Idaho Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy - ESPRI Scope of Work, 1/20/05

A public survey conducted in 2002 documented broad support for Idaho Fish and Game to manage all fish and wildlife including nongame species and the importance of nongame species to Idahoans. State fish and wildlife programs are traditionally funded by hunters and anglers leaving a gap in funding for species not hunted or fished. In 2001, Congress authorized and appropriated funds for the State Wildlife Grants Program to provide funding for states to manage and conserve non-game species. Idaho has received funds for 3 years under that program. Subsequently, Congress has directed that each state prepare a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy by October 2005 in order to be eligible for the program for FY2006.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game recognizes the importance of nongame species to game species and to the people of Idaho. Managing and conserving nongame species in a prudent manner may prevent species from becoming threatened or endangered. The State of Idaho has adopted several strategies during the last five years to prevent species from becoming listed under the Endangered Species Act. Communities such as Bonners Ferry, Idaho, have also adopted similar philosophies that the best way to have a species delisted or keep one from being listed is to recover or conserve the species. Through the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative, Bonners Ferry has developed a recovery plan for burbot.

A comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy for Idaho will identify game and nongame species with the greatest conservation need. This strategy will identify species with the greatest conservation need and conservation methods. With this strategy, Idaho will be able assist vulnerable species and avoid the restrictions and economic impacts to rural communities of species being listed under the Endangered Species Act.

The Environmental Science and Public Policy Research Institute at Boise State University under contract to Idaho Department of Fish and Game will perform several tasks in the development of a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for Idaho.

Task 1

Determine stakeholder concerns regarding CWCS development other states have been encountering and how other states have been addressing those concerns.

Deliverables: Memo documenting stakeholder concerns with CWCS development in other states.

Level of Effort: 2 days

Task 2

Organize and facilitate Leadership Committee Meetings

Deliverables: Agendas, meeting notices, meeting notes.

Level of Effort: 12 days - 4 meetings, three days effort per meeting; half a day for agenda development and drafting meeting notice, one day meeting prep, half a day facilitating the meeting, one day for preparing notes and providing follow up.

Task 3

Dialogue with Leadership Committee members

Deliverables: Memo documenting concerns and suggestions for resolution.

Level of Effort: 9 days - 18 committee members, half day per member for meeting and documenting

Task 4

Dialogue with stakeholders

Deliverables: List of key stakeholders, documentation of stakeholder concerns for strategy, vision of public participation in CWCS implementation

Level of Effort: 15 days - dependent on list and discussions with Fish and Game

Task 5

Develop audience-specific public information and webpage products

Deliverables: Webpage products, presentations, fact sheets

Level of Effort: 10 days

Task 6

Conduct other CWCS support duties as directed

Level of Effort: 6 days, half day each month for 9 months for meetings, 1.5 days for review

Budget Justification

Salary - Salary is for Sarah Bigger for 54 days of effort which is approximately of 2.5 months of effort.

Fringe Benefits - 30% of salary

Travel - Travel will be to meet with key stakeholders around the state. One trip will be taken to North Idaho, Central Idaho, and Eastern Idaho each.

North Idaho (CDA, Bonners, Sandpoint, Moscow, Plummer) – $500 Total
Airfare $200
Rental Car $50/day, 2 days = $100
Gasoline $40
Lodging $85 for 1 night
Per diem $30/day, 2 days = $60
Airport Parking $8/day, 2 days = $16

Central Idaho (Riggins, Lewiston, Lapwai) - $348 Total
Mileage $0.375/mile, 540 miles roundtrip to Lewiston = $203
Lodging $85 for 1 night
Per diem $30/day, 2 days = $60

Eastern Idaho (Twin Falls, Ketchum, Idaho Falls, Salmon, Challis) - $726 Total
Mileage $0.375/mile, 750 miles to Idaho Falls to Salmon to Ketchum = $281
Lodging $85/night, 1 night
Per diem $30/day, 3 days = $90

Indirects – 20% of total directs