Big River Mussel Habitat Model

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is beginning a study within the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District to model habitat criteria for freshwater mussels in the Big River. This is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement to the University of Missouri without competition through Grant.gov under justification 505DM 2.14.B.4 in. Competition for the award is not practical as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has selected, through a prior competitive process the University of Missouri to receive funding for implementing a NRDAR assessment study to model the distribution of mussel habitat in the Big River within the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District. The duration of the study will be approximately one and one-half years and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following:- Providing previous data on mussel distribution in the Big River,- Providing input on species specific habitat requirements,- Study sites selection,- Consulting on previous environmental sampling results, and - Project coordination.This award will be made under the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit, therefor the indirect cost rate will be held at the approved 17.5% rate.