Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority

Transcription

1 Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Respond by November, 21, 2014 Notice for Request for Qualifications

2 The newly formed Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority seeks qualified professionals for consultant ( Consultant ) services to develop a comprehensive watershed plan to focus on agricultural and urban conservation issues within the Walnut Creek Watershed. The consultant for the Walnut Creek WMA will develop a comprehensive assessment of the watershed including but not limited to assessing the physical environment and contributors to flooding and poor water quality and develop goals and strategic action steps to address the issues. Respondents must be able to demonstrate experience with the type of project described herein. Submission Requirements Statements submitted in response to this RFQ must address the following categories and be limited to 10 pages. Do not include company promotional materials in response to this RFQ. Project Team Outline the Project Team including the lead plus any key team members such as environmental experts, engineers, etc. who are critical for the consideration by the evaluation team. Provide complete information that explains the relationship between team members and their respective roles and contributions to this project. Experience Summarize the lead planners experience in complex, environmentally sensitive projects that require interaction with a broad range of stakeholders from urban and rural to public and private sectors specifically those within the Des Moines metro region. Describe project team s experience within the most recent 5 years related to watershed and regional scale planning, storm water management planning, environmental restoration, and green infrastructure planning and implementation. Demonstrate experience in completing projects of the scale and complexity envisioned in this draft RFQ on budget and on schedule. Projects identified in this response should include enough description for the reviewers to understand the scope and depth of the work and experience including project descriptions, key accomplishments, project size in total land, scope, timeline, budget and stakeholder engagement. Approach and Methodology Submit feedback including questions and approach for project implementation including commentary on the Scope of Services, Timeline and Milestones, and Funding. Discuss any existing commitments that may impede the Project Team s ability to complete the project in the suggested timeline. The Respondent may include additional services, tasks, etc. not identified in this RFQ that they believe will improve the project, reduce costs and time, and meet the needs of the plan development. Funding The Walnut Creek WMA understands the development of a watershed management plan, as described above, may be above the budgeted $130,500 in funds and requests the Consultant in response to this RFQ describe how to approach the scope of services. Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 1

3 RFQ Questions Questions may be submitted to Teva Dawson at the MPO by November 7. All questions and their responses will be sent out to all parties invited to respond to this RFQ and any additional parties requesting to be included. Responses will be sent by November 12. RFQ Submittal a pdf to Teva Dawson at the Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization at TDawson@dmampo.org and received no later than 4:00 pm. November, 21. Contract discussions and finalized Scope of Services will begin as soon as the qualified candidate is chosen with the hope that a contract will be executed in January of The Walnut Creek WMA reserves the right to make clarifications and corrections or changes in this RFQ. Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 2

4 Background The Walnut Creek (HUC-10) watershed encompasses 52,643 acres in Dallas and Polk Counties. Portions of the following communities fall within the watershed: Clive, Dallas Center, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights. Map of the watershed Land Cover in 2009: Water 0.8% Wetland or Flooded Area 0.8% Coniferous Forest 0.6% Deciduous Forest 11.6% Grass 21.8% Corn 20.4% Soybeans 25.7% Barren/Fallow 0.3% Structures 4.4% Roads/Impervious 13.0% Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 3

5 The Issues Known for flash flooding, the Walnut Creek Watershed is one of the most critical watersheds in Iowa. Walnut Creek Watershed has been targeted for multiple resource concerns. Walnut Creek is currently listed on the state 303d list for a low biotic index with the designated use of aquatic life being impaired. Multiple stretches of the Walnut Creek Watershed are also impaired and on the 303d list. Designated use impairments include drinking water high in nitrates, and primary contact caused by high bacteria levels. Other issues include: high nitrate levels, high E. coli bacteria levels, high turbidity, flash flooding, and stream bank erosion. Walnut Creek flows through one of the most quickly urbanizing watershed in Iowa. The overall stream quality of Walnut Creek is rapidly degrading. Walnut Creek is the last stream to outlet into the Raccoon River-one mile above the Des Moines Water Works intake valve. The water works provides drinking water to over 350,000 local residents. The 52,643 acre Walnut Creek Watershed is approximately 60% urban land use and 40% agricultural land use. However, this figure is rapidly changing as urban development in Greater Des Moines continues westward. The factors responsible for water impairment in the urban portion of the watershed include: soil erosion occurring from development sites, eroding stream banks, rapid storm water runoff, pollutants in urban storm water runoff including over-fertilization of lawns, and general lack of knowledge among residents regarding watershed functions and how their actions impact water

6 quality. Factors responsible for water quality issues originating from the agricultural portion of the watershed include: gully erosion, lack of nutrient management, and stream bank erosion. Portions of the watershed retain excellent natural habitat, while other isolated areas offer stabilized banks and forested buffers. However, many areas experience urban runoff and have been subject to channel alteration in an attempt to reduce severe erosion. Some areas have poor residential buffering, while others have numerous storm drains, outlets, and culverts that need proper protection from eroding banks. Other concerns throughout the watershed include a lack of riparian zone, mowed turf grass directly to the bank edge, trash and yard clippings being dumped in the stream, and downspouts that are directly tiled to the stream. The area of the watershed is also rapidly urbanizing. MPO projections for employment and population growth can be seen in the following maps. These projections are for communities within the MPO boundary only. With these rapid changes, it is imperative that this watershed planning process highlight the best practices for water quality protection Growth Population 90, ,330 41,229 Employment 95, ,597 23,510 Population Projection for 2050 Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 5

7 Employment Projection for 2050 Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 6

8 Consultant Scope of Services The goal of this project is to create a strategic road map for the Walnut Creek WMA. This roadmap will enable the Walnut Creek WMA to achieve its objectives of: Improving water quality; Reducing flooding; Restoring natural systems; Protecting human health; Creating a resilient community; and, Making informed land use and infrastructure decisions. Creating the Plan The Consultant will develop its watershed management plan based on the EPA Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters, the State of Iowa Smart Planning Principles, and a systems-based process that merges known natural resource data with applied science, engineering, and monitoring. The Consultant is responsible for the multi-step process as outlined below. Task 1: Stakeholder Input The Consultant will identify three tiers to engage multiple partners Group 1: Core Team Group 2: Stakeholders Group 3: General Public Output: Identifying three tiers of public outreach and engagement will position the Walnut Creek WMA to build successful relationships with all appropriate stakeholders. These relationships will enable the WMA to more effectively and efficiently implement the watershed management plan once it is complete. Group 1 the Core Team will take a more active and involved role in developing the watershed management plan. This group will be comprised of the Walnut Creek WMA Board of Directors and will provide key direction in developing the plan. The core team also will connect the WMA to other appropriate stakeholders including other WMAs in the region, offering further buy-in and support in moving this important work forward. Group 2 Stakeholders will be called upon regularly throughout the planning and implementation process to share their insights and experiences throughout the watershed. They also will help identify priority areas as well as early implementation opportunities in both rural and urban areas. Finally, Group 3 the General Public will be asked to share their concerns at key points in the planning process. Working with these three stakeholder groups will result in increased awareness of some of the issues facing the watershed. It also will result in the continued development of watershed champions, enhancing the likelihood of major improvements occurring in the area. Deliverable: Meetings, listening sessions and educational events. Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 7

9 Task 2: Review Existing Studies + Collect Data Leverage existing planning studies to identify priority areas (e.g., Raccoon River Watershed Master Plan, The Tomorrow Plan, Capital Crossroads, Clive Master Plan, etc.) Review existing data to identify opportunities for water quality improvement, habitat creation, land use synergies, and stream assessments Review existing agency plans to identify targeted greenway linkages Output: The community already has demonstrated its support for a number of plans, including The Tomorrow Plan, Capital Crossroads, the new Clive Master Plan, etc. Building on these plans will enable the Walnut Creek WMA to garner quick buy-in from residents, and looking at existing data will allow the WMA to expeditiously complete a baseline state of the watershed assessment. This evaluation will provide an invaluable understanding of the watershed as the WMA moves onto the next tasks. Deliverable: Baseline State of the Watershed Assessment Task 3: Watershed Resource Inventory Identify existing natural systems Characterize the watershed Gather existing data including monitoring data Iowa Soybean Association, Des Moines Water Works and other agencies Prepare RASCAL Assessment Identify green infrastructure opportunities Depending on funding levels of the grant, complete a hydrologic model. Output: Conducting a watershed resource inventory will provide a deeper understanding of the watershed. This also will help the Walnut Creek WMA prioritize areas for improvements. Physical mapping efforts will result in the following: wetlands, floodplains, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, detention basins, soil type, geological profile, hydric soils, erosion class, monitoring sites, depth to seasonably high water table, corn suitability rating, land use, land ownership (public and private), aerial photos, topography, recreational areas, habitat, general land office surveys, transportation networks, utility infrastructure and land use data within the watershed. Deliverable: Detailed inventory and watershed characterization. Task 4: Assessment of Issues Create a watershed baseline Identify potential impairment issues by reviewing urban, suburban, and rural sources. Explore issues including but not limited to: flood control, water quality, erosion and sediment control, agricultural and urban drainage, wetlands, groundwater, land use management, public education, social dynamics, demographics and funding. Identify pollutant reduction estimates and water quality targets see baseline measurement discussion below, particularly the Des Moines Water Works monitoring section Identify the location of integrated best management practices that address critical areas Identify policies and ordinances to guide future development Assemble opportunities Output: Understanding the pollutant loading throughout the Walnut Creek Watershed will support the WMA in identifying potential impairment sources, pollutant reduction estimates and water quality targets, and the location of best management practices. Deliverable: Assessment report. Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 8

10 Task 5: Watershed Action Plan Outline goals, objectives and actions for addressing key issues outlined in the assessment. Detail, prioritize and phase implementation activities Budget recommended phases Map opportunities by sub-watershed Identify practices and the number of practices required to achieve stated goals and expected results. Identify the specific community or agency responsible for action steps. Prepare draft model ordinances and policies Output: The Watershed Action Plan will include a prioritized list of implementation opportunities for the Walnut Creek WMA to pursue. The action plan will include a how-to implementation toolbox and draft model ordinances. Deliverables: Watershed Action Plan, Priority Implementation Opportunities How-To Toolbox for Plan Implementation + Draft Model Ordinances Task 6: Plan Implementation + Monitoring Success Depending on funding levels if this grant, prepare a water quality monitoring plan that integrates IOWATER, USGS, and Iowa Flood Center data as well as real time monitoring to continuously measure pollutant loading [samples should measure phosphorus, nitrogen, turbidity, ph, conductivity, and bacteria]. Output: Measuring changes in pollutant loading will be integral in understanding the progress the Walnut Creek WMA is making in terms of water quality improvements. This water quality monitoring plan will look to integrate IOWATER, USGS, and Iowa Flood Center data with real time monitoring. Deliverable: Water Quality Monitoring Plan Task 7: Education Plan Outline educational needs for the general public around water quality issues. Partner with the Iowa Soybean Association and the Polk and Dallas County Soil and Water Conservation Districts for outreach to landowners. Engage urban and rural policy makers as well as city and county staff such as city managers, planners and engineers in a greater understanding of the issues facing the watershed and key strategies Output: Working in conjunction with the groups outlined in Task 1, the Walnut Creek WMA will prepare a plan for continuing public, staff and policy-maker engagement and education. This plan will focused on watershed management strategies, water quality improvement, best practices, and opportunities for communities to take action. The strategies will be tailored to urban and rural areas. Public engagement and education opportunities will be woven throughout the plan, which will maximize the reach of the efforts. Deliverable: Communication pieces included in newsletters, radio spots, newspapers, etc. Training tailored to policy makers and key government staff. Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 9

11 Task 8: Final Plan Output: Prepare a website that outlines the planning process, shares summary of the data, identifies opportunities for members to take action, and provides updates on the activities of the WMA. Deliverable: Project Website Baseline for Measurement The Consultant will develop meaningful means to measure the outcomes of this planning process including but not limited to: RASCAL. A RASCAL will be completed and the current conditions of the stream corridor will be recorded. This will help to develop an appropriate and targeted monitoring plan going forward into the future to allow measurement of progress towards goals outlined in the watershed plan. Monitoring System. We also anticipate this plan will include a recommendation for a more comprehensive monitoring system. Once that monitoring system is in play, it will further establish a baseline for measurement. Source Water Sampling. The Des Moines Water Works laboratory will analyze water samples from the watershed. Samples will be analyzed for anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, bromide, and ortho phosphorous) and E. coli bacteria. The WMA wants to establish a baseline for our capacity to work together collaboratively. Toward that end, the Consultant will assist the WMA Board in establishing a baseline related to the WMA partners participation in: Funding support Technical assistance Attendance and participation in WMA meetings at the committee and board meeting Ordinance adoption Cooperation of monitoring site locations as recommended in the plan Engagement in public education opportunities Additionally the Consultant will set a qualitative attitudinal benchmark for rural and urban policy makers and key agency staff particularly planners, engineers, city managers and public works personnel. The Consultant will develop a series of focus groups and interviews to set this baseline. Projected Environmental Impact [Outcome] It is anticipated that implementation of the plan would help achieve the following outputs and outcomes: Increased adoption of BMPs in rural areas of the watershed Reduced impervious surface particularly in urban areas Increase greenspace/buffer along creek corridors Adoption of policies, ordinances and increased funding by local communities Nitrate, phosphorous and sediment reductions The planning process itself should also generate the following outcomes: Continued commitment to the coordinated efforts of the WMA and Board participation Commitment to policy and ordinance adoption as well as funding of projects Commitment to on-going technical assistance Continued engagement and education of staff, elected officials and the general public. Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 10

12 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Proposed Implementation Schedule + Milestones Obligation Contract signed with Consultant Task 1: Public Outreach + Input Sessions Task 2: Review Existing Studies + Collect Data Task 3: Watershed Resource Inventory Task 4: Pollutant Loading Task 5: Watershed Action Plan Task 6: Plan Implementation + Monitoring Success Task 7: Education Plan Task 8: Final Watershed Plan Updates to DNR Partner Contribution The Consultant will have the following partnerships to manage and record for grant reporting. The Walnut Creek Management Authority Board will meet at least twelve times during the course of the eighteen month contract. The City of West Des Moines will be the fiscal agent for the grant. Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will assist in regional mapping, providing existing data sets, outreach to policy makers at least two of the meetings of the MPO Policy Board which includes elected officials from each of the 19 communities in the region. If needed, the MPO can assist in the development of a basic website. Iowa Soybean Association will summarize data from monitoring sites to assist in the establishment of baseline. The association has several monitoring sites in the watershed, the longest term record goes back to the early 2000 and is located in the 63 rd and Grand Avenue area. They will also help with promotion through their communication channels including a weekly newsletter and a regular radio spot on WHO. The association would use the 60 second weekly radio spot to strategically highlight our activities. The association will also offer free tile water monitoring to landowners in the watershed. Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 11

13 Des Moines Water Works will provide in-kind sharing of monitoring data, contribute to the watershed assessment and plan development process and assist with drafting policy recommendations. Polk and Dallas County Soil and Water Conservation District s will continue to work with landowners in the watershed. They will promote the assessment and planning process and provide a linkage between the WMA and the rural agricultural landowners. The Urban Conservationist will continue to provide technical assistance and input on the assessment and watershed management planning process. Additional in-kind match is expected from many of the communities in the form of technical assistance, communication, and advising. Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 12

14 Related Plans State of Iowa s Nonpoint source Management Plan The Walnut Creek Watershed Management Plan needs to support the goals and objectives of the State of Iowa s Nonpoint Source Management Plan (NPSMP). Implementation strategies include informing the watershed communities about how Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollution can be reduced and about how planning management can assist the communities in reaching NPS pollution goals. The Walnut Creek WMA Watershed Plan needs to encourage rural-suburban-urban partnerships to address NPS pollution issues and to deliver approaches for the reduction of NPS. The following table outlines how the Walnut Creek WMA will need to address the NPSMP goals, objectives, and action steps. Goal 1: Build Partnerships to Enhance a Collaborative Watershed Approach to Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Objective 1.2 Organize Soil and Water Conservation Districts to cooperate within watershed boundaries 1.3 Develop local comprehensive visions and action plans for nonpoint source water quality within the HUC- 12 watershed 1.4 Implement smart planning principles, as provided by the Code of Iowa at the watershed level Walnut Creek WMA Actions Continue working with the Dallas County and Polk County Soil and Water Conservation Districts to conserve natural resources within the watershed and to provide educational outreach Engage Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners, ensuring that they are invited to meetings and that they take a lead role in shaping the plan Incorporate the smart planning principles into the Walnut Creek Watershed Management Plan 1.5 Increase coordination between public and private Explore potential funding opportunities and entities to better leverage existing funding include a section on these in the final plan Goal 2: Improve Technical Assistance, Outreach, and Education to Facilitate NPS Assessment, Planning, and Implementation Objective 2.3 Develop a consistent, understandable message about conservation set for delivery by multiple groups 2.6 Develop and implement conservation plans to adequately preserve soil productivity and to protect water quality for targeted priority areas Goal 3: Science-Based Performance Measures Objective 3.2 Develop local natural resource goals with targeted solutions to meet watershed needs Walnut Creek WMA Actions Engage multiple interests in the watershed to share a consistent message around the region Explore opportunities to increase the number of cost-share recipients that develop comprehensive conservation plans Walnut Creek WMA Actions Use technical assessments and modeling to set goals and identify high priority locations in the watershed Smart Planning Principles The Consultant will need to follow the state s guidelines for Smart Planning Principles. Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority Page 13