St. Louis River Plant Biology & Community Ecological Expertise Project Support

The USFWS is part of a large, complex, multi-partner habitat restoration project at Kingsbury Bay and Grassy Point in the Lower St. Louis River, Duluth, MN. St. Louis River plant biology and vegetative community ecological expertise available from the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota Duluth (identification, natural history, conservation, establishment/restoration/enhancement, and management expertise and experience) is required to help the USFWS and project partners design, establish, and manage native vegetative communities in coordination with major construction activity (dredging and material placement). The outcome of the project will be restored and enhanced aquatic and shoreline habitat at Kingsbury Bay and Grassy Point, contributing to the recovery of the St. Louis River Area of Concern. This is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement to the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota Duluth without competition under justification 505DM 2.14.B.4. Competition for the award is not practical due to the unique expertise and experience that NRRI has in the identification, natural history, and conservation of plants and vegetative communities in the Lower St. Louis River area. The USFWS requires this expertise and experience to help the USFWS and project partners design, establish, and manage native vegetative communities in coordination with major construction activity.