National Park Service Youth Crew for Trail Rehabilitation Grant Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Number: FY2014-VOYA-YCC-0001
Park: Voyageurs National Park
360 Minnesota 11
International Falls, MN 65549
Project title: YCC-Rehabilitate Hiking Trails -YCC
Proposed Project Date: 06/16/2014 – 07/06/2014
Estimated funding available: $28,000.00
Number of Positions Available: Youth Crew

Summary:
This project involves rehabilitation of 8.4 miles of hiking/ski trails located throughout the park. The project incorporates water bar replacement and cleanout, culvert repair and maintenance, trail brushing, bridge repair, sign replacement, rock cairn installation and adding fill to areas in need. The crew will need to be able to be self-sufficient and have the ability to camp in the backcountry of Voyageurs National Park.

Background:
Voyageurs National Park encompasses 218,000 acres in northern Minnesota. The mission of the park is to preserve the landscape and scenic waterways that shaped the route of the North American fur traders and defined the border between the United States and Canada. The park and its diverse resources provide outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, scientific study, sport-fishing, education, and appreciation of the north woods lake-country setting. The park is located near International Falls, Minnesota and Kabetogama, Ash River, and Crane Lake, Minnesota. The park is adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Superior National Forest. Daily mean temperatures average a comfortable 70 degrees with low humidity in the summer. Winter temperatures average 5 degrees with moderate snowfall. Fishing, boating, winter sports and other outdoor activities are the dominant recreational activities. One two-year college, schools (K-12), a hospital and medical facilities, churches, library, movie theater, and shopping are located in the community of International Falls.

Projects and Work Activities for 2014:
● Brush approximately 6.6 miles of hiking/ski trails
● Repair or replace 10-15 water bars located on park’s backcountry trail systems.
● Repair a 20’ section of bridge that has collapsed along trail system.
● Replace worn out or non-functioning signs along the trails.
● Construct rock cairns where needed along trails.

Work will include brushing trail system with brush saw or lopers, grubbing out debris in water bars and replacing water bars, removing and installing signage, constructing trail bridge, constructing rock cairns and adding fill in wash outs or depressions along trail. Work will be performed outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions. Crew will be spike camped out in the park for the majority of the project. Crew must be self-sufficient once project has been explained and site visit occurs. Transportation of crew to park will be their responsibility, transportation on waterways will be provided by park.

Skills desired:
Hand tools – Some experience
Power Saws – Some experience
Trail maintenance – Some experience

Materials Requested for Statement of Information/Qualifications:
Prepare a Statement of Information (three-page maximum) including a summary of how you would implement and manage this project in conjunction with NPS staff. Include your name, organization, and contact information, a brief description of the organization and mission, as well as a description of relevant qualifications and experience with recruiting and placement of youth interns, past projects, and staff, faculty, or students who would be available to work on the project. In conjunction with the Statement of Information you are also required to submit a preliminary bid. The Statement of Information and preliminary bid will be reviewed by the NPS in order determine the organization best suited to provide services for this specific project. Final costs and budget will be negotiated following selection of a recipient. Submit electronic Statement of Interest to catherine_schroeder@nps and julie_hendricks@nps.gov by 5:00 CST on Friday, February 7, 2014 as well as any questions you may have concerning the project.