U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grant for North Fork Powell River Watershed Restoration

DESCRIPTION: This is a Notice of Intent to award a Cooperative Agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Upper Tennessee River Roundtable (UTRR) for the purpose of implementing restoration activities within the North Fork Powell River watershed. These activities are being carried out as required by the consent decree (CD) that was entered with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia on March 5, 2001, to address natural resource damages resulting from a 1996 coal slurry spill. The in-stream and riparian habitat restoration activities are described within the publicly reviewed Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment for the Lone Mountain, Inc. Coal Slurry Spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment (Plan). The UTRR has been identified as the appropriate organization to implement the restoration activities, as they are uniquely qualified to accomplish the tasks efficiently and cost-effectively, and are located within the Powell River Watershed and have been intricately involved in the planning process of projects related to the Pennington Gap trail. The Agreement is for limited financial support for activities associated with establishment of the Pennington Gap Greenway, restoration of the riparian zone, and the reduction of sedimentation. Such activities include: stabilization of 800 feet of eroding bank and in-stream habitat work, including j-hook structures, a bankfull bench, bank grading and plantings with native woody shrubs and seedlings to stabilize banks, provide riparian habitat, and provide shade, root structure and leaf packs for aquatic species.

This Single Source Award is being made in accordance with Department of the Interior Policy 505 DM 2.14 B(1), which allows for award without competition to an unsolicited assistance application representing 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.

Substantial involvement on the part of the USFWS is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded. In particular, the USFWS will work closely with the Recipient to ensure that implementation of the project is consistent with the terms of the Scope of Work, the CD and the Plan; participate in relevant meetings and conservation planning actions; and review and provide comments on interim and final reports. In accordance with 505 DM 2.9 B the Service will be substantially involved.