Phase 1 – Conceptual site development and landowner contact The initial phase of the project is to locate prospective water quality (WQ) wetland sites for landowner contact. Any and all design types (floodplain, pumped, breakpoint, hybrid saturated buffer, etc.) for water quality wetlands would be eligible through this RFP. Typically, these are found through a remote assessment using publicly available data (soils, LiDAR, etc.) to determine initial feasibility of the practice. Concept maps should contain the project’s drainage area, wetland area, known tile locations/outlets/pumps/etc., and estimated 100-year storm bounce (if applicable). Review of sites should also assess proximity/potential impact to neighboring landowners and infrastructure (roads, pipelines, airports, wind energy, etc.) to ensure the site would be not impact those features. Once a conceptual design has been developed, Consultant will send to IDALS for review and clarify any questions of the concept before proceeding to initial landowner(s) contact. IDALS will indicate approval of the conceptual design and develop an accompanying easement estimate (if applicable) and may request an IDALS representative to attend the initial landowner meeting to ensure program details are communicated to landowners consistent with IDALS programs. If landowner(s) are interested in further developing the site, they will sign an “IP-1” agreement with IDALS to reserve funding to support the development of this site. The IP-1 does not require the landowner(s) to build the site but is a mechanism for IDALS to reserve funding until the site is determined feasible, and the landowner(s) agree to enroll in an available wetland program. Landowner(s) must also provide a completed sheet to indicate “known deed restrictions” and may need to also complete an “ROI (Record of Inquiry)” form to allow IDALS or others to access USDA information to support development of the project. Only WQ wetland concepts that receive signed IP-1s from landowners will be eligible through this RFP. The Consultant should factor in the number of conceptual sites needed to gain landowner interest for the number of sites listed in the proposal. Phase 2 – Wetland Site Plan Once positive response is received by the landowner(s) and IDALS approves moving into design, phase 2 of the project can begin. The topographic site survey will be completed. Topographic survey should cover the entire extent of the proposed project area with tile lines/outlets identified and grades determined. This phase also includes determining the location and size of the structure, including the spillway/outlet/pump/etc. design. This information will be used to facilitate the final design process. In the event that additional site information is needed, Consultant will communicate with IDALS requesting this additional information. If requested information exceeds the ability or timeliness of IDALS or its partners to complete, IDALS will work with the Consultant to determine an agreed to approach of gathering this information. The location and height of the structure, wetland footprint, pump infrastructure, etc. shall consider various property lines, buried tile, and other manmade structures. It is imperative that the drainage rights of upstream and downstream landowners be maintained after the project is constructed. Any nearby tiles should be modified to allow them to drain into the wetland (if applicable) maintaining the minimum design separation of one foot between the invert of the tile and the normal pool elevation. Grading will be allowed as necessary to facilitate the design and maintain the intention of the practice and/or to limit impacts to other site features/neighbors. However, a minimum of six inches of topsoil will need to be placed over graded areas with water depths of less than three (3) feet to provide a suitable environment for wetland plants to develop. The wetland should be sited so that it meets the program eligibility requirements including: (1) the surface area of normal pool elevation at least 0.5 percent of the total drainage area (or equivalent for pumped sites), (2) the normal pool level area is shallow - ex. >75% 3 feet or less, (3) the minimum easement area incorporating the 100-year flood elevation, and (4) the final easement area (after squaring off to meet landowner objectives for cropping adjacent areas) has a maximum ratio of 4 acres land to 1 acre of wetland unless a site specific waiver is obtained. Some special conditions might be encountered that will require special design considerations, such as buried utilities, railroad, or other roadway right of ways. Additional compensation will be added to the contract as negotiated between IDALS and the Consultant for sites where these conditions are encountered. The project designs, including the plans and specifications, must be in accordance with NRCS standards. Please note for this phase of the project that the wetland and spillway design shall meet the requirements outlined in NRCS Conservation Practice Codes (CPC) 410 – Grade Stabilization Structure, 656 – Constructed Wetland, and 657 – Wetland Restoration or other applicable standard(s). During this phase, the necessary information includes the normal pool elevation of the wetland, confirmation that the principal and emergency spillway can pass the design storm events, and that the upstream and downstream drainage rights have been maintained. Most sites will not require a detailed hydraulic analysis for this phase. For the purposes of this RFP, assume that this detailed analysis will be completed in Phase 3. If some sites require this analysis during this phase, the contract will be modified as needed. Some sites will not be able to be sited as shown in the conceptual plan as submitted by IDALS for the RFP. Other sites may have other restraints that reduce the pool size or will require excessive grading. In these circumstances, we request that the Consultant submit conceptual preliminary layout of the wetland for review. No hydrologic or cost estimating should be completed until IDALS has had a chance to review and discuss the initial preliminary plan. Assuming an acceptable plan can be achieved, then a complete preliminary analysis will be completed and submitted. The Consultant will submit the wetland site plan along with a preliminary construction cost estimate to IDALS for review. The preliminary site plan shall include the topographic information obtained, the structure/diversion/pump location and elevation, the outline for deep and shallow water elevations, the 100-year storm elevation, the location of anticipated borrow and fill areas, the elevation and location of tiles and any necessary modifications for daylighting, along with the outline of any anticipated grading. If necessary, the Consultant shall make any necessary design modifications as requested by IDALS. After the preliminary design is approved by IDALS, the Consultant shall submit the following deliverables: • A completed Wetland Design Data Sheet (form provided by IDALS) • A preliminary cost estimate • An electronic form of the preliminary site design in PDF format with an aerial photograph background. The Consultant will set up a meeting to negotiate the final easement area and obtain the landowner’s final approval of the project. If the site will have an SWCD held easement, IDALS or designated representative must attend this meeting. The Consultant will attend this meeting and present the wetland site plan to the landowner(s). If a site includes multiple landowners, the Consultant shall assume they will only need to attend one meeting with all of the landowners present. If for some reason, the landowner(s) does not want to proceed with the project at this time or if the project cannot proceed because it fails to meet certain program requirements, then the Consultant will be compensated for the work completed to date and will not proceed with any of the other phases outlined below. If the landowner, based on this meeting, requires some changes that lead to additional engineering time or a redesign of the site and/or if the Consultant is requested to attend additional meetings with the landowner, this additional cost will be added to the contract at an agreed upon scope and price with an amendment to the contract.
