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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSavannah River Ecology Laboratory Augusta Richmond GA DOCUMENT NAME: S;,'A"~~~AH ~\\JCR.. E.c..O\C~'1Lr+~Ot<.A-TORI DOCUMENT TYPE: c...C>10T R.AC- I YEAR: ;;2 D D 0 BOX NUMBER: 1)( FILE NUMBER: I 4> ~ 0 l.p NUMBER OF PAGES: \ 'd- AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION BOB YOUNG Mayor STAFF ArroRNEYS MICHAEL R. DA VIS V ANESSA FLOURNOY SPARTICUS HEYWARD LEE BEARD TOMMY BoYLES ULMER BRIDGES ANDY CHEEK BOBBY G. HANKERSON WILLIAM B. KUIILKE, JR. WM. "WILLIE" H. MAYS, III STEPHEN E. SHEPARD MARION WILLIAMS JAMES B. WALL CITY AnORNEY AUGUSTA LAW DEPARTMENT RICHARD L. COLCLOUGH Mayor Pro Tem GEORGE R. KOLB Administrator January 28, 2003 Please Reply to: P,O. Box 2125 Augusta, GA 30903 (706) 821-2488 Fax (706) 722-5984 jwall@co,richmond,ga.us Ms. Lena Bonner Clerk, Commission 8th Floor, City-County Bldg. Augusta, GA 30911 RE: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Contract Our File No. AR-19-009 Dear Lena: I enclose herewith the original fully executed copy of the contract between Augusta and The University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, for purposes of the bird study at the constructed wetlands. Please include this in the City's permanent records. By carbon copy of this letter, I am forwarding a fully executed copy to Allen Saxon for the Utility Department's records. With best personal regards, I anl truly, JBW/sjp Enclosure cc: Mr. Max Hicks (w/o enclosure) Mr. Allen Saxon (w/enclosure) AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. SA V ANNAB RIVER ECOLOGY LABORATORY AND THE AUGUSTA - RICHMOND COUNTY, GEORGIA CONSOLIDA TED GOVERNMENT Effective, October 1, 2002, the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc., Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, hereinafter called the "University", accepts from the Augusta - Richmond County Consolidated Governnlent, hereinafter called the "Sponsor", a research grant, the conditions of which are as follows: Obiect: There are five main 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), and avian species of special interest (bald eagles, ospreys) using wetlands (both natural and man-made) in the vicinity of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, hereinafter called the "Airport". Specifically, additions to tlIis database will continue to describe use by the aforementioned species of the nearby Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant's developing artificial wetlands and Merry Land and Investment Company's brickyard ponds. Secondly, the University will conduct ground-based bird movement surveys at both the Airport and the adjacent m1ificial wetlands. These ground-based surveys will be 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. Thirdly, the University will continue to provide assistance to Airport personnel, as requested, for the purpose of identifying birds involved in collisions with aircraft at the Airport. Fourthly, the University will continue to exanline lIistorical and updated bird strike data from the Airport to identify patterns that may be associated with the construction and operation of the artificial wetlands. 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. 1. 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 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 October 1, 2002 - September 30, 2003 (total cost - $68,246.00), the Sponsor will pay the University $68,246.00 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. Liability: 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 of the 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 fifteen (15) copies of a final report to the Sponsor on Octo bel' 31, 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. An interim report or presentation 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-21 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) courtesy copies of any manuscripts written by the principal investigator prior to publication. VIII. Duration: (a). The period of performance shall be from October 1,2002- September 30, 2003. (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.96-517. PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR/INVESTIGATOR BY vf.-4k ~L. DATE:----I!I7/t)2 Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., ~ Senior Ecologist (Savannah River Ecology Laboratory) UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. BY: ~f-- ~ /~ DATE: / /.2 3/0 3 Dr. Gordhan L. Patel, Vice President for Research cf COUNTY CONSOLIDATED GOVE7ENT ~ DATE: I ~/() 3 / Ecological Studies of Birds in the Vicinity of the Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field and the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant To effectively monitor bird populations that mayor may not pose a hazard to air traffic operations, we propose to continue aerial survey coverage of: (l) 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 more limited bird surveys at only those two wetlands mentioned above is based upon prior survey results (1998-2001) fi-om a larger wetland complex indicating that these are the wetlands in the vicinity of Bush Field 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. 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 infofll1ation 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 deliberate bird dispersal activities (e.g., custom-trained harassment dogs or birds of prey, pyrotechnics, 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 problematic bird movement patterns that might be created by bird disturbances. In order to keep the cost of this work as low as possible, despite its scope of now including both aerial surveys and ground-based surveys, we propose to continue to provide an annual report to Augusta that is reduced in detail from the earlier (1998-2001) comprehensive versions that included extensive data analyses, statistical testing and interpretations. Instead, a simplified approach will be used that summarizes the results in tabular and graphical form, and is accompanied by a brief 1-2 page Executive Summary explaining the meaning and importance of the data that has been collected. We will be available however to verbally discuss our findings with 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 persOlmel/salaries to field technicians who are involved directly with the collection and reporting of critical data. In addition to bird surveys described above, the principal investigator and/or technical consultants supported under this contract will respond to all calls during the contract period for assistance from airport officials, to help in identifying the remains and/or photographs of any birds involved in aircraft strikes in the vicinity of Bush Field. If desired, these same individuals will work with any Bush Field personnel during the contract period who may be interested in improving their own abilities to identify such remains, and/or better understand the factors involved in any bird strike incidents OCCUlTing in the vicinity of the airfield. Specific details for carrying-out the two major research programs of this study ([I] conducting aerial bird surveys, [II] conducting ground-based bird movement surveys) are provided in the two individual work plans which follow. Separate budgets for each of the two major Shldy components are also provided. RESEARCH PROGRAM I: Work Plan for Conducting Aerial Surveys of Birds at the Constructed Wetlands Project and the Merryland Ponds (12 months, beginning October 1,2002) Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) personnel will continue to 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 selected wetlands in the vicinity of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field. Areas to be surveyed for birds will include only the Constructed Wetlands Project of the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Merry Land and Investment Company brickyard ponds. 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, Savannah River stage at Butler Creek, 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. TlllS project will include fifty-one (51) flights over a contract period of twelve (12) months to be executed at approximately 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 five (5) flights over the contract period, flights may be added to the end of the contract period or may be used for other purposes related to the study during the contract period, at the discretion of the Sponsor. For the purposes of electronic data storage and summarization, map-referenced data from the aerial surveys will be pooled into two groupings of wetland locations. These wetland groupings will include: (1) the Constructed Wetlands Project near the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant, and (2) the Men'y Land and Investment Company brickyard ponds. 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 groupings as described above) differences in avian species assemblages and numbers, as well as temporal (annual and seasonal) changes in the species assemblages and distributions. RESEARCH PROGRAM II: Work Plan for Conducting Ground-Based Bird-Movement Surveys at the Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field and the Constructed Wetlands Project (12 months, begimling October 1, 2002) 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, numerous wading birds, divers including COllliorants and anhingas, blackbirds, gulls, and 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. Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) personnel will 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 until 12:00PM, (3) l2:0lPM until 3:00PM, and (4) 3:01PM until 15 minutes after sunset (Eastern Standard Times; add one hour 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. This methodology allows for all possible combinations of the four locations and the four time blocks to be chosen montWy 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 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, 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. RESEARCH PROGRAM I: Budget for Conducting Aerial Surveys of Birds at the Constructed Wetlands Project and the Merryland Ponds (12 months, beginning October 1,2002) Personnel costs, including benefits 1.L. Brisbin, Jr. (Principal Investigator, 3% FTE) Salary: $3,553 Benefits: $924 R.A. Kennamer (Research Coordinator, 10% FTE) Salary: $4,014 Benefits: $1,044 W.L. Stephens, Jr. (Flight Observer, 20% FTE) Salary: $5,726 Benefits: $1,947 $ 4,477.00 $ 5,058.00 $ 7,673.00 Aircraft and pilot (Augusta Aviation, Daniel Field) weekly aerial surveys @ approx. 0.75 hrs each $ 3,771.00 Vehicle expenses $ 1,200.00 RESEARCH PROGRAM I DIRECT COSTS $22,179.00 Other direct SREL costs ((acilities, operations) $ 4,500.00 SREL DIRECT COSTS (pROGRAM I) $26,679.00 Indirect costs (Univ. Georgia overhead, 9.6%) $ 2,561.00 RESEARCH PROGRAM I : TOTAL $29,240.00 RESEARCH PROGRAM II: Budget for Conducting Ground-Based Bird-Movement Surveys at the Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field and the Constructed Wetlands Project (12 months, beginning October 1, 2002) Personnel costs, including benefits I.L. Brisbin, Jr. (Principal Investigator, 3% FTE) Salary: $3,553 Benefits: $924 $ 4,477.00 R.A. Kennamer (Research Coordinator, 10% FTE) Salary: $4,014 Benefits: $1,044 $ 5,058.00 C. Eldridge (Bird Observer, 45% FTE) Salary: $13,175 Benefits: $4,479 $17,654.00 Vehicle expenses $ 2,400.00 RESEARCH PROGRAM II DIRECT COSTS $29,589.00 Other direct SREL costs (facilities, operations) $ 6,000.00 SREL DIRECT COSTS (pROGRAM II) $35,589.00 Indirect costs (Univ. Georgia overhead, 9.6%) $ 3,417.00 RESEARCH PROGRAM II : TOTAL $39,006.00 RESEARCH PROGRAM I: TOTAL (from previous page) $29,240.00 GRAND TOTAL: $68,246.00 Prepared by: Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr. and Robert A. Kelmamer University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802 (803) 725-0387 kennamer@srel.edu