SOW for Meeks design contract_May 2024.pdf

Meeks Creek Restoration and Recreation Design Contract

Introduction

The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking a qualified consultant to provide professional services to develop final (100%) engineering design plans and specifications to restore approximately 1,300 feet of Meeks Creek and historic lagoon, improve campground and parking facilities at the developed recreation site, and for a pedestrian bridge over the restored channel. The design plans will include stream and lagoon restoration and wildlife habitat enhancement, improved physical and biological functions, and improvements to the public recreation opportunities at the developed recreation site along Meeks Creek in a 74 acre project area between the Highway 89 bridge and the mouth at Lake Tahoe (see Figure 1 for project location). Planning activities will include, but are not limited to, field assessments, data analysis and modeling, and development of a design report and 50%, 70%, 90% and final engineered design plans and specifications.

The Meeks Creek Watershed has been impacted by previous land use activities including construction of campgrounds and a marina, highway bridge construction across the creek and associated channel constriction, and several other recreation and community services including a fire station and cabins. It is also potential and current habitat for several threatened and endangered species and hosts numerous unique and valuable recreational opportunities in both a front country and federal designated Wilderness setting.

Project Summary

The goal of the Meeks Creek Restoration and Recreation Site Improvement Project is to restore the closed marina to a naturally functioning lagoon similar to historic habitat conditions at the site, restore the stream channel and reduce its capacity and size incorporating improved aquatic habitat conditions and a connected floodplain, and improve the recreation site conditions and user experience at the site. The completed restoration and recreation improvement project will provide better habitat for native species and enhance recreational opportunities. The selected contractor will work closely with the LTBMU to identify and further develop the required assessments and restoration actions.

The consultant will be responsible for coordinating with Caltrans regarding the Highway bridge replacement design plans and channel stabilization work (being developed under separate contract) to ensure that the new Meeks Creek channel in this reach is compatible with the flow and sediment transport characteristics of the upstream channel segment. Close coordination with the

Washoe Tribe and the LTBMU Recreation staff will also be required related to the proposed campground, parking and circulation and trail bridge components of the project, as the Washoe

Tribe of Nevada and California operate and maintain the Meeks Bay Resort under special use authorization.

Project Background

The Meeks Creek Watershed is located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe and flows directly into

Lake Tahoe. A large portion of the Meeks Creek Watershed is in Desolation Wilderness and contains numerous, large, cold-water lakes that are utilized for dispersed recreation and provide historic habitat for Sierra Nevada yellow legged frog and Lahontan cutthroat trout in addition to a suite of other native species. The Meeks Creek watershed is important to native species and recreational use. Meeks Creek has also been identified as important habitat for Lahontan cutthroat trout and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, both federally listed species on the Endangered

Species Act. Additionally, the closed marina is/has been occupied by various aquatic invasive species, and an AIS removal project occurred between 2019-2022. Long-term stream temperature monitoring shows that Meeks Creek is reaching lethal temperatures for salmonids throughout the summer.

The proposed project actions were analyzed in a joint NEPA/CEQA/TRPA document and the final

EIS/EIS/EIR is available on the LTBMU public website. In addition, a site survey was completed of the stream channel corridor and campground in 2023 and is available for use in this contract.

Previous studies completed in this project area will be provided as part of this solicitation package and include an Ecosystem Assessment Report and a Hydrology and Geomorphology report to support the environmental analysis.

Project Location

The project is in El Dorado County and is accessible from Highway 50. The project area is bounded to the north, west, and south by Highway 89 which encircles Meeks Bay, and by Lake Tahoe to the east. The attached map shows the project location, and the conceptual improvements planned (see

Figure 2).

Project Description Summary

This project will consist of data collection, field related tasks and modelling necessary to support final design plans within the watershed as identified in the Scope of Work. The project will result in a set of final Engineer stamped plans and technical specifications for the restoration and recreation improvements, in addition to a construction cost estimate and permits.

Scope of Work

The consultant shall perform all professional and technical services necessary to accomplish the work described below. Professional and technical services shall include all labor, materials, equipment, and facilities, as required.

An LTBMU restoration hydrologist and aquatic biologist will be part of the consultant’s design team for final project design. There will be monthly coordination with the Forest Service restoration team regarding the progress and status of the project and related issues through meetings or personal communications.

The work to be performed by the consultant shall consist of the following items:

TASK 1 – HYDRAULIC MODELLING, DATA ANALYSIS AND DESIGN REPORT

Task 1.1: Hydrologic assessment and hydraulic modelling

Complete a hydrologic analysis to determine the current and future projected climate-driven hydrographs.

a) Perform hydraulic modelling. Assess the potential effects of the expected range of hydraulic forces in the project reach on the new channel banks in terms of velocities and shear stresses, including those encountered during large floods.

a) Complete a flood hydraulics assessment to evaluate how this project may affect the highway bridge and Meeks Meadow upstream and the campground and day use facilities to the north and south.

• Evaluation should account for existing topographic data (valley and channel), flow data, floodprone area, and existing physical constraints.

Task 1.2. Marina soil investigation and identification of unnatural materials that will require removal

a) The Meeks Bay Marina was previously operated within the project area, and potentially resulted in unnatural materials being left in its former footprint (i.e., concrete, contaminated soils, etc.) that will need to be addressed in the design and construction of this project.

b) In addition, several bottom barriers installed for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) removal efforts in the recent past were partially buried in the former marina and will also need to be removed and accounted for during design and construction.

Task 1.3. Additional resource review

a) Verify the exact location and depth of utilities by potholing in the project area and determine how they will affect final design and implementation of the project (i.e., access routes and staging areas, locations of backfill and excavation).

b) Include protection measures for known heritage resources in the project area. Work with the

LTBMU heritage resource staff for identification of areas that must be flagged and avoided during implementation.

Task 1.4. Assessment of appropriate channel substrate material size and vegetation characteristics

a) Determine the appropriate substrate material sizes for channel reconstruction. Larger substrate size classes and/or large wood may be needed to adequately protect buried utilities, and for in-stream structure design (i.e. bank protection, aquatic habitat, etc.). These materials may need to be imported from suitable areas near the project site.

b) After evaluating channel vertical stability, determine if variable substrate sizes are needed for channel bed construction in the project reach to ensure that channel grade is maintained, and that it supports native fish populations and provides for sediment transport continuity.

c) Identify potential sod harvest areas and vegetation harvest/salvage areas in the existing project footprint and in Meeks Meadow upstream of the Highway bridge for use during implementation.

Task 1 Deliverables

1. Four coordination meetings, 1) with the LTBMU members of the design team to acquire site survey information and other pertinent information; 2) with Caltrans staff to coordinate the transition from the bridge replacement project and channel stabilization and this restoration project reach; 3) with the Washoe Tribe and LTBMU Recreation Staff to seek their input and ensure compatibility between with the campground, parking, circulation and day use area management; and 4) With other stakeholders including but not limited to Lahontan Regional

Water Quality Control Board, Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Highway 89 corridor planning group. Each of these meetings shall occur before completing the 50% design plans.

2. Draft and Final Design report – A technical report that summarizes all analyses and conclusions described in the Task 1 description section above (including a compilation and interpretation of data with a summary of findings), a map of suitable sod harvest (if applicable) and willow harvesting locations in and near the project area, and any other analyses developed during contract negotiation and/or during the assessment phase of the contract and agreed upon by both LTBMU Staff and the Contractor.

• Each sub-task should constitute a section of the final report, and sections should include a description of methods, results, and collected data incorporated by reference and included in an appendix.

3. The consultant will provide electronic copies of all documents, data, notes, meeting minutes, and materials generated during the project.

TASK 2 – DESIGN PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS:

Components of design plan development should include but are not limited to:

a) Restoration designs that comply with final environmental analysis documents and Terms and

Conditions identified in the US Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion (to be provided upon contract award).

b) Ensure restoration designs and actions protect the existing utilities and adjacent infrastructure.

c) Incorporate aquatic habitat features to improve wetland and stream performance in the restoration site.

d) Provide revegetation plans for channel and lagoon areas, beach and surrounding disturbed upland areas, staging areas, temporary access routes, and other areas disturbed by construction activities.

e) Engineering Plans and Specifications - Project features to be included in designs:

o Meeks Lagoon (remove former marina) o Meeks Creek restoration from Caltrans improvements under and near the highway bridge to the Lagoon and mouth at Lake Tahoe.

o Pedestrian trail crossing to also support maintenance vehicles over the restored channel and/or lagoon o Design plans for campground facility upgrades, including:

Maintaining approximately the existing number of campsites while providing for improved circulation and BMP compliance (i.e., 36 sites at Meeks Bay

Resort campground on the north side of Meeks Creek and 36–42 sites at the Meeks Bay campground on the south side Meeks Creek).

Maintaining the existing number of parking spaces, with a potential increase of up to 14 additional spaces and providing for BMP compliance in the parking lots.

Replace existing shoreline protection in front of and north of cabins

Campground and circulation improvements should account for future relocation of motel-style cabins (under separate contract) o Construction access, staging, existing utilities, temporary and permanent BMPs, etc.

Task 2.1 Fifty percent design plans

a) Develop 50% conceptual design plans based on the schematic drawing included in the

EIS/EIS/EIR for the project (see Figure 2).

b) Include entire marina/lagoon area, channel from the Highway bridge to the mouth at Lake

Tahoe, campground improvements, shoreline protection, and pedestrian bridge over restored area.

c) Emphasize the use of passive watershed or bioengineering methods and approaches in project designs.

Task 2.2 Seventy percent design plans and specifications

a) Consider existing channel bank construction/stabilization techniques and new innovative approaches, as applicable to this project reach. The LTBMU is interested in applying various methods for bank and bed stabilization and will participate in selecting the methods that are most appropriate for this project area.

b) Incorporate details/specifications for utility line crossing(s). These crossings may require more hardened engineered structures rather than the passive watershed and bioengineering methods proposed for the rest of the channel design.

c) Achieve the desired conditions (as already established) with the project design, emphasizing the use of native materials wherever possible.

d) Provide technical specifications including, at a minimum, description of items to purchase and materials specifications, quantities of cut and fill, order of work, types of equipment to be used, and all procedures and equipment for purchasing, installing, and maintaining

BMPs. In addition, the consultant shall provide a draft engineer’s construction cost estimate for the project.

e) Include draft specifications and detail drawings in the 70% design plans.

Task 2.3 Ninety percent design plans and specifications

a) 90% plans shall be detailed to the degree necessary that they can be used for construction drawings (main sheets at standard engineering scale) and shall include, at a minimum, a cover sheet, location map, legend, abbreviation list, general notes, plan and profile sheets, cross sections, details, temporary erosion control, land capability, revegetation specifications, bioengineering techniques, land disturbance calculations, soil excavation and fill quantity calculations, and in-stream structures. Plans shall also show the location of construction and maintenance access and haul roads, staging and storage areas.

b) Provide a revised engineer’s construction cost estimate for the project.

Task 2.3 One-hundred percent design plans and specifications

a) Biddable, certified, engineer-stamped designs and specifications for restoration of Meeks

Creek and recreation site improvements. Design plans shall be stamped and signed by a civil engineer registered in California.

b) Provide two sets of reproducible, stamped and signed original final plans with Forest

Engineer, Forest Supervisor, and registered CE stamp with signature for construction purposes, and one electronic file of the final plans in a format compatible with AUTOCAD

(latest release) and/or Land Desk Civil Design. Provide the LTBMU with the signed, finished plan set in PDF format.

Task 2 – Deliverables

1. 50% design plans

2. 70% design plans and specifications and draft cost estimate for construction.

3. 90% design plans and specifications. Cost estimate for construction.

4. 100% design plans and specifications (Forest Service Engineer and Forest Supervisor approval). Final engineer’s cost estimate.

TASK 3 – PERMITTING

Secure all permits for implementation from Tahoe Basin permitting agencies (e.g., Lahontan

Regional Water Quality Control Board (LRWQCB) 401 Water Quality Certification, National Pollutant

Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) construction permit, and Storm Water Pollution Prevention

Plan (SWPP), Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 CWA, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) construction permit).

TASK 4 – FIELD REVIEWS AND COORDINATION MEETINGS:

The consultant shall lead 2 field reviews of the project, one at the 50% design phase with the USFS, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, TRPA, LRWQCB, and Caltrans. The second field review shall be for the Forest Leadership Team (FLT) at the 70% design phase including: Forest Supervisor, Deputy Forest Supervisor, and Staff Officers.

In addition, check-in meetings and larger coordination meetings will be held as needed monthly or quarterly to seek LTBMU staff and partner input throughout design development.

Proposed Project Schedule

Contract award September 2024

Modeling and report completion March 2025

50% design completion and field review May 2025

70% design completion and field review July 2025

90% design completion October 2025

100% design completion December 2025

Permitting completion March 2026