1.0 Introduction and Background
The Chehalis Basin Partnership (the Partnership) proposes to select a qualified consultant to assist in. preparing a Chehalis River Basin Watershed Management Plan pursuant to the provisions, criteria and process of Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 2514, 1998 Legislative Session. The selected consultant will work in cooperation with the Partnership and/or its technical advisory committee (TAC). The technical assessment phase of the watershed planning process includes two levels. The Level I Assessment will be included in the selected consultant's contract along with a preliminary scope of work.
In August of 1997, Lewis, Thurston and Grays Harbor County Commissioners gathered to discuss issues of common concern relative to the Chehalis River watershed. Since then numerous meetings have been held with other agencies and interested parties which has led to the development of the Partnership, a consortium of public and private interest throughout the watershed, including all initiating governments required to participate in the planning unit under ESHB 2514.
An intergovernmental agreement, dated August 31, 1998, between the initiating governments and other members of the planning unit has been signed as of January 1999, thus officially establishing the Partnership. Interim By-Laws were adopted by the Partnership on February 26, 1999.
The planning approach adopted by the Partnership is (1) to assess and manage the water resources of the Chehalis River Basin, (2) to pursue strategies within the Chehalis River Basin which include the key elements of flood reduction, fisheries, recreation, water quality and water quantity, and (3) to examine their relationship to economic health and sustainability.
2.0 Level I Assessment Scope of Work
The preliminary scope of work for the Level I Assessment is set forth below. This scope of work may be refined by the Partnership and/or its TAC during the consultant selection process and/or in consultation with the selected consultant as part of contract negotiations.
2.1 Establish Assessment Criteria
The scope of work, as outlined in the watershed planning grant contract, includes assessing three key elements with the Chehalis River Basin - water quantity, water quality and fish habitat [see attached]. The consultant shall work with the Partnership, and/or its TAC, to reach agreement on the Assessment criteria. Areas to be addressed include:
Identification of surface and ground water sources to be addressed (main stem vs. tributaries).
Definition of key terms such as instream and out-of-stream uses and needs, planning horizon (years), existing information.
Relationship of planning to activities conducted by the Chehalis Tribe and the Quinault Indian Nation.
Identify and establish consistent data standards.
2.2 Identify and Assemble Existing Information and Data
The consultant will coordinate with the Partnership and/or its TAC, Northwest GIS, all counties, cities, tribes, state and federal agencies and other resources in obtaining and reviewing existing reports, regulations and information on relevant projects as part of the Level I Assessment.
2.3 - Watershed Description
Current text of the Upper Chehalis Watershed Initial Assessment, February 1995 will be reviewed by the consultant to reevaluate and add any new information available from counties, cities, tribes, state and federal agencies and other resources, regarding water rights, streamflow, precipitation, geology, hydrology, water quality, fisheries and land use- This evaluation will be conducted by defined sub-basins in WRIA #23.
The consultant will develop a Lower Chehalis Watershed Initial Assessment using existing information from counties, cities, tribes, state and federal agencies and other resources, regarding water rights, streamflow, precipitation, geology, hydrology, water quality, fisheries and land use. This evaluation will be conducted by defined sub-basins in WRIA #22.
2.4 Hydrology
2.4.1 Surface Water Hydrology
Current text of the Upper Chehalis Watershed Initial Assessment, February 1995, will be reviewed by the consultant to reevaluate and add any new information available from counties, cities, tribes, state and federal agencies and other resources, regarding the instream flow characteristics of the Chehalis River and tributaries. This assessment will be conducted by defined sub-basins in WRIA #23.Areas to be assessed:
The consultant will also develop a Lower Chehalis Watershed Initial Assessment using existing information from counties, cities, tribes, state and federal agencies and other resources, regarding the flow characteristics of the Chehalis River and its tributaries. This evaluation will be conducted by defined sub-basins in WRIA #22. Areas to be addressed:
Instream flow statistical analyses.
Effects to surface water hydrology by forest practices.
Effects to surface water hydrology by agricultural practices.
Effects to surface water hydrology by development practices (impervious surfaces).
Effects to fish species and their habitat by land-use practices and the changes in surface water hydrology.
2.4.2 Groundwater Hydrology
Current text of the Upper Chehalis Watershed Initial Assessment, February 1.995, will be reviewed by the consultant to reevaluate and add any new information available from counties, cities, tribes, state agencies and other resources, regarding ground water resources of the Chehalis River Watershed. This evaluation will be conducted by defined sub-basins in WRIA #23. Areas to be addressed:
The consultant will also develop a Lower Chehalis Watershed Initial Assessment using existing information from counties, cities, tribes, state and federal agencies and other resources, regarding ground water resources of the Chehalis River Watershed. This evaluation will be conducted by defined sub-basins in WRIA #22. Areas to be addressed:
Instream flow statistical analyses.
Effects to ground water hydrology by forest practices.
Effects to ground water hydrology by agricultural practices.
Effects to ground water hydrology by development practices (impervious surfaces).
Effects to fish species and their habitat by land-use practices and the changes in ground water hydrology.
2.5 Current Water Allocation
2.5.1 Surface water - The consultant will tabulate the extent of rights from state records of permits, certificates and registered claims. Requests for rights represented by pending applications will also be reported. These reports will be conducted by defined sub-basins in, both WRIA #23 and #22.
2.5.2 Ground water - The consultant will tabulate the extent of rights from state records of permits, certificates and registered claims. Requests for rights represented by pending applications will also be reported. These reports will be conducted by defined sub-basins in both WRIA #23 and #22.
2.6 Compile and Estimate Current Water Use and Future Demand Utilizing the best and most readily available existing information, compile and estimate current use and future demands separately for surface and ground water for the purposes of :
Instream flows, Agriculture Municipal Industrial Domestic Other Uses 2.7 Adequacy of Water Supply
Based upon the Level I Assessment and particularly tasks 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, conclusions will be provided as to the adequacy of the available water resources to meet current and future water demands by the use categories identified in 2.6 above. Conclusions. will be provided on the basis of current level of water resource development.
2.8 Status of Water Quality
Current text of the Tipper Chehalis Watershed Initial Assessment, February 1995, will be reviewed by the consultant to reevaluate and add any new information available from counties, cities, tribes, state agencies and other resources, regarding water quality characteristics of the Chehalis River Watershed, its tributaries and its groundwater sources. This evaluation will be conducted by defined sub-basins in WRIA #23.
The consultant will develop a Lower Chehalis Watershed Initial Assessment using existing information from counties, cities, tribes, state agencies and other resources, regarding water quality characteristics of the Chehalis River Watershed, its tributaries and its groundwater sources. This evaluation will be conducted by defined sub-basins in WRIA #22.
2.9 Fish Habitat Issues and Activities
ESHB 2514 provides that planning to protect or enhance fish habitat must rely on existing laws, rules ordinances. Examples cited are the Shoreline Management Act (SMA), the Growth Management Act (GMA), the Forest Practices Act (FPA), the Hydraulic Code (HPA) and the Salmon Recovery Act (ESHB 2496, 1998 Session).
An assessment of the existing local and state fish habitat-related activities is included in the Level I Assessment. At minimum, the task will include an inventory of habitat-related policies, programs, plans and regulations contained in:
Local SMA and GMA programs.
State and Private FPA programs.
Local, State and Federal Fish/Habitat Recovery Plans
Endangered Species Act proposed or actual listings.
State Salmon Recovery Act (ESHB 2496).
Wetlands, Riparian and Floodplain Habitat Plans and/or
Mitigation Plans within the Watershed.
2.10 Recommendations for Further Studies or Data Collection
Should sufficient data not be available to accomplish the tasks outlined within tasks 2.4 through 2.9, the consultant will provide recommendations for further studies required to develop the proper data base.
2.11 Prepare Report
A Draft Level I Assessment report will be prepared by the consultant in a format developed in consultation with the Partnership, or its committees. The report will include:
The results of the assessment conducted under each task.
Identification of areas where existing data is deficient for preparation of the Watershed Management Plan.
Recommended studies or other data collection activities required to develop strategies for:
1. increasing water supplies to meet present and future water needs,
2. achieving compliance with water quality standards, and
3. protection and/or enhancement of fish habitat.
Upon receipt of Draft Level I Assessment comments, the selected consultant will develop the Final Level I Assessment and present it to the Partnership.
3.0 Reporting
Selected consultant will report to TAC monthly and to the Partnership quarterly.
4.0 Proposal Format
Interested firms shall submit 10 copies of their proposal. The proposal shall be limited to 40 pages, single-spaced, typewritten pages addressing the following items:
A work plan describing approach, schedule and detailed budget.
The firm's experience with work of a similar nature to that requested.
The firm's experience in coordinating with multiple public and private agencies.
The firm's resume of key project team members anticipated to work on this project.
Identification of the proposed project manager.
The firm's ability to perform within a specific time frame and budget.
References of projects of a similar nature.
A- statement of billing rates for the categories of proposed study team members.
In addition, the consultant may submit separate brochures further describing the capabilities of the firm and resumes of project team members as supplemental information.
7.0 Submittal Deadline
Interested firms shall submit their proposal (postmarked) no later than 5:00 PM ? to:
Chehalis Basin Partnership
Lewis County Community Development
Marc Duboiski
350 N. Market Blvd.
Chehalis, WA 98532-2626
CBP Scope 6
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