Submitted by: Andy Bicking, Scenic Hudson

Introduction: Scenic Hudson, a 44-year-old environmental organization and land trust working to protect, preserve and restore the Hudson River and its shoreline as public and natural resources wishes to solicit proposals to assist the baseline field investigation of Hudson's South Bay in order to develop a restoration plan for this resource should the opportunity arise.

South Bay, located along Route 9G and the Hudson River, within the city of Hudson and the town of Greenport, Columbia County, NY, was once a thriving natural and public resource. Access to the site had been part of residents' lives since the city's incorporation in 1783. At that time, South Bay had an average depth of 16 feet, was a navigable, viable fishery and safe port. However, due to nearly two centuries of industrial use, South Bay has largely filled in, resulting in the degradation and loss of estuarine and other valuable habitat and turning South Bay into a nearly forgotten resource. Active railroad tracks have all but isolated the bay from the Hudson River, except for a small bridge allowing restricted tidal flow exchange between the river and the bay. In addition, a causeway that has been constructed through the middle of the bay has substantially altered flow and separated the bay into eastern and western portions.

Consequently, both the former harbor and the community have suffered negative impacts, including the loss of habitat and recreational use, compromised historically significant views, regular flooding of a state highway during storm events and a decrease of economically productive waterfront uses. What was once a viable ecosystem and community resource is now regularly considered as having little ecological, recreational or economic value.

Study Area: Scenic Hudson has secured signed, written permission to access South Bay via the L&B Furniture property located on Route 9G in the city of Hudson and via the St. Lawrence Cement (SLC) property. Both property owners have agreed to allow access to their properties under guidelines which must be strictly adhered to at all times.

The proposed study should cover the tide-affected wetlands of Hudson South Bay as well as the uplands adjoining the bay. Any non-tidal wetlands hydrologically connected to and within 100 meters of the tidal wetlands should be included. The study area is approximately 121 acres, some of which is only accessible by non-motorized boat. There is a potential reference area at the south west corner of the site, in the vicinity of the bridge which allows flow exchange between the river and the bay.

Study Objectives: This study should lead to a better understanding of the current conditions, and then to the ultimate development of a restoration plan for South Bay. The field work will be conducted by both in-house Scenic Hudson staff and hired consultant(s) to assist with the informational gaps. The study referenced in this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to conduct reptile and amphibian surveys during the 2007 field season.

A prior study contracted in 2006 has identified a threat of continued invasion by the Common Reed into larger portions of Hudson South Bay. Further scientific investigation is necessary before commencing any restoration plans to ensure no further injury is caused by insufficient or incomplete research. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to gather additional site data before proceeding with either changes to or management of the site. An assessment of hydrological conditions will be carried out in the summer of 2007. Aerial photos will be collected during the summer of 2007 to identify change in wetland plant community composition over a 10 year period (1998-2007) and a mapped product of these changes will be available for analysis in 2009.

Additional studies, including longitudinal studies, especially of fish and waterfowl usage, a rare species assessment and on-site survey of rare plants and animals (including review of existing records of species in the surrounding area, and from similar habitats in the estuary), a breeding bird survey, a dragonfly and damselfly survey, a fish survey, and a review of pre-existing information on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV's), which exists extensively in the river just outside the mouth of the tidal channel into South Bay, are planned for the future. These and other additional scientific studies together can provide a roadmap of desirable actions that will promote the ecological restoration of South Bay. All studies, including the study identified in this RFP, should include equivalent study of the reference site to determine reference conditions. Reference conditions will be used to identify restoration targets for the potential future restoration of the site.

Project Schedule and Cost: The field investigation portion of this project must be completed in a 6-month period, which allows time for seasonal field investigations for summer 2007, and fall 2007. The selection committee will decide on a field consultant by May 21, 2007 with the field work beginning immediately after. The project should be completed by December 15, 2007. Scenic Hudson has committed $7,000 for the field investigations; therefore, the total cost, including expenses, should not exceed $7,000.

Project Goals:

1. Reptile and Amphibian investigations through document review and field study.
2. Augment field work being conducted by Scenic Hudson staff and partners.
3. Identify potential opportunities and central issues pertaining to potential restoration of the site. Restoration project managers will use information from this study and other biological studies along with studies of the physical environment to identify restoration opportunities.

Tasks and Deliverables:

Task 1 — Project Scoping Meeting: Meet Scenic Hudson staff in our office to coordinate field investigations and site access guidelines. Outcome: Signed agreement of access guidelines and coordinated field investigations.

Task 3 — Preliminary Research: Assess where and how field work will be conducted. Outcome: Study plan written by researcher(s) and reviewed and approved by Scenic Hudson and its partners.

Task 4 — Habitat and Taxonomic Scope of Study: Conduct field study. Outcome: Conduct study and provide written report of all findings to Scenic Hudson.

Andy Bicking
Scenic Hudson
One Civic Center Plaza, Suite 200
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Fax: (845) 473-2648
Email: abicking@scenichudson.org