HomeMy WebLinkAboutHoh River Resiliency - Lindner Complex Ranch
615 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Hoh River Resiliency – Lindner Complex Reach
Preliminary and Final Design
Request for Proposals (RFP) Release: August 30, 2023
Proposal Due: By 5pm Pacific Standard Time on September 29, 2023
Questions Due: By 5pm Pacific Standard Time on September 15, 2023
Anticipated Project Timeframe: November 1, 2023 – no later than June 1, 2026
Introduction
Jefferson County (hereafter referred to as the Agency) is requesting proposals from qualified consulting
firms (Consultant) to develop engineered designs for reach-scale restoration of the mainstem Hoh River
and floodplain using engineered log jams and other techniques to achieve multiple habitat and
community objectives, and to create and support area jobs. The Middle Hoh River and floodplain hold
great significance for the Hoh Tribe, and the Lindner Creek area is central to valley tourism and the
cherished legacy of pioneer family history. The reach (Milepost 5.0 – 6.5; River Mile 21 – 23) is traversed
by the Upper Hoh Road, which provides access to commercial, recreational, agricultural and residential
areas as well as Olympic National Park and the Agency’s road maintenance facility. The Lindner project
will identify, assess, and select options to reduce erosion risks to infrastructure that will also lead to
habitat, water quality, and other benefits for wild fish, including spring Chinook and steelhead, by taking
steps to reestablish habitat-forming processes altered by logging and roadbuilding, and by protecting
and enhancing existing areas of high-quality habitat. It advances the Middle Hoh Resiliency Plan's
highest priority action (https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/1427/Hoh-River-Resiliency-Plan).
Proposals should demonstrate a balance of knowledge and experience in fisheries biology, civil
engineering, fluvial geomorphology, hydraulic modeling, restoration project permitting, climate change
and related impacts, and other technical fields. The design team should include licensed professional
engineers and licensed professional engineering geologists with experience in salmon habitat
restoration in the Hoh River and/or comparable watersheds in Washington State. The overall project will
be collaborative in nature, foster local employment, and involve periodic online and in-person meetings
with the Hoh Tribe, businesses, landowners, a new technical advisory committee, NGOs, user groups,
and the public. The anticipated Period of Performance lasts approximately 52 months, with an end date
no later than June 1, 2026. A link to the Consultant’s downloadable proposal (PDF) must be received by
the Agency no later than 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on September 29, 2023, at the following email
address: tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us.
Community Health Environmental Public Health
Developmental Disabilities 360-385-9444
360-385-9400 (f) 360-379-4487
360-385-9401 (f)
Always working for a safer and healthier community
2
Setting
The Hoh River is glacier-fed, large, fast, and dynamic, with flows generally ranging from 600 - 50,000 cfs.
The floodplain is popular with local residents and visitors for fishing, all terrain vehicle use, walking and
hiking, and for subsistence and other cultural uses by members of the Hoh Tribe.
In the Lindner Complex Reach, side channels thread maturing floodplain forests immediately adjacent to
essential public infrastructure and thriving small businesses. Risk of mainstem avulsion northward
towards this area appears to be increasing, and could increase exposure to high velocity flows, erosion,
loss of diverse off-channel areas and forests, and emergency-based placement of riprap to protect the
Upper Hoh Road or the Jefferson County Road Maintenance Shop. The mainstem channel hasn't
occupied the right bank floodplain since the mid-1990s, keeping primarily to the south side of the valley.
In recent years, following an avulsion upstream that redirected flow, erosion of the right bank floodplain
has accelerated. With the channel migrating northward, increased flows are entering the side channels
and traversing the right bank floodplain, creating high quality diverse habitat for rearing juvenile
salmonids.
Habitat and other natural process impairments exist broadly in the watershed due to logging, land
clearing, road building, invasive plant species, the warming climate, and increased delivery of sediment
from erosion, landslides and glacier recession. Absent buffers of formerly stable side channels, built
environments and farmland have become increasingly vulnerable to higher flood flow velocities and
erosion. Important limiting factors in the project reaches are main channel simplification and incision,
aggradation, simplification of the floodplain including historic filling of wetlands and possibly side
channels, disconnection of side channels, and absence of large wood leading to burial or excavation of
redds during scouring floods. Abundant, diverse habitat for salmon and steelhead depend upon the
presence of mature floodplain forests of large conifers to create and maintain habitat features, including
access to cold water and off-channel refuge.
Goals and Objectives
The project goals are to address foundational problems for people and fish habitat – of channel system
instability and the growing absence of mature floodplain conifer forests – in the Lindner Reach. The
desired future condition includes continued vehicular access to Olympic National Park, enhanced
community resiliency, and abundant mainstem spawning habitat for spring Chinook as well as diverse
habitats to support migration, spawning and rearing of steelhead, coho, and ESA-listed bull trout. The
desired future condition would rely upon extensive mature conifer forests connected to cold water
inputs, numerous diverse side channels, wetlands and beaver ponds, plentiful stable large wood jams
being overgrown by forest, supporting the food web with spaces for insects and small mammals to
occupy. The jams would generate numerous mainstem pools, off channel refugia, and thriving riparian
buffers that provide shade to the river’s shorelines and reduce the exposure of built environments to
the mainstem and reduce the need for road repairs and the loss of structures due to erosion.
Project Objectives will be achieved through a series of assessments and increasingly robust designs
spanning 500 acres of the project reach south of the Upper Hoh Road (3 conceptual designs followed by
2
3
one preliminary design). These will lead to a final Phase I engineered design for at least 100 acres as well
as permit applications for construction. The final design effort will include wetland delineation, cultural
resources survey and assessment, engineer’s estimate, CLOMR/LOMR, and the final basis of design and
drawing. All of the designs will address channel system and community resiliency during both high and
low flows and under the projected influences of climate change for 2050.
The designs will be informed by the analyses and coarse-scale conceptual designs presented in the
Middle Hoh River Resiliency and Action Plan. Green LiDAR and orthophotos acquired in 2022 are
available on the Agency map server. All project deliverables must be consistent with the Recreation and
Conservation OfficeWCRRI and RCO (salmon recovery) guidance. A cultural resources assessment will be
a component of the project’s JARPA package to facilitate review of the project under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and Executive Order 02-02 and subsequent guidance.
Construction will be funded separately and is not a part of this RFP.
Scope of work and deliverables
Anticipated Project Scope of Work and associated deliverables are as follows:
TASK 1: Existing Conditions Characterization (entire reach)
Describe methods and data to be collected sufficient to characterize the existing conditions in
the project reach. Summarize the anticipated existing reports, geospatial, and field collected
data that will be used to describe:
riparian and wetland conditions
landuse/land type/land cover
fish spawning and rearing habitat
design constraints (Upper Hoh Road relocation will not be considered)
locations of side channels and flow condition
active and/or impaired geomorphic processes
high water marks/OHW
main stem channel
valley margin hillsides
Summarize findings in Reach Existing Conditions chapter within the basis of design report,
include appropriate figures, tables, and maps.
Deliverables: Chapter for basis of design report, relevant appendices
TASK 2: Existing Conditions Reach Hydrology & Hydraulics (entire reach)
Characterize the reach hydrology including primary tributary inputs, and at recurrence intervals
for important flows for fish, assessing design performance, and for regulatory compliance
(FEMA). Include a description of recent flood history and trends in the project reach. Estimate
3
4
project reach hydrology for 2050 and 2080.
Describe development of existing conditions 2D hydraulic model of the project reach utilizing
2022 green LiDAR in Reach Hydrology & Hydraulics chapter within the basis of design report.
Include descriptions and maps of hydraulic conditions for all flows simulated.
Deliverables: Chapter for basis of design report, relevant appendices
TASK 3: Reach Geomorphology (entire reach)
Document historic disturbances in the project reach that have contributed to degraded habitat
conditions. Provide a reach-specific narrative on how the channel has changed over time, the
geomorphic processes involved, and how those changes have impacted salmonid populations
and the local community. Describe how wood and logjams influence river changes in the project
reach, and how that influence compares to historic conditions (200+ years ago). Summarize
methods used and findings of the assessment in Reach Geomorphology chapter within the basis
of design report.
Deliverables: Chapter for basis of design report, relevant appendices
TASK 4: Climate Change Impacts (watershed with emphasis on project reach)
Provide a summary of how climate change will influence waters of the Hoh River, including
temperature and flow magnitude during high and low flows. Describe how these changes will
impact salmonids and the local community. Summarize recent channel changes (25-yrs),
potential linkages to broader climate change impacts, and anticipated trends. Select projected
climate change flow(s) will be modeled in the Preliminary Design task. Summarize findings and
conclusions in Climate Change Impacts chapter within the basis of design report.
Deliverables: Chapter for basis of design report, relevant appendices
TASK 5: Community Outreach and Engagement (geography of engagement varies by audience)
Develop a community outreach and engagement plan which includes:
- Yearly “Hoh River \[watershed\] Resiliency” picnics or other gatherings for the public (up to 4
events total). The purpose of these events is community building and education. People who are
interested in the watershed come together for a meal to hear and discuss what’s going on from
a variety of perspectives. Community building. Tables, short presentations, tables/handouts.
Organized and facilitated by the Agency. Food service provided by the Agency and/or
community potluck.
- In-person individual landowner meetings (up to 40 1-hour meetings in the Hoh River Valley or
North Olympic Peninsula). Scheduled by Consultant and/or the Agency.
- As needed meetings (or site visits) of a new technical advisory group specific to this project to
include invitations to the Hoh Tribe Natural Resources department, reach landowners, reach
businesses (including timber producers and sawmills), other interested landowners, NGOs,
4
5
boaters and other user groups, Agency departments and relevant state and federal agencies
such as the USFS and Western Federal Lands. Convened, organized and documented by
Consultant. Venues provided by the Agency as needed.
- Consultant presentations to the Hoh Tribal Council, Agency leadership, City of Forks, user
groups, economic groups, or other stakeholders (10 in-person meetings). The Agency will work
with liaisons to schedule and coordinate.
- Peninsula College Natural Resources program
student engagement, as appropriate and
feasible. The Agency will schedule and coordinate.
- Additional outreach efforts will be made to the larger Jefferson County community at key
design milestones, via social media and local newsletters, newspapers or other forums.
The community engagement effort is essential to the success of the project. Its purpose is to
request and include local knowledge and expertise in the project work, and to keep the Hoh
Tribe, stakeholders and the interested public updated with regards to project findings and next
steps. This engagement and outreach process will extend through the duration of the project
and be summarized in Community Outreach and Engagement chapter within the basis of design
report.
Deliverables: Community outreach and engagement plan and implementation summary
appendix to the Final/Preliminary basis of design report.
TASK 6: Concept Design Development (full project reach)
Based on finding of previous tasks, develop three concept design alternatives for the entire
project reach that meet the goals and objectives. Each alternative should include a concept-level
cost estimate for implementation, anticipated access and staging, locations and descriptions of
proposed actions in map view, relevant examples or similar work, and anticipated changes to
hydraulic conditions as a result of the proposed work. A list of metrics will be developed with
the Agency to develop a matrix to compare and rank the alternatives. The ranking will be used
to inform selection of the preferred alternative to be further developed to preliminary design.
Some combination of proposed actions from more than one alternative many be used to
develop the preferred alternative.
Deliverables: Three concept design alternative drawings/plans, hydraulic model results, ranking
matrix, chapter for basis of design report, relevant appendices
TASK 7: Preliminary Design Development (minimum of 500 acres)
Describe the design process that will develop the preferred concept design alternative to
preliminary design. Preliminary design would be used for permitting (60% design). Include
intermediate milestones where drafts materials can be reviewed by the Agency and the
stakeholder group. Provide anticipated drawing sheets, describe proposed hydraulic modeling
approach, needed outreach and coordination with the Hoh Tribe, permit agencies, the Agency,
local landowners, and broader stakeholder group. Develop proposed future (2050 or 2080)
5
6
conditions hydraulic model for final preliminary design characterizing conditions during the
design flow event (assuming no channel changes from 2022 LiDAR). Complete Preliminary basis
of design chapters describing the preliminary design process, proposed restoration actions,
implementation cost, and anticipated changes to meet the project goals.
Deliverables: Preliminary design drawings/plans, hydraulic model results, cost estimate,
preliminary basis of design report, relevant appendices
TASK 8: Invasive Plant Prevention Plan (preliminary design area plus access routes including
equipment wash sites)
Describe elements of an invasive plant prevention plan to limit the introduction and spread of
new and existing invasive plant species related to the implementation of the proposed
preliminary design.
Deliverables: Draft and final Invasive Plant Prevention Plan
TASK 9: Risk Assessment (preliminary design area)
Describe risk from flooding and erosion under existing conditions and as a result of the
proposed restoration actions in preliminary design to existing infrastructure and private
property within and adjacent to the project reach. Evaluate impacts to boater safety from
proposed actions. Evaluate risk from flooding and erosion due to potential future geomorphic
river planform changes.
Deliverables: Risk Assessment appendix to the Final/Preliminary basis of design report.
TASK 10: Project Permitting (final design area)
Develop a plan for project permitting outlining the regulatory permit package submittal process.
This plan will summarize project-specific required submittals and the corresponding agency/ies.
Consultant will be responsible for federal and state permit application submittals for the project,
including wetlands delineation and cultural resources assessment. The Agency will help
determine if other authorizations will be required at the local and County level.
Deliverables: Preparation and submittal of federal, state, and local permit applications, including
supporting figures, reports and documentation.
TASK 11: Phase I Final Design Development (minimum 100 acres)
Include a description of how Phase I was selected and the design process to develop the
preliminary design to final. Include intermediate milestones where drafts materials can be
reviewed by the Agency and the project’s technical group. Provide plan for addressing FEMA
flood zone requirements, integration of comments from the Hoh Tribe, permit agencies, the
Agency, landowners, and broader stakeholder group. Complete final basis of design chapters
describing the final design process, proposed restoration actions, implementation cost, and
anticipated changes to meet the project goals. Include development of a CLOMR/LOMR if
6
7
anticipated.
Deliverables: Final design drawings/plans, special provisions, engineers estimate (Final PS&E),
final basis of design report
TASK 12: Project Management and Coordination
Develop a project management plan and timeline for all significant project activities and
milestones. The work plan will include a schedule for coordination with the County during the
project. Coordination includes internal coordination within the project team regarding
schedules, budget, project progress, and project approach, as well as regular direct coordination
with County project manager as necessary regarding items such as local hiring opportunities, site
access, schedule, task status, and results. Coordination with the Hoh Tribe and project
stakeholders outside of the County will be included in the Stakeholder Engagement and
Community Outreach task.
Deliverables: Project management plan.
General considerations
The Agency encourages disadvantaged minority and women-owned consultant firms to respond, and
the Agency, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to
2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of
the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in federally-assisted programs of the Department of
Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure
that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as
defined at 49 CFR Part 23 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation
and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin or sex in
consideration for an award.
The selected firm will be required to meet the following minimum insurance requirements:
Include evidence that the firm maintains the following minimum insurance with companies
or through sources approved by the State Insurance Commissioner pursuant to Revised
Code of Washington (RCW) Title 48:
o Worker’s compensation and employer’s liability insurance as required by the
o State.
o General commercial liability insurance in an amount not less than a single limit
o of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for bodily injury, including death and
o property damage per occurrence.
o Professional liability insurance shall be the amount payable under agreement or
o one million dollars, whichever is greater, unless modified by the County. In no
o case shall the consultant’s professional liability to third parties be limited in any
way.
Submitting questions and Statement of Qualifications
To be considered, email a link to the downloadable proposal by the deadline to:
7
8
Tami Pokorny, Natural Resources Program Coordinator
Jefferson County Public Health
Email: tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us
th
Questions regarding this solicitation may also be submitted by September 15 at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard
Time by email. The Agency reserves the right to reject any or all of the proposals or to waive immaterial
defects or minor irregularities in the statement.
Instructions to Respondents and Proposal Content
Proposals shall be on letter-size format and no more than 30 pages single-sided in length, font size no
smaller than 11 with line spacing no less that 1.15, including all elements listed below. Firms shall:
A. Provide an introductory cover letter.
B. Provide firm name, address, phone, and email address. Identify the project manager and all
team members, including sub-consultants.
C. Describe the proposed approach(es) to and understanding of the project. Include a brief
explanation of how the team will be organized, who will be working on which project, and
approach to hiring locally where feasible (Hoh Valley or Olympic Peninsula ideally).
D. Provide the relevant background and experience of the firm. Describe the relevant experience of
the team members who will be performing the work.
E. Provide employment history statements for each of the key team members, or up to 2-page
formal resume.
F. List previously completed projects that are relevant and links to project documents, as available.
G. Provide 3-8 personal and team references along with client contact information for similar
projects, preferably completed within the last five years.
H. Quality control, project management and product delivery: Keeping a project on track
and delivering a quality product are important elements to assure a successful
outcome. Describe measures that the firm/team will use to account for these
elements. Describe how these elements have been utilized on similar projects in the
past. Indicate ability to meet the schedule described under Anticipated Schedule.
Evaluation process and criteria: Proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee of Agency staff.
Proposals will be rated according to the following criteria:
1. Responsiveness as to the purpose and scope of the services.
a) Project understanding, including knowledge of historical impacts and
local community
b) Project goals and objectives
2. Proposed consultant team’s ability and history of successfully completing projects of this
type, meeting project schedule and deadlines, and experience in similar work. Accessibility
and availability to the Agency of key Consultant team staff including by phone and email.
The Agency values the option to communicate by phone at a reasonable level. Consultant
team has local presence with offices in Jefferson and/or Clallam Counties
8
9
3. Qualifications and experience of consultant team members:
a) Large river experience, particularly restorative erosion protection
b) Aquatic habitat assessment, enhancement and restoration design
c) Experience working in Hoh River watershed or on Olympic Peninsula
d) Expertise in federal, state, and local permit application package preparation
and coordination (cultural resources, wetland delineation, functional lift
assessment)
e) Expertise in wood and engineered logjam design
f) Expertise on channel migration and hydraulic modeling
g) Experience working with rural communities and Treaty Tribes
4. Qualifications of key consultant team members with demonstrated river restoration
experience in Western Washington and the Olympic Peninsula. Team must include:
ii. Licensed engineer (Washington) with at least 5 years river restoration expertise
iii. Licensed engineering geologist (Washington) with at least 10 years expertise in
fluvial geomorphology
iv. Professional Wetland Scientist with at least 5 years expertise in wetland
delineation, functional assessment, and river restoration project permitting.
Two or three firms may be selected for phone or in-person interviews with Agency staff, but the Agency
reserves the right to select directly from the submitted proposals. Consultants submitting proposals
should be available during the first week of October for one phone or in-person interview lasting up to
one hour.
Anticipated budget
The approximate budget available to the Consultant for the Project: $800,000
Anticipated schedule
ReceiveProposals September 29, 2023
Selection Committee Reviews Proposals and selects Early October 2023
consultant(s) for interview(s)
Conduct interview(s) Early October 2023
Recommendation to JCPH leadership of highest-ranking Early October 2023
consultant
Scope of Work developed Early October 2023
Agreement execution Early October 2023
Notice to Proceed Early November 2023
Community outreach begins November 2023 – May 2026
Field work November 2023 – Summer 2024
Existing Conditions Assessments complete May 2024
Conceptual design alternatives complete September 2024
Preliminary design complete March 2025
9
10
Permitting applications submittedNovember 2025
Final design complete May 2026
Publication
Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader Date: August 30 and September 6, 2023
Jefferson County Website: https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/Bids.aspx
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information
The Agency in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its
programs and activities.
10
11
Project location
Lindner Creek Reach of Middle Hoh River. The Hoh River flows from east to west.
Side channel in the Lindner Reach close to the mainstem Hoh River.
11
12
Looking across the Hoh River floodplain to the bluffs along the southern shore.
Interior side channel in the Lindner Reach.
12
13
Lindner Reach side channel abutting Upper Hoh Road riprap likely placed in the 1990s.
Wetland/side channel in the Lindner Reach.
13