Steese NCA White Mountain Crews Project Description.doc

Office: Eastern Interior Field Office Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L22AS00197 Project Submission Dates and Times: February 7, 2022 – April 8, 2022, 5PM EDT

Project Title: Steese NCA/White Mountain Crews Youth Opportunity Maximum Available Funding in FY22: $40,000 BLM has determined $600 weekly stipend equal to $15.00 per hour is reasonable. Stipends above this amount must justify in budget narrative increase needed.

Project Background Information: The BLM manages the Steese National Conservation Area and the White Mountains National Recreation; both are popular destinations for recreation enthusiasts. The two areas are comprised of a broad network of trail systems and recreation facilities. Facilities include access points, waysides, campgrounds trails roads. These facilities are public assets and required attention to ensure they are clean, safe and provide a quality experience. This partnership with youth groups will assist BLM staff with developing and maintaining improvements.

Project Objective: BLM, Fairbanks Field Office, Alaska has an opportunity to introduce youth crews to careers in the BLM, by exposure to the recreation and visitor services program. Selected youth crews will assist recreation staff and resource specialists with sustainable trail layout and design, trail rehabilitation, and campground facility enhancement. Senior BLM staff will provide instruction and guidance for the phases of developing sustainable trails. This program is especially appropriate for students pursuing a career in Outdoor Recreation Management or Park Rangers.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, generally 8 AM to 5PM, for 12 weeks, with flexible start/end dates in May-June/August-September. Weekends might be required but would be a rare occurrence.

Qualification Requirements: This opportunity is suitable for youth working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in outdoor recreation management and-related disciplines. As stated in the duties this opportunity will require time outdoors and field work that is often under somewhat rigorous physical conditions. Applicants must also meet the following criteria: 1). Ability to work in a team environment.

Housing:

BLM can provide housing at the Fort Wainwright Alaska-Alaska Fire Service Barracks, or at a BLM campground or campsite.

Vehicle Needs: Crews will be required to be self-contained with their own vehicle(s) and tool trailer(s). BLM can supply some specialized tools on a case-by-case basis (E.g. brush cutters and chainsaws) Other Project Considerations:

Food: Youth crews will provide their own food for the term they are assisting the BLM.

All Supplies: BLM will provide some specialty equipment on a case-by-case basis (E.g. GPS units, chainsaws, hand tools, etc.), Youth crews should have the equipment to camp both in a front country setting or a backcountry setting and have the ability to treat their own water and cook their own meals in a field setting.

Training Requirements: Youth corps should provide at least two crew members “chainsaw certified”, driver’s training, first aid, emergency procedures and bear awareness training.

Travel: Youth corps will be involved with projects that will require extended trips in the field, in a field camp atmosphere.

Duties: The successful youth corps/crew applicant will assist BLM senior staff outdoor recreation and visitor services program, which covers approximately 2.2 million acres of public lands. The majority of the work will be field work. Field work includes ground truthing and laying out new trails, building boardwalk, installing interpretive signs, brushing and cutting trees for new trail construction.

Field work in interior Alaska is remote with minimal cell service, large volumes of mosquitos, up to 24 hours of daylight, inclement weather varying from extreme rain or snow, and temperatures ranging from 90-degree F to 32 Degree F. Bear safety and awareness is essential. Alaska is bear country.

Project expected outcomes will vary on a yearly basis and depending upon the project. Annually up to fifty miles of existing trails will be evaluated and then crews with staff assistance will enhance, maintain or reroute approximately 15 miles per summer season.

BLM’s Involvement: There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement by BLM professional that will work daily side by side with recipient on all projects and also be providing project orientation and hands-on training. BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan, if project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, etc. In addition, BLM and recipient will meet weekly to discuss progress and track project outcomes; review any training needs; and then make a decision what direction to take in finalizing project or move to the next phase.

BLM Program Contact:

Zach Million

(907) 271-3386 zmillion@blm.gov BLM Technical Contact:

Levi Lewellyn

(907) 474-2344 llewellyn@blm.gov Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement number L22AS00197 posted on Grants.gov for all program requirements and applicable terms and conditions. Recipients selected for awards will be required to adhere to those requirements should an award be made.

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