Statement_of_Work_Sloan_Canyon_Business_Plan.pdf

Nevada Bureau of Land Management Southern Nevada District

Statement of Work

Sloan Canyon Business Plan

Summary:

The Nevada Bureau of Land Management (NV‐BLM), Southern Nevada District Office, has a requirement for services for development of a 10‐year Business Plan for the Sloan Canyon National Conservation

Area (SCNCA). General scope includes the development of a Business Plan in collaboration with key government stakeholders to provide cost feasibility studies, economic analysis, and fee assessments along with recommendations for future projects that align with Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) strategic plans.

Additionally, the creation of a decision presentation that captures the final Business Plan findings and recommendations. The NV‐BLM will utilize the presentation for recommendations to the Mojave‐

Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (MSGBRAC) in support of future projects for the Sloan

Canyon and North McCullough Wilderness Areas.

It is the intent of this business plan to provide the studies, assessments, capture public input, and document the methodology for recommendations on proposed future projects.

The Purpose is to develop potential projects, their scope, revenue streams, impacts, and requirements to support government decisions for the SCNCA.

Goals:

Provide a venue for, and capture public input on recreation fee proposals

Create public transparency on agency’s planned use of recreation fees

Documentation for future Government Decisions on appropriate level of recreation fees

Document and Identify priorities for future projects and areas of concerns

Document basis for government decisions on fee structures

Capture impacts to underserved communities and the local economy

Introduction:

In November 2002, Congress designated the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) to preserve and protect a portion of southern Nevada’s Mojave Desert for future generations. The 48,438‐ acre national conservation area forms the southern mountainous skyline of Las Vegas and the City of

Henderson. The Sloan Canyon Petroglyph Site is one of the most significant, scenic, and important cultural resources in Southern Nevada having more than 300 rock art panels, and nearly 1,700 designs representing native cultures dating from Archaic to historic era.

The 14,763‐acre North McCullough Wilderness lies entirely within the SCNCA and contains unique and spectacular natural resources including thousands of acres of pristine land that remain in a natural state.

The North McCullough Wilderness is volcanic in origin and examples of lava flows, ash falls, and glassy zones are clearly displayed in the Wilderness.

The SCNCA provides outstanding opportunities for visitors who desire to view the unique scenic and geologic features, remarkable cultural resources, and diverse recreation possibilities.

Current projects include the completion of a 3,000 square ft. Visitor Contact Station which will consist of: Administrative Space, Indoor Interpretive Space, parking area for 85 vehicles, an outdoor 150 seat

Amphitheatre, 1/2 Mile Interpretative loop and secured access to the Petroglyph Trail.

Place of Performance:

The service area is in Clark County Nevada.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance for this project will be one calendar year from date of award.

Business Plan Sections:

As part of the business plan development, BLM requires the following information to be included:

1) An introduction of the Business Plan, including a rationale for any new amenity fees developed, legal authorities, and Agency Policies and Guidance associated with this project.

2) General Area Description of the NCA including, Current facilities, and amenities, recent improvement projects, partner organizations, and research obligations.

3) Researched demographics for the area and for the various uses at SCNCA.

4) Analysis of appropriate fees for list of revenue generating recreational opportunities are listed in appendix A.

5) Financial Analysis which includes all costs and revenues as part of the developed Business Plan for the period of 10‐years.

6) Description or Market Analysis of any proposed amenity fees and research conducted to recommend certain price points within this project compared to other surrounding activities.

7) Outline of any potential projects where the Use of collected fees may be used to help support the area.

8) List of potential revenue generating recreational opportunities including the potential for

Environmental Education Interpretation, Partner opportunities, and any other discussed revenue generating items that may be developed or put in place within the 10‐year plan. i.e.

guided tours.

9) Describe any Social/Economic Impacts for any fees that may be developed.

10) Outline public comments/concerns that is collected after hosting any public outreach events.

11) Outline the Public Outreach that took place during the development of the Business Plan.

12) Other recommended sections may be added with the approval of BLM.

General Guidance:

BLM’s goal is to meet the objectives for Use of Fee Receipts (Appendix A) without using special legislation funding. The Plan’s recommend fees that would be self‐sustaining after ten years.

Financial Analysis and projected cost must include inflation projections out 10 years.

Estimates increased due to inflation, shall be noted in the document.

Deliverables:

1) Conduct a Pre‐Development meeting with BLM to discuss possible Business Plan outline, background information and Visitor Satisfaction Survey.

2) Develop a tentative project schedule, to include delivery of documents and due dates.

3) Conduct a Pre‐Development Visitor Satisfaction Survey with bordering homeowner associations within 3 miles of Sloan Canyon’s boundary for no less than a 45‐day period, to gather

Recreation/Environmental Education interest from visitors within proximity of the NCA, as well as interest groups and surrounding schools using an online comment collection method, or other methods approved by BLM.

4) Establish, coordinate, and facilitate monthly project status meetings with primary stakeholders and designated Contract Officer Representative (COR).

a. Provide the project update document no later than 3 calendar days prior to meeting to allow for government review.

b. Brief project status, schedule, identify any risks, and address mitigation of issues

c. Distribute via email project minutes, due‐outs or request for information.

5) Develop, secure venue, facilitate and host 2 public meetings preferably in‐person to discuss the

Business Plan with the public and record questions and concerns. Virtual meetings or by another hybrid method may be conducted upon government approval.

a. Provide project COR with a post meeting minutes/report

6) Final Plan must incorporate Sloan Canyon related photos as appropriate.

7) Submit draft Business Plan for Government review and feedback.

8) Final Business Plan submission to include 5 printed copies, spiral bound, along with soft copies to allow for future updates and edits.

9) Develop a power point presentation outlining the findings and recommendations of the final

Business Plan that BLM may use to present to the public or an approving governmental board.

Authorities:

Legal authorities that pertain to the management of public lands and the collection of recreation fees by BLM must be referenced by the following:

o Must use guidelines outlined in H‐2930‐1 Permit and Fee Administration Handbook.

o The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), 1976 [Public Law 94‐579], contains BLM’s general land use management authority over the public lands, and establishes outdoor recreation as one of the principals’ uses of those lands.

o Section 302 (b) of FLMPA directs the Secretary of the Interior to regulate through permits or other instruments the use of public lands.

o Section 303 of FLMPA contains the BLM’s authority to enforce the regulations and impose penalties.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), 2004 [Public Law 108‐447], repealed applicable portions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and replaced the BLM’s authority to collect recreational fees. This law authorizes the BLM to collect recreation fees at sites that meet certain requirements, allows the BLM to retain the fee revenues at the local offices where they were collected, and directs how the BLM will manage and utilize these revenues. The FLREA also established the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass program.

Under FLREA, an Expanded Amenity Fee, as defined at 16 U.S.C 6802 (g) (2) is the category which covers Participation in an enhanced interpretive program or special tour.

As defined at 16 U.S.C 6802 (f), a Standard Amenity Fee may be charged for day use sites and within National Conservation Areas. The day use site must be a developed day‐use area that provides significant opportunities for outdoor recreation and has substantial Federal investments, where fees can be efficiently collected, and contain all of the following six amenities:

1. Designated developed parking

2. Permanent toilet facility

3. Permanent trash receptacle

4. Interpretive sign, exhibit, or kiosk

5. Picnic tables

6. Security services

The FLREA guidelines require that fee sites have a business plan in place that:

o Informs the public about the objectives for use of collected recreation fee revenues o Provides an opportunity for public comment on those objectives o Assists BLM to determine the appropriateness and level of fees, costs of administering fee programs, and provides a structured communication and marketing plan o Serves as official documentation in the event of an audit

It is the intent of this business plan to support the Government’s decisions on the creation and or adjustment of Fees or the basis for recommendation of future projects. Inherently Governmental services as identified in FAR 7.503 or by the ordering agency are prohibited. Prospective contractors must identify potential conflicts of interest and address those, prior to task order award.

Personal services as defined in FAR 37.104 are prohibited.

Appendix A

Objectives for Use of Fee Receipts:

‐ Provide the best experience for the visiting public

‐ Provide a safe area for the public to recreate and visit

‐ Protect the resources within the National Conservation Area

‐ Provide educational and interpretative programs for the public

‐ Manage and maintain the multi‐use recreational areas for the public

Standard Amenity Fee Area Revenue Streams:

Revenue Type Daily Visitor Limits

Standard Amenity Fee for Vehicles (Including Motorcycles) (90 spaces rotating)

Up to 180 vehicles

Standard Amenity Fee for Commercial Tour Vehicles

(3 spaces rotating)

Up to 3 vehicles

Sloan Annual Support Pass Unlimited

Picnic Area Rental Per Picnic Area

Guided Interpretative Hikes (0‐2 Miles) 2 tours per day / 25 visitors each tour

Guided Interpretative Hikes (2‐5 Miles) 2 tours per day / 25 visitors each tour

BLM Astronomy Nights Up to 75 visitors

After Hours Amphitheatre Programs Up to 75 visitors

After Hours Amphitheatre Space Rental Up to 75 visitors

Standard Amenity Fee Future Projects (for reference):

Future Project

Non‐Profit Partner Cooperative Agreement

Annual Science Plan Research Funding

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Sloan Canyon Video Development

Developing Additional Picnic Areas

Post and Cable Project

Trailhead Maintenance

Trailhead Interpretive Updates

Automatic Entrance Gate

Additional Shade Structures

Increased Biking Amenities

Adding Vault Restrooms

Expanded Amenity Fee Area Revenue Streams:

The projections for both Self‐Guided and Guided Hikes should be based on a maximum of 35 visitors during two tours (Morning/Afternoon). That would be a total of 70 visitors per day maximum.

Self‐Guided Hike

Guided Interpretative Hikes

Expanded Amenity Fee Future Project:

All funding collected within the Expanded Amenity Fee Area will be used for future protection of the

Petroglyph Management Area. The BLM is aiming to fund these needs and manage this area with the help of various native tribes. In the future, a Co‐Stewardship Plan will be developed for this area and will be managed as such.

America the Beautiful Pass (https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm):

Proceeds from the sale of this pass go directly back into the Sloan Canyon NCA.