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Contract Information
Contract Number 117.2017 C-21
Project Name Filoha- Baseline Wildlife and Vegetation Surveys
Contractor Western Ecological Resource, Inc
Budget Line Item 118.57.02100.82000 $ 70,142.35
$Additional Budget Line $ _
Item(s)
(Please fully allocate New Contract Total)
_ $ 70,142.35
Procurement Method: Formal
Type: Services/Maintenance
Contract Start Date 6/1/2018
Contract End Date 12/31/2018
Contract Type Task Order
Retaina_e N/A
If this is a new contractor, please request they complete and submit to Finance a New Vendor Request Form.
Contact Information:
Depaitiuent Open Space & Trails
County Representative Gary Tennenbaum County Representative (970) 920-5355
Phone
Provide a brief description of the contract:
Collect baseline wildlife data. The vegetation baseline data collected in 2005 is unavailable and new baseline is
needed.
Contract Value Summary:
Original Contract Amount $ 70,142.35
Previous Change Order/Amendment Amount $This Change order/Amendment amount $New Contract Total $ 70,142.35
NOTE: Clerks Office will keep original documents in compliance with Colorado State Archives retainage
Master Service Agreement#: 117.2017 Rev:2018-01-17 btf
41 i1'KIN
COUNT
TASK ORDER
Task Order/Project Name: Filoha-Baseline Wildlife and Vegetation Surveys
Task Order Number: 117.2017 C-21
Task Order Budget Line Item: 118.57.02100.82000
OWNER: CONTRACTOR:
Pitkin County Western Ecological Resource, Inc.
Gary Tennenbaum—Open Space and Trails David Johnson,Project Director
806 W. Hallam St. 711 Walnut Street
Aspen, CO 81611 Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: (970) 920-5355 Phone: (303)449-9009
gary.tennenbaum@pitkincounty.com david@westerneco.com
PROJECT NAME: FILOHA-BASELINE WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION SURVEYS
START DATE: May 1,2018
END DATE: December 31, 2018
The Master Service Agreement for Provision of On-Call Ecological Services (the "Agreement") dated
May 26,2017 between the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County(the"County") and Western
Ecological Resource, Inc. 711 Walnut Street Boulder, CO 80302 (the "Contractor"), shall include the
following services.
1. Contractor's Obligations.
Although avian monitoring has been conducted at Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve(FMNP) since
2002,baseline wildlife surveys for other taxa have not been implemented to date. In addition, although
a baseline vegetation survey was conducted in 2005,that data is unavailable. As such,baseline wildlife
and vegetation surveys following the protocols established by Contractor's (WER) (2011)and Colorado
Wildlife Science (CWS)(2014)will be conducted at FMNP in 2018 to prepare for the next iteration of
the Management Plan.
A revision of the Management Plan for this high-profile property is slated for the near future. Since the
purchase of the properties that comprise FMNP,the only baseline wildlife survey implemented to date
is the OST Avian Monitoring Protocol. Given FMNP's importance to bighorn sheep, elk, and many
other species, it is critical to evaluate the baseline habitat conditions and develop a better understanding
of the wildlife communities that use the property,how they use it, and whether there are management
actions that can improve conditions for the species that currently use FMNP and increase overall species
richness and diversity. In addition, although vegetation monitoring was initiated in 2005,that effort was
not continued and the data has been lost. As such, it is important to establish a new baseline,reestablish
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Master Service Agreement#: 117.2017 Rev:2018-01-17 btf
the monitoring effort, and determine if current management is best suited to promote floristic diversity
and benefit the rare species known to occur on the property.
Also, several high-profile projects such as the Crested Butte to Carbondale Trail may be constructed
near or on this property. Therefore,this study will provide critical baseline information on the wildlife
and vegetation of FMNP for planning purposes.
General Wildlife Surveys via Terrestrial Visual Encounter Surveys
General wildlife surveys will be conducted to determine wildlife species diversity and habitat use. The
method for these surveys will be Terrestrial Visual Encounter Surveys (TVES) arranged according to
the MSIM protocols. TVES are general wildlife surveys designed to detect a variety of terrestrial
species, especially mammals(e.g.,ungulates, lagomorphs),reptiles, and diurnal raptors (Forys and
Humphrey, 1997; Weckerly and Ricca,2000)as well as less common or difficult to detect landbirds
(Manley et al.,2006). As a result, TVES is a core survey method for all classes of vertebrates as a
companion to taxon-specific core survey methods. Sampling areas will be contained within two 200 m
radius hexagonal areas occupying approximately 10 ha(i.e., "10 ha sampling hexagon") centered on
avian monitoring points. The relatively large area occupied by the sampling hexagon reflects the desire
for surveys to encounter the variety of vegetation types and conditions that occur in proximity to the
monitoring point,thus increasing the number of species available for detection(Manley et al.,2006).
The TVES hexagons will encompass representative areas of each major vegetation type of the property.
The TVES will be conducted in the period from June through August in conjunction with the diurnal
raptor and nocturnal bird surveys with each survey contributing information on multiple taxa of interest.
Two observers will search within each TVES hexagon. Observers follow a transect that loops through
the hexagon at-50 m spacing. The length of each route on each half of the sample unit is approximately
1200 m, for a total of 2400 m. One of the six points of the hexagon is randomly selected as the start
point for the first visit, and then the second visit randomly selects from all but the point opposite the
point selected for the first visit so that the second visit is along a different route than the first visit.
Observers use pre-established GPS coordinates along the center line and perimeter of the hexagon and
compass bearings(checked periodically)to walk the transect lines.
Wildlife signs to be recorded include direct species observation,beds,pellets,nests, fur or feathers,
burrows, dens, latrines,prey remains,vegetation browse, food caches, and markings on the ground or
on tree bark. Data recorded on datasheets will include: date,time, general location,weather conditions,
vegetation type,wildlife sign observed, specific location or GPS coordinates of sign,photographs of
sign, and incidental wildlife species observed.
Camera Surveys
Camera trap arrays, combined with TVES, are effective methods to detect a large proportion of medium
to large mammal species. The sampling design for the camera arrays will maximize the probability of
photographing an adequate sample of terrestrial mammals. The camera data will be used to augment
and support the TVES rather than as a separate data source. It is intended to monitor changes in the
community of ground-dwelling,terrestrial vertebrates,and not to monitor the abundance of individual
species. This is an important distinction.As such,the sampling design represents a compromise
between the level of effort required to detect species that range over large areas(>100 km2) such as elk
and mountain lions and the effort required to detect species with smaller home ranges(-1 km2), such as
terrestrial birds(e.g. wild turkey, dusky grouse) and smaller carnivores (e.g. long-tailed weasel,badger).
Camera traps will be implemented at TVES monitoring points with the camera placed at the center of
the 200 m radius sampling hexagon centered on the MSIM monitoring point. The MSIM survey method
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Master Service Agreement#: 117.2017 Rev:2018-01-17 btf
described here(Manley et al., 2006)includes camera arrays designed to detect as broad an array of
medium and large-bodied mammals as possible. Each array includes five cameras: one camera station is
located 100 m from the centerpoint at a random bearing; a second camera is located 500 m at 0 degrees;
a third and fourth camera are located 500 m from the centerpoint at either 90 or 270 degrees; and the
fifth is placed at 500 m at 180 degrees. The exact location of the camera station is determined based on
the nearest tree to which the camera and bait can be attached(commercial trapping lures will be used to
bait each station). The survey will be conducted over a 10-day period during the summer after which the
array is moved to the second TVES hexagon. Given the mammalian species of concern at FMNP,the
camera arrays,depending on feedback from OST,will be installed in the fall.
Nocturnal Bird Surveys
Nocturnal owl surveys will be conducted at points established for the avian monitoring surveys per
Bibby et al. (1992). The route will be surveyed once per monitoring period at the time of year when
vocal activity of the majority of species is greatest. The route will be surveyed once in May. Owls are
strongly territorial during their breeding season, and readily respond to perceived conspecific intruders.
Consequently,when a person imitates an owl's calls within the owl's territory,the owl usually responds
by calling back and often flying closer to the person. Portions of this protocol were adapted from
surveys conducted in western Montana since the mid 1980's (Holt and Hillis, 1987). The survey will be
conducted no earlier than 30 minutes after sunset.At each station,the surveyor will broadcast three
times in three directions. First,the surveyor will rotate 60°right or left(determined randomly)from the
direction of travel,play taped vocalizations for 10 seconds, and then listen and search in all directions
for owl responses for 30 seconds. The broadcast and observation procedures are then repeated two more
times after rotating 120°from the previous broadcast. Any detection will be recorded by the locations of
survey points.A compass bearing and distance to the owl will be also be recorded with the location and
then documented via GIS (Blakesley, 2009).Any other wildlife encountered will be recorded by species
and location. Particular effort will be made to note the occurrence of any non-owl nocturnal birds such
as nighthawks and common poorwill, amphibians,bats, and predators.
Diurnal Raptor Surveys
Broadcast survey methods will be conducted to determine use of the property by diurnal birds of prey
and whether any active nests occur on or adjacent to the property. Broadcast stations will be established
every 150 m along a single north-south transect running the length of the property. In addition to the
broadcast survey,visual nest searches will be conducted throughout forest and woodland habitat at
FMNP to determine whether any inactive nests or non-responsive nesting raptors occur on the property.
At each station,the observer will broadcast alarm calls in four directions, at 45° angles to the transect.
Each 10-sec broadcast in a specific direction will be followed by 30 sec of scanning and listening for
responses.At each station,the observer will broadcast sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper's hawk, and
northern goshawk alarm calls, in that order,to avoid potential size-related inhibitory effects. If any
raptor is detected,the observer will record the species, age, and sex,when possible; an assessment of
the observer's confidence in identifying the responding species(i.e., confident or not confident, as
supported by a description of what was heard and/or seen);time of response;time elapsed since first
call broadcast; species of call broadcasted immediately preceding the detection;response type(i.e., call,
call and approach, call and flyby, silent approach, silent fly-by); estimated distance and bearing to
response; station number and location; and general vegetation characteristics surrounding the detection
point(i.e.,maturity and stature of aspen forest).
Baseline Vegetation Monitoring
EM Ecological completed baseline vegetation monitoring along eight(8) 50-meter long vegetation
cover transects in 2005,but the transects have not been sampled since that time. Therefore,we will
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repeat the vegetation sampling using the line point-intercept method previously used. Additional
transects may also be installed in areas not previously surveyed. Quantitative species richness data will
be collected by listing all vascular plant species present in a two-meter-wide by 50-meter-long quadrat
centered along the cover transect. Contractor will update the floristic inventory checklist,update the
vegetation type map,report the general condition of each of the vegetation types, and map and describe
invasive weed populations.
Expected Results and Deliverables
Deliverables will include a Wildlife&Vegetation Monitoring Report which will describe the field work
methodology,results,and conclusions; and include GIS maps depicting survey locations, a vegetation
type map, and photographs. For wildlife, Contractor will additionally include the current efficacy of
wildlife habitat,the status of Management Indicator Species, and a list of wildlife known to occur on the
property. For vegetation resources, Contractor will include an updated floristic inventory checklist, a
description of each of the vegetation types and their condition, and data tables summarizing the results
of the quantitative data including vegetation cover values,total species richness and species richness of
introduced and native plants, and the mean C (coefficient of conservatism). Contractor will summarize
the results per plant community type and analyze any changes over the last 13 years. Contractor will
provide OST all GIS shapefiles, GPS data, and raw data collected during the 2018 surveys in order to
facilitate future studies.
The field work would be completed during the growing season and the report prepared before the end of
the year.
Budget Estimates:
Professional Time $60,358.00
Expenses 2,269.10
Project Management 12% 7,515.25
Total $70,142.35
2. Compensation and Expenses, Invoicing, Payment and Offset. The County shall compensate
Contractor for its services in accordance with the Project Budget and Schedule set out in Paragraph 1
of this Task Order. It is expressly understood and agreed that in no event will the total compensation
and reimbursement to be paid hereunder exceed the sum of seventy thousand one hundred forty-two
dollars and thirty-five cents ($70,142.35) for all services rendered. By Task Order or Task Order
Amendment, the County and Contractor may reallocate the budget among project tasks if the total
budget amount remains unchanged. Contractor shall invoice for the project monthly based on hours
worked, with payment expected within thirty (30) days of invoice, but any payment by the County
may be offset by any amount the Contractor owes the County for any reason.
Any invoices not sent in the following manner may have payment delayed. All invoices for this Task
Order shall reference Task Order 117.2017 C-21 and Filoha-Baseline Wildlife and Vegetation Surveys.
Invoices shall be sent electronically in PDF format to gary.tennenbaum@pitkincounty.com and
fran.soroka@pitkincounty.com.
3. Pitkin County's Obligations. Pitkin County shall administer this contract through a County
Representative. Gary Tennenbaum, Director will manage the project as the County's Representative.
The services provided and products delivered by the Contractor under this contract will be subject to
review by the County's Representatives, or a designee, for compliance with Contractor's obligations
prior to final payment.
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Master Service Agreement#: 117.2017 Rev:2018-01-17 btf
4. Formation of Task Order. This Task Order is issued in accordance with the provisions of the
Agreement. Contractor agrees to provide services subject to the terms of this Task Order and for the
avoidance of doubt this Task Order consists of the terms set out in the Agreement. In all other respects
the Agreement is in full force and effect and remains unchanged by this Task Order.
WESTERN ECOLOGICAL RESOURCE, INC.
Dkvik Jo4uum, Presam4 Jun-27-2018
David Johnson, President Date
President
PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL:
Ga.Y'ui fiUA,In,t,In,1A,U.w4 Jun-2 9-2 018
Gary Tennenbaum Date
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Director
COUNTY MANAGER:
Jul-03-2018
Jon Peacock Date
County Manager
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