youth announcemnt-pfo-cultural resource youth opportunity.doc

UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

(BLM)

BLM-UT, Youth Opportunities to Work on Conservation Projects throughout Utah Public Lands

Public Lands Corps Act, 1993 (Amended 2005); PL 109-154; Title 16 U.S.C. Chapter 37, Subchapter II Sec 1721-1729, excluding Sec 1725 – Resource Assistant

This project is a specific project for the Price Field Office under the

MASTER

Funding Opportunity Announcement No. L15AS00034 CFDA Number

15.224 Cultural Resource Management

Applicants are required to apply under the above Funding Opportunity Announcement through Grants.gov. All terms and conditions will remain the same. The only thing different will be the proposal format and evaluation criteria, see below:

Applications due by: May 31, 2015 Contact Information

Maria Gochis, Grants Management Officer (GMO) Phone: 801-539-4178 Email: mgochis@blm.gov Amanda Harrington, Realty Specialist

Phone: 435-636-3630, Email: aharrin@blm.gov

SECTION I. PRICE FIELD OFFICE INTENSIVE PEDESTRIAN INVENTORY AND TRAIL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE TEMPLE MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA YOUTH OPPORTUNITY Project Background Information: The Price Field Office (PFO) is located in southeastern Utah, and is representative of one of the most diverse cultural and environmental landscapes in Utah available for scientific study. The areas rich material culture encompases over 12,000 years (Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Formative, Proto-historic, Historic) of prehistory and history. In 2015, the PFOs Archaeologists in coordination with the PFO GIS Specialist developed a site suitability, density and probility model (Koski, Nelson, Wolfe 2015). Pursuant to Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies are under mandate to “…establish—in conjuction with the Secretary of the Interior—their own historic preservation programs for the identification, evaluation, and protection of historic properties”. In addition, the BLM, PFO is obligated under the West Tavaputs Programmatic Agreement to facilitate the development a site stewardship and interpretive program for Nine Mile Canyon. Nine Mile Canyon, located approximatley 25 southeast of Price, is approximately 40 miles long has been called "the world’s longest art gallery”, known for its extensive rock art, most of it created by the Fremont culture and the Ute people. The rock art, shelters, and granaries left behind by the Fremont make Nine Mile Canyon a destination for archaeologists and tourists alike.

People visiting Price regularly ask where they can go to visit archaeology sites. The PFO has interpretive sites available for public use however, they are limited in scope and location. By taking a proactive approach to identifying high potential site locations through intensive pedestrian cultural resource inventories, and by enhancing the current cultural recreation experiences in Nine Mile Canyon, the PFO would enhance the visitor experience to this uniques area. The PFO would benefit from the enhancement of the Nine Mile Canyon interpretive program and trail system, as this would provide a place where the BLM, PFO and community partners could direct the public.

An increase in visitation has resulted in a subsequent increase in public visitation to the surrounding area with sensitive cultural needs. Increased interpretation, visitation, and organization would grow awareness for protecting archaeology sites and environmental contexts, while supplying visitors with an interest to protect our shared heritage while also discouraging future theft and vandalization. The trail system will help preserve the tracks and focus hiking to cultural sites from a single designated trail from a designated trailhead. This project will encourage public education about cultural resources and how past human lifeways are created and preserved, how we might influence ecological change and have contributed to modern environments, and increasing awareness about the importance of protecting our fragile human past. Interpretation at Nine Mile Canyon will be a recreational complement to the surrounding area. This project meets the President’s initiatives of America’s Great Outdoors (Sec. 1iC) to support existing programs and projects that educate and engage Americans in our history, culture, and natural bounty. The project will assist in a continuing effort to manage and protect archaeological resources pursuant to The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA; Public Law 89-665; 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.), and The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (Pub.L. 96–95 as amended, 93 Stat. 721, codified at 16 U.S.C. §§ 470aa–470mm).

Project Objective: The BLM, PFO, has an opportunity to introduce two youth interns to careers in the BLM under the Cultural Resource Management Program. The office has $12,000 available to assist with funding for interns for the purpose of introducing youth and young adults to careers in the BLM and assist in fulfilling the BLM mission. The office has two full time Archaeologists on staff and would like to a provide work experience to youth for their career and educational benefit. This will be accomplished by providing them opportunities to gain experience, learn about public lands, further their understanding and appreciation of natural and archaeological resources, and pique their interest in archaeological resource management careers. From this they will gain an increased appreciation and understanding of our public lands and of the value of public service, and are likely to become life-long advocates for those values. This opportunity will be focused on conducting intensive pedestrian inventories, trail construction and interpretation in the Nine Mile Canyon Management Area and surrounding locations. These activities will contribute to public outreach programs and the interpretation of the area. This project would be especially appropriate for students studying archaeology, education, public land management, ecology and recreation, but would likely be of interest to a wide array of youth. Site specific programs will be given to the youth crew to further their education and awareness of the area they will be working at.

Program/Project Performance Goals – a.

Expose youth to public service while furthering their understanding and appreciation of the Nation’s archaeological resources, and gain applicable experience.

b.

Stimulate interest among the youth and young adults in conservation careers by exposing them to conservation professionals in land managing agencies, by providing a conservation project that qualifies for the non-competitive hiring status for period of not more than 120 days.

c.

Promote and stimulate public purposes such as enhance classroom learning by providing education, job training, and development of responsible citizenship, productive community involvement of youth and young adults in care and enhancement of natural and cultural resources.

d. Assist qualified Youth Conservation Corps an experience in developing archaeological resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands through the use of the Nation’s youth.

e.

Assist professional Archaeologists with Class III intensive pedestrian inventories, and develop interpretive sites for the Nine Mile Canyon Recreation Area. Depending on scope, this project would be complete in Fall of 2015.

Duties: Work will be conducted in the Price Field Office located in southeast Utah, andwill be coordinated by the Price Field Office archaeology staff. Fieldwork will be conducted in an area located approximately 20 minutes south of Price in an exposed, open area with no shade. Weather and hiking conditions may be extreme (e.g. heat, cold, thunderstorms, terrain).

Work projects include trail enhancement, signage and kiosk construction and assisting professional Achaeologists with Class III Intensive Pedestrian Inventories. All construction materials will be provided by the BLM. The youth crews will be responsible for transportation to and from project sites. The youth crew will provide their own tools (including saws and drills), PPE, and other field supplies. Work will be limited or suspended during bad weather conditions.

BLM’s Involvement: There will be BLM involvement by BLM professionals that will work side by side with recipient(s) on projects and will provide project orientation and hands-on training, as necessary. BLM will provide all training, interpretive material and construction material as needed. Recipients and the BLM will share responsibility for project management, control, and direction although the BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan, if the project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, etc.

Period of Performance: Work is anticipated to begin July1-September 30, 2015.

Funding Available: $12,000 is available to fund two interns.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, generally 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, for three months, with flexable start/end dates.

Qualification Requirements: This opportunity is suitable for youth interested in learning more about archaeology, natural resources and land management; although no specific educational experience is required. Crew must be self-sufficient and experienced in outdoor work, adaptable to environmental contraints, and motivated to learn new skills as they relate to archaeological documentation. Youth should provide all their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hats, gloves, long pants, appropriate foot wear and eye protection (sunglasses). As stated in the duties, this opportunity will require time outdoors and field work that is often under somewhat rigorous physical conditions.

Housing: The BLM cannot provide housing; however, assistance with housing is an allowable expense for this project.

Expected Field Travel: Travel to and from Price is dependent on current crew location; however, travel should be minimal. The beginning of the canyon is located approximately 25 miles southeast of Price .

Section II – Reporting Requirements: (Refer to Full Announcement for details) A. SF425 – Federal Financial Report’s

B. Performance Report due yearly or at the end of the project

C. Youth Reporting due quarterly to Program Officer SECTION III. The Application Package – Also refer to Funding Opportunity Announcement Section D. Application and Submission Information for further detailed information.

Applications must include all required Standard Forms (SF) shown below, a Proposal (Attachment A), a Budget Detail with narrative (mandatory) (Attachment B), and a copy the applicant's approved federal agency Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable. Non-governmental organizations that have not previously received award funds or have not had an active award within 3 (three) years must complete a Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire. A copy of the questionnaire may be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed on the application coversheet.

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424A Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

SF-424B Assurances - Non-Construction Programs

Grants.gov Lobbying Form

Project Proposal (Attachment A)

Budget Detail and Narrative Mandatory (Attachment B)

Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA, if applicable)

Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire (if applicable)

Attachment A

SECTION III. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Utah State Office

Grants & Cooperative Agreements

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Instructions: A Project Proposal must be submitted with the Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Financial Assistance for all Financial Assistance Agreements. A new proposal must be included with any request for modification which involves a revision to funding, project scope, period of performance, or key personnel.

Agreement or Funding Opportunity No.:

Date:

Organization Name:

Project Title:

Name & Title of Person Submitting Proposal:

*If a specific start work date is needed with pre-award costs for specific BLM Project, contact BLM Program Officer (PO) to dicuss details, so PO can discuss with Grants Management Officer. Do not start work without prior approval from the Grants Management Officer, unless project is a specific project to your organization is already working on and you are requesting for further financial assistance.

1.

Purpose, Objectives, and Relevance:

(Describe why the project is needed, the applicant's objectives, how the applicant's objectives support their mission, and how this project benefits the general public.)

2.

Technical Approach:

(Describe how the project will be conducted. The project design must contain enough detail to show the development of the project, including the relationship between the partners, and objectives. Clearly describe the techniques, procedures, and methodologies to be used; the data collection, analysis, and means of interpretation; the expected program/project goals and/or outcomes; and the procedures for evaluating project effectiveness, including appropriate performance goals and the probabilities of obtaining them.)

The proposal must include the detailed project plan/schedule. The project plan must be supported by a narrative description of each of the activities to be undertaken. The schedule should include proposed work, reporting, major tasks, and project milestones including the identification of the anticipated start and ending dates of all major stages/tasks of the project proposal. The following table may be used to summarize the project schedule.

Start Date Planned Completion Date

3.

Qualifications, Experience, and Past Performance:

(Describe who will carry out the project activities. List all project personnel, including consultants, contractors, sub-recipients, etc., and their contact information. Describe your recruiting techniques in recruiting a diverse pool of candidates. Describe their responsibilities and the amount of time each will dedicate to the project. Briefly describe how their experience and qualifications are appropriate to successfully achieve the stated objectives and performance goals. Describe past completed natural and cultural youth conservation projects on public lands with accomplishments. Describe successful of your program placing qualified youth interns in conservation careers.)

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