Bureau of Reclamation Grant: Rock Slough Fish Screen Improvement Phase II

1. Minimize the entrainment of fish resources associated with the diversion of water at the Rock Slough Intake of the Contra Costa Canal.
2. Reduce potential predation on target species in the Rock Slough Intake.
3. Fulfill legal requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2008 Biological Opinion for the threatened Delta smelt.
4. Complete the mitigation for the Los Vaqueros Biological Opinion.
5. Complete Central Valley Improvement Act requirements in Section 3406(b)(5).

The project fish screen (R0920R09) was substantially complete in November 2011.

There have been operational problems primarily associated with the automated debris handling system. This has included the take of salmon. The system has undergone extensive testing, currently all four rake units are operational, completing the construction contract obligations pending the final punch list details that were sent to the construction contractor Flatiron.

A re-design effort has been active since July 2012 to produce new specifications for removing and replacing the rake system. Monitoring of fish response to the automated debris handling system is also ongoing, having been initiated in November 2011 when the first salmon take was identified.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Objective 1.

Minimize or avoid take of endangered or threatened fish species at the Rock Slough Fish Screen facility. Information will be collected to allow development of recommended physical or operational modifications to support this goal. The modifications will be made in consultation with Reclamation.

Objective 2.

Ensure that the Rock Slough Fish Screen facility operates in good working order, to ensure protection of endangered fish species occurring at the facility. This includes reviewing operation of the screen cleaning and debris collection system, and recommending physical or operational modifications if needed to support this goal. The modifications will be made in consultation with Reclamation.

Objective 3.

Finalize land transfers necessary to complete the project. Plate map and conformed copy of Grant/Warrenty Deed, to be provided prior to completion date of September 30, 2014.

Objective 4.

Investigate the history and character of pump and channel modifications and ensure that corrections are made to the irrigation systems of neighboring landowners that have been impacted financially by the project. These landowners have experienced increased power costs because of changes made during the project, while they have received no benefit from the project. Perform unanticipated maintenance as needed to ensure that the facility operates without limiting water supply.

ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
Objectives Schedule
Objective 1: Rock Slough Fish Screen avoid take Date of execution through September 30, 2014
Objective 2: Rock Slough Fish Screen Facility Date of execution through September 30, 2014
Objective 3: Land Transfer Date of execution through September 30, 2014
Objective 4: Investigate pump and channel modifications Date of execution through September 30, 2014

Under this Agreement, both the Recipient and Reclamation shall be responsible for coordinating the various tasks required to complete this project and manage the work identified in the Agreement to complete all project tasks defined herein:

As set forth more specifically in the following provisions of this Agreement, Reclamation and the Recipient will perform task management in a coordinated manner. The primary responsibility for development of final designs and specifications, procurement of engineering / fisheries contractor(s), and changes in management of fish screen features shall be assigned to the Recipient as provided in this Agreement. To accomplish all work associated with engineering of fish screen features; various tasks will require development of intermediate work products, coordination, and communications from both Parties to this agreement. To accomplish individual and coordinated tasks Reclamation and Recipient shall each appoint one or more Project Managers with responsibility for day to-day coordination between the Parties and performance under this agreement.

Progress Reviews: Any and all work undertaken by the parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be open and subject to inspection by the other party or his/her representative in accordance with applicable laws, rules and policies during the progress thereof and upon completion.

The Project may be executed pursuant to multiple contracts. The Project Managers shall determine the number of contracts and the scope of each contract. However, it is expected that the contracts will generally fall within the following categories with respective responsibilities as identified, although distribution of work may change by mutual agreement of the Parties.

Format of deliverables under this agreement shall be as follows:

a. Letters and reports include performance, progress, and financial reports, shall be prepared using Microsoft Word.
b. Specifications shall be prepared using Microsoft Word.
c. All spreadsheets shall be prepared using Microsoft Excel
d. Drawings shall be prepared using AutoCAD 2007, and Reclamation’s drawing standards.

The Recipient shall obtain by contract or other mechanism consistent with the terms of this Agreement the services of an experienced consultant or provide knowledgeable and experienced staff for obtaining and analyzing design data and design criteria, and preparing designs and specifications for the type of Project work required under this Agreement.

Design of the project shall be accomplished in a partnered approach between the Recipient and Reclamation. Recipient and Reclamation will coordinate review and comment of these documents. Reclamation will have final approval of all solicitation documents offered for construction.

The Recipient is responsible for completing all scope of work activities identified in the Objective Section of the Scope of Work.

The Recipient shall commit no funds made available through this agreement for acquisition of equipment or components until Reclamation has reviewed and approved any and all plans and specifications.

The Recipient shall comply with the property standards under this Agreement.

Work Performed by Reclamation: Reclamation shall be responsible for review and approval of any and all drawings and specifications prepared in support of the Contra Costs Canal Fish Screen Facility.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part Reclamation is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, Reclamation will be responsible for the following:

The primary responsibility for development of final designs and specifications, procurement of engineering /fisheries contractor(s), and changes in management of fish screen features shall be assigned to the Recipient as provided in this Agreement. To accomplish all work associated with engineering of fish screen features; various tasks will require development of intermediate work products, coordination, and communications from both Parties to this agreement. To accomplish individual and coordinated tasks Reclamation and Recipient shall each appoint one or more Project Managers with responsibility for day to-day coordination between the Parties and performance under this agreement.

Progress Reviews: Any and all work undertaken by the parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be open and subject to inspection by the other party or his/her representative in accordance with applicable laws, rules and policies during the progress thereof and upon completion.

The Project may be executed pursuant to multiple contracts. The Project Managers shall determine the number of contracts and the scope of each contract. However, it is expected that the contracts will generally fall within the following categories with respective responsibilities as identified, although distribution of work may change by mutual agreement of the Parties

Reallocation of work responsibility will be made only upon written mutual agreement of the South-Central California Area Manager, the Mid-Pacific Region Grant Officer, and the Recipient

Format of deliverables under this agreement shall be as follows (See deliverable section):

a. Letters and reports include performance, progress, and financial reports, shall be prepared using Microsoft Word.
b. Specifications shall be prepared using Microsoft Word.
c. All spreadsheets shall be prepared using Microsoft Excel
d. Drawings shall be prepared using AutoCAD 2007, and Reclamation’s drawing standards.

Reclamation shall be responsible for review and approval of any and all drawings and specifications prepared in support of the Contra Costs Canal Fish Screen Facility.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
Reclamation did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(2) CONTINUATION
(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

This is a continuation to agreement R09AC20R09 objectives related to this particular Fish Screen Appurtenance CCWD is to provide similar assistance. CCWD has not finalized task due to operational problems primarily associated with the automated debris handling system.

The Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) is uniquely suited to provide Reclamation with these services because (1) they are have operated the Rock Slough diversion for more than 40 years; (2) The CCWD, a “Public Trust” agency organized under the Statures of the State of California and is responsible for all appurtenances of the delivery system; (3) The CCWD has an excellent record of data collection; promptly providing data and cooperation on analyses of the effects of our management actions on the engineering and fisheries.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

This Cooperative Agreement is entered into under the authority of The Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 – P.L. 102-575, Title 34 (CVPIA, Section 3406(b)(5),3407(e).

Section 3406 – Fish, Wildlife and habitat Restoration
(b) FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACTIVITIES- The Secretary, immediately upon the enactment of this title, shall operate the Central Valley Project to meet all obligations under State and Federal law, including but not limited to the Federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq., and all decisions of the California State Water Resources Control Board establishing conditions on applicable licenses and permits for the project. The Secretary, in consultation with other State and Federal agencies, Indian tribes, and affected interests, is further authorized and directed to:
(5) develop and implement a program to mitigate for fishery impacts resulting from operations of the Contra Costa Canal Pumping Plant No. 1. Such program shall provide for construction and operation of fish screening and recovery facilities, and for modified practices and operations. Costs associated with this paragraph shall be reimbursed in accordance with the following formula: 37.5 percent shall be reimbursed as main project features, 37.5 percent shall be considered a non-reimbursable Federal expenditure, and 25 percent shall be paid by the State of California.

Section 3407 – Restoration Fund

(e) of CVPIA also states in part that “If the Secretary of the Interior determines that the State of California or an agency or subdivision thereof … concerned with restoration, protection, or enhancement of fish, wildlife, habitat, or environmental values is able to assist in implementing any action authorized by this title in an efficient, timely, and cost effective manner, the Secretary is authorized to provide funding to such entity on such terms and conditions as he deems necessary to assist in implementing the identified action.”