Department of the Interior’s Grant for Upper Arkansas River In-stream Habitat Restoration on Private Lands

Task 1: Project Planning and Design

The Planning and Design process will include the following:

– Obtain and set up a base maps for the private lands along the Arkansas River and Lake Fork

– Site visits and analysis of existing conditions

– Develop a conceptual plan with restoration cost estimates for each participating land owner

– Complete final plans, including engineering (and necessary surveying) for each participating land owner

Task 2: In-stream Habitat Restoration and Riparian Habitat Improvements

The plans will identify areas for in-stream habitat restoration and riparian habitat improvements along the Arkansas River and Lake Fork, such as pool excavation, in-stream structures (e.g. barbs, cross vanes), coarse woody debris, willow transplants, sedge mats, and/or riparian fencing. These actions will stabilize stream banks, create diverse stream morphology, and enhance riparian habitats.

Task 3: Project Coordination

The Recipient will provide overall project management and administrative oversight of the Upper Arkansas River NRDAR Private Lands In-Stream Restoration Project by engaging the Lake County Conservation District (Greg Brunjak) as Project Coordinator/Manager and HydroGeo Designs (Brett Jordan) as Construction Manager/Technical Advisor.

This Single Source Award is being made in accordance P.L. 111-88 Sec 112 which states: For fiscal year 2010, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with a State or political subdivision (including any agency thereof), or any not-for-profit organization if the agreement will: (1) serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the programs administered by the Department of the Interior; and (2) all parties will contribute resources to the accomplishment of these objectives. At the discretion of the Secretary, such agreements shall not be subject to a competitive process.” Since FWS’s Region 6 Regional Director has been designated as DOI’s authorized official for the Upper Arkansas River Basin Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration case, to act as the natural resource trustee on behalf of the DOI Secretary, and the Private In-Stream Habitat Restoration project was identified in the preferred alternative of the RP/EA, the criteria for P.L. 111-88 have been met.