Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges Cooperative Agriculture Program Opportunity (Notice)

Attention RanchersRefuge Seeks Agricultural Producers for

Cooperative Agriculture Program - GRAZING CATTLE

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through the Cooperative Agricultural Program is seeking one agricultural operator each at the Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges. Each year the acres available for grazing will vary, however each Cooperator can expect the use of about 1000 - 2000 acres each year on each refuge for a period of up to 5 years (2019- 2023). The selected operator will work under a Cooperative Agriculture Agreement (CCA) as a “Cooperator” with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under this agreement, the USFWS is proposing that the cooperator will be responsible for grazing specific areas within the refuges for invasive species control and habitat enhancement.

Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges were established in 1963 and 1952, respectively, to provide suitable resting, feeding and breeding areas for migratory breeding birds, including waterfowl. The Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) identifies resource management objectives. Using prescribed grazing as a management tool, the Cooperator will assist in achieving the Refuge’s habitat management objectives. The USFWS has determined that cooperative agriculture is an appropriate, compatible, and necessary use on the refuges to meet these objectives.

Below is information pertaining to cattle grazing permits on the Monte Vista and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges. Please familiarize yourself with this information when preparing your bid. The information contains the requirements and flexibilities that the Service will be considering when evaluating your bid package.

Program Description Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge - Propose to graze one herd of approximately 250 AUM on about 3 units/acres 1700 acres on Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (please see attached maps of specific units).JW and JE – 968 acresNE corner (M,H,K) – 750 acres

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge - Propose to graze one herd of approximately 250 AUM on approximately 1900 ACRES on Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (please see attached maps of specific units).Unit 4 – 642 acresUnit 3/part of 9 – 1010 acresUnit 24 – East side – 300 acres

- Grazing period is typically between April 15 and September 30 annually during the life of the special use permit (2019-2023), but may change according to habitat conditions. - Specific grazing areas and rotations will be determined on a yearly basis to ensure the refuges are meeting its habitat management objectives and goals.

- Potential bidders need to be aware that at any time the cooperator may be asked to leave the refuge if, for example, drought conditions persist or if objectives are reached early.

- Vegetation goals vary within each unit. The overall goal is to increase the cover and diversity of native vegetation to improve wildlife habitat. Grazing cattle is one management tool that is used to reduce decadent cover and allow native plants to outcompete invasive plants. Areas grazed can include dry and wet meadows, wetlands, transitioning farm ground and shrublands.

- Success of this program is dependent on close cooperation between the cooperator and refuge staff. Regular evaluation of vegetation, and animals will be required of the cooperator.

Fencing: The Cooperator is responsible for containing livestock within unit boundaries and will provide all temporary electric fence supplies. The permanent fence is in poor to good condition depending on the management unit. High tensile electric fence/fiberglass posts exist in some areas, which will need to be repaired and maintained throughout the grazing period. Other temporary electric fence will have to be installed and removed. There will be a deduction at the end of year grazing fees to compensate for labor and certain supplies. All temporary fencing material must be removed from the grazing unit within 7 days after the cattle have been moved. Fencing material not removed will result in no fence deduction.

- Permanent Fence Maintenance - $0.017/ ln. ft. – One time deduction for inspecting/repairing prior to cattle entering pasture.

- Temporary Fence Erect/Maintain/Remove (Cooperator provides materials) - $0.13 / ln. ft. One time deduction for installation and one time deduction for removal. Must maintain during rotation in assigned unit.

Rangeland Improvements: The Cooperator may be required to purchase materials needed for rangeland improvements in their grazing pasture and to make payment for these materials at times earlier than the regular fee payment due date. Once invoices or receipts for materials purchased or for work performed are received, the Cooperator will receive credit toward their end of season grazing bill. Any materials credited towards receipts becomes property of the USFWS.

Water: The refuges do not guarantee that the cooperator will have access to water for grazing. Water conditions fluctuate year to year, depending on snowpack and precipitation levels. Cooperators will be notified if they need to deliver water to grazing areas yearly. Sources include stock tanks, small artesian wells, wetlands, river, large pumped wells and ditches.

Control and Care of Livestock: Cooperator is responsible for maintaining control of their livestock and preventing damage to any neighboring property or areas of the refuge outside the prescribed grazing unit. Cooperator is also responsible for care of his livestock. Refuge personnel will not assist with fence building, watering, and herding or gathering stray animals.In addition, refuge personnel will not be responsible for livestock that have escaped. The Cooperator will only be reminded 2 times about loose livestock. If refuge personnel has to call or remind Cooperator about loose livestock more than 2 times, Cooperator will be asked to remove all livestock and pay all fees up to that date.

Pesticide Usage: Dust bags, oilers, or other insecticide treatment or sprays may not be used on the refuge. Treated ear tags may be used. Off Road Travel: Off road travel is normally not allowed. Use of trucks, tractors, or other large vehicles for driving or gathering livestock is not permitted except by permission. Horses, bikes and UTV/ATV’s may be used for moving and checking livestock and/or the checking and repair of fences.

All equipment for grazing, including ATVs and UTVs, must be clean and free of invasive species plant material including seeds before entering and upon exiting the Refuge. The Project Leader (or designee) reserves the right to inspect and deny the use of any equipment/vehicle/horse etc. that appears to contain invasive species plant material or seeds. Equipment must meet all safety regulations and must be in good working condition.

Nutritional Supplemental: Supplemental nutritional/mineral blocks may be use and must be easily be moved by hand as needed to reduce soil erosion caused by the heavy animal impact. All supplemental feeding devices must be removed from the

grazing unit within 30 days after the livestock have been moved. Any devices left after this date will be disposed of by refuge staff.

Subleasing: Haying and grazing privileges may not be sold, transferred, or sublet. This will result in the Cooperator losing their Special Use Permit.

USDA subsidy for drought relief – The Service does not allow for participation in USDA subsidy insurance (similar to subsidy programs for farming cooperators) when grazing any class of animal. If drought conditions occur, animals should be removed from NWRS lands to protect habitat conditions. A stipulation will be included to cover this issue in the Special Use Permit.

Other Potential Projects:The refuge will be implementing a targeted grazing program as time allows throughout the life of the special use permit. Changes will include designing temporary smaller paddocks allowing for quick impact to all vegetation not just the desirable vegetation.

Throughout the life of the permit there is potential for implementing a restoration program on abandoned farm fields where we may ask the Cooperator to confine cattle in a small area and feed hay to introduce native seed and fertilizer into the bare ground.

CHECKLIST OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND MEETINGS:

____ REQUIRED ONSITE VISIT FOR ALAMOSA NWRThe Refuge will only accept bids for Alamosa NWR from operators who attend the briefing/inspection site visit. We will not accommodate additional inspections.WHEN: February 8, 2019 at 9:00 am to 11am.WHERE: Alamosa Refuge Visitor Center, 9383 El Rancho Lane, Alamosa

____ REQUIRED ONSITE VISIT FOR MONTE VISTA NWRThe Refuge will only accept bids for Monte Vista NWR from operators who attend the briefing/inspection site visit. We will not accommodate additional inspections.WHEN: February 8, 2019 at 1:00 pm to 3 pmWHERE: Monte Vista Refuge Office, 6120 Highway 15 S, Monte Vista

____ FWS Form 3-1383-C (Commercial Special Use Permit {CSUP}) Applicants must fill out applicable portions of FWS Form 3-1383-C Link to application - https://www.fws.gov/refuges/visitors/permits.html

Select link under Number 1. NWRS Commercial Activities Special Use Application (FWS Form 3-1383-C). Must fill out one form for each refuge that you are bidding on.

____ SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION INFORMATION AND BID SHEET See Attachment A included in the Notice. Must fill out one form for each refuge that you are bidding on.

____ DUE: The Refuge must receive sealed bids by 3:30 p.m. on February 15, 2019

Mail:SLVNWR ComplexAttn: 2019 ALM/MV Cattle Grazing9383 El Rancho LaneAlamosa, CO 81101.orEmail:Suzanne_Beauchaine@fws.gov with subject line “2019 Cattle Grazing”

Refuge Staff will open sealed bids on February 19, 2019 and will notify successful bidders by February 21, 2019.Required Forms, instructions, special terms and conditions, news releases and maps of the proposed cooperative agriculture area can be viewed and downloaded online at: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/alamosa/ or https://www.fws.gov/refuge/monte_vista/or by hard copy at either refuge. For more information please call Suzanne Beauchaine (719) 589-4021 x1003

DIRECTIONS - FWS Form 3-1383-C (Commercial Special Use Permit {CSUP})

1. Applicants must fill out applicable portions of FWS Form 3-1383-C Link to application - https://www.fws.gov/refuges/visitors/permits.html

Select link under Number 1. NWRS Commercial Activities Special Use Application (FWS Form 3-1383-C)

2. This form is used by the Refuge for both applications for grazing opportunities on the Refuge as well as formalizing the Cooperative Agricultural Agreement on the Refuge if selected. Therefore, at the time of the application, the applicant does not need to complete all sections of the CSUP, but does need to ensure that they provide sufficient information in their proposed operations for the Service to review your application based on the objective criteria listed in this Notice.

3. In addition to providing the Service detailed information about your proposed grazing practices on the refuge, you must also describe how your proposed activity, based on your background, knowledge, and experience, meets the objective criteria by which the Service will evaluate your application as outlined in the Service’s Notice of Cooperative Agricultural Opportunity (Notice). Due to limited space on the Form 3-1383-C, we have provided a SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION (Attachment A) where you can provide this additional information and your proposed bid.

4. Write N/A in any sections that do not appear to be relevant.

5. Both the Plan of Operations (section 18) and the Logistics and Transportation Section (Sections 24a through 30) only need to be completed if you are selected as the Cooperator.

ATTACHMENT A – Supplemental Application Information and Bid Sheet Page 1 Applicant Information and Proposed Bid: Name (Proposal Submitter) _______________________________________________

Partner (if applicable) ____________________________________________________

Name of Business or Ranch _______________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________________ Telephone Number______________________________________________________

E-mail address _________________________________________________________

Liability Insurance Provider and Account _____________________________________

Class of animal and Animal Unit per Month Bid** – Class: __________ AUM: $ ____________/AUMClass: __________ AUM: $ ____________/AUMClass: __________ AUM: $ ____________/AUMClass: __________ AUM: $ ____________/AUM

- Bids will be accepted based on one Animal Unit Month (AUM), which is considered to be one dry mature cow, two years old and older for one month. __________________________________________________________________________________Animal Kind and Class Animal Unit Equivalent (AUM) Cow, dry 1.00 Cow, with calf 1.20 Bull, mature 1.50 Yearling 0.7

**The minimum bid accepted is $15.00/(Dry Cow)AUM.

- Grazing fees for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Untied States Forest Service (USFS) lands are determined under the authority of the Public Rangelands Act of 1978 and the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934. Neither Act applies to National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) lands so in the majority of cases, grazing fees on NWRS lands will be higher than neighboring BLM or USFS lands. The NWRS follows grazing fee rates published by USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) which are based on private, non-irrigated, grazing land.

ATTACHMENT A – Supplemental Application Information and Bid Sheet Page 2

Additional Information Required:

1. Is your operation based in the San Luis Valley?

2. Are your cattle owned (required) and have they been in San Luis Valley at least 1 year or newborn in San Luis Valley?

3. Number and class of cattle in overall operation?

4. How are your animals identified? Provide information on identifiers including brand and location information, along with ear tag colors/information.

5. Are you able to install and remove a significant number of miles of temporary electric fence?

6. Are your cattle trained to single strand electric fence?

7. Years of Experience in cattle operation.

8. Do you have additional lands/leases where you can take animals to on a short notice if they need to be removed from the refuge?

9. If needed, how much time would you need to remove your animals from the refuge?

10.What is your estimated response time to get to the refuge in case of emergency (ability to respond to stock being outside of designated units)?

11.Are you able to visit and account for all cattle a minimum of 3 times weekly?

ATTACHMENT A – Supplemental Application Information and Bid Sheet Page 3

12.Do you have any delinquent bills or debt with the Federal government?

13.List Equipment Available to be able to provide in-kind services such as maintaining roads, ditches and other infrastructure used by the cooperator or spraying weeds.

Equipment: (Type and size i.e tractor and mower model/size or ditcher) ____________________________________________________________________________________

Tractor, mower, and manure spreader in good working condition: Yes/No (Circle one) (Mowing of pastures or mechanical weed control will be valued at $25.00/acre) Current Pesticide Applicator’s License: Yes/No (Circle one)Type: ______________________________ Expiration: ___________________

Experience with Fence Repair: Yes/No (Circle one) Experience with Electric Fence: Yes/No (Circle one)

14.Please provide names, address and phone numbers for 3 references that are familiar with your operation?

ATTACHMENT A – Supplemental Application Information and Bid Sheet Page 4

15.Provide a written statement of your experience grazing for conservation purposes such as to increase plant diversity and cover or to improve wildlife habitat. Include contact information of land managers you have leased pasture from (include location, type of operation, and length of time working for the land owner/land management agency). This could include working with adjacent landowners to meet common goals or mutual benefits for conservation of land management activities. History should include the process for planning annual operating plans, goals of the program, program requirements (cost-share projects), reporting requirements, communication/relationship with the land manager.Add more pages if needed.

DIRECTIONS:ATTACHMENT A - Supplemental Application Information and Bid Sheet

SELECTION PROCESS

Cooperators will be selected through an open, transparent and competitive process where applicants will be scored and ranked based on a combination of competitive bids, reference checks, and relevant experience.

Applications will be scored and ranked by the following criteria:

- Bids will be accepted based on Mature, dry cow equivalent of Animal Unit Month (AUM) of which a Mature Cow is 1.20 AUM, Yearling is 0.70, and a Bull is 1.5 AUM. The minimum bid accepted is $15.00/AUM.

- Experience in cattle grazing, preferably the cooperator has personal experience grazing legally on National Wildlife Refuge system lands or other federal or state land; knowledge of plant physiology, phenology, toxicity, structure and lifespan, water dependent needs, pest problems, and grazing periods is preferred. - Cooperators must own cattle from within the San Luis Valley boundary to restrict invasive plant species introduction/spread, and emergency purposes. Include the number and class of cattle. Pounds of cattle per acre grazed will vary throughout the permit as we implement smaller pastures and faster rotations to achieve habitat objectives.

- Ability to move animals quickly off the refuge if required.

- Ability to monitor the cattle.

- No delinquent bills or debt with the Federal government. - Ownership or access to the proper equipment, materials, labor or other resources to participate in the cooperative agriculture agreement (e.g. install and remove temporary fence, ability to move cattle on frequent basis, install permanent USFWS specific fence, mowing or spreading manure etc.)

- Ability to provide in-kind services to assist the refuge in carrying out a successful cooperative agriculture program (e.g. maintaining roads and other infrastructure used by the cooperator, purchasing herbicide, etc.) - The cooperator must have or acquire liability insurance that covers livestock and personnel working for them. A copy of the liability insurance must be provided to the Refuge Manager if selected.

- Provide three references that are familiar with your operation.

- Qualified applicants will be verified and screened before being entered into a bid process system for each refuge.