians for purposes of documenting mammalian (coyote, feral cat, gray fox, nutria, mink, Virginia opossum, raccoon, red fox) predator sign; scouting-informed and discrete placement of approved traps, coupled with signs warning visitors and staff of the presence of wildlife traps; checking of open traps as soon as is practicable the day following set (i.e. before 10am), and;

humanely euthanizing and disposal of captured wildlife. Wildlife can be disposed of off-site according to local regulations or, within predetermined areas of the Seashore where wildlife can be disposed of following coordination with field staff.

Once areas are identified with high predator activity, traps shall be placed by the Contractor discretely around the area such that they are not visible to visitors, with particular attention paid in areas of high visitor use such as Cape Point, South Point and Coquina Beach. The area around traps should be signed

(NPS can provide signage) to that if visitors or staff do come close to traps, they are informed to avoid the area.

The Contractor shall only utilize approved tools and methods as has been included in the park’s National

Environmental Policy Act compliance. The specific lethal control tools and methods that have been approved for use within CAHA include: foothold traps; snares; walkin cage traps; dog-proof traps; box, cage, and corral traps; shooting; euthanasia via carbon dioxide gas, toxicant DRC-1339 specific to avian predators, and manual removal and Fripp traps specific to ghost crabs.

The Contractor will schedule and facilitate a planning and logistics meeting with park staff within 7 days following contract award. The meeting can be held virtually via teams, or in person at CAHA’s Bodie

Island offices.

Bi-weekly updates in the form of progress reports and an end of contract summary shall be provided to park staff. Reporting can be as simple as a table with capture totals and a short narrative about any problems, favorable or unusual developments, but should minimally include a summary of overall progress for the reporting period such as:

• Days of trapping

• Number and types of traps used

• Locations of traps

• Number and species of capture (including incidental take of non-target species)

• Indication of any problems, favorable or unusual developments

Deliverable: Schedule and facilitate a planning meeting with park staff within 7 days following contract award.

Deliverable: (a) begin trapping work within 10 calendar days following contract award, (b) successfully scout for and trap in identified areas with high predator activity, humanely euthanize and appropriately dispose of wildlife carcasses over a 7-month period.

Deliverable: Provide bi-weekly updates. Provide end of contract summary report.