National Park Service Grant for Vegetation Map Accuracy Assessment at Lake Mead NRA

OVERVIEW

Through a Task Agreement against the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Cooperative Agreement, the National Park Service (NPS) and Colorado State University will continue in a cooperative effort to work on the Accuracy Assessment of Vegetation Map at Lake Mead National Recreation Area project with the University¿s Colorado Natural Heritage Program.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

The overall goal of the project is to continue the work with the University of Colorado¿s Colorado Natural Heritage Program to complete an accuracy assessment of vegetation map at Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) as part of the baseline inventories completed under the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Colorado State University (CSU) agrees to:

– Participate in project start-up, planning, and progress meetings.

– Prepare field key to map classes.

– Complete field data collection.

– Be responsible for all post-field season processing of field data and related products.

– Analyze accuracy assessment data.

– Prepare progress and final reports, and participate in project close-out meeting.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

National Park Service (NPS) agrees to:

– Coordinate field work logistics such as required safety protocols and issuance of dispatch telephones for the field work in Lake Mead NRA.

– Review program guidance and requirements with CSU.

– Provide the NPS Plots Database for entering field data.

– Be the point of contact for questions that arise during the project.

– Review draft documents and provide timely feedback for incorporation into final product delivery.

– Help train field crew personnel with accuracy assessment procedures, if needed.

– Assist with data management.

– Facilitate the delivery of the final map for accuracy assessment by the Recipient.

– Regularly communicate with the Principal Investigator on the planned work schedule and project goals.

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

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; and

The National Park Service (NPS) has utilized Colorado State University on similar mapping inventory projects. Colorado State University has a strong series of academic programs related to both natural and cultural resources. In addition, Colorado State University is located within several miles of the NPS Natural Resource Stewardship and Science (NRSS) offices.