CHALLENGE COST SHARE

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD TO A SINGLE SOURCE, AND THERE IS NO FULL ANNOUNCEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS NOTICE. This Notice is not a request for competitive proposals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to award a cooperative agreement to Friends of Louisiana Refuges, Inc. under authority 15.642 and Public Law 105-242, National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement Act of 1998. The Service proposes to provide financial assistance for construction and marsh planting to compensate for lost interim ecological services in injuries to marsh, vegetation, and habitats. Crude oil has been released on the Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The project will consist of constructing a sediment diversion and marsh terraces. This will allow sediment laden water to flow out into a shallow open water area, causing the sediments to drop out, crating flats and emergent areas where marsh will naturally develop. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to Mr. Neil Lalonde at (985) 882-0093.