Conservation & Management of Rivers in NWRS

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This agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Wildlife Refuge System and River Management Society (RMS)) is entered into to support collaborative activities and mutually agreed upon projects for management and conservation of rivers in the Refuge System and designated components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSR System). Through this Agreement, the Service and RMS – in coordination with the other Federal agencies responsible for administering wild and scenic rivers (USDA Forest Service, BLM, and the National Park Service) - will work jointly to promote and enhance the NWSR System and support river conservation at the state and local levels. Activities supported under this agreement are intended to raise public awareness about the important roles rivers play in adding values to people’s lives, appropriate river management, and environmentally responsible use of rivers. In FY 2010, this will include $10K for the initial planning and organization for the 2011 Interagency River Management Workshop to be hosted by the Service in Alaska. Justification for Single Source Determination: In accordance with Department of the Interior guidance (505 DM 2.14) the USFWS provides notice of its intent to make a single-source award in the amount of $10,000 via a Cooperative Agreement with the River Management Society. Competition is not practicable for this project for two reasons: (1) funding for the initial planning and organization for the 2011 Interagency River Management Workshop is necessary to ensure the success of the workshop and competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity of the project and (2) because of applicant’s Unique Qualifications. RMS is a national nonprofit professional organization. The mission of the Society is to support professionals who study, protect, and manage North America's rivers by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, techniques and strategies about the appropriate use and management of river resources, and to encourage the formation of networks and partnerships among a broad range of river professionals. To accomplish such work, RMS is involved in promoting river conservation and management, researching river management related issues, managing professional networking tools including a website and listserv, administering educational programs, and developing special projects. RMS membership includes federal, state, and local agency employees, educators, researchers, consultants, and organizations and citizens from the private sector. Over the past 15 years, RMS and Federal agencies administering the NWSR System have collaborated in organizing and co-sponsoring biennial Interagency River Management Workshops and biennial River Management Symposia. The Service is slated to host the Interagency River Management Workshop in 2011. RMS hosts the River Management Symposia. These conferences are designed to be interactive and address timely on-the-river issues faced by attendees. The meetings provide networking, problem-solving and training opportunities for those involved in the broad field of rivers and river management. RMS will coordinate with the Service and partners as necessary and appropriate to identify meeting and lodging facilities in support of the 2011 workshop and administer all aspects of meeting support, including registration, commitments for lodging, travel and honoraria, and production of proceedings, as requested. RMS will coordinate with NWRS to develop ideas in support of river conservation and management in the refuge system and cooperate with the NWRS to identify and solicit partner organizations to collaborate and co-fund projects as necessary and appropriate. RMS is and uniquely qualified to provide the necessary organizational and logistical support for the Service-hosted interagency workshop. Competition would have a significant adverse effect on the successful planning and delivery of this workshop.

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