NPS Grant: Wetland Monitoring for Ungulate Management in Great Sand Dunes NP

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P15AS00368
Project Title Enhanced Wetland Monitoring Relative to Ungulate Management in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Recipient Colorado State University
Total Anticipated Award Amount $29,999.00
Cost Share none
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of final signature through December 31, 2018
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of final signature through December 31, 2018
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a) & (b); 54 USC 100703
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research & Training Programs-Resources of NPS CESUs
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GSDNP) is preparing and Ungulate Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (UMP/EIS) and, based on input and advice from the planning team, is to build upon and enhance existing Rocky Mountain Network (ROMN) Wetland Ecological Integrity (WEI) monitoring to provide information for the UMP/EIS and other potential future management actions at GSDNP.

This project focuses on evaluating and monitoring the response of wetlands to ungulate management, hydrology and climate change in GSDNP. It will provide scientists, managers and the public with an understanding of how wetland and riparian communities regulated by weather and near surface hydrology respond to recent and greatly increased ungulate use as well as climate change and other stressors. This applies to wetlands in the park and in other areas in the San Luis Valley and other high elevation arid environments. The project also provides research, learning and seasonal employment opportunities for current and recent undergraduate and graduate students who will conduct the fieldwork.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Cooperatively with the Wetlands Program of the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) at Colorado State Univ. (CSU) plan for and implement enhanced wetland monitoring. The CHNP Wetlands Program has many years of experience monitoring wetlands in the San Luis Valley and across Colorado. CNHP is also very familiar with GSDNP having been a partner with NPS and others to complete the GSDNP vegetation map and inventory.

The objectives of this Task Agreement include a draft enhanced wetland monitoring plan of wetlands relative to the UMP/EIS; a first round of field monitoring (at ~40 wetland sites); a certified dataset for those sites, and a report detailing the analysis of the data relative to ungulates in GSDNP. The report will include draft ecological thresholds and/or management assessment points.

The results of this work will include estimates of wetland status and ecological thresholds and management assessment points. The results are intended to inform the UMP/EIS process and content. The results are also intended to help park staff, scientists and the public understand the dynamics of hydrology, vegetation and ungulates, and how wetland and riparian systems could respond to climate change, ungulate management, and potential future management actions such as hydrological restoration (e.g., removing wells or ditches).

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Work with the NPS ROMN to collaboratively adapt the ROMN Wetland Ecological Integrity Monitoring protocol to inform the UMP/EIS process and content.
2. Provide a field crew to conduct the work.
3. Recruit, train and supervise field technicians assigned to the project. Ensure that crew members have good botanical ID skills and are able to work safely in the remote back country of GSDNP.
4. Work with NPS-ROMN data management staff to adapt the ROMN WEI database so it can manage the field data collected during this project. This may involve providing insight and advice on CNHP data management approaches and sources of information useful for wetland monitoring (e.g. sources of reliable and up-to-date vascular plant species information for the SLV and Colorado).
5. Work with NPS-ROMN to QA/QC field data so the ROMN can ���certify��� and share the data w/partners and stakeholders (e.g. GSDNP staff and the UMP team).
6. Work with NPS-ROMN to analyze and interpret the data and publish the information as a report in the NPS Natural Resource Publication Management series and in scholarly journals. CNHP���s participation in this task will be primarily through a data analysis and interpretation workshop with participants from GSDNP, the UMP team, CSU, USGS, and others).

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

1. Provide financial assistance for this Task Agreement.
2. Work with the CSU/CNHP PI to adapt the ROMN WEI monitoring protocol to GSDNP to inform the UMP/EIS process and content, potential future hydrological restoration, and ecological integrity of wetlands in GSDNP.
3. Provide training for field technicians in ROMN WEI monitoring as well as backcountry travel and safety training for working in GSDNP.
4. Lead the data management effort needed to achieve the goals and products of this Task Agreement.
5. Provide statistical analysis and interpretation of data and ensure that results are peer reviewed and published in the NPS National Resource Publication Management Series and, as appropriate, scholarly journals.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.
In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Unsolicited Proposal ��� The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;
(2) 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;
(3) Legislative intent ��� The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress��� intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;
(4) 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;
(5) Emergencies ��� Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

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

This is a Task Agreement (P15AC01707) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $29,999.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 12/31/2018.

“This proposed project between Colorado State University and the NPS is authorized to go through the Rocky Mountains CESU at the negotiated overhead rate of 17.5% because it passes the test of substantial involvement by the NPS, public purpose and consistency with the mission of the CESU Network”.

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P15AS00368
Project Title Enhanced Wetland Monitoring Relative to Ungulate Management in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Recipient Colorado State University
Total Anticipated Award Amount $29,999.00
Cost Share none
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of final signature through December 31, 2018
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of final signature through December 31, 2018
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a) & (b); 54 USC 100703
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research & Training Programs-Resources of NPS CESUs
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GSDNP) is preparing and Ungulate Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (UMP/EIS) and, based on input and advice from the planning team, is to build upon and enhance existing Rocky Mountain Network (ROMN) Wetland Ecological Integrity (WEI) monitoring to provide information for the UMP/EIS and other potential future management actions at GSDNP.

This project focuses on evaluating and monitoring the response of wetlands to ungulate management, hydrology and climate change in GSDNP. It will provide scientists, managers and the public with an understanding of how wetland and riparian communities regulated by weather and near surface hydrology respond to recent and greatly increased ungulate use as well as climate change and other stressors. This applies to wetlands in the park and in other areas in the San Luis Valley and other high elevation arid environments. The project also provides research, learning and seasonal employment opportunities for current and recent undergraduate and graduate students who will conduct the fieldwork.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Cooperatively with the Wetlands Program of the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) at Colorado State Univ. (CSU) plan for and implement enhanced wetland monitoring. The CHNP Wetlands Program has many years of experience monitoring wetlands in the San Luis Valley and across Colorado. CNHP is also very familiar with GSDNP having been a partner with NPS and others to complete the GSDNP vegetation map and inventory.

The objectives of this Task Agreement include a draft enhanced wetland monitoring plan of wetlands relative to the UMP/EIS; a first round of field monitoring (at ~40 wetland sites); a certified dataset for those sites, and a report detailing the analysis of the data relative to ungulates in GSDNP. The report will include draft ecological thresholds and/or management assessment points.

The results of this work will include estimates of wetland status and ecological thresholds and management assessment points. The results are intended to inform the UMP/EIS process and content. The results are also intended to help park staff, scientists and the public understand the dynamics of hydrology, vegetation and ungulates, and how wetland and riparian systems could respond to climate change, ungulate management, and potential future management actions such as hydrological restoration (e.g., removing wells or ditches).

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Work with the NPS ROMN to collaboratively adapt the ROMN Wetland Ecological Integrity Monitoring protocol to inform the UMP/EIS process and content.
2. Provide a field crew to conduct the work.
3. Recruit, train and supervise field technicians assigned to the project. Ensure that crew members have good botanical ID skills and are able to work safely in the remote back country of GSDNP.
4. Work with NPS-ROMN data management staff to adapt the ROMN WEI database so it can manage the field data collected during this project. This may involve providing insight and advice on CNHP data management approaches and sources of information useful for wetland monitoring (e.g. sources of reliable and up-to-date vascular plant species information for the SLV and Colorado).
5. Work with NPS-ROMN to QA/QC field data so the ROMN can ���certify��� and share the data w/partners and stakeholders (e.g. GSDNP staff and the UMP team).
6. Work with NPS-ROMN to analyze and interpret the data and publish the information as a report in the NPS Natural Resource Publication Management series and in scholarly journals. CNHP���s participation in this task will be primarily through a data analysis and interpretation workshop with participants from GSDNP, the UMP team, CSU, USGS, and others).

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

1. Provide financial assistance for this Task Agreement.
2. Work with the CSU/CNHP PI to adapt the ROMN WEI monitoring protocol to GSDNP to inform the UMP/EIS process and content, potential future hydrological restoration, and ecological integrity of wetlands in GSDNP.
3. Provide training for field technicians in ROMN WEI monitoring as well as backcountry travel and safety training for working in GSDNP.
4. Lead the data management effort needed to achieve the goals and products of this Task Agreement.
5. Provide statistical analysis and interpretation of data and ensure that results are peer reviewed and published in the NPS National Resource Publication Management Series and, as appropriate, scholarly journals.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.
In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Unsolicited Proposal ��� The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;
(2) 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;
(3) Legislative intent ��� The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress��� intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;
(4) 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;
(5) Emergencies ��� Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

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

This is a Task Agreement (P15AC01707) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $29,999.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 12/31/2018.

“This proposed project between Colorado State University and the NPS is authorized to go through the Rocky Mountains CESU at the negotiated overhead rate of 17.5% because it passes the test of substantial involvement by the NPS, public purpose and consistency with the mission of the CESU Network”.