HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC SAVANNAH RIVER ECOLOGY LABORATORY YR 2009
AND
AUGUSTA - RICHMOND COUNTY, GEORGIA
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDA nON, INC.
SAVANNAH RIVER ECOLOGY LABORATORY
Effective, January 1, 2009, the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.,
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, hereinafter called the "University", accepts from Augusta -
Richmond County, a political subdivision of the state of Georgia through its Board of
Commissioners, hereinafter called the "Sponsor", a research grant, the conditions of which are as
follows:
I. Objectives: There are six objectives of this research grant. First, the University will
continue to develop and add to a previously-established aerial survey database describing the
abundance and distribution patterns of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans), wading birds
(herons, egrets, ibises, wood storks), other waterbirds (American coots, grebes, gallinules,
cormorants, anhingas, gull species), raptors, and avian species of special interest (bald eagles,
ospreys) using man-made wetlands in the vicinity of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field,
hereinafter called the "Airport". Specifically, additions to this database will continue to describe
use by the aforementioned species of the nearby Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant's
artificial wetlands and Merry Land and Investment Company's Brickyard Ponds. Second, the
University will continue to conduct ground-based bird movement surveys at both the Airport and
the adjacent artificial wetlands. These ground-based surveys are designed to provide time-and
location-specific information regarding the daily patterns of movement, altitude, and behavior of
flocking bird species such as blackbirds and larger-bodied bird species including waterfowl,
wading birds, and birds of prey. Third, the University will continue to serve as a resource to
Airport personnel by providing assistance for the purpose of identifying birds involved in
collisions with aircraft at the Airport and otherwise consulting with Airport personnel on bird
issues. Fourth, the University will continue to examine historical and updated bird strike data
from the Airport to identify patterns that may be associated with the construction and operation
of the artificial wetlands. Fifth, the University will evaluate the Sponsor's use of controlled
bums, vegetation cutting, or other types of vegetation alteration and/or the use of various
deterrence techniques (e.g., sound, lasers, pyrotechnics, etc.) to reduce seasonal roosting by
blackbirds in the wetland vegetation during the fall/winter months. Sixth and finally, the
University will summarize the above data in a manner so as to provide Airport officials useful
information for identifying potential bird hazards in the vicinity of the Airport, guiding bird
control 'efforts, and gauging the effectiveness of bird control measures over time.
II. Programs: The principal contractor/investigator, Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., Savannah
River Ecology Laboratory, will direct the programs. The contractor/investigator will be assisted
by certain technical consultants. Commitments as to the extent of the obligations of these
investigators will be the responsibility of the principal investigator, within the scope of the work
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plans approved by the Sponsor. Work plans for accomplishing each of the objectives listed above
are attached.
III. Funds: (a). For the work accomplished by the University during the grant period from
January 1,2009 - September 30,2009 (total cost - $75,039), the Sponsor will pay the University
$75,039 upon submission of an invoice and upon receipt of evidence approved by the Sponsor
that the work programs are well underway. Budgets for the research programs are attached.
(b). If this research grant is terminated prior to the end of the grant period, payments by
the Sponsor shall be provided based on the actual incurred and/or obligated expenditures as of
the date of termination.
(c). Expenditures shall be made at the discretion of the principal investigator in
conformity with the approved budgets and work plans and in relation to the fiscal policies of the
University.
IV. Liabilitv: To the extent provided by Georgia law, each party agrees to be responsible
for any and all liability including claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, and expenses of every
kind and description, or damages to persons or property, arising out of or in connection with, or
occurring during the course of this contract, where such liability is founded upon or grows out of
the acts or omissions of any ofthe officers, employees, or agents of the party. The University
assumes no responsibility for its interpretation of the data collected under these studies, with
regard to aircraft accidents occurring as the result of bird strikes at the Airport.
V. Reports: The principal investigator will submit eight (8) copies of a final report to the
Sponsor on November 1, in the year of the investigation's completion, covering all aspects of
these investigations, in accordance with the conditions defined in the work plan agreed to by the
University and the Sponsor. Interim presentations summarizing the results to date of the study, as
described above, may be provided to the Sponsor if requested.
VI. Records: The University agrees to abide by the General Services Administration
Federal Management Circular O.M.B. A-2l in regard to accounting for staff workloads.
VII. Publications: (a). The University shall have freedom of publication of the research
conducted under this contract.
(b). All manuscripts written for publication will be a collaborative effort between the
principal investigator and a designee of the Sponsor. In the event that no Sponsor collaborator is
designated, the Sponsor will be provided two (2) comiesy copies of any manuscripts written by
the principal investigator prior to publication.
(c). In the event that the Sponsor elects to provide data collected by the University under
this research program to a third party for publication purposes, the principal investigator shall
have the following options in regard to such publications: (1) The principal investigator and/or
other University staff involved in the work may choose to be co-author(s) of the publication,
with editorial privileges and/or (2) The principal investigator shall be allowed the option of
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having a disclaimer appear in the publication claiming no responsibility for the use and
interpretation of data collected by the University.
VIII. Duration: (a). The period of performance shall be from January 1,2009-
September 30, 2009.
(b). This research grant may be terminated at any time upon 30 days written notice by
either party.
(c). The contract covering these research programs shall be renewable on an annual basis
upon agreement of both the Sponsor and the University.
IX. Equal Opportunity Employment: During the performance of this contract, the
University/Contractor agrees not to discriminate in its employment practices or subcontracts
with regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin or disability.
X. Inventions: Investigators/Contractors shall comply with the stipulations ofP.L.96-5l7.
j,~~
PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR/INVESTIGA~ ·
BY: C-{U ~h-. DATE: .::fal"''',/, 8)2"0'1'
Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr.,
Senior Ecologist Emeritus (Savannah River Ecology Laboratory)
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
BY:I.j~~i&aJo~ DATE: 1~\lOb
c /' Assistant o:::r ~
~ Dr. David C. Lee,
Vice President for Research and Associate Provost
AUGUSTA - RICHMOND COUNTY
Attes .
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BY:
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David S. Copenhaver,
Mayor
DATE:
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General Scope of Work
for a Bird Study at Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field
and Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant Constructed Wetlands Project
To effectively monitor bird populations that mayor may not pose a hazard to air traffic
operations, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) proposes to continue aerial survey
coverage of: (1) the artificial wetlands (i.e., Constructed Wetlands Project) constructed to
process effluents from the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant, and (2) the Merry Land and
Investment Company Brickyard Ponds. Continuation of minimal aerial bird surveys at only those
two wetlands mentioned above is based upon prior weekly survey results (1998-2001) from a
larger wetland complex indicating that these are the wetlands in the vicinity of Bush Field
Airport that consistently attract the largest numbers of heavily-bodied birds such as geese, other
waterfowl, wading birds, and flocking blackbirds to the vicinity of the airport where such species
are of particular concern from the perspective of a potential aircraft-bird strike hazard. We will
continue the minimal aerial bird surveys by maintaining the reduced frequency of these surveys
at bi-weekly.
While limiting the extent of aerial surveys as described above, we also propose to
continue ground-based bird movement surveys at both the airfield and the adjacent constructed
wetlands. These ground-based surveys are designed to provide time- and location-specific
information regarding the daily patterns of movement, altitude, and behavior of the larger-bodied
bird species including waterfowl, wading birds, and birds of prey, as well as flocking blackbirds.
This specific information will provide the type of detail that will allow airport management and
flight controllers to continue to predict times, locations, and conditions of increased bird-strike
hazard potential that would be of particular consequence to aircraft in the area. Furthermore, in
the event that active bird dispersal activities (e.g., custom-trained harassment dogs, pyrotechnics,
or acoustics) are initiated at the artificial wetlands, these ground-based bird movement surveys
would have the further importance of evaluating the success of such a bird dispersal program and
identifying any new problematic bird movement patterns that might be created by such bird
disturbances.
This contract period will include a study of the utility of using controlled bums (fire),
vegetation cutting, or other types of vegetation alteration within the Constructed Wetlands
Project to reduce nighttime roosting by blackbirds. Earlier ground-based bird movements
surveys described above have identified particular aircraft safety concerns associated with
millions of blackbirds roosting within and around the artificial wetlands during the fall and
winter each year. Many of these blackbirds have been documented to fly directly over Bush
Field while in route to/from the artificial wetlands. In this study, the Augusta Utilities
Department will alter (by controlled burning, cutting, or other means) standing vegetation in
wetland cells. Then, based on whether the vegetation alteration takes place in all 12 wetland cells
or in only a selected number of wetland cells fewer than 12, SREL will either collect data on
blackbird roosting in all 12 of the altered wetland cells or in altered versus unaltered wetland
cells (experimental pairings), respectively.
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In order to keep the cost of this work as low as possible, we propose to continue to
provide an annual report to Augusta that is similar in detail to the previous year's (2008) version
that includes a comprehensive, yet simplified approach of summarizing the results primarily in
tabular and graphical form (excluding detailed statistical analyses), with an accompanying
Executive Summary explaining the meaning and importance of the data that have been collected.
We will be available however to verbally discuss our findings with Augusta Utilities Department
and Bush Field officials, including the Wildlife Control Specialist, as necessary. This approach
will continue to be the most cost-effective in terms of directing a greater proportion of the
overall budget to personnel who are involved directly with the collection and reporting of critical
data.
In addition to bird surveys described above, the SREL principal investigator and/or
technical consultants supported under this contract will act as an avian information resource by
providing professional consultation to airport personnel with regard to bird issues, including help
in identifying the remains and/or photographs of any birds involved in aircraft strikes in the
vicinity of Bush Field or in the effective use/deployment of bird-scaring techniques (e.g., sound,
lasers, pyrotechnics, etc.) that may be considered for use on Bush Field. If desired, these same
SREL individuals will be available to work with any Bush Field personnel during the contract
period who may be interested in improving their abilities to identify bird remains, and/or better
understanding the factors involved in any bird strike incidents occurring in the vicinity of the
airfield.
Specific details for carrying-out the research programs of this study ([I] conducting aerial
bird surveys, [II] conducting ground-based bird movement surveys, [III] conducting an
evaluation of the use of controlled burning, cutting, other alteration of wetland vegetation to
reduce roosting blackbirds) are provided in the three individual scope of work plans that follow.
Separate budgets for each of the three major study components are also provided.
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RESEARCH PROGRAM I :
Scope of Work for Aerial Surveys of Birds
at the Constructed Wetlands Project and the Merryland Ponds
(9 months, beginning January 1, 2009)
Any type of wetland vegetation alteration such as the burning or cutting described in
Program III has the potential to increase the undesired use of the Constructed Wetland Project by
waterfowl and wading birds by reducing vegetation density and placing much of that vegetation
at or below the water surface. Habitually, wading birds and in particular waterfowl, which may
be drawn to the artificial wetland cells as a result of a vegetation burning or cutting program,
often remain at the water surface for much of the day once arriving at these destinations; they
may even spend the night at such destinations with negligible/absent flight activity. Ground-
based bird movements surveys of Research Program II are not designed to detect birds in
wetlands unless they are visible to observers from ground level while actively engaged in flight.
Maintaining a minimal plan for aerial bird surveys of the Constructed Wetlands of the Messerly
Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Merry Land and Investment Company Brickyard Ponds will
assure the detection of such undesired bird use should it occur. SREL personnel will engage the
services of Augusta Aviation, Inc., based at Daniel Field Airport in Augusta, to provide aircraft
and pilots for conducting aerial bird surveys over these study areas. These aerial surveys will be
conducted in close coordination with Bush Field administrative officials and air-traffic
controllers to assure safety of all aircraft operating in the vicinity of the airfield during the
execution of these surveys.
During aerial surveys, SREL observers will reference only species and numbers of
individuals from the following list: waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans), wading birds (herons,
egrets, ibises, wood storks), other large and/or flocking waterbirds (coots, cormorants, anhingas,
gull spp.), and raptors (hawks, kites, vultures, bald eagles, ospreys). Sightings will be map-
referenced at the time of occurrence. Other data to be included with each aerial survey are: date,
beginning and ending times of the survey, local weather conditions (including temperature, wind
speed, extent of wetland icing in winter, etc.), and sightings (map-referenced) of people,
watercraft, or other disturbance-related activities taking place during the aerial survey. Actual
duration of these aerial surveys will be approximately 45 minutes each, allowing additional flight
time of about 10 minutes for travel time to and from Daniel Field and the possibility of surveys
being interrupted by air-traffic controllers while other aircraft move through the survey area.
Aerial surveys will be conducted from a height of approximately 250-300 ft and at a minimal,
but safe airspeed given the prevailing weather conditions.
This project will include nineteen (19) flights over a contract period of nine (9) months to
be executed at approximately bi-weekly intervals (no aerial surveys will be undertaken during
the week of the Masters Golf Tournament). If inclement weather or aircraft unavailability
precludes the completion of more than four (4) flights over the contract period, flights may be
added to the end of the contract period or unused funds may be used for other purposes related to
the study during the contract period, at the discretion of the Sponsor.
7
For the purposes of electronic data storage and summarization, map-referenced data from
the aerial surveys will include only the Constructed Wetlands Project near the Messerly
Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Merry Land and Investment Company Brickyard Ponds.
Birds will be identifiable to individual wetland cells of the Constructed Wetlands Project. Data
will be stored on a networked PC-workstation operating in a Microsoft-Windows environment.
Upon project completion, all data will be provided to the Sponsor in a mutually agreeable
database format (e.g., Microsoft Excel). Data summaries will be performed using the Statistical
Analysis System (SAS Institute, Inc.). Summaries will include locational (wetland cell)
differences in avian species assemblages and numbers, as well as temporal changes in bird
distributions among wetland cells. Since bird use of the Constructed Wetlands Project will be
specified by individual wetland cells, this aerial survey data will be used in conjunction with the
vegetation alteration (i.e., controlled burning, cutting, etc.) program conducted in wetland cells
to determine if such alteration of the vegetation increases undesired use by waterfowl and other
wetland bird species.
8
RESEARCH PROGRAM II:
Scope of Work for Ground-Based Bird-Movement Surveys
at the Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field and
the Constructed Wetlands Project
(9 months, beginning January 1, 2009)
Based on previous aerial surveys of bird abundance and distribution in wetlands near the
Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, relatively large numbers of large-bodied aquatic birds
are found in the area, particularly during the winter period when migratory waterfowl are most
abundant. In addition to the many waterfowl found in the area, numerous wading birds, divers
including cormorants and anhingas, blackbirds, gulls, and raptors including vultures are known
to frequent the area as well. Wetlands near Bush Field harboring the majority of these birds
include the Merry Land and Investment Company Brickyard Ponds and the Constructed
Wetlands Project of the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. Based on previous ground-based
bird-movement surveys, extremely large numbers (in the millions) of migrant blackbirds move
through airspace in the vicinity of Bush Field and the Constructed Wetlands Project in the
fall/winter period on a twice-daily basis. These blackbirds, in particular, have created an annual
period of high hazardous conditions to aircraft operating in the area.
SREL personnel will continue to collect ground-based bird data to determine daily
behavior and movement patterns (i.e., timing, directions, altitudes) of birds moving through the
airspaces of Bush Field and the Constructed Wetlands Project. Emphasis will be placed on
documentation of movements of flocking bird species such as blackbirds and large-bodied bird
species such as waterfowl that are most likely to produce serious consequences when involved in
collisions with aircraft.
Bird movements will be documented from routinely-monitored ground stations at Bush
Field and the Constructed Wetlands Project. Stations selected at Bush Field (3) and at the
Constructed Wetlands Project (1) in December 2001 will continue to be used to ensure adequate
coverage of the areas of interest. The daylight hours will be divided into four approximately
equal time blocks: (1) 15 minutes before sunrise until 9:00AM, (2) 9:01AM untiI12:00PM, (3)
l2:01PM until 3:00PM, and (4) 3:01PM until 15 minutes after sunset (Eastern Standard Times;
one hour added when Eastern Daylight Saving Time is in use). Emphasis will be placed on the
time blocks coinciding with sunrise and sunset, because most bird movements occur during these
times of the day. Observations will be made at two different stations within two different time
blocks daily, for two days each week, for four weeks each month of the study. This methodology
allows for all possible combinations of the four locations and the four time blocks to be chosen
monthly in a randomized design. Observations will be made over a 2.5 hr period and will consist
of four 30-minute observation bouts with a 10-minute lapse between each observation period.
Observations will be initiated at the beginning of a time block with the exception of the last time
block, which will be timed so that the final 30-minute observation bout ends approximately 15
minutes after sunset. During the observation bouts, observers will scan the 3600 horizon with
binoculars, attempting to collect data on as many flying birds as possible with no upper limit on
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distance from the observer. Short movements by birds (<100m) or movements by small
passerine birds in flocks of less than 20 birds will not be recorded. Emphasis will be placed on
movements of waterfowl (ducks and geese), wading birds (herons, egrets, ibises, wood storks),
other large and/or flocking waterbirds (coots, cormorants, anhingas, gull spp., blackbird spp.),
and raptors (hawks, kites, vultures, bald eagles, ospreys). During times of intense movements,
observers will give priority to larger birds and larger flocks. Observations will be conducted
regardless of weather conditions. In addition to meteorological data, the following data will also
be recorded for each observation: time, species, actual or estimated number of individuals,
approximate distance from the observer, approximate direction from observer, estimated altitude
above land or water, approximate direction of bird movement, and flight behavior (e.g., level
flight, soaring, landing, taking-off).
Data will be stored on a networked PC-workstation operating in a Microsoft-Windows
environment. Upon project completion, all data will be provided to the Sponsor in a mutually
agreeable database format (e.g., Microsoft Excel). For the purposes of electronic data storage
and summarization, bird movement data from Bush Field and the Constructed Wetlands Project
will be retained according to each of four observational stations. Data summaries will be
performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute, Inc.). Summaries will be made
for each observation station and will be comprised of avian species movement patterns including
timing and direction of flight, flight altitudes, and temporal (annual and seasonal) changes in bird
movement patterns.
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RESEARCH PROGRAM III :
Scope of Work for Evaluating Controlled Burning, Cutting, or Other
Alteration of Standing Vegetation in the Constructed Wetlands Project
to Reduce Roosting of Blackbirds
(9 months, beginning January 1, 2009)
Based on previous ground-based surveys of bird abundance and movements in and
around the Constructed Wetlands Project of the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant near the
Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, blackbirds numbering into the millions have been
shown to roost at night within and adjacent to the Constructed Wetlands where they use the
standing vegetation of the wetland cells as a roosting substrate. This behavior is particularly
notable in the fall/winter ~onths (November-February) when migratory blackbirds frequent the
area. SREL personnel will evaluate the effectiveness of using controlled burning, cutting, or
other types of vegetation alteration in the wetland cells to reduce numbers of roosting blackbirds.
For this contract period, January 1, 2009-September 30,2009, we will assume that some type of
wetland alteration will have taken place in November or December, 2008 and thus a partial
evaluation by SREL of the effect on roosting birds will have taken place by the end of 2008.
Thus, the following work description represents the completion of that evaluation, for the
remainder of the winter of 2008-09 falling within this new contract period.
In the event that vegetation of all 12 wetland cells is not subjected to manipulation at the
same time; the following protocol will be employed: SREL personnel will collaborate with Mr.
Allen Saxon of the Augusta Utilities Department (representing the Sponsor) and the
Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy to select a total of 4 wetland cells in which to conduct
the study in the fall/winter. As early as November, 2008 (specific dates to be arranged in
collaboration with Mr. Saxon), controlled burning, cutting, or other alteration of wetland
vegetation will be carried out by Augusta Utilities Department personnel or their designees
within 2 "treatment" cells in an attempt to reduce the amount of standing vegetation available for
use as a roosting substrate by the birds. Two undisturbed wetland cells will serve as "controls" in
the study. Each treatment cell will be paired with an adjacent control cell. Following the burning,
cutting, or other treatment ofthe selected wetland cells, SREL personnel will collect ground-
based bird count data to determine the responses of roosting blackbirds and other bird species.
Emphasis will be placed on the documentation of numbers of flocking bird species such as the
blackbirds and large-bodied bird species such as wading birds and waterfowl that are most likely
to produce serious consequences when involved in collisions with aircraft. The study protocol
will be similar to that used when an airboat vegetation crushing study was conducted in 2005-06.
Specifically, bird species and numbers will be documented from routinely-monitored ground
stations at the 4 selected wetland cells. Stations will be selected to ensure adequate coverage of
the cells of interest. Since blackbirds roosting in the wetland cells arrive in the evening and
depart at dawn, the observations will concentrate on the evening arrival period. Observations
will be conducted from 45 minutes before sunset until 15 minutes after sunset (60 minutes per
count; Eastern Standard Times). Observations will be made while SREL personnel are centered
between two adjacent wetland cells, one containing burned, cut, or otherwise altered vegetation
11
(treatment) and another that remains unaltered (control). During each observation bout, an
observer will scan the selected wetland cell over a I-minute interval with binoculars, attempting
to collect data on as many birds landing within the study cell as possible. The I-minute intervals
will alternate between treatment and control wetland cells until the 60-minute observational
period ends. To control for potentially confounding issues associated with variable weather
conditions, observations will be conducted only during evenings when there is no precipitation
and there is less than 50% cloud cover. The following data will be recorded for each observation
within a designated I-minute count interval: species, and actual or estimated number of
individuals landing in the wetland cell under observation. This protocol will be followed by two
SREL personnel (each observing a different pairing of wetlands) on six evenings in January and
February, 2009.
As an alternative protocol to that for a partial manipulation of the wetlands described
above, if the determination is made by Augusta Utilities Department officials to bum, cut, or
otherwise alter the entirety (all 12) of the wetland cells in the fall/winter of 2008-09, SREL
personnel will evaluate the effectiveness of the vegetation alteration process to move roosting
birds completely out of the wetland cells by performing evening observations as follows: SREL
personnel will be positioned within the wetlands to observe movements/landings of blackbirds.
Bird species and numbers will be documented from a ground station established at each of the 12
wetland cells. Each station will be selected to ensure adequate coverage of the cell. Since
blackbirds roosting in the wetland cells arrive in the evening and depart at dawn, the
observations will concentrate on the evening arrival period. Observations will be conducted from
45 minutes before sunset until 15 minutes after sunset (60 minutes per count; Eastern Standard
Times). During a 60-minute observation bout, an SREL observer will scan a single wetland cell
at I-minute intervals with binoculars, attempting to collect data on as many birds landing within
the wetland cell as possible. To control for potentially confounding issues associated with
variable weather conditions, observations will be conducted only during evenings when there is
no precipitation and there is less than 50% cloud cover. The following data will be recorded for
each observation within a designated I-minute count interval: species, and actual or estimated
number of individuals landing in the wetland cell under observation. This protocol will be
followed by two SREL personnel (each observing a different wetland cell) on 6 evenings in
January and February, 2009. In this alterative protocol, each of the 12 wetland cells within the
Constructed Wetlands will be visited on one evening.
Under this agreement, SREL personnel will only be responsible for conducting the bird
counts associated with this study and the analysis of those same data. SREL will not assume
responsibility for conducting the controlled bums, vegetation cutting, or any other type of
vegetation alteration. Costs and logistics for conducting the vegetation alteration will be the
responsibility of the Sponsor.
Data will be stored on a networked PC-workstation operating in a Microsoft-Windows
environment. Upon project completion, all data will be provided to the Sponsor in a mutually
agreeable database format (e.g., Microsoft Excel). For the purposes of electronic data storage
and summarization, bird count data from the cells of the Constructed Wetlands Project will be
retained according to each of the observational stations, including a treatment versus a control
wetland cell, when appropriate. Data summaries will be performed using the Statistical Analysis
12
System (SAS Institute, Inc.). Summaries and statistical comparisons will be made for treated
versus control wetland cells, when appropriate. Comparisons will focus on potential differences
in numbers and types of birds using each observation station/treatment type. Aerial survey data
from Research Program I will also be evaluated to determine vegetation alteration effects on bird
use of the study cells.
RESEARCH PROGRAM I :
Budget for Aerial Surveys of Birds at the
Constructed Wetlands Project and the Merryland Ponds
(9 months, beginning January 1, 2009)
Personnel costs, including benefits
R.A. Kennamer (Research Professional, 7.5% FTE)
Salary: $2,690 Actual Benefits @ 37%: $995
W.L. Stephens, Jr. (Field Technician, 10% FTE)
Salary: $3,115 Actual Benefits @ 28%: $872
Administrati ve
Salary:$642.l3 Benefits:$46.32
IT
Salary:$945.94 Benefits:$327.2l
Maintenance
Salary:$384.89 Benefits: $ 1 05.51
Aircraft and pilot (Augusta Aviation, Daniel Field)
bi-weekly aerial surveys @ approx. 0.75 hr each
Vehicle expenses
Expendable supplies
SREL DIRECT COSTS (PROGRAM I)
Indirect costs (Univ. Georgia off-campus research overhead, 11.5%)
RESEARCH PROGRAM I: TOTAL
$ 3,685.00
$ 3,987.00
$ 688.45
$ 1,273.15
$ 490.40
$ 1,875.00
$ 570.00
$ 100.00
$12,669.00
$ 1,457.00
$14,126.00
13
r
RESEARCH PROGRAM II :
Budget for Ground-Based Bird-Movement
Surveys at the Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field
and the Constructed Wetlands Project
(9 months, beginning January 1, 2009)
Personnel costs, including benefits
I.L. Brisbin, Jr. (Principal Investigator, 2% FTE)
Salary: $1,790 Actual Benefits @ 10%: $179
R.A. Kennamer (Research Professional, 45% FTE)
Salary: $16,137 Actual Benefits @ 37%: $5,971
W.L. Stephens, Jr. (Field Technician, 20% FTE)
Salary: $6,231 Actual Benefits @ 28%: $1,745
Administrative
Salary:$1,8l1.53 Benefits:$130.67
$ 1,969.00
$22,108.00
$ 7,976.00
$ 1,942.20
IT
Salary:$3,574.5l Benefits: $ 1 ,236.45
Maintenance
Salary:$1,090.80 Benefits:$299.03
$ 4,810.96
$ 1,389.83
Vehicle expenses
$ 1,875.00
SREL DIRECT COSTS (PROGRAM I I)
$42,071.00
Indirect costs (Univ. Georgia off-campus research overhead, 11.5%)
$ 4,838.00
RESEARCH PROGRAM II: TOTAL
$46,909.00
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RESEARCH PROGRAM III :
Budget for Evaluating the Use of Controlled Burning, Cutting, or Other
Alteration of Standing Vegetation in the Constructed Wetlands Project
to Reduce Roosting of Blackbirds
(9 months, beginning January 1, 2009)
Personnel costs, including benefits
I.L. Brisbin, Jr. (Principal Investigator, 2% FTE)
Salary: $1,790 Actual Benefits @ 10%: $179
R.A. Kennamer (Research Professional, 12% FTE)
Salary: $4,303 Actual Benefits @ 37%: $1,592
W.L. Stephens, Jr. Field Technician, 4% FTE)
Salary: $1,246 Actual Benefits @ 28%: $349
Administrative
Salary:$470.02 Benefits:$33.90
$ 1,969.00
$ 5,895.00
$ 1,595.00
$ 503.92
$ 1,495.15
$ 431.93
$ 570.00
$ 100.00
$12,560.00
$ 1,444.00
$14,004.00
IT
Salary:$1,110.88 Benefits:$384.26
Maintenance
Salary:$339.00 Benefits:$92.93
Vehicle expenses
Expendable supplies
SREL DIRECT COSTS (PROGRAM III)
Indirect costs (Univ. Georgia off-campus research overhead, 11.5%)
RESEARCH PROGRAM III: TOTAL
RESEARCH PROGRAM II: TOTAL (from page 14)
$46,909.00
RESEARCH PROGRAM I: TOTAL (from pa2e 13)
$14.126.00
GRAND TOTAL:
$ 75,039.00
Prepared by: Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr. and Robert A. Kennamer
The University of Georgia
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802
(803) 725-0387
kennamer@uga.edu
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