NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO AWARD – Wildlife Sensory Ecology Research Grant by the National Park Service

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P15AS00393
Project Title Wildlife sensory ecology research
Recipient Colorado State University
Total Anticipated Award Amount $557,133.00
Cost Share none
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of final signatures to December 31, 2017
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of final signatures to December 31, 2017
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a) & (b) & 54 USC 100703
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research & Training Programs-Resources of NPS CESUs
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Project Title: Wildlife Sensory Ecology Research

Project Description: This project will pursue research to measure the responses of wildlife to noise and light pollution, and to develop and apply methods to extract environmental information from acoustical recordings. The effects of artificial light at night on wildlife will be pursued through support for a postdoctoral researcher. The environmental acoustic investigations will be pursued through support for the undergraduate ���Listening Laboratory��� that was created under a previous agreement. This Listening Laboratory offers opportunities for undergraduate honors students to participate in research and data analysis related to soundscapes. The Listening Laboratory is led by a second postdoctoral researcher, who oversees student research projects and originates other field research.

The public purposes that this financial assistance stimulates are 1) advancing scientific understanding of sensory ecology and its significance for the National Park resource management and visitor experience, and 2) supporting the education and career development of undergraduate and postgraduate scientists.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Noise and stray light are pervasive pollutants in protected natural areas, creating potentially disturbing stimuli for wildlife and degrading their sensory environments. Noise and stray light also compromises the quality of outdoor recreation experience. Although the broad outlines of noise impacts to wildlife are clear, more detailed understanding is needed to identify priorities for noise management in protected natural areas, and to devise efficient and effective mitigation. Although less is known about the effects of light on ecosystems, Longcore and Rich 2004 document numerous examples of the effects of ecological light pollution. The primary goal of this task agreement is to stimulate observational and experimental research to address fundamental issues regarding the effects of noise and light on wildlife behavior and ecology. Although many details of the research program will depend upon the particular talents of the personnel who are recruited, several broad areas of inquiry can be anticipated. This is not an exhaustive list.
��� Document the effects of noise exposure on time and energy budgets for free-ranging animals.
��� Explore laboratory systems in which behavioral effects of noise and light can be studied.
��� Document the time courses of response and recovery in relation to noise and light exposure.
��� Utilize noise or light broadcast systems to study the effects of noise in the absence of other anthropogenic stimuli.
��� Evaluate the spatial coverage and information content of acoustical recordings for monitoring the activities of noise sources and wildlife. Wildlife studies may include other data collection systems for comparison with the acoustical data (e. g. camera trapping, video monitoring, point count or line transect sampling).
��� Investigate options for modeling noise exposure on regional and continental scales, to evaluate current and future conditions around parks and to explore relationships between existing wildlife survey data and noise exposure levels.
��� Explore alternative data collection and processing techniques for environmental acoustics and lightscapes.
��� Analyses of acoustical data collected at Everglades National Park, relating sonic characteristics extracted from recordings to spatial variation in other environmental factors.
��� Produce educational materials for park interpretive rangers to address soundscapes and night sky quality and their importance for wildlife.
���
The research activity is intended to address several public interests: expanding the scientific basis for evaluating the effects of noise exposure on wildlife, promoting collaborative conservation working groups consisting of academic professionals and natural resource managers, furthering the education and career development of undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other research associates while expanding their command of acoustical monitoring and understanding of auditory perception, providing opportunities for project participants to produce peer-reviewed papers and outputs for scientific conferences reporting these research results, stimulating interdisciplinary research and education at CSU by promoting interactions between the College of Natural Sciences, the Warner College of Natural Resources, and the College of Engineering. This promotion of interdisciplinary activity may extend to hosting scientific workshops or conferences, though none is planned at this time. The NPS Technical Expert (TE), will partner with the CSU research team in all aspects of this cooperative agreement: identification of overall research priorities, development of specific research and monitoring projects, identification or development of appropriate instrumentation, selection of study organisms and field sites, design and execution of data analyses, preparation of reports and publications. The NPS TE and the staff of the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD) will regularly participate in meetings with the CSU research team; some CSU personnel may have desk space in the NSNSD office suite. The NPS TE will also help coordinate the activities and findings of this project in relation to several other NPS funded research projects. NPS will provide specialized equipment for many project tasks. The NPS ATR will ensure that the CSU performance conforms to the terms of this task agreement, and approve any significant changes to the scope or the budget.

Project schedule and products:

Start Date Continue ongoing Listening Lab activities that were established under the prior award.
Monthly Conduct meetings with CSU and NPS project participants to review progress and plan future activities.
1st Qtr Initiate search for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate the effects of stray light on wildlife.
2nd Qtr Hire postdoctoral researcher to investigate the effects of stray light on wildlife, and initiate research planning
12 Months Submit first year performance report summarizing project activities
1 Month Prior to End Date Submit the draft project report to NPS for review. The final report will subsume the second year���s annual report.
End Date Submit final project report to NPS

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Collaboratively undertake the project titled: ���Wildlife sensory ecology research,���
2. Enable the Principal Investigator to oversee this project and coordinate activity by the faculty research team to execute the following tasks:
i. Work with the NPS TE to identify research tasks and develop a schedule for their execution,
ii. Work with the NPS TE to recruit postdoctoral associates, research associates, temporary hourly, and student hourly personnel to fill vacancies,
iii. Serve as the supervisor for CSU research associates on this project, working with the NPS TE to coordinate their efforts,
iv. Work with NPS park interpretive staff and astronomy volunteers in parks to present educational materials regarding night sky quality and its relevance to wildlife,
v. Oversee education of and research by CSU students,
vi. Organize regular meetings with the NPS TE and CSU project participants to discuss ongoing research and development efforts, evaluate progress, and develop plans for the next phase of work,
vii. Prepare and submit Investigator���s Annual Report to the NPS ATR and Awarding Officer,
viii. Optionally present results at scientific conferences,
ix. Oversee translation of research results into peer-reviewed papers,
3. Provide permanent office space for postdoctoral researchers,
4. Provide permanent space for an undergraduate research lab,
5. Fully acknowledge the NPS in any published or formally presented material developed or derived from this Task Agreement. NPS will not necessarily participate in authoring scientific papers; this decision will emerge from the collaborative effort by a consensus conclusion that NPS personnel have made substantive intellectual contributions to the results,
6. Submit a project final report, and collaborate with the NPS, in a thirty-day wrap-up period to close out the agreement.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

1. Provide financial assistance to Colorado State University as provided in Article VI. The budget, which is also included as part of Attachment 1, is incorporated in this Task Agreement.
2. NPS will enable the TE to perform the following tasks:
i. Work with the PI to identify research tasks and develop a schedule for their execution.
ii. Offer routine opportunities for discussion and technical consultation with the CSU postdoctoral and research associates.
iii. Provide acoustical data and NPS equipment as appropriate for research.
iv. Participate in regular meetings to discuss project results and plans.
v. Participate in data analyses as appropriate.
vi. Participate in drafting scientific manuscripts, as appropriate. Provide scientific reviews of draft scientific papers that are produced.
3. Fully acknowledge the PI and Colorado State University in any publication or formal presentation that refers to material developed or derived from this Task Agreement.
4. Collaborate with Colorado State University, as appropriate, in a thirty-day wrap-up period following submission of the final report.
5. Inform the PI of the specific activities required to comply with the NPS ���Interim Guidance Document Governing Code of Conduct, Peer Review, and Information Quality Correction for National Park Service Cultural and Natural Resource Disciplines,��� and with any and all subsequent guidance issued by the NPS Director to replace this interim document.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.
In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Unsolicited Proposal ��� The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;
(2) Continuation ��� The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;
(3) Legislative intent ��� The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress��� intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;
(4) Unique Qualifications ��� The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;
(5) Emergencies ��� Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:
(2) Continuation

This is a Task Agreement (P15AC01772) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $557,133.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 12/31/2017.

“This proposed project between Colorado State University and the NPS is authorized to go through the Rocky Mountains CESU at the negotiated overhead rate of 17.5% because it passes the test of substantial involvement by the NPS, public purpose and consistency with the mission of the CESU Network”.

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P15AS00393
Project Title Wildlife sensory ecology research
Recipient Colorado State University
Total Anticipated Award Amount $557,133.00
Cost Share none
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of final signatures to December 31, 2017
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of final signatures to December 31, 2017
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a) & (b) & 54 USC 100703
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research & Training Programs-Resources of NPS CESUs
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Project Title: Wildlife Sensory Ecology Research

Project Description: This project will pursue research to measure the responses of wildlife to noise and light pollution, and to develop and apply methods to extract environmental information from acoustical recordings. The effects of artificial light at night on wildlife will be pursued through support for a postdoctoral researcher. The environmental acoustic investigations will be pursued through support for the undergraduate ���Listening Laboratory��� that was created under a previous agreement. This Listening Laboratory offers opportunities for undergraduate honors students to participate in research and data analysis related to soundscapes. The Listening Laboratory is led by a second postdoctoral researcher, who oversees student research projects and originates other field research.

The public purposes that this financial assistance stimulates are 1) advancing scientific understanding of sensory ecology and its significance for the National Park resource management and visitor experience, and 2) supporting the education and career development of undergraduate and postgraduate scientists.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Noise and stray light are pervasive pollutants in protected natural areas, creating potentially disturbing stimuli for wildlife and degrading their sensory environments. Noise and stray light also compromises the quality of outdoor recreation experience. Although the broad outlines of noise impacts to wildlife are clear, more detailed understanding is needed to identify priorities for noise management in protected natural areas, and to devise efficient and effective mitigation. Although less is known about the effects of light on ecosystems, Longcore and Rich 2004 document numerous examples of the effects of ecological light pollution. The primary goal of this task agreement is to stimulate observational and experimental research to address fundamental issues regarding the effects of noise and light on wildlife behavior and ecology. Although many details of the research program will depend upon the particular talents of the personnel who are recruited, several broad areas of inquiry can be anticipated. This is not an exhaustive list.
��� Document the effects of noise exposure on time and energy budgets for free-ranging animals.
��� Explore laboratory systems in which behavioral effects of noise and light can be studied.
��� Document the time courses of response and recovery in relation to noise and light exposure.
��� Utilize noise or light broadcast systems to study the effects of noise in the absence of other anthropogenic stimuli.
��� Evaluate the spatial coverage and information content of acoustical recordings for monitoring the activities of noise sources and wildlife. Wildlife studies may include other data collection systems for comparison with the acoustical data (e. g. camera trapping, video monitoring, point count or line transect sampling).
��� Investigate options for modeling noise exposure on regional and continental scales, to evaluate current and future conditions around parks and to explore relationships between existing wildlife survey data and noise exposure levels.
��� Explore alternative data collection and processing techniques for environmental acoustics and lightscapes.
��� Analyses of acoustical data collected at Everglades National Park, relating sonic characteristics extracted from recordings to spatial variation in other environmental factors.
��� Produce educational materials for park interpretive rangers to address soundscapes and night sky quality and their importance for wildlife.
���
The research activity is intended to address several public interests: expanding the scientific basis for evaluating the effects of noise exposure on wildlife, promoting collaborative conservation working groups consisting of academic professionals and natural resource managers, furthering the education and career development of undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other research associates while expanding their command of acoustical monitoring and understanding of auditory perception, providing opportunities for project participants to produce peer-reviewed papers and outputs for scientific conferences reporting these research results, stimulating interdisciplinary research and education at CSU by promoting interactions between the College of Natural Sciences, the Warner College of Natural Resources, and the College of Engineering. This promotion of interdisciplinary activity may extend to hosting scientific workshops or conferences, though none is planned at this time. The NPS Technical Expert (TE), will partner with the CSU research team in all aspects of this cooperative agreement: identification of overall research priorities, development of specific research and monitoring projects, identification or development of appropriate instrumentation, selection of study organisms and field sites, design and execution of data analyses, preparation of reports and publications. The NPS TE and the staff of the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD) will regularly participate in meetings with the CSU research team; some CSU personnel may have desk space in the NSNSD office suite. The NPS TE will also help coordinate the activities and findings of this project in relation to several other NPS funded research projects. NPS will provide specialized equipment for many project tasks. The NPS ATR will ensure that the CSU performance conforms to the terms of this task agreement, and approve any significant changes to the scope or the budget.

Project schedule and products:

Start Date Continue ongoing Listening Lab activities that were established under the prior award.
Monthly Conduct meetings with CSU and NPS project participants to review progress and plan future activities.
1st Qtr Initiate search for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate the effects of stray light on wildlife.
2nd Qtr Hire postdoctoral researcher to investigate the effects of stray light on wildlife, and initiate research planning
12 Months Submit first year performance report summarizing project activities
1 Month Prior to End Date Submit the draft project report to NPS for review. The final report will subsume the second year���s annual report.
End Date Submit final project report to NPS

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Collaboratively undertake the project titled: ���Wildlife sensory ecology research,���
2. Enable the Principal Investigator to oversee this project and coordinate activity by the faculty research team to execute the following tasks:
i. Work with the NPS TE to identify research tasks and develop a schedule for their execution,
ii. Work with the NPS TE to recruit postdoctoral associates, research associates, temporary hourly, and student hourly personnel to fill vacancies,
iii. Serve as the supervisor for CSU research associates on this project, working with the NPS TE to coordinate their efforts,
iv. Work with NPS park interpretive staff and astronomy volunteers in parks to present educational materials regarding night sky quality and its relevance to wildlife,
v. Oversee education of and research by CSU students,
vi. Organize regular meetings with the NPS TE and CSU project participants to discuss ongoing research and development efforts, evaluate progress, and develop plans for the next phase of work,
vii. Prepare and submit Investigator���s Annual Report to the NPS ATR and Awarding Officer,
viii. Optionally present results at scientific conferences,
ix. Oversee translation of research results into peer-reviewed papers,
3. Provide permanent office space for postdoctoral researchers,
4. Provide permanent space for an undergraduate research lab,
5. Fully acknowledge the NPS in any published or formally presented material developed or derived from this Task Agreement. NPS will not necessarily participate in authoring scientific papers; this decision will emerge from the collaborative effort by a consensus conclusion that NPS personnel have made substantive intellectual contributions to the results,
6. Submit a project final report, and collaborate with the NPS, in a thirty-day wrap-up period to close out the agreement.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

1. Provide financial assistance to Colorado State University as provided in Article VI. The budget, which is also included as part of Attachment 1, is incorporated in this Task Agreement.
2. NPS will enable the TE to perform the following tasks:
i. Work with the PI to identify research tasks and develop a schedule for their execution.
ii. Offer routine opportunities for discussion and technical consultation with the CSU postdoctoral and research associates.
iii. Provide acoustical data and NPS equipment as appropriate for research.
iv. Participate in regular meetings to discuss project results and plans.
v. Participate in data analyses as appropriate.
vi. Participate in drafting scientific manuscripts, as appropriate. Provide scientific reviews of draft scientific papers that are produced.
3. Fully acknowledge the PI and Colorado State University in any publication or formal presentation that refers to material developed or derived from this Task Agreement.
4. Collaborate with Colorado State University, as appropriate, in a thirty-day wrap-up period following submission of the final report.
5. Inform the PI of the specific activities required to comply with the NPS ���Interim Guidance Document Governing Code of Conduct, Peer Review, and Information Quality Correction for National Park Service Cultural and Natural Resource Disciplines,��� and with any and all subsequent guidance issued by the NPS Director to replace this interim document.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.
In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Unsolicited Proposal ��� The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;
(2) Continuation ��� The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;
(3) Legislative intent ��� The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress��� intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;
(4) Unique Qualifications ��� The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;
(5) Emergencies ��� Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:
(2) Continuation

This is a Task Agreement (P15AC01772) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $557,133.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 12/31/2017.

“This proposed project between Colorado State University and the NPS is authorized to go through the Rocky Mountains CESU at the negotiated overhead rate of 17.5% because it passes the test of substantial involvement by the NPS, public purpose and consistency with the mission of the CESU Network”.