SOW_RarePlantSurvey_JBCC_Grasslands.pdf

Massachusetts Army National Guard

Rare Plant Survey of Grassland Communities

Camp Edwards

Request for Proposals and Scope of Work

Introduction and Background:

The work to be accomplished under this contract, without limiting the generalities thereof, consists of providing all technical expertise, labor, and supervision required to conduct rare plant surveys in the grassland communities of Camp Edwards. This project is to provide the Massachusetts Army

National Guard (MAARNG) with planning level knowledge to protect any occurring populations of state and federally listed species, as well as those of local conservation value, and to conserve and manage lands for their conservation and potential future establishment.

The Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997 (16 USC § 670a et seq.) requires that Department of

Defense Army Installations conduct planning level surveys to provide a foundation for effective planning and decision making. A dedicated search for rare and special-status plants, with potential to occur within Camp Edwards’ sandplain grassland communities, will provide the Natural

Resources (NR) and Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM) Program at Camp Edwards with necessary information for effective and meaningful conservation and habitat management planning. Sandplain grasslands and related open habitat communities have priority status due to their limited occurrence and range and for the biodiversity that they support including many rare and declining plant and wildlife species. This project will help to ensure the protection of biological resources and support the military mission and training capacity at Camp Edwards.

Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC), located in southeastern Massachusetts, (MA) is approximately 50 miles southeast of Boston at the base of Cape Cod (i.e., Barnstable County). JBCC is home to MA

Air National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, the Cape Cod Space Force Station, and Camp Edwards, a nearly 15,000-acre Massachusetts Army National Guard (MAARNG) training site. Pitch pine -oak forest/woodland occurring with pitch pine - scrub oak and scrub oak shrubland cover much of

Camp Edwards. Openings in the forest and shrubland, created for training activities and fire breaks, support small patches of open grassland. More extensive bluestem grasslands, managed for the benefit of grassland dependent flora and fauna, are in the cantonment, or developed, portion of

JBCC and are the target of this project. Management activities to reduce woody invaders and thatch and rejuvenate grasses and forbs include mowing, prescribed fire, and invasive plant removal

(chemical and mechanical). Grassland units at Camp Edwards are largely bluestem-dominated with variation in the composition of woody plants with some units more characteristic of savannah

(pitch pine cover) and some with a stronger shrubby component. The assemblage of invasive and non-native plant species varies among and within the grassland units.

A floristic survey of Camp Edwards was carried out by the Natural Heritage Program and

Endangered Species Program of the MA Division of Fish and Wildlife (NHESP) and partially by

Jerry Jenkins from 1992 to 1994. At the time of this survey, the grassland units were not fully established, nor did they exist at their current extent. Sandplain grasslands and related open communities provide critical habitat for state- and federally listed plant species, such as American

Chaffseed (Schwalbea americana) and Sandplain Gerardia (Agalinis acuta). Camp Edwards’ open grasslands provide conditions suitable for both species. Surviving populations of Sandplain

Gerardia (i.e., not planted) are known to occur just outside of the JBCC boundary, and since

American Chaffseed was discovered in Barnstable County MA., in 2018, after 5 decades of absence, it has been speculated that this species may be persisting at Camp Edwards. A few other suspected plant species include, state-listed Endangered Asclepias purpurascens, MA Special

Concern Sisyrinchium fuscatum, and Watch Listed Linum intercursum. Spiranthes vernalis (Grass-leaved ladies’-tresses), a state-listed Threatened species, was identified in the grasslands in 2021 in two locations.

Project Description:

The qualified contractor/botanist will be responsible for the following primary tasks:

1. Acquiring a scientific collection permit from NHESP,

2. Developing a field plan/survey protocol,

3. Conducting multi-seasonal rare plant surveys,

4. Processing voucher specimens for rare species if warranted,

5. Completing a summary report with attached field log and waypoints, and

6. Reporting rare and watch list species to NHESP online platform Heritage Hub.

Focal Species:

Focus should be placed on federal- and state-listed plant species, with potential to occur, but also include other species of conservation value such as those on NHESP’s Watch List and Historic

List. Table 1 is a list of plant species put together by NR staff that is based on range maps, NHESP fact sheets, NR Program knowledge and experience, and past correspondence with MA state botanists. This list comprises what we understand to be key target species however it may not be comprehensive or current. The approved botanist will be expected to cull this list and add to or eliminate species.

Table 1. Rare plant species with potential to occur at Camp Edwards and their State and Federal status (T = Threatened, E = Endangered, SC = Special Concern, WL = Watch List) and whether they are known to occur at Camp Edwards and within the grasslands (= GL).

Scientific Name Common Name State Federal Occurring

Agalinis acuta Sandplain gerardia E E No

Aristida purpurascens arrow-feather threeawn T None No

Asclepias amplexicaulis Clasping milkweed WL None Limited / not GL

Asclepias purpurascens Purple milkweed E None No

Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly milkweed WL None Yes

Aster concolor Eastern silvery aster E None No

Crocanthemum dumosum Bushy rockrose WL None No

Lechea minor Thyme-leaved pinweed WL None Limited / not GL

Liatris novae-angliae New England blazing star SC None No

Linum intercursum* Sandplain flax WL None No

Linum medium var. texanum** Stiff yellow flax T None **

Lupinus perennis Wild lupine WL None Limited / not GL

Polygala nuttallii Nuttall's milkwort WL None Limited

Schwalbea americana American chaffseed E E No

Sisyrinchium fuscatum Sandplain blue-eyed grass SC None No

Spiranthes vernalis Grass-leaved ladies'-tresses SC None Limited

*Jenkins inventory report (1994) notes Linum intercursum was previously encountered at Camp Edwards, but not during the 1994-95 surveys.

**L. medium was recorded during the 1994 inventory in the fields in the NW part of the airstrip. The species is not noted in the report to be the var. texanum or recorded as rare.

Project area

The primary survey area encompasses approximately 260-acres of managed grasslands located in the southern portion of JBCC in the cantonment area (see included figure). The grasslands are easily accessible, divided into units of different sizes and are bound by paved roads. Dirt tracks and mowed fire breaks travel through some of the units. Prescribed burn history of the grassland units is available upon request once contracted. Many state-listed wildlife species use the Camp

Edwards grasslands. A few include Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum, T) and

Upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda, E) who use the grasslands for nesting and foraging;

multiple Lepidoptera species, such as the Collared Cycnia (Cycnia collaris, T) whose preferred host plant is butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa, WL) and the Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus) whose larvae feed on Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria); and one bee species, the Walsh’s

Anthophora (Anthophora walshii, E), a solitary nester requiring sparse vegetation and sandy soils.

A secondary potential survey area is described below and is included as a supplemental task not within the scope of the base contract.

Field Plan / Field Surveys

Prior to field surveys, the qualified contractor/botanist will develop a field plan. This should include the cultivated list of primary targeted species, a description of general methods, timing of surveys (e.g., #days/season or month). Also include a list of primary references to be used for plant identification and taxonomy as well as nomenclature standard. The field plan should be reviewed with and approved by the NR Officer.

Field surveys of the grasslands, including travel to and among, is the responsibility of the qualified botanist/s. The NR Officer will provide a tour of the grassland units on the first survey day or other date coordinated with the NR Officer.

Cost proposals should be presented as a daily rate and allow for ten (10) survey days including an onsite project kickoff (assuming a 2-person team and an 8-hour field day and travel to and from Camp Edwards).

The spatial location of rare and conservation concern species should be obtained using hand-held global-positioning system (GPS). A field log of site visit dates, survey time, weather conditions, and observer/s should be maintained throughout the project and submitted with the final deliverables.

Scientific Collection Permit, and Voucher Specimens, and Rare Species Reporting The qualified contractor will submit an application to NHESP for a Scientific Collection Permit in the event rare species are encountered and subsequently handled or collected for identification and vouchering. If rare species are encountered, the contractor shall collect population data requested by NHESP for completion of the Rare Plant Species Observation Form. The contractor will report rare (required by NHESP), state-historic, and watch list (encouraged by NHESP) species using

NHESP’s online reporting platform Heritage Hub.

The biologist should consult with NHESP regarding collection of a particular rare species for guidance on whether collection is warranted and where voucher specimens should be stored.

Collection of rare plants (whole plants, seeds, or diagnostic portions of a plant) for identification and for herbarium vouchers will follow the Guidelines for Rare Plant Collection in Massachusetts

(revised December 2015). Additionally, the botanist is expected to be familiar with the Guidelines for Ethical Field Research on Rare Plant Species prepared by Dr. Elizabeth Farnsworth. Forms and Guidance can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/lists/natural-heritage-forms-and-guidelines. Specimens should be prepared in such a way to extract moisture, preserve the morphological integrity of the plant, and yield material that can be readily mounted on herbarium paper for long-term storage.

Written Report

Final report to include methodology, map of survey limits, existing conditions description, observer’s field log, rare species observations including location, population size and vigor, representative photographs, associate species and relevant habitat data, and discussion on perceived threats. Also include a reference section. Location data for rare plants should be submitted as an ArcMap Shape File.

Supplemental Tasks:

Supplemental tasks are additional contract tasks that are considered discretionary due to funding constraints. These tasks are considered important to the success of the project, but may not be included depending on total cost. MAARNG requests proposals that include the additional tasks described below. Proposals should include a separate cost estimate for Supplemental Tasks which will not be used to compare the costs of proposals.

Supplemental Task 1 Description If the contractor recommends additional grassland survey days to provide a better product, the number of days and justification for the additional work should be included.

Supplemental Task 2 Description A secondary survey location is within the Impact Area, which is a highly restricted area in the upper Camp Edwards training area. Soil and groundwater cleanup operations are carried out in the Impact Area to locate and remove sources of contamination left from past training activities that ceased in the 1990s. Impact Area surveys would be within the footprint of previously cleared transects where vegetation was removed to ground level for purposes of detecting metals. Stages of vegetation recovery in these transects varies, depending on duration since the cleanup work in each area was completed, however, in general seral stages are early and surveys may be conducive https://www.mass.gov/lists/natural-heritage-forms-and-guidelines https://www.mass.gov/lists/natural-heritage-forms-and-guidelines for discovery of previously suppressed plants, such as S. americana, now released from dormancy in the seedbank.

Coordination of field surveys within the Impact Area, including travel to and within, is the responsibility of the NR Officer. Surveys in the Impact Area will be arranged and escorted by the NR Officer in coordination with JBCC security and groundwater cleanup personnel.

Cost proposals should allow for an additional 2 survey days (assuming a 2-person team) and be presented as a daily rate. Also include additional time for data analysis, deliverables, and rare species reporting.

Project Timeline and Deliverables:

The project is expected to begin during the late spring/summer 2022, with field surveys extending into the late spring 2023, and project completion with culmination of a final report to be delivered by June 31, 2023.

Deliverables and task completion will be communicated by MAARNG approval of submissions.

The deliverables to be completed as part of this contract are:

1. Field plan/survey protocol

2. Draft report

3. Field log

4. Waypoints for rare plant populations

5. Mounted herbarium specimens

6. Completed rare species observation forms

7. Final report

Contract Award:

Contract award will be based on qualifications and demonstrated experience, provided references, and an evaluation of cost.

Qualifications and References:

A description of contractor qualifications and experience that demonstrate a clear understanding of the project intent and scope and required tasks and deliverables must be submitted in the proposal. If the proposal fails to clearly demonstrate qualifications, the proposal will be eliminated from consideration. The contractor must satisfy the below requirements:

1) The contractor must have at least 4 years’ experience conducting rare plant surveys, botanical inventories, vegetation monitoring, and/or rare plant species assessments, preferably in MA.

2) The contractor must demonstrate strong knowledge and experience in field botany and plant identification with preference to regional species and those associated with grassland and related disturbance dependent plant communities. Provide 2 examples of completed botanical inventories and the primary resources used to classify and key out species.

3) The contractor must demonstrate their experience in conducting rare plant surveys and following state or local regulatory guidance in conducting surveys and completing reporting requirements (e.g., collection permits, protocols, reports). Provide 3 examples of completed rare plant surveys and relevant requirements and submissions completed. Emphasis should be placed on the target species listed above. (Species-specific surveys (e.g., moth host plants) can be substituted for 1 rare plant survey)

4) The contractor must also provide three positive professional client references from similar completed work.

Invoicing:

Invoices may be submitted monthly or at completion of primary tasks with no more than 75% paid prior to receiving final deliverables. Scheduling will be agreed upon at project kickoff. Contacts for electronic delivery will be provided at project kickoff.

Proposal should include:

Itemized costs for each component of the base project as specified in Cost Proposal Outline

(i.e. bid form) and a total cost for any supplemental tasks. Cost proposals should be submitted in the format provided below. Costs should be supported by a basic description of effort and methods.

A clear description of how the experience of the contractor, including key personnel, meets each specific requirement listed under "Qualifications and References".

A list of references as described under "Qualifications and References."

Options for additional recommended work and justification (e.g., additional grassland survey days). The cost for additional work should be itemized separately and will not be used to compare the costs of proposals.

Daily rate assumes a 2-person team, 8-hour field day, travel to and from Camp Edwards.

Provide explanation if other units are provided or if the costs do not reflect the assumptions provided.

Cost Proposal Outline: This provides an outline on which to base cost proposals.

I. Base Contract Cost Proposal

Project Management (oversight, etc.)

Personnel Hours Rate Total Cost

Materials Units Cost/unit Total Cost

Task Total

Project management cost description:

Field Surveys (daily rate for 10 survey days)

Daily rate assumes a 2-person team, 8-hour field day, and travel to and from Camp Edwards.

Provide explanation if other units are provided or if the costs do not reflect the assumptions provided.

Personnel Days Rate Total Cost

Field survey cost description:

Regulatory Permitting and Data Analysis & Management (scientific collection permit, rare species reporting, field plan, species verification, and species processing)

Regulatory permitting and data analysis cost description:

Deliverables (written report, GIS map)

Deliverables description:

Total Base Project Cost: _______________________________

II. Supplemental Task 1: Additional Grassland Survey Days

(to be added or not at NRO discretion; will not be used to compare the costs of proposals)

Field Surveys (daily rate)

Daily rate assumes a 2-person team, 8-hour field day, travel to and from Camp Edwards. Provide explanation if other units are provided or if the costs do not reflect the assumptions provided.

Additional field survey cost description:

Additional Costs (specimen ID and processing)

Additional costs description:

Total Supplemental Task 1 Cost: _______________________________

III. Supplemental Task 2: Impact Area – Impact Area, 2 Additional Survey Days (to be added or not at NRO discretion; will not be used to compare the costs of proposals)

Field Surveys (daily rate for 2 survey days)

Daily rate assumes a 2-person team, 8-hour field day, travel to and from Camp Edwards. Provide explanation if other units are provided or if the costs do not reflect the assumptions provided.

Field survey cost description:

Regulatory Permitting and Data Analysis & Management (scientific collection permit, rare species reporting, field plan, species verification, and species processing)

Regulatory permitting and data analysis cost description:

Additional Costs

Additional costs description:

Total Supplemental Task 2 Cost: _______________________________

GLU4-4

GLU6

GLU7

GLU1

GLU14

GLU4-2

GLU9

GLU4-1

GLU11

GLU3

GLU4-3

GLU2

GLU10

GLU12GLU13

GLU8GLU5

Core Survey Area Grassland Units

(May 2022)

Rare Plant Survey - Camp Edwards

JBCC

Figure 1