Cibola Wildfire Rehabilitation/Invasive Species Control

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The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstratable factors such as location, property, ownership, support capacity, cost-sharing ability, technical expertise, and other unique qualifications.Eligible applicants are limited to River Partners organization. River Partners is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation that specializes in large scale habitat restoration in degraded riparian ecosystems. River Partners has an extensive background in habitat restoration, scientific planning, project implementation and management, and experience working in floodplains of high order rivers. Additionally, River Partners is capable of developing site-specific planting designs based upon local conditions, soil properties, plant associations, hydrology, project objectives, habitat requirements of target species, and management practices. The principal purpose of this agreement is to restore native habitat within the historic floodplain of the Lower Colorado River. All restoration efforts will occur on Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. Restored sites will mimic historic cottonwood-willow gallery forests, supplement available habitat for threatened and endangered species, and reduce invasive exotic plant distribution on the Refuge. An array of resident and migratory species will also benefit from restored habitats. In addition, restored sites will create wildlife corridors and facilitate recolonization of native fauna in previously restored sites. Further, establishment of native vegetation will increase aesthetic values and decrease soil erosion. On November 8, 2010, modification to existing contract No. 201818J821, addition of $70,000 to current cooperative agreement with River Partners.

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