SOW_Muddy_River_YBCU_Survey2025.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

LAS VEGAS FIELD OFFICE

STATEMENT OF WORK

PRESENCE/ABSENCE SURVEY

FOR

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO: MUDDY RIVER BERM REMOVAL PROJECT

If the Contractor has any problems or questions concerning any aspect of this contract or Statement of Work, the Contractor is to contact the BLM Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office 1340 Financial Blvd.

Reno, Nevada 89502-7147

Telephone: xxxxxxxxxx Fax: (xxxxxxxxxx E-Mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Biologist, Renewable Resources Bureau of Land Management 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89130-2301

Telephone: (702) 515-5157 E-Mail: pmyers@blm.gov

INTRODUCTION

Background

· The Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus: cuckoo or YBCU) is a relatively large bird with a long, curved bill. Yellow-billed cuckoos usually inhabit dense riparian woodlands.

· The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the western distinct population segment of yellow-billed cuckoo as Threatened in November 2014.

· The BLM project requiring this survey will remove an earthen agricultural levee along an approximately 1 mile reach of the Muddy River near Moapa Nevada (map attached below) using heavy earthmoving equipment that will remove existing vegetation. Material removed will be used to create a new flood control berm several hundred feet from the stream in an area that does not contain cuckoo habitat.

· The 1 mile reach of the Muddy River is deeply incised and currently unable to support significant obligate riparian vegetation. Very small patches of willow, cottonwood, ash, and tamarisk occur within a narrow 5-15 meter ribbon on either side of the river, with individual tamarisk extending further from the stream along with thickets of young mesquite. The area was overwhelmingly dominated by tamarisk until BLM treatments reduced the tamarisk concentration significantly between 2013 and 2019.

· Contract Option: The surveys are planned to be conducted in three successive years if needed. After the first year the contract can be renewed at the BLM’s option for 2 additional years.

· Detections of Yellow-billed cuckoo were reported in previous efforts.

· Shapefiles of the project area can be provided.

Objective

· Determine and document the presence or absence of Yellow-billed cuckoo along the approximately 1 mile reach of the Muddy River near Moapa, Nevada where BLM will remove an earthen agriculture levee.

Note: This survey is for presence absence of Yellow-billed cuckoo on the project site. No nest surveys will be required if yellow-billed cuckoos are detected. No off-site surveys will be requested. Project logistics for the berm removal have not been determined. Therefore, specific locations of components for the project are unknown at this time.

Tasks

The Contractor tasks are:

· Determine location(s) and route(s) to conduct survey where YBCU could be affected by the berm removal.

· Conduct YBCU presence/absence surveys beginning in 2025 in accordance with the most recent USFWS protocol. (available online at https://www.fws.gov/media/survey-protocol-western-distinct-population-segment-yellow-billed-cuckoo) Comment by Myers, Peter (Evan): I hyper linked to the website with the protocol or should we give the web address instead of the hyperlink? Comment by Smith, Jonathan P: Maybe we should do the web address as well in case it doesn't copy/paste into the advertisement.

· Submit data/reports to USFWS as required by Contractor’s permit/certification.

· Submit a Final Report of the survey to the BLM by the end of August to include Comment by Smith, Jonathan P: Yeah. That looks ok to me. Whatever you think we need so that we have documentation of presence/absence Comment by Myers, Peter (Evan): Is this a report? should say something about a report being submitted

· Documentation of surveys conducted

· location of YBCU occurrence

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

Contractor Basic Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Must possess current permit/certification to conduct yellow-billed cuckoo surveys (Minimum qualifications provided by USFWS, see attached Qualifications document)

· Must possess or be able to possess a permit from NDOW to conduct yellow-billed cuckoo surveys

· Must be able to read and interoperate maps

· Must be able to utilize GPS and GIS technology

· Must be able to work with and communicate with BLM staff

· Must know the habitat requirements and biological needs of the yellow-billed cuckoo

· Must have the ability to recognize suitable habitat for the yellow-billed cuckoo.

Contractor Educational Requirements

· Contractor must have a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology or closely related field. Comment by Myers, Peter (Evan): Should we also say something about the training they are supposed to go through? Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveyor Information | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov) Comment by Smith, Jonathan P: Is that what the next sentence is about? Is there a specific doc for us to reference?

· Have completed course work in ornithology, and study-design/survey-methodology, or equivalent field experience, and have an understanding of the habitat, community ecology, and life history of the yellow-billed cuckoo preferably by attendance at an appropriate workshop designed for the species;

Contractor Physical Requirements

· The Contractor must have the hearing and vision to identify cuckoos and other birds.

· The Contractor must have the ability to traverse uneven terrain and dense vegetation.

Contractor Licenses

The contractor shall have a permit on file with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct presence/absence surveys for Yellow-billed Cuckoo. State and Federal permits are required to search for nesting cuckoos. The contractor shall also pay for (if applicable) and obtain all rights-of-way permits for surveys on public and private lands. If right-of-way permits cannot be obtained the contractor shall contact the BLM representative.

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