The contractor is requesting this NCTE.  The January CCR (12697) is needed to continue the development of the "settlement" document under WE I, Produce a Plan.  Other WE have been extended, as appropriate, to tie to the extended performance period.  There is no "new" work be proposed for this CCR, only extending the performance period.  The settlement document is a joint effort with IDF&G and the ShoBan, the two other participants under SIWM program.  The contractor is also requesting that the performance schedule for this on-going work be changed to an "April 1 to March 31" performance period.  This CCR will allow for this performance change in the most effective manner. (DB)



Reason for contract Amendment/revision (CCR 00011075) (Initial plan was to submit this CCR in July 2007, but has been delayed pending the approval of Sub-contract WE language.  The language is final and reflected in the SOW.) :

A contractor will be hired to produce settlement documents for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and Idaho Fish and Game.  These documents will in turn be used by the three entities to have an informed starting point for settlement discussions with Bonneville.  The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and Idaho Fish and Game have been consistently meeting for the purpose of developing a Request for Proposal (RFP).  Upon reviewing the RFPs, the three entities plan to select the contractor who demonstrates the best overall expertise and value in order to complete the agreed upon tasks.  The contractor will be funded through a cost-shared contract from the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and Idaho Fish and Game using the SIWM contracts from each respective party.  The new activity covered under this amendment is located in WE I (the last WE).

Project Goal:
The objective of this project is to facilitate wildlife mitigation activities under the Southern Idaho Wildlife Mitigation Project in order to protect, enhance/restore and maintain riparian, shrub-steppe, and scrub-shrub wetland habitat at suitable sites in the Middle Snake Province as mitigation for wildlife losses associated with the construction of Black Canyon and Anderson Ranch hydroelectric projects.  Target species include mule deer, elk, Mallard, mink, Black-capped Chickadee, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, Blue Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Greater Sage Grouse, redband trout, and bull trout. This contract has been developed to cover personnel, administrative, and operating costs.  Many of the objectives and tasks listed throughout this document are conducted on an ongoing basis throughout the contract period.

Background:
In southern Idaho, a BPA debt of 73% of wildlife habitat losses identified in the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program remain to be mitigated in the area covered by the Southern Idaho Wildlife Mitigation (SIWM) project.  The SIWM group includes the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Idaho Fish and Game Department.

Tools that will be utilized to identify acquisition, protection, and enhancement sites include the GAP analysis program, BPA impact assessments, regional fish and wildlife data, input from regional professionals and working groups, and maps of available properties.

Location:
The Duck Valley Indian Reservation encompasses approximately 289,820 tribally-owned acres equally straddling the Idaho and Nevada border, and there are approximately 1,800 enrolled Tribal members.  The Reservation is in the Middle Snake Province and both the Bruneau and Owyhee subbasins.  The Reservation is both remote and isolated; the closest town centers are Elko, Nevada and Mountain Home, Idaho, both approximately 100 miles from the Reservation's small town of Owyhee.  These are also the closest areas to buy supplies for projects.

The Tribes will concentrate their mitigation efforts in the Middle Snake Province, which are the Tribes aboriginal lands.

Equipment:  
Over the past three years, no equipment has been purchased by the Tribes under this contract.  Consequently, no equipment list will be provided.

BUDGET:  Note that budget for this contract performance period is based on the FY 2006 SOY due to delayed decisions on the FY 2007 SOY budget.  

There is a "BPA Direct" expense associated with the project for  BPA real property services i.e., review of appraisals,  that is reflected in the SOW's budget of $77,541.  The FY 2006 SOY budget was $78,241.  BPA Direct expenses are planned at $700, therefore resulting in the current SOW budget of $77,541.  If BPA Direct expenses tor real property services exceed $700 (based on 1-day for appraisal review), additional modifications will be required - line-item adjustments will be required to de-obligate contract funds for BPA direct costs or new funds will have to be added to the contract.