Department of the Interior: 2017 San Luis Water District-Kaljian Drainwater Reuse Project Grant

The major source of salinity in the lower San Joaquin River is subsurface drainwater discharged from the 97,000 acre Grasslands Drainage Area (GDA). The application of irrigation water releases soluble salts and minerals to subsurface drainwater that can be harmful to aquatic wildlife.

The WRDP identified four main activities to manage and reduce the volume of subsurface drainwater: source control, groundwater management, re-use of the drainwater, and treatment/disposal of salts.

Federal and non-federal match funds have been used for various WRDP activities such as lining canals to reduce seepage, construction of wells to manage shallow groundwater, planting salt tolerant crops to be irrigated with the drainwater, construction of pumps and pipelines to distribute drain water to these crops, and the elimination

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Recipient shall carry out this Scope of Work in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein. The Recipient shall adhere to Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, as applicable, and shall obtain all required approvals and permits. If the Scope of Work contains construction activities, the Recipient is responsible for construction inspection, oversight, and acceptance. If applicable, the Recipient shall also coordinate and obtain approvals from site owners and operators.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

No substantial involvement on the part of Reclamation is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. It is anticipated that Reclamation’s involvement will consist of standard federal stewardship responsibilities such as monitoring project performance, technical assistance at the request of the recipient, etc.

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

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

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.

The Recipient is the public entity that is responsible for providing drainage service to farmers in the Grassland Drainage Area. The Recipient owns and operates local drainwater management facilities including more than 6,000 acres of land where agricultural drainwater is displaced to irrigate salt-tolerant crops.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934, Public Law 85-624, 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq., as amended, and Section 7(a) of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) (70 Stat 1122; 16 U.S.C. 742f(a)) ); as limited and delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Bureau of Reclamation at 255 DM 1.1B

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934, Public Law 85-624, 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq., as amended, and Section 7(a) of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) (70 Stat 1122; 16 U.S.C. 742f(a)); as limited and delegated by the Secretary of the Interior delegation of authority to the Bureau of Reclamation at 255 DM 1.1B:

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. § 661, states in part: [T]o provide that wildlife conservation shall receive equal consideration and be coordinated with other features of water-resource development programs through the effectual and harmonious planning, development, maintenance, and coordination of wildlife conservation and rehabilitation … the Secretary of the Interior is authorized (1) to provide assistance to, and cooperate with, Federal, State, and public or private agencies and organizations in the development, protection, rearing, and stocking of all species of wildlife, resources thereof, and their habitat, in controlling losses of the same from disease or other causes, ….

Department Manual Part 255 DM 1.1b Delegation. Subject to the exceptions in Section 1.2, the Commissioner of Reclamation (Commissioner) is delegated the authority of the Assistant Secretary – Water and Science to:
B. Take the following actions, either directly or by providing financial assistance to non-Federal parties, pursuant to the Conservation of Wild Life, Fish and Game Act of March 10, 1934 (Public Law 73-121; 48 Stat. 401) as amended by the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of August 14, 1946 (Public Law 85-624; 72 Stat. 563; 16 U.S.C. 661-666c); Section 5 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, December 28, 1973 (Public Law 93-205; 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1534); and Section 7(a) of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1956, August 8, 1956 (70 Stat. 1122; 16 U.S.C. 742f(a)), regarding the construction and/or continued operation and maintenance of any Federal reclamation project:

(1) plan, design, and construct, including acquiring lands or interest therein as needed for:
(a) fish passage and screening facilities at any non-Federal water diversion or storage project; or
(b)projects to create or improve instream habitat.

(2) acquire or lease water or water rights from willing sellers or lessors; or
(3) monitor and evaluate the effect of Reclamation actions on Endangered Species Act- listed species.

6.F. Environmental Management (ENV). The following are the exceptions or limitations to the delegation of authority to the regional directors under this series of the RM.
(1) Environmental Management Systems. The deputy commissioners, regional directors, and directors are delegated the authority to implement Environmental Management Systems at their respective regions and program offices (515 DM 4).
(2) Fish and Wildlife. The regional directors and the Director, Management Services Office, are delegated the authority pursuant to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 USC 661-666c); Section 5 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 USC 1534); and Section 7(a) of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 USC 742f(a» to take the following actions, either directly or by providing financial assistance to non-Federal parties (255 DM 1.1.B.). Authority to award financial assistance agreements for projects associated with off-site locations (Paragraph 6.F.(2)(b» is limited to the regional directors and Director, Management Services Office. The authority of the regional directors and Director, Management Services Office to award financial assistance agreements for all other projects authorized by this delegation can only be redelegated to designated grants officers.
(a) Conduct activities for the improvement of fish and wildlife habitat associated with water systems or water supplies affected by Reclamation projects, including but not limited to fish passage and screening facilities at any non-Federal water diversion or storage project within the region;
(b) plan, design, construct, and monitor, including acquire lands or interest therein as needed, instream habitat improvements, including but not limited to fish passage screening facilities at off-site locations (as negotiated on privately owned lands and facilities not associated with a Reclamation project);
(c) acquire or lease water or water rights from willing sellers or lessors; and
(d) monitor and evaluate the effect of Reclamation actions on fish and wildlife resources including Endangered Species Act-listed species.