Department of the Interior: Develop LIDAR Data Set for Sitka NHP and Surrounding Lands Grant

Ash layers overlying glacial till combined with steep slopes and coastal climate make Sitka susceptible to landslides. The preliminary data from National Weather Service in Juneau suggests the event was a 50-75 year rainfall and may have been associated with high winds (pers com, NWS Juneau). The Indian River Hydrograph shows a steep climb on August 18, 2015 and was 1.3 feet above flood stage. The Indian River flows through Sitka NHP and damage occurred to flood protection (revetments) installed in the park. Sitka NHP is on the verge of replacing the Indian River Pedestrian Bridge and would like improved hazard modeling for this new infrastructure.

Park managers, the State of Alaska (DGGS), the US Forest Service, and the City and Borough of Sitka believe that improved LIDAR data will improve the capability of all the entities to model both infrastructure risk and potential geohazards.

The Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys for the State of Alaska mission is to determine the potential of Alaskan land for production of metals, minerals, fuels, and geothermal resources, the locations and supplies of groundwater and construction material, and the potential geologic hazards to buildings, roads, bridges, and other installations and structures (AS 41.08.020). As such, the Division is charged with establishing what geohazards may threaten Alaska citizens living in Sitka. The combination of easy access to the state geological data and experienced personnel make the DGGS a good partner to conduct research with Sitka NHP and develop joint LIDAR products to improve the safety of Sitka citizens and the park’s infrastructure.
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STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

The purpose of this Agreement is to collect detailed elevation data through LIDAR survey to improve risk analysis and hazard modeling for the NPS, USFS, and City and Borough of Sitka. Federal, State, and Local managers will review the elevation data and the resulting hazard and risk models to develop guidance to both governmental bodies and citizens on how to prevent any loss of life or property from any future landslides.

Under this agreement, the NPS will work with DGGS to conduct LIDAR data collection based on a joint need for better elevation data in the park and in the surrounding City and headwaters of the Indian River. This project will meet the following objectives.

General Objectives:

• Provide accurate and informative elevation data for Federal, State, and local governments
• Provide the best, most practical elevation data for geohazard modeling and risk analysis
• Focus on hazards to NPS infrastructure (bridges, erosion control, etc.), USFS and City infrastructure, and private property in the City and Borough of Sitka.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The DGGS agrees to:

1. Work closely with the park to develop elevation data that meets the USGS Quality Level 2 data standard (QL2) standard ( http://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/11b4/pdf/tm11-B4.pdf ) for an area of no less than 50 square miles, or the maximum area possible with the funds available.
2. Include Sitka National Historical Park in the Area of Interest (AOI) collected.
3. Distribute the resulting data to the National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Geological Service, City and Borough of Sitka, and any other parties assisting these entities in assessing geo-hazards in the Sitka community.
4. Provide oversight, review and technical expertise for research at DGGS.
5. Complete project performance measurements as described in Article IV of this document.
6. Acknowledge the NPS in any published or formally presented material development as derived from this Cooperative Agreement.
7. Share all work products from the Cooperative Agreement with the park as readily reproducible and digitally-compatible files (e.g. shape files, RAW data, etc.).
8. Agree to adhere to copyright provisions provided under 43 CFR 12 (c) and to include this provision in any sub-awards.
9. Name either the State Geologist or his designee as the key contact.
10. Host the resulting LIDAR data and derivative products for the public on the DGGS website.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

The NPS will:

1. Provide financial assistance.
2. Complete project performance measurements as described in Article IV of this document.
3. Work closely with DGGS to develop accurate data requirements (e.g. USGS QL2) that will provide the maximum value for the resulting data. Provide a range of project ideas immediately upon this Cooperative Agreement being signed for uses of the elevation data resulting from the project.
4. Provide DGGS with appropriate examples of similar NPS LIDAR collections, references to NPS LIDAR projects, and access to LIDAR data of similar quality.
5. Provide technical expertise on NPS and USGS LIDAR methods and interpretive products that highlight how elevation data is used.
7. Help coordinate input from all parties involved.
8. Print and distribute any official NPS maps, brochures, and pamphlets produced under this Cooperative Agreement or with the resulting LIDAR data.
9. Review draft work products and provide written input and recommendations to DGGS, as needed.
10. Assign an NPS specialist as the Agreement Technical Representative (ATR).
11. Assign an NPS to act as the liaison between DGGS, the NPS, and the USGS to coordinate and facilitate meetings and discussions related to this project.
12. Support the DGGS in distributing and using the LIDAR data to develop risk and hazard models through the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Southeast.

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.

The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(1) Emergencies – Sitka (and Sitka NHP) experienced landslides and significant infrastructure damage on 8/18/2015. The park and community are entering the rainy season in SE Alaska and need geo-hazard and risk models ASAP. LIDAR data are critical to developing these models. DGGS has the capability and co-interest in providing this data rapidly.