Notice Of Intent San Luis Environmental Services Modification

A modification is requested for contract W912PL20F0027 in support of the O&M Navigation Program (Morro Bay and Port San Luis Harbor project) to (1): Implement the next phase of eelgrass and surfgrass mitigation as committed to the National Marine Fisheries Service in accordance with the 1996 amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act, Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation.

(2): Implement the next phase of the ESA listed steelhead biological and habitat monitoring consultation requirements pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA of 1973, as amended. Services must commence in August of 2024 in order for the government to avoid mitigation penalties that will result in the government incurring significant additional costs.

Additionally, completion of the tasks is critical to project success, for maintaining the current project schedule, and ensuring the Corps remains in compliance with federal environmental laws.

Unique/mandatory requirements include; (1) Contractor must have dive approval under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual (EM 385- 1-1, 302 November 2014), (2) Contractor must have demonstrable experience of at least three similar projects involving survey and mapping of surfgrass for impact evaluation purposes, (3) Contractor must have demonstrable experience of at least two projects in designing and performing successful eelgrass restoration involving Pacific eelgrass (Z. pacifica) in California and shall have experience with open coastal Pacific eelgrass habitats, (4) Contractor must have demonstrable experience with hydroacoustic monitoring, including both active and passive acoustic arrays, (5) Contractor must have demonstrable experience in the habitat and ecology of ESA listed salmonid species and Morro Bay.

Service will support the LA District’s O&M Navigation Program, ensuring project compliance with environmental laws and commitments made under the following laws; National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act, Endangered Species Act (ESA), Coastal Zone Management Act, and Clean Water Act. Previous market research was done on the base contract.