Technical Services in Development of the Northwood Lake Watershed Management Plan

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is seeking a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to develop a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for Northwood Lake. The project, funded by a $39,000 604(b) Water Quality Planning Grant, aims to address water quality impairments in the 610-acre mesotrophic lake that has experienced challenges with aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms. The selected consultant will be responsible for multiple technical tasks including water quality analysis, watershed modeling, survey development, and creating an implementation schedule that meets nine key EPA elements. Key deliverables include GIS mapping, watershed surveys, loading models, and developing municipal ordinance recommendations for phosphorus and pollutant source reduction. The RFQ requires detailed technical submissions demonstrating environmental expertise, with proposals due by March 31, 2025, and an anticipated contract start in April or May 2025, with project completion expected by August 2026.

While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned in the documentation, the project will require significant technical capabilities and environmental planning expertise. The Northwood Lake Watershed Association Inc (NLWA) will oversee the project and collaborate closely with the selected consultant through their Watershed Planning Committee. The total project budget is $39,000, with the expectation that the final watershed management plan will outline specific actions, estimated project costs, potential funding sources, and responsible implementation parties over a ten-year period. The consultant will need to demonstrate advanced capabilities in environmental modeling, water quality assessment, and comprehensive watershed planning. No incumbent vendors are identified in the current documentation, and the project appears to be initiating a new comprehensive watershed management approach for the Northwood Lake region.