SOW_RangeMonitorProj_BIA_WNA.pdf

Scope of Work

The Western Navajo Agency (WNA) Branch of Natural Resource is requesting acquisition contractual bids/price quote on the range monitoring project. The scope of work is performing professional services on the following as funding and time permits to develop a rangeland monitoring plan for the Western Navajo Agency (Land Management District 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8) and to conduct rangeland monitoring for 3 years (or implement the finalized range monitoring plan) on the Former Bennett Freeze Area of Land Management District 3. Gathering monitoring data is critical to detect changes in the rangeland condition early detection so adjustments in grazing management can be made to sustain range health.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) will provide funds to a selected contractor to perform the following for the Land Management Districts effected by the Former Bennett Freeze Area:

1) Develop Rangeland Monitoring Plan for the three (3) Land Management Districts effected by the Former Bennett Freeze Area. Use the Western Navajo Agency Branch of Natural Resources’ (WNA-BNR) “Range Monitoring Instruction”, see APPENDIX, as a guide for development of the plan. Development of Rangeland Monitoring Plan Will be aligned with professionally with accepted rangeland vegetation monitoring protocols and official BIA guidance, such as 54 IAM l-H BIA, the Agriculture and Range Handbook (2021), and in coordination and communication with BIA Western Navajo Agency Branch of Natural Resources staff.

2) Review a draft of the Monitoring Plan with the WNA-BNR staff and finalize Monitoring Plan.

3) Conduct Rangeland Monitoring for 3 years starting in Fall of 2024 and to be completed in June

2027. The Contractor will use the finalized Range Monitoring Plan. An Average of 216 transects per year is to be monitored.

a. Year 1: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, with report after completion of each season.

b. Year 2: Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, with report after completion of each season.

c. Year 3: Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, with report after completion of each season, and final overall report with recommendations of new stock rates.

4) The contractor shall collect data using the University of Arizona Extension Vegetation GIS Data

System (VGS). Download USD-BIA Navajo https://vgs.arizona.edu/download-category/general-downloads.

Background Western Navajo Agency consists of about 53,528 acres (Non Grazeable Acres) and about 5,034,448 acres categorized as rangelands (Summary of Vegetation Survey). The Agency is divided into five (5) Land Management Districts (District) 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 located within Colorado Plateau Major Land Resource Area (MLRA). Most of the project area is within the Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties, Arizona.

The Arizona/Utah State line also coincides here (Portion of San Juan County).

Overgrazing, droughts, and limited coordination of grazing activities between permit holders within the WNA have contributed to the degradation of natural resources within these locations. Approach to drought management, many of these points are range manage principles that can be applied to all stakeholders.

§ 167.1 Authority.

It is within the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to protect Indian tribal lands against waste.

Subject to regulations of this part, the right exists for Indian tribes to authorize the granting of permits upon their tribal lands and to prescribe by appropriate tribal action the conditions under which their lands may be used.

§ 167.3 Objectives.

https://vgs.arizona.edu/download-category/general-downloads.

https://vgs.arizona.edu/download-category/general-downloads.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-25/section-167.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-25/section-167.3

It is the purpose of the regulations in this part to aid the Navajo Indians in achievement of the following objectives:

(a) The preservation of the forage, the land, and the water resources on the Navajo Reservation, and the building up of those resources where they have deteriorated.

(b) The protection of the interests of the Navajo Indians from the encroachment of unduly aggressive and anti-social individuals who may or may not be members of the Navajo Tribe.

(c) The adjustment of livestock numbers to the carrying capacity of the range in such a manner that the livestock economy of the Navajo Tribe will be preserved.

(d) To secure increasing responsibility and participation of the Navajo people, including tribal participation in all basic policy decisions, in the sound management of one of the Tribe's greatest assets, its grazing lands, and to foster a better relationship and a clearer understanding between the Navajo people and the Federal Government in carrying out the grazing regulations.

(e) The improvement of livestock through proper breeding practices and the maintenance of a sound culling policy. Buck and bull pastures may be established and maintained either on or off the reservation through District Grazing Committee and Central Grazing Committee action.

§ 167.6 Carrying capacities.

(a) The Commissioner of Indian Affairs on June 26, 1943, promulgated the authorized carrying capacity for each land management district of the Navajo Reservation.

(b) Recommended adjustments in carrying capacities shall be referred by the Superintendent to District Grazing Committee, Central Grazing Committee, and the Navajo Tribal Council for review and recommendations prior to presentation to the Area Director and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for approval.

(c) Upon the request of the District Grazing Committee, Central Grazing Committee and Navajo Tribal Council to the Superintendent; recommendations for future adjustments to the established carrying capacities shall be made by Range Technicians based on the best information available through annual utilization studies and range condition studies analyzed along with numbers of livestock and precipitation data. The recommendations of the Range Technicians shall be submitted to the Superintendent, the Area Director and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

(d) Carrying capacities shall be stated in terms of sheep units yearlong, in the ratio of horses, mules, and burros 1 to 5; cattle 1 to 4; goats 1 to 1. The latter figure in each case denotes sheep units. Sheep, goats, cattle, horses, mules, and burros one year of age or older shall be counted against the carrying capacity.

Develop feasible management options that yield acceptable economic returns and conservation benefits by considering the land user’s management objectives, goals, and capabilities, as well as prevailing economic conditions (commodity process, production costs, etc.).

Project Location Description

Land Management District 1 The Land Management District 1 project area is located within the Colorado Plateau Major Land Resource Area (MLRA). District 1 consists of about 818,782 acres of tribal trust lands located on the Navajo reservation that encompasses four (4) grazing range units. Bordering the west edge of Colorado River, it is located within Coconino County. The northern boundary is Lake Powell reservoir an https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-25/section-167.6 elevation of 3,700 feet and to the south are Coppermine and Kaibeto Grazing Communities situated side by side at an elevation of up to 6,300 feet.

The study area surveyed is topographically diverse, ranging from Echo Cliffs in the west, to White Mesa in the northeast corner, and Moenkopi to the south, with sand dunes and rock outcroppings scattered in between. Other prominent features include Wildcat Peak and Preston Mesa. The San Francisco Peaks are visible to the south near Flagstaff, and Black Mesa is the dominant land feature to the east.

Land Management District 3 The Land Management District 3 project area is located within the Colorado Plateau (35) Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) and within 1 sub-resource area, or Common Resource Area (CRA), previously known as Land Resource Units. LMD 3 consists of approximately 1,426,447 grazeable acres encompasses four (4) grazing range units and is located within Coconino County. The project area surveyed ranges from Coalmine Canyon, Tuba City, Bodaway/Gap and Cameron service area. The study area is bordered by the Kaibeto Plateau on the north and the Moenkopi Plateau on the southeast.

Moenkopi Wash runs along the southern border and the Hamblin Wash along the western edge of the study area. Crooked Ridge runs along much of the northern border, with Preston Mesa located in the northeastern portion of the area. Elevation in the area range from 4,430 feet (ft) to 6,770 ft. This study, the surveyed area was found within the Colorado Plateau Shrub-Grasslands Resource area. The Colorado Plateau has been uplifted from its surroundings; during the uplift the rivers flowing across the plateau cut into the bedrock, forming impressive geologic features and scenery such as extensive rock outcrops, canyons, cliffs, as well as volcanic remnants. This CRA has elevations that range from 3,800-5,800 ft with precipitation averaging between 6 and 10 inches per year. Typical vegetation includes shadscale, four-wing saltbush, Mormon tea, Indian ricegrass, galleta, blue grama, and black grama. Acres for each district are provided in the table below (Table 1-1).

Land Management District 5 The Land Management District 5 project area is located within the Colorado Plateau physiographic province Major Land Resource Area (MLRA). LMD 5 consists of approximately 613,386 grazeable acres encompasses three (3) grazing range units and is located within Coconino and Navajo counties. The Colorado Plateau is characterized by high elevations, large areas of exposed bedrock, extensive horizontal beds of sedimentary deposits, and areas of volcanic activity. The surficial geology of the area is characterized by Tertiary sediments of the Be’da’hochi and Bouse formations, commonly capped by patches of Quaternary surficial deposits; Triassic and Jurassic delta, floodplain, and sand dune deposits;

and Cretaceous marine and near-shore deposits. Largely intermittent or ephemeral rivers and creeks flow across the plateau and cut into the bedrock, forming impressive canyons and cliffs. The San Francisco Plateau as a result of volcanism and consists of basalt lava flows, cinders, and other volcanic rock.

Table 1-1 Current Range Data for all of Western Navajo Agency (2019)

LMD No. of Grazing Permits

(SUYL) Human Population

(2000)

Carrying Capacity Adjusted

Year Grazeable Acres

Actual Acres

1 535 26,716 2,965 4,250 2012 818,782.00 833,643.31 2 365 17,177 945 3,853 2014 811,737.00 919,622.20 3 661 40,591 9,948 9,353 2016 1,425,709.00 1,426,479.90 5 352 22,190 1,231 6,989 2016 613,386.00 616,120.18 8 706 30,378 7,535 1,957 2014 1,364,835.00 1,418,358.58

Total 2,619 137,052 22,624 26,402 5,034,449.00 5,214,224.16

Table 2.0 BIA Western Navajo LMD Rangeland Data

Grazing Permit

(SUYL) Carrying Capacity

(Adjusted)

Grazeable Acres

2020 tally count permit in use/total

2020 tally count percentage

1-1 104 4,626 1,659 58,007.13 60GP/2,484 S.U. 58%

1-2 143 8,265 1,210 235,902.00 82GP/5,153 S.U. 57%

1-3 198 9,005 1,180 244,426.33 152GP/7,698 S.U. 77%

1-4 90 4,820 201 295,307.85 75GP/3,910 S.U. 83%

2-1 94 5,682 2,305 402,189.45 64GP/1,869 S.U. 68%

2-2 119 4,888 626 184,874.14 83GP/2,287 S.U. 70%

2-3 152 6,607 922 332,558.61 99GP/2,937 S.U. 65%

3-1 82 5,202 2,874 405,815.79 65GP/3,102 S.U. 79%

3-2 206 11,761 496 222,991.33 115GP/6,715 S.U. 56%

3-3 172 12,043 2,846 561,465.31 86GP/5,099 S.U. 50%

3-4 201 11,585 3,137 236,207.46 63GP/2,832 S.U. 31%

5-1 80 5,564 1,022 130,770.08 46GP/2,951 S.U. 58%

5-2 98 4,803 827 189,690.71 61GP/2,583 S.U. 62%

5-3 174 11,823 5,140 295,659.39 92GP/5,169 S.U. 53%

8-1 269 11,359 480 514,119.60 133GP/5,259 S.U. 49%

8-2 166 6,955 237 202,618.44 27GP/1,385 S.U. 16%

8-3 142 6,355 206 274,930.86 61GP/2,517 S.U. 43%

8-4 129 5,709 1,034 426,689.67 85GP/3,200 S.U. 66%

Total 2619 137,052 26,402 5,214,224.16 1,451GP/67,150 58% Ave

Table 3.0 2020 District Grazing Committee Members LMD 3 Livestock Tally Count

Land Management

District

2020 Tally Count

Cattle

2020 Tally Count

Sheep

2020 Tally Count

Horses Total

3-1 667 482 97 1,246

3-2 1,179 627 47 1,853

3-3 518 1,093 32 1,643

3-4 458 830 53 1,341

TOTAL 2,822 3,032 229 6,083

Total Sheep Units 11,288 3,032 1,145 15,465

Table 4.0 2020 Aerial Survey in October 2020- LMD 3 Livestock Tally Count

Land Management

Districts

Active Corrals/Roaming

Cattle

Active Corrals/Roaming

Sheep

Active Corrals/Roaming

Horses

Active & Roaming

Total

3-1 474 / 2,329 477 / 306 182 / 1,309 5,077

3-2 359 / 909 269 / 184 117 / 781 2,619

3-3 405 / 2,855 1,320 / 457 277 / 1,115 6,429

3-4 120 / 278 379 / 00 128 / 1,048 1,953

TOTAL 1,358 / 6,371 2,445 / 947 704 / 4,253 16,078

Total Sheep Units 5,432/25,484 2,445/947 3,520/21,265 59,093

BIA Range Inventory Reports and Data (include GIS, MSspreadsheet, MS Access) The BIA completed range vegetation inventories in 2008 to 2016; random or stratified random sampling used to determine location of study sites; vegetation attributes were measured included biomass production, ground cover, and species frequency; and the data analyzed to determine carrying capacity and similarity to the historic climax plant community. Carrying capacity and recommended stocking rates calculated using available forage. The information used to adjust carrying capacity for all the districts where grazing permits renewed are still pending. The University of Arizona VGS website has the most current range inventory data https://vgs.arizona.edu/download-category/general-downloads

Access to Project Area The project area is well complimented with roads. Local maintained paved and unpaved roads include BIA Routes, State Highway 160, 89, 89a and 98, various BIA routes, including N15, N20, N21. In addition, there are numerous unimproved roads and trails that can be used to access transect sites. For the most part the project area is easily accessible.

Climate The climate in the area range from mild in the winter to temperatures in the summer reaching in to the low 100s on very hot days; occasionally there are strong occurrences of thunderstorms in the afternoon with isolated thunder cell activity that can be violent for short durations of time. These may result in heavy lightning and downpours with high velocity winds. Although the winters can be cold with snows from a historic perspective, but in most recent times the winters have been mild with very few days of freeze. The area is associated with 6 to 8 inches of precipitation annually but can be much less.

Project Area and Need for the Work The work is needed to support program decisions, assist the Navajo Nation with their decisions and permittees with their plans, and to comply with the AIARMA and 25 CFR Parts 166, and 167, NEPA, BIA IAM 1-H, Draft BIA SOP, and other relevant current laws, regulations, and policies.

Personnel and Professional Qualification The Contractor shall be required for this project with educational backgrounds and experience in the fields of range science, a certified professional range science employee, range ecology, plant biology, or any of the ecological sciences pertaining to range management. Field personnel should have land navigational skills and be able to perform tedious task in isolated areas. All bidders will submit a https://vgs.arizona.edu/download-category/general-downloads statement of professional qualifications, including previous consulting assignments. For quality assurance, personnel selected will remain part of the contract and no person will switch out with another.

During the first 90 days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the BIA

KEY PERSONNEL SUBSTITUTIONS

Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days before making any permanent substitutions.

The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the BIA Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. This clause shall be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

Services To Be Completed Contractor shall: Provide all labor, equipment, materials and supplies, and services to perform the tasks described in this Scope of Work (SOW).

Develop rangeland monitoring plan.

Development of rangeland monitoring plan can use references such as BLM’s Monitoring & Inventory Handbook/Guideline, Guide to Rangeland Monitoring and Assessment (2012 AZ Grazing Lands Conservation Association), Southeastern Arizona Monitoring Program, USDA NRCS Range & Pasture Handbook, 54 IAM 1-H BIA Agriculture and Range Handbook (2021), and BIA Eastern Navajo Agency Range Monitoring Plan 2019 in coordination and communication with the BIA and Navajo Nation Range staff. The document(s) shall comply with the Secretarial Order 3398, 3399 and 508 compliances.

After completion Monitoring Plan, the Contractor shall Conduct Rangeland Monitoring for 3 years to recommend updated carrying capacity and stocking rate for Grazing Permits. The contractor shall collect data using the University of Arizona Extension Vegetation GIS Data System (VGS). Download USD-BIA Navajo https://vgs.arizona.edu/download-category/general-downloads

TASKS

Task 1 – Preparation of the Project meetings and local data resources

Subtask 1-A. Project Conference Call Approximately 10 days after the task order is issued, the BIA and the Navajo Nation will facilitate a project conference call for the project. The Contractor shall include 1-2 key personnel on this conference call. The primary purpose of this conference call will be to introduce team members, identify candidate dates for the interdisciplinary team meeting (Subtask B), and determine the appropriate method for transmitting existing information to the Contractor. Existing information will be transmitted as quickly as possible and will be reviewed by the Contractor prior to the interdisciplinary team meeting described in Subtask B. The Contractor shall prepare meeting notes that document the discussion and decisions related to each agenda topic. The Contractor shall assume one revision of the notes, if the first draft is of acceptable quality to the BIA and the Navajo Nation.

https://vgs.arizona.edu/download-category/general-downloads

• Deliverable: conference call attendance and notes

Subtask 1-B. Interdisciplinary Team (Project Team) Meeting Attendance and Facilitation The Contractor shall provide one to two (1-2) key personnel for travel to Project Area to do a field visit.

The schedule for deliverables will be determined during the project conference call. The Contractor shall also perform the following tasks as part of the interdisciplinary team meeting:

Note Taking – One member of the contractor staff shall take detailed notes during the meetings (see subtask C for details).

Gathering Information – While visiting with the BIA and the Navajo Nation, the Contractor shall obtain or plan to obtain copies of the documents necessary to complete the information gathering. The information gathered shall be included in an annotated bibliography and attached to the internal Meeting Notes.

• Deliverables: Interdisciplinary team meeting attendance and facilitation, and bibliography.

Subtask 1-C. Interdisciplinary Team Meeting Notes The Contractor shall prepare Interdisciplinary Team Meeting notes in summary form and not a meeting transcription. The summary shall document the discussion and decisions related to each agenda topic, as well as background information shared orally by BIA and Navajo Nation staff. When the Contractor provides the meeting notes, the related information that was prepared for the meeting (background, enabling legislation, purpose and significance, etc.) shall also be included. Contractor shall assume one revision of the notes, if the first draft is of acceptable quality to the Project Team.

• Deliverables: Draft and final interdisciplinary team meeting notes

Task 2. Project Schedule and Coordination

Subtask 2-A. Project Schedule

A draft project schedule will be prepared by the Contractor within 10 days after the conference call described in Task 1. The schedule developed by the Contractor shall include the deliverables as identified in the Statement of Work, review periods by the Project Team, and other important milestones. Following Project Team review and comment, the Contractor shall make the necessary changes to the draft schedule to produce a final schedule. The Contractor shall be responsible for updating the final schedule on a quarterly basis and upon the request of BIA to reflect changes to the overall project schedule. The contractor shall adapt to extension of the project schedule upon BIA request.

• Deliverables: Draft and final project schedule (including periodic updates)

Subtask 2-B. Monthly Project Reports

The Contractor shall report every month or weekly, during monitoring season. The Contractor shall work with the BIA to set the agenda; facilitation of these calls will be shared between the Project Team and the Contractor, as necessary. The Contractor shall provide two staff members on each call, one of which will be dedicated to note taking. The Contractor shall provide a concise written summary of each call (in electronic format) to the BIA COR within a week of each call and should assume minor clarifications will need to be incorporated after BIA COR review.

• Deliverables: Monthly status report summaries

Task 3 - Administrative Record

The Contractor shall be responsible for creating and maintaining an administrative record for the project that will be used to document the Project Team’s decision-making process. The administrative record shall be compiled as documents are generated or received during the planning and compliance process, making it a contemporaneous record of the process. The Contractor shall maintain an administrative record for documents related to the project using Microsoft Excel. The Contractor shall ensure quality assurance by comparing the information logged in the database with the document file. A complete version of every document in the administrative record shall be saved in electronic format (PDF). The administrative record shall be organized chronologically by date of the document, with the file name corresponding to the date and entry number in the database/spreadsheet. The record shall be maintained throughout the project and kept current. The Contractor shall provide BIA with electronic copies of additions to the administrative record documents and an updated index on a monthly basis.

• Deliverables: Administrative Record documents

Task 4 - Preparation of the Internal Draft & Final Rangeland Monitoring Plan/Program Subtask 4-A. Internal Draft & Final Plan The Contractor shall submit a draft Rangeland Monitoring Plan/Program for BIA and Navajo Nation to review and comment. The Contractor shall incorporate the appropriate information from the internal meeting notes and other relevant information. This report shall include project background; the history of the project area; summary of the literature review conducted, existing data and analysis, etc.; overall purpose and need for action; objectives; issues and impact topics carried forward and/or dismissed from further consideration; identify appropriate monitoring tools including the option of remote sensing; a protocol or steps on how to conduct range monitoring to achieve the goals and objectives (one of them will be administering and issuing Navajo Tribe grazing permits) and related laws, regulations, policies, and plans. The Contractor should include supporting draft color graphics for inclusion in final Plan for BIA and Navajo Nation review. The Contractor shall track all comments and how they were addressed, apprising BIA and Navajo Nation of any unresolved comments, and facilitating their resolution. After the Contractor has satisfactorily addressed all the comments from the Project Team, a “final draft” will be submitted for approval. List of Prepares summarizes the consultation and coordination occurring in the preparation of the Plan. The Appendix BIA Eastern Navajo Agency Range Monitoring Plan is a reference to use as a guideline, Navajo Nation Land Monitoring Plan (a public member or rancher is allows to use), and other relevant guidelines but best to communicate with BIA for approval.

The contractor shall be responsible for preparing up to 15 maps (8.5 x 11 or 11x17 as appropriate) for the Plan including the PROJECT AREA Location map and maps. Maps must be of an appropriate scale for readability.

The contractor shall be responsible for the development of tables and graphs for the report. All the maps, tables, and graphs should be incorporated into the Report sections described above. The Contractor shall deliver one complete, technically adequate, edited Final Plan for BIA and Navajo Nation review.

The rangeland monitoring data shall be ready for administering Navajo Tribe grazing permits which means all the data shall be adjusted to 25% for wildlife in sheep unit yearlong and 47% for NN DFW BRCF Red Zones, distance to water (1 mile buffer including functional windmills, springs, riparian areas, other identified water source), take half leave half guideline, and other factors considered like drought.

The data shall be reviewed thoroughly and if there are errors then ensure the accurate data is finalized.

• Deliverables: Draft and Final version of Range Monitoring Plan; Quick Guide for Range Monitor Handbook

Optional:

Task 5 – Preparation to implement the finalized Rangeland Monitoring Plan or conduct rangeland monitoring for the Land Management District 3 where Former Bennett Freeze Area is included

SubTask A – Review the finalized Rangeland Monitoring Plan and Land Management District 3 The Contractor shall use the VGS tool to collect monitoring data. The methodology for data gathering shall relate to forage production, utilization of key species, ground cover by plant species, litter, rock, bare ground, and range trends. Describe the current situation. List the estimated Sheep Unit Yearlong (SUYL) excessively over grazing the landscape with an estimate to reduce SULY’s to meet proper management standards and sustainability.

The Contractor shall gather data from (X amount, 100 ex.) key area monitoring locations located on grazing units across the reservation. At each key site, the contractor is to:

• Provide information that will assist tribal decision makers in establishing stocking rates. - Determine range condition based on the desired plant community (native species versus introduced non-native species) using a modified Dyksterhuis sampling method.

• Evaluate percent area that was bare or covered by vegetation, litter, and rock within utilization sampling cages and along transects to determine current range trend; and

• Study grazing intensity by measuring stubble heights of 1 to 2 key forages along transects and carrying out fecal counts to estimate type and number of species utilizing each area where transects are laid out.

Based on data analysis and Navajo Nation & BIA stocking rate guidelines, the contractor shall:

• Recommend appropriate carrying capacities and stocking rates for each range unit to the BIA for final approval, considering how additional food sources such as woodlands, availability of water, topography, feral horse populations, and wildlife feeding habitats impact stocking rates and pasture health

• Suggest improvements to enhance health and future production of range units and

• Identify:

• Findings, Strengths, and Challenges

• Recommendations (short and long term)/Resource Management Standards

• Stocking Rate Recommendations

• Monitoring Plan o BIA staff must monitor, assess, and document plan effectiveness and compliance with the contractor’s assistance.

This is done by:

• Developing and implementing a monitoring plan;

• Monitor vegetation and other resources; and

• Adapting the monitoring plan and/or the ARMP as needed.

Here is the table for sample size:

ESD

Soil Survey No. of Transects

Range Inventory Transects

1 33 AZ707, AZ711,

UT689

2 48 AZ707, AZ711,

UT643, UT689

3 61 AZ631, AZ707,

AZ711, AZ714

5 21 AZ707, AZ715 21

8 53 AZ711, UT643,

UT689, NM717

• Deliverables: A Draft and Final version of the Rangeland Monitoring Reports Year 1, Year 2, Year

3 includes recommendation of Initial and Adjust Carrying Capacities and Stocking Rates

• Draft and Final version of MS Powerpoint of the Rangeland Monitoring Reports and PDF as final

Information Gathering Assemble baseline natural resource information.

Use the BIA rangeland vegetative inventory information to identify productivity, stocking rate, soil type, and topography for each ecological site for the range unit.

Research and collect data information (from existing records and/or on-site field assessments).

Conduct a range unit visit to determine range condition and existing infrastructure.

Interview permittee(s) on their goals and objectives, type of operation, plans, and relevant historical data.

Government furnished materials, services, and equipment

The BIA shall provide the following:

• Shapefiles of the project area. BIA Rangeland Inventory Reports. Soil Map (download from the USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey). Use the Navajo Nation Dept of Fish & Wildlife Biological Resource Compliance Policy https://www.nndfw.org/zones/rcp.html.

• VGS https://vgs.arizona.edu/

• Draft BIA SOP available when requested

• Soil Data and Ecological Site Description https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ https://edit.jornada.nmsu.edu/catalogs/esd

Communication and Coordination The Contractor shall maintain a strong communication and coordination with the BIA to acquire range unit access; the BIA will contact the local representative or the local Chapter.

The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) informed, maintain contact with BIA as it relates to issues they have and address any access issue to tribal trust and individual Indian allotment lands with BIA as practicable as possible.

The Contractor shall post public notices and radio announcements at all the Eastern Navajo Agency Chapter Houses on the conservation plan work.

Liquidated Damages will be assessed for any work not completed within assigned and agreed timelines.

Liquidated damages will be calculated at $200.00/day for each day work is not completed beyond the completion date.

https://www.nndfw.org/zones/rcp.html https://vgs.arizona.edu/ https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ https://edit.jornada.nmsu.edu/catalogs/esd

Appendix

A. Project Area Map

B. WNA-BNR Range Monitoring Instructions

Range Monitoring Instruction

Adaptive Management Cycle

What is monitoring? Monitoring allows land managers and scientists the opportunity to detect trends in resource conditions and apply knowledge to improve resource management (Monitoring Manual, Herrick et al 2009). We expect the vegetation around us to change over time and across space.

Monitoring efforts provide an early-detection system to see if land management is headed in the right direction and enable people to take appropriate actions or change course if needed. The ability to accurately monitor natural resource conditions enables us to make informed management decisions and provide sound scientific knowledge.

Complete Background Tasks:

1. Compile and review existing information

2. Review upper level planning documents

3. Identify priority species and/or population

4. Assess resource available for monitoring

5. Determine scale

6. Determine intensity of monitoring (qualitative, quantitative, demographic)

7. Review

Develop Objectives:

1. Develop an Ecological Model – baseline information – what is known and unknown?

2. Identify general management goals. Sustainable production? Species conservation? Move towards Desired Plant Community? This would involve setting priorities, selecting scale and intensity of monitoring during planning step. Specify geographic area (key, critical, or general area? Sites at risk? Expect to recover?)

3. Select informative ecological indicator. Such as informative relative to goal; or biotic like species of concern or functional group; or abiotic like habitat indicators or soil or hydrologic characteristics of the project site.

4. Identify appropriate sensitive attributes. Such as sensitive to: management changes and disturbances. Biological/ecological meaningful (inform management). Technically feasible.

Repeatable among different observers. Example: Density, Structure, Utilization, Biomass, Cover, Frequency.

Determine resource objective(s)

Implement management

Monitor resource

Objective achieved?

Yes

No Implement alternative

5. Specify direction and quantity of change. Specify change to be measured such as 1) Direction of change like increase, decrease, maintain 2) Quantity/status like Absolute or percent change and relative to target threshold 3) Must be measurable and meaningful to management.

6. Specify time frame. This is question you ask yourself within what time period should change be detected. This usually depends on species biology (like annual, short-lived or long-lived perennials) and time frame like management, decision making, and planning.

7. Develop management objective. Is it a change/trend monitoring to determine a measurement of trend over time? Is it condition target/threshold to compare a current state to desired or undesired state (e.g., wave a red flag to implement management actions)?

8. Specify management response. What do we anticipate response to monitoring results? We need to specify actions or management changes given results so we can monitor those results. Keep your Eyes wide open. Review the developed management objectives and they are realistic and in accordance with our overall goals.

9. Review management objective.

Design Monitoring Methodology: design the complete monitoring plan. We need to determine the following:

• Determine if it’s Qualitative? Quantitative? Both?

• Determine Permanent vs Temporary where the sampling location and our sampling units are located.

• All Elements of Sampling Design (Determine the sample size, the area to be measured, the type of attribute to be measured, the methodology, all of the aspects of sampling design are considered here because that is part of the monitoring protocol overall

• Determine Measurement Frequency over Time (We need to determine how often we will be taking these measurements – every year, every 2 years, or once every 5 years?)

Implement Monitoring: Reality Check

• First as a Pilot Study – we can look at the troubleshooting: test methodology, feasibility, cost. Is intensity sufficient to detect change with desired precision and power? Are assumptions of ecological model, correct?

• Full-scale plan so first we must do it, we collect the data, and we analyze the data.

Report Results – this is the last step.

• We want to assess and interpret the results relative to our goals and objectives we do so that we can inform management and so that we can adapt our management accordingly.

Vegetation Measurement and Monitoring Biomass and Production Management Indicators

• Biomass is a valuable tool to assess range condition and health. The relative production of different plant species is used to determine similarity to historic and desired plant communities.

Biomass can be used to determine how many grazing animals an ecosystem can support (carrying capacity).

Time: September to October season (end of growing plant season).

Define Rancher’s and/or Resource Management Goals & Objective:

Answer questions: What do you want to know? Why do you need to know it? How will you gather the information? How will you analyze it? How will you use it?

List of Grazing Permit Holder(s) – schedule a time to conduct range data collection:

BIA Goal & Objective: To re-issue grazing permit to particular customary use area or range unit.

Area of Interest (estimate acres): _________________________________________________

Map Unit (list complex): ________________________________________________________ Ref: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm

Ecological Site Description (list):

Ref: https://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov/Welcome/pgReportLocation.aspx?type=ESD

Determine Number of Transects: ________________

Determine Key Areas:

The Society for Range Management (1989) defines key area as “A relatively small portion of a range selected because of its location, use or grazing value as a monitoring point for grazing. Key areas should be located within a single ecological site or plant community, be responsive to management actions and be indicative of the ecological site or plant community they are intended to represent” (Interagency Technical Reference 1999).

Key areas should not be located near watering points, roads and trails or in bedgrounds and saddles.

“Critical areas are areas that should be evaluated separately from the remainder of a management unit because they contain special or unique values. Critical areas could include fragile watersheds, sage grouse nesting ground, riparian areas, areas of critical environmental concern, etc.” (Interagency Technical Reference 1999).

Define Range Monitoring Method (check off list):

https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm https://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov/Welcome/pgReportLocation.aspx?type=ESD

Range Production (form)_____ Range Utilization (form)______ Ocular Observation (form)_____ Frequency (form)________ Photo-monitoring: (initial year) _______ Year (repeat)________

Ground Rules and Decisions: _________ Height of Clipping and Estimation - Clipping and estimating is conducted at the level of the soil surface to get an estimate of total production, or at 1″ from ground level to get estimate of available forage

Tools (list what you need and check if you have it):

• 200 ft tape

• Digital Camera (use paper or erasable chart, erasable marker, sharpie)

• Frame

• Pins, Flags

• T-post (optional)

• Range Cage (optional)

• Paper bags

• Scales (grams, milligrams, pounds)

• Ruler (portable to scale and measure)

• Plant ID book; Download AZ, UT, NM Wildflowers, etc.

• Mechanical pencils

• GPS handheld device (Garmin, Trimble, Download GPS App etc.)

• Tablet (Download VGS application and setup settings – Optional) https://vgs.arizona.edu/

• Range Monitoring Forms (Print 20 pages or more ahead of time)

• Clipboard, Rubber bands

• Clippers (sturdy, tough)

I. Print large map with soil, distance to water, slopes, X, Y Coordinates transects, road, gates, fence, etc.

II. Print all the Ecological Site Descriptions, Historic Plant Community List.

III. Drive up to the Transect Site Location maybe need help from GPS to navigate to the site. Make sure the site is the best representation of area.

IV. Unload materials and supplies needed.

V. Fill out the forms including the Photo-Monitoring form. Name the site by LMD# Unit # Topo Name -0001. For Range Units, LMDXUX RMUXXX P(pasture)-001.

VI. Walk the site to list all the plants and you may use the HCPC list to identify all the plants. If you have a long, long list of Forbes then you can lump them into “Annual Forbes” or “Perennial Forbes”. If you want to list all the plants, then continue onto the next page of the forms but make sure you label on top “Page 1 of X”. Take notes of weather conditions, livestock condition and number, wildlife, etc.

VII. List the plants like this (this minimizes time during data collection):

Grasses Blue grama, Indian ricegrass

Forbs

Shrubs

Invasive (Exotic, Nonnative)

Poisonous plants

Endangered plants

Trees

Cactus

VIII. GPS the beginning of the Transect. Note: Earth x and y coordinates on the forms.

IX. Now you are ready to run a 100 ft tape across the landscape at random, look for a marker (tree, rock, etc.) and insert pins/flags every 10 ft. Note: a plot for big plot to capture trees, shrubs, cactus, etc.

X. Take photos in all 4 directions at initial monitoring but this is a repeat then review historical photos in which direction or marker you need to take.

XI. Start data collection of range monitoring form.

XII. Once you have completed the range data collection. Collect all materials and supplies and safely place them back into large bind case. Then you can continue to next transect unless you need to do more range data collection. Repeat.

XIII. If you have helpers, then make sure you start with a brief meeting and a de-brief meeting. Tell them to return all forms, photos back to you. Tell them how to contact you via text, phone, email, fax, mail, etc.

XIV. If you have a range team, then do add a contact list where to return the forms and photos etc.

All range data will be compiled by the end of each year to BIA Agency Rangeland Management Specialist where it will be entered into a database or the VGS will be compile into a database. You will schedule a meeting as Ranchers Roundtable to make a range land management decision.

Tablet and VGS - https://vgs.arizona.edu/ Type of Table to purchase – https://vgs.arizona.edu/faq-page/general-faqs#t6n93 YouTube Tutorial on VGS use - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-yp3X3SVqZVcLx_R6NgElQ

Rain Gauges for Range Management: Precipitation Monitoring Best Practices Guide

Precipitation in the form of rain and snow is critical to many aspects of working lands from controlling the growth of vegetation used in grazing by livestock and wildlife to recharging local water resources found in springs, tanks, and riparian areas. Land Management Districts decisions often require some knowledge of how mush precipitation fell within a management unit to assess how past actions have performed and what to do next.

Overall, this “best practices” guide will cover some of the basic approaches to collecting and using precipitation observations at remote sites in support of rangeland management including:

• Tying observation to a drought plan

• Where to place gauges and how often to record observations

• Managing and using precipitation observations

This guide will also highlight some new tools that help put your precipitation observations into a longer- term climatological context. Knowing how much it rained is one thing but knowing that observation is below average for that location and time period is additional insight critical to interpreting and using that piece of information to support a management decision. (Appendix A) https://vgs.arizona.edu/faq-page/general-faqs#t6n93 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-yp3X3SVqZVcLx_R6NgElQ

Land Management District:

Topographic Name:

Sample Identification Number:

Observer:

Date:

Diagram not to scale.