Marine and Mammal Habitat Monitoring: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW) Prey – Salmon Monitoring for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)

Background
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District is issuing a cooperative agreement for the Marine and Mammal Habitat Monitoring project focused on the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW) and its primary prey, salmon. This initiative aims to support the recovery of the endangered CIBW through long-term monitoring efforts as part of the 2021 JBER Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP). The project is limited to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program in Alaska and Colorado Plateau Regions.

Grant Details
The project involves several key tasks:

1. **Eagle River and Otter Lake System Salmon Productivity**: Deploy dual frequency identification sonars and a picket weir in Eagle River to enumerate adult salmon escapement. Deploy VAKI Riverwatcher camera monitoring system at Otter Lake; process data for total abundance and compare peak run timing to previous years.

2. **Sixmile Lake Fishery Salmon Productivity**: Enumerate out-migration of salmon smolt and spawning adult salmon; evaluate long-term population trends within Sixmile drainage.

3. **Invasive Species Surveillance using Environmental DNA (eDNA)**: Execute eDNA sampling protocols for invasive species, particularly Northern Pike, at designated JBER lake systems. Coordinate laboratory analysis and ensure quality control measures are in place.

4. **Draft and Final Reports**: Prepare draft and final post-field season summary reports detailing methods, data analysis, and findings from each task.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants must be members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program in Alaska or Colorado Plateau Regions. Additionally, all parties involved must have an active NIST SP 800-171 Assessment performed within the last three years.

Period of Performance
The base period of performance will extend for 18 months from the date of award, with potential follow-on periods totaling up to six additional 18-month terms based on funding availability.

Grant Value
Approximately $355,000 is expected to be available for the base period, with additional funding possible for optional tasks or follow-on work in subsequent years.

Place of Performance
The grant activities will be conducted at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska.