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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC2008-454 - 11/18/2008 - ApprovedCITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI RINCON BAYOU DIVERSION PROJECT - BIOLOGICAL MONITORING YEAR 8: 2008-2009 CONTRACT FOR SERVICES The City of Corpus Christi, Texas, hereinafter called "City", and The University of Texas at Austin, on behalf of the Marine Sciences Institute, hereinafter collectively called "UT" hereby agree to the following amendment of the original contract approved June 25, 2002 (M2002-179), amended November 19, 2002 (M2002-398), amended November 18, 2003 (M2003- 415)and amended November 9, 2004 (M2004-408) and amended October 25, 2005 (M2005-369) and amended October 10, 2006 and amended October 16, 2007 (M2007-265) as follows: Section II, Scope of Services, Paragraph B is amended to read: B. RESEARCH PLAN AND METHODS The specific research plan and methods for 2008-2009 are set forth in the Research Contract Proposal incorporated as Exhibit A of this amendment. Section II, Scope of Services, Paragraph C, the first sentence is amended to read: C. PRODUCTS UT will deliver an annual written report by January 2009. Section II, Scope of Services, Paragraph D is amended to read: D. ORDER OF SERVICES The monitoring period will be for 12 months, from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. Section III, Fees Authorized, is amended to read: III. FEES AUTHORIZED The City will pay UT a total fixed fee amount not to exceed $188,215 for Amendment No. 7. This fee will be full and total compensation for all services provided and expenses incurred in performing the tasks specified in Section II. The restated total contract fee for the original contract as amended is not to exceed $1,430,732 for providing all services. This fee consists of: the original contract fee in the amount $118,215; a fee for Amendment No. 1 in the amount of $165,748; a fee for Amendment No. 2 in the amount of $191,545; a fee for Amendment No. 3 in the amount of 228,296; a fee for Amendment No. 4 in the amount of $264,247; a fee for Amendment No. 5 in the amount of $207,764; a fee for Amendment No. 6 in the amount of $188,231; and a fee for Amendment No. 7 in the amount of $188,215. All other terms and conditions of the June 25, 2002 contract between the City and Engineer, and of any amendments to that contract, which are not specifically addressed herein shall remain in full force and effect. CITY/OF CrnOR/~P,U,S CHRISTI Oscar Martinez Date Assistant City Manager ATTEST ~~ City Secretary Date RECD MEt\ ED: / Da~ 2008-454 11/18/08 M2008-312 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN on behalf of THE MARINE SCIENCE INSTnInTUT_E' "--~-~ Jeanette Holmes Date Associate Director 2008 APP c7VE"CSP;S' 'XfSTtM:'-'--•- ,(f~Y~nt, ~ t fl a Assistant City Attorney Date ~ 3 z AUTHURt11:1+ er aouxca .....I I I g„~~Ogg ..._...._.... ~C.. ~~SECRETAItY UT -Marine Sciences Inst. RESEARCH CONTRACT PROPOSAL TO: Mr. Kevin Stowers, Contracts/Funds Administrator City of Corpus Christi Engineering/Director's Office, 3`d Floor 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 Telephone: (361) 880-3506, Fax: (361) 880-3501 TITLE: RINCON BAYOU DIVERSION PROJECT, BIOLOGICAL MONITORING, YEAR 8: 2008 - 2009 COST: $188,215 PERIOD: 1 October 2008 - 30 September 2009 PROPOSAL #: TBD FROM: The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas, Texas 78373 Fax: (361)749-6777 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Kenneth H. Dunton, Ph.D. Telephone: (361) 749-6744, e-mail: dunton@utmsi.utexas.edu DATE: 18 September 2008 APPROVED: (I ~ Date:al~py~bS Courtney ~ azie Assistant Director, OSP Office of Sponsored Projects The University of Texas at Austin North Office Bldg., Ste 4.300, 101 E. 27th, Austin, TX 78712 Or P.O. Box 7726, Austin, TX 78713-7726 Telephone: (512)471-6424,email: osp@austin.utexas.edu Exhibit A Pa e1of14 2 RINCON BAYOU DIVERSION PROJECT BIOLOGICAL MONITORING YEAR 8: 2008 - 2009 University of Texas Marine Science Institute STATEMENT OF WORK 1. SUMMARY In South Texas, low annual rainfall, high evaporation, and diversion of river water to support growing municipal, agricultural and industrial needs have substantially reduced freshwater inflow into the Nueces Estuary. Low freshwater inflow results in hypersaline waters and soils that aze diluted only through direct precipitation or by flooding of the Nueces River during extreme hydrographic events, such as the passing of a tropical storm or hurricane (Texas Depaztment of Water Resources, 1982; Bureau of Reclamation, 2000). Hypersaline conditions compromise productivity of phytoplankton and emergent vegetation, eventually impacting productivity at higher trophic levels including finfish and shellfish. A previous demonstration project was conducted October 1994 through December 1999 by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). The BOR concluded that freshwater additions to the upper reaches of the Nueces Marsh had positive impacts including decreased soil and water column salinity, improved habitat quality and availability, and increased productivity of some estuazine species (Bureau of Reclamation, 2000). In October 2001, the City of Corpus Christi (City) elected to continue freshwater diversions through the Nueces River Overflow Channel (NOC), which was initially created as the primary diversion channel in the BOR project. The City re-dug this channel to a depth of 0.3 m above mean sea level (MSL) to increase freshwater inflows into Rincon Bayou, the natural headwater of the estuary. Future diversion plans include installation of a pipeline that can deliver up to 3.7 X 106 m3 mo ~ (3,000 acre-ft mo ~) from Calallen Pool to Rincon Bayou. To further understand the impacts of these freshwater diversions, the City has undertaken along-teen monitoring program. Monitoring is required under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) operating rule for the Nueces Estuary adopted 4 April 2001. Specifically, the rule requires the City to "implement an on-going monitoring and assessment program designed to facilitate an adaptive management program for freshwater inflows into the Nueces Estuary." This proposal supports that monitoring requirement. Monitoring objectives include detecting changes in water column, emergent vegetation, and soil characteristics at several study stations along Rincon Bayou and the Nueces River. Monitoring at many of these stations began during the BOR Demonstration Project and continued during the Allison Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Diversion Demonstration Project (EDDP). 2. MONITORING GOALS Monitoring goals: 1) Determine if "no harm" occurs as a result of freshwater diversion from the Nueces River into Rincon Bayou. Exhibit A Pa e2of14 2) Assess the benefits of the diversion on primary productivity in Rincon Bayou. 3) Develop an optimal operational management procedure for freshwater pass-throughs based on sound science. 3. TASKS To achieve the above stated goals, the following tasks will be performed: 1) Phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) and water chemistry (e.g., nutrients, salinity, temperature) will be measured monthly in the Nueces River, along Rincon Bayou, and in the Nueces Bay. 2) Water depth and water chemistry (salinity, conductivity, temperature, pH) will be continuously monitored at one location (Station 463) in the Rincon Bayou approximately halfway between the NOC and Nueces Bay. 3) Species composition, percent cover and distribution of emergent marsh vegetation along Rincon Bayou and the mitigation channel will be quantified in relation to tidal flat and soil porewater pazameters (e.g., salinity, soil moisture and inorganic nitrogen). 4. RESEARCH PLAN AND METHOD 4.1. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Studies will be conducted in the Nueces Estuazy, Corpus Christi, Texas. Sampling stations are located at sites where baseline data aze available, which will facilitate the assessment of ecosystem changes. Sampling methodologies will be similar to monitoring performed during the BOR Demonstration Project and the EDDP. The scope of the BOR Project was limited to an area approximately 6.4 km downstream from the NOC. Presumably, the effects of freshwater diversion through the channels will decrease with increasing distance from the Rincon Overflow Channel (ROC) and NOC, while the potential for mazine forcing will be greatest at distances closest to the bay. The proposed sampling strategy includes areas from above the NOC to areas within Nueces Bay, approximately 12.8 km downstream (Figure 1). The NOC connects the Nueces River to upper Rincon Bayou, the headwater of the estuary. Following construction in 2001, flow through the NOC occurs when river water elevation reaches 0.6 m above MSL (1929 Datum). The ROC connects upper Rincon Bayou to an area of hypersaline tidal flats. Dischazge exceeding 11.9 m3 s ~ and reaching levels of 1.14 m above MSL activates the ROC. Inflow through the NOC is measured at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Rincon Gauge located in Rincon Bayou neaz Calallen (Station 08211503). This gauge was originally installed in May 1996, removed in August 2000, and re-installed in June 2002. o Exhibit A Pa e3of14 Monitoring will be conducted at several stations located throughout the study area (Table 1, Figure 1). Water column characteristics and phytoplankton biomass will be measured monthly at fourteen stations: four stations (168, 104, 104A, 104B) along the Nueces River system, five Figure 1. Locations of the Rincon Bayou Diversion Project monitoring stations, the Nueces Overflow Channel (NOC), the Rincon Overflow Channel (ROC), and the Calallen Gauge. stations (466C, 400F, 463, 451 and 450) along Rincon Bayou at various distances downstream from the NOC, one station (301) at the confluence of Rincon Bayou and Nueces Bay, one station (303) within Nueces Bay, and three stations (252, 254, 272) associated with the Allison Wastewater Effluent Diversion Demonstration Project (EDDP). Several stations in the lower Nueces Delta (450, 451, 272, 252, and 254), Nueces River (104, 104A, 104B) and Nueces Bay (301) were funded and sampled as part of the Allison Wastewater Treatment Plant EDDP. Although intensive monitoring of the EDDP ended as of 1 October 2003, a reduced level of monitoring is required by the permits. Funding for monitoring these stations will be transferred to the Rincon Project contract. All stations to be monitored by UTMSI as part of the Rincon Project as of 1 October 2006 are listed in Table 1. At each station, water depth, water clarity, temperature, conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll a, and inorganic nutrients (ammonium, nitrate+nitrite, silicate and phosphate) Exhibit A Pa e4of14 will be measured monthly. Monthly sampling is recommended because it is a practical, cost- effective sampling frequency for documenting annual variation. Table 1. Sampling parameters and corresponding sampling stations. Sam lin Parameter Stations Continuous Water Level, pH, Conductivity/Salinit , Tem 463 Monthly Phytoplankton and 104, 104A, 104B, 168, 272*, 254*, 252*, 301, 303, 400F, Water Quality 463, 450, 451, 466C Emergent Vegetation and Sediment Characteristics 254*, 272*, 450, 451, 463, 501, 562 * EDDP stations Emergent vegetation and related physiochemical parameters will be documented quarterly at seven stations: one reference station (501) located up gradient of the NOC and ROC; four stations (562, 463, 451, 450) located at increasing distance downstream from the NOC; and three stations (272, 254) associated with the EDDP. 4.2. ASSESSMENT OF HYDROGRAPHY, NUTRIENTS AND PHYTOPLANKTON In salt marsh ecosystems, changes in water depths and water column chemistry can have significant impacts on water quality, phytoplankton biomass, and productivity. Water levels may directly influence salinity and temperature stratifications, which in turn affects biota. High water levels throughout the Rincon inundate adjacent marshes. The frequency and duration of these inundations have a critical effect on marsh soil and vegetation. To continuously measure water level, a YSI datasonde with a water depth recorder (± 0.18 m) was installed at Station 463, which is located approximately halfway between the NOC and Nueces Bay. The sonde also monitors salinity, conductivity, and pH. The purpose of collecting more frequent water depth information is to gain a more complete understanding of the potential effects of freshwater diversions on this central location. Water level recorders (Onset Hobos) were installed in the tidal flats adjacent to stations 501 and 562 in late fa112005. These pressure-based units record water depth hourly, thus providing information regarding the tidal hydrology of these high marsh stations. Changes in salinity can alter phytoplankton composition and abundance. In the BOR Demonstration Project, phytoplankton productivity was inversely correlated to salinity (Bureau of Reclamation, 2000). High water column salinity stresses phytoplankton because internal salt regulation requires energy that could otherwise be allocated to growth and reproduction. Lower salinities alleviate stress and thus tend to increase biomass production. Exhibit A Pa e5of14 6 Additional water quality characteristics such as nutrient concentrations, phytoplankton, and water clarity aze expected to change as a result of freshwater inflows. We expect the diluting effect of freshwater will decrease nutrients levels. High nitrogen and phosphorus levels can stimulate biomass production and promote algal blooms. Water clarity also affects phytoplankton productivity due to its influence on light intensity and depth of the photic zone. At Station 463, hourly water quality (conductivity, salinity, depth, and temperature) is measured with a YSI 600XLM-S multi-pazameter datasonde. The following parameters are recorded (accuracy and units): conductivity (t 0.001 mS/cm), salinity (t 0.1 ppt), depth (t 2 cm), and temperature (t 0.15 °C). Monthly phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) and water quality will be analyzed using methods comparable to previous studies (Whitledge, 1991), including the Rincon Demonstration Project (Bureau of Reclamation, 2000). Chlorophyll a concentrations will be analyzed using a non-acidification technique as detailed by Welschmeyer (1994; EPA method 445.0). .Water samples will be filtered through Whatman GF/F filters and the filters will be extracted with methanol. Chlorophyll-a concentrations will be measured with a Turner Design Model 10-AU fluorometer calibrated to a secondary solid standard (Turner Designs). Nutrient analysis will be conducted with a LaChat QC 8000 ion analyzer with computer controlled sample selection and peak processing (Zellweger Analytics, Inc.). Chemistries are as specified by the manufacturer and have ranges as follows: nitrate+nitrite (0.03-5.0 µM; Quikchem method 31-107-04-1-A), silicate (0.03-5.0 µM; Quikchem method 31-114-27-1-B), ammonium (0.1-10 µM; Quikchem method 31-107-06-5-A) and phosphate (0.03-2.0 µM; Quikchem method 31-115-01-3-A). Discrete hydrographic measurements will be made monthly at each station with amulti- parameter instrument (YSI 600XL and 610 DM Probe; Yellow Springs Instrument Co.) just beneath the water surface and at the bottom. The following parameters are recorded (accuracy and units): temperature (f 0.15 °C), pH (f 0.1 units), dissolved oxygen (mg/1 f 0.2 and percent saturation), depth (f 0.018 m), salinity (t 0.1 ppt), and conductivity (f 0.001 mS/cm). Water clarity and depth will be measured with a secchi disk. 4.3. EMERGENT VEGETATION AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS Emergent vegetation plays an integral role in salt marsh ecosystem dynamics. As plants shed their leaves throughout the growing season, biomass accumulates on the mazsh surface. Microorganisms decompose the plant litter, and the resultant detrital material provides the basis of the salt marsh food web. Eventually, some of the enemy contributed by these plants is transferred to higher trophic levels and provides the necessary fuel for an economically productive commercial and recreational fishing industry (Burkholder and Burkholder 1956; Odum and Wilson 1962; Teal 1962). Marsh plants also provide shelter for many small organisms such as crabs, molluscs and terrestrial animals. A vaziety of permanent and migratory birds, including songbirds, shorebirds, ducks and geese depend upon marsh vegetation for habitat and food (Henley and Rauschbauer 1981). Vegetation also stabilizes mazsh sediments, thereby reducing extensive flood damage and erosion, and protecting downstream water quality. Exhibit A Pa a ti of 14 7 Although scientists have long recognized the importance of coastal salt mazshes, acreage of these azeas continues to decline on a worldwide basis. Direct conversion of these habitats to support human occupancy combined with destruction of wetlands to prevent pestilence have claimed over 50% of coastal wetlands in the United States (Weinstein and ICreeger 2000). Additional anthropogenic activities including damming, diversion, and nutrient loading of rivers, indirectly alter edaphic conditions such as salinity, soil moisture and nutrient availability. Vegetation responds to these changes in numerous ways, including increases and decreases in productivity (Zedler 1981; Zedler 1983), shifrs in dominant species (Allison 1992), and changes in species composition (Conner et al. 1981). Extreme vaziations can reduce vegetation cover, creating bare space and limiting the amount of biomass available to higher trophic levels. Changes in the distribution and abundance of emergent vegetation in estuazies can serve as indicators of long-term environmental conditions. Such changes, in conjunction with relevant physiochemical data, can be used to assess the impacts of water flow modifications and evaluate the effectiveness of management programs. We propose to quantify the effects of the diversion on changes in porewater salinity, moisture, and nutrient content; and to relate these parameters to emergent vegetation species composition, cover, and distribution. To achieve this goal, intensive sampling will be conducted at seven stations (Table Z): a reference station (501) up gradient of the NOC, an area in the upper tidal flats (562), the central Rincon Bayou (463), two station in the lower Rincon Bayou (451, 450), and two station in the South Lake area (254, 272). Sampling and methodologies will be similar to those previously used (Alexander and Dunton, 2002; BOR, 2000), and results will be compared to previous studies. We propose to measure percent cover, composition, and distribution of marsh vegetation using transect sampling. Generally, sampling will occur in late spring (May), late summer (August), mid-fall (November) and mid-winter (February). Trsects will be similar to those employed in the BOR Demonstration Project, established June 1995. In the upper delta (501, 562 and 463), transects are 50-m long and 8-m wide (400 m2); and in the lower delta (254, 272, 450, 451) transects aze 20-m long and 8-m wide (160 m2). All transects run perpendicular to the adjacent tidal creek (Figure 2). In the upper delta, vertical transect lines are spaced at 2-m intervals from 0 to 26 m and at 4-m intervals from 26 to 50 m, for a total of 20 transect lines. In the lower delta, vertical transect lines aze spaced at 2-m intervals through the entire 20-m transect. All transects will be sampled at 2-m intervals along horizontal transect lines. A 0.25-m2 quadrat subdivided into 100 5 x 5 cm cells will be used to estimate percent cover of each species and baze area at each sampling point. Unvegetated, submerged, or wrack-laden cells will be counted as baze areas. Table 2. Emergent vegetation, tidal creek, and soil characteristics to be measured quarterly at seven stations. 1. Plant species percent cover, composition and distribution 2. Soil chemistry (inorganic nitrogen, salinity and moisture) 3. Tidal creek chemistry (inorganic nitrogen and salinity) Exhibit A Pa e7of14 8 Decreases in porewater salinity and increases in soil moisture and inorganic nitrogen levels often coincide with increased growth and reproduction of salt marsh vegetation species. Additionally, lowered soil salinities can facilitate expansion of vegetation into previously bare areas, providing new habitat and detritus to the marsh food web. Physiochemical parameters associated with vegetation growth and survival (porewater salinity, moisture and inorganic nitrogen) will be measured at each station. At each transect, seven soil cores will be collected at a depth of approximately 10 cm, at random locations along the transects. Four of these cores will be used to determine porewater salinity and inorganic nitrogen, and three will be used to determine soil moisture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a .0 • . . • •D . . . • .~ 8 m m m F • • • • • • • • • • • • ZO m 2m Figure 2. Layout and dimensions of a vegetation sampling transect in the lower delta. Each dot represents a sampling point for vegetation parameters (i.e. percent cover and composition). Triangles denote transects sampled for porewater salinity and inorganic nitrogen, and soil moisture. Soil moisture is determined by the ratio of dry weight to wet weight. Grab samples from the tidal creeks and porewater salinity will be measured with a refractometer (Reichert Scientific Instruments, Buffalo, NY). Soil samples will be centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 min to extract porewater. porewater will be analyzed for NH4+ and N03- + NOZ using standazd colorimetric techniques (Pazsons, et al. 1984). Vegetation and soil characteristics aze influenced by porewater moisture, salinity and nutrients. These qualities aze lazgely determined by climate and hydrology, particularly the frequency and duration of tidal and riverine flooding, precipitation and evaporation. Inundation at any location along a transect is dependent upon its elevation above MSL. During FY 2004-2005, we obtained GPS elevations referenced to a true elevation datum. (NAVD88). This was accomplished by establishing two base stations referenced to first order survey monuments. Semi-permanent or ure a eva ion rea ings. Future micro-elevation measurements will be made with a laser level and stadia rod. These recently obtained GPS elevations will be correlated to results of vegetation sampling and other pazameters. Exhibit A Pa e8of14 9 5. ADDITIONAL NEEDS 5.1 LOGISTICS As with all field sampling, adverse field conditions or climatological conditions may interfere with project plans, and changes in sampling stations or schedules may be necessary to accomplish study tasks. Several sampling stations aze currently located on private property. Monitoring of biological parameters requires that UTMSI personnel access this property during sampling periods (monthly for water column pazameters, phytoplankton and quarterly for emergent vegetation). Previously, the stations were accessed with either a 4x4 truck, 6x6 all terrain vehicle, or an airboat. By land, sampling requires passage through at least two private properties. If necessary, we will contact the City so they can make arrangements with landowners to allow the scientific parties to access the land when necessary. Cunently, access to the sampling stations requires each member of the scientific party to sign a liability waiver to enter Wyatt Properties. Permission is verbally gained to enter the Sorenson properties. UTMSI requests that the City obtain from landowners, if necessary, the contact numbers and gate codes or keys so stations can be accessed. Many roads can only be accessed if lock codes are known or the gates are left open prior to our arrival. A current list of landowner conditions for entering these properties should be provided along with basic information that addresses advance contacts (to whom), vehiculaz access to roads (including wet periods), gate access and times, restricted areas, eta In addition; the lower Rincon is accessed by airboat which is launched from property controlled by the Port Authority. Road construction in this azea may require new access procedures. UTMSI requests that the City assist UTMSI in obtaining access to a suitable launch site, if road construction prevents us from using the usual access location. 6. CONTINUED MONITORING OF ALLISON STATIONS AND ISOTOPE ANALYSES 6.1 WATER QUALITY AND PHYTOPLANKTON As previously stated, we will continue to monitor water column measurements and phytoplankton biomass at diversion stations 272, 254 and 252 on a monthly basis. The parameters measured will be the same as those measured for the Rincon Project. 6.2 VEGETATION AND SOIL PARAMETERS We will continue to monitor vegetation parameters on a quarterly basis at 272 and 254. Long erm samp mg an ana yses are necessary o un erstan ow c anges m sor con ikons a ect vegetation composition and cover. Leaf Area Index (LAI) and biomass are no longer monitored because these parameters are costly and do not appeaz to contribute significantly to our overall findings. Sampling methods and analyses at these stations will be identical to those employed for the Rincon Project. Exhibit A Pa e9of14 10 63 ISOTOPE ANALYSES We will include sampling of plants and animals in the diversion channel for nitrogen stable isotope analyses as part of the required annual sampling for EDDP. UTMSI acquired some isotope data in the past that helped the City show that nitrogen concentrations within the emergent vegetation decrease quickly as one moves downstream from the wastewater diversion. The data further show that plants exposed to wastewater readily uptake and assimilate the nitrogen into biomass. Additional preliminary data suggest that wastewater nitrogen remains in the food web at higher trophic levels and does not stay in the water column. Recently, we have utilized a new methodology that allows us to accurately measure wastewater nitrogen in the water column. Annual isotope sampling (including water, plants and animals samples) at stations 254 in the diversion channel and at a control station (450 in Rincon Bayou) would provide the City necessary data to determine if wastewater releases into the delta aze causing eutrophication or if the nitrogen is readily assimilated into organisms within the ecosystem. This data would be especially useful if the City intends to divert more wastewater into the delta in the future. We propose to continue the trophic studies at stations 254 and 450 during summer 2009. We will collect organisms from all trophic levels as well as water and sediment porewater samples. Organisms collected will include phytoplankton (particulate organic matter), algal mats, emergent vegetation, zooplankton, benthic infauna, crabs, shrimp and both planktivorous and carnivorous fish. 7. DELIVERABLES An annual report will be submitted to the City Engineer by January 2010. This report will be a UTMSI technical report that incorporates current year results with data from previous years. Temporal and spatial comparisons that display significant correlations or patterns among vazious parameters will be presented in graphic or tabular format. Compazisons with past studies and other neighboring studies will be made where possible. Data from EDDP stations will be used in the analyses of Rincon Bayou pazameters when necessary, but a synopsis of data collected as a continuation of EDDP will be presented separately. Data analyses will be presented to the City and other interested parties at an annual meeting. Recommendations and suggestions for project changes will be presented and discussed at this meeting. If requested, a brief presentation to the Nueces Estuary Advisory Council will be given. 8. INTEGRATED SYNTHESIS OF PROJECT DATA The monitoring program is designed to document water column and emergent vegetation biological changes that occur as a result of diversion of freshwater from the Nueces River to the upper reaches of the Nueces Marsh. Data sets contain valuable information on various parameters including primary (emergent vegetation) and water column characteristics. Other relevant climatological data (i.e. rainfall, air temperatures, and river flow) are available from the Corpus Christ International Airport (CCIA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Exhibit A Pa e10of14 11 While each data set alone contains important information, an accurate and meaningful understanding of the effects of the freshwater diversion cannot be achieved without data synthesis and interpretation on multi-levels. However, this can only be accomplished through intensive data management, comprehensive data analyses and reporting and active correspondence by all participating institutions. To efficiently and effectively utilize the enormous amount of information available, Susan Schonberg will oversee the compilation and organization of the hydrography/phytoplankton and emergent vegetation data, communicate with the other participating contractors with respect to database formats, and assemble and organize other relevant data (i.e. climatological data) that may be useful in interpreting the effects of the diversion project. The data manager will work with each principal investigator to produce reports and presentations in a timely manner. 9. BUDGET JUSTIFICATION The estimated project cost for Yeaz 8 is approximately $188,000. Salary support is requested for PI K. Dunton (1.5 months), a research associate (S. Schonberg for 11 months), and apart-time technician (K. Jackson, 10 mos). Travel funds ($500) aze requested to attend local meetings and workshops (Corpus Christi and Austin) related to this project. We have budgeted $4,900 for the- purchase of software and material and supplies directly associated with field and laboratory: work. This includes filters, flasks, cores, chemicals, batteries, wet suits, booties, protective weather and safety gear, cell phone chazges for a dedicated field phone, charts, storage bags, renewal of softwaze licenses, maintenance and repair costs for field instruments, etc. Other requested supplies are cleazly denoted on the budget page. Analytical costs associated with sample analysis (nutrients and stable isotopes) aze also included. A total of $5,400 is budgeted for small boat fees (24 trips @ $200/trip) and vehicles (12 monthly trips @ $50 trip). These fees reflect the most recent chazges for UTMSI vessels and increased fuel costs. Exhibit A Pa e11of14 10. REFERENCES Alexander, H. D. and K. H. Dunton. 2002. Freshwater inundation effects on emergent vegetation of a hypersaline salt marsh.. Estuaries 25(6B): 1426-1435. Allison, S. K. 1992. The influence of rainfall vaziability on the species composition of a northern California salt marsh plant assemblage. Ve eg tatio 101: 145-160. Bureau of Reclamation. 2000. Concluding Report: Rincon Bayou Demonstration Project. Volume II: Findings. United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Oklahoma-Texas Area Office, Austin, Texas. Burkholder, P. R. and L. M. Burkholder. 1956. Vitamin Bt2 in suspended solids and marsh muds collected along the coast of Georgia. Limnology and Oceano>;ranhy 1:202-208. Conner, W. H., J. G. Gosselink and R. T. Parrando. 1981. Comparison of the vegetation of three Louisiana swamp sites with different flooding regimes. American Journal of Botany 68(3):320-331. Folk, R. L. 1964. Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks. Hemphill's Press. Austin, Texas. 155 pp. Henley, D. E. and D. G. Rauschuber. 1981. Freshwater needs offish and wildlife resources in the Nueces-Corpus Christi Bay Area, Texas: a literature synthesis. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services. Washington, D. C. FWS/OBS-80/10.410 pp. Mallin, M. A. and Paerl, H. W. 1992. Effects of variable irradiance on phytoplankton productivity in shallow estuaies. Limnoloey and Oceanoeranhv, 37(1): 54-62. Odum, H. T. and R. F. Wilson. 1962. Further studies of reaeration and metabolism of Texas bays, 1958-1960. Publications of the Institute for Marine Science University of Texas 8:23-55. Parsons, T. R., Maita, Y. and Lalli, G. M. 1984. A Manual of Chemical and Biological Methods for Seawater Analysis. Pergamon Press, New York, 173 pp. Teal, J. M. 1962. Energy flow in the salt marsh ecosystem of Georgia. Ecolos?v 43:614-624. TPVac t~Pp~rtmPnY o~Wlter Resources 198 Nuecesand Mission-Aransas Estuaries: An analysis of bay segment boundaries, physical chazacteristics, and nutrient processes. LP- 83. Texas Department of Water Resources, Austin, Texas. Weinstein, M. P. and D. A. Kreeger. 2000. Concepts and Controversies in Tidal Marsh Ecology. Kluwer Academic Press, Dordrecht, Germany. 875 pp. Welschmeyer, N. A. 1994. Fluorometric analysis of chlorophyll a in the presence of chlorophyll 12 Exhibit A Pa e12of14 band pheopigments. Limnoloey and Oceano~ranhy 39(8): 1985-1992. Whitledge, T. E. 1991. Biological monitoring of the effects of diversion of freshwater inflow and wastewater return flows in Rincon Bayou and Nueces Delta. Report to the South Texas Water Authority. Zedler, J. 1981. Arid region wetlands: Susceptibility to disturbance. Estuazies 4(3):262. Zedler, J. B. 1983. Freshwater impacts on normally hypersaline mazshes. Estuaries 6:346-355. Zedler, J. B., C. S. Nordby and B. E. Kus. 1992. The Ecology of Tijuana Estuary, California: A National Research Reserve. NOAA Office of Coastal Resource Management, Sanctuazies and Reserves Division, Washington, D.C. 13 Exhibit A Pa e13of14 11. BUDGET - 10/1/08 - 9/30/09 CATEGORIES TOTAL A. PERSONNEL K. Dunton, Res. Sci. (1.5 mo.) 17,784 S. Schonberg, Research Associate (11 mo.) 59,499 K. Jackson, Res. Asst. (10 mo.) 26,690 B. FRINGE BENEFITS (30% of A) 31,192 TOTAL SALARIES, WAGES, AND BENEFITS 135,165 C. TRAVEL 500 D. RESEARCH SUPPLIES 1. Computer and instrument softwaze license renewals 1,500 2. Chemicals, glassware, computer supplies 3,200 3. Communication: express mail, long-distance, photocopy 200 SUBTOTAL 4,900 E. TUITION 0 F. OTHER DIItECT COSTS 1. Small boat and vehicle use fees 5,400 2. Analytical services a. Nutrients, soil parameters, chlorophyll 14,700 b. Stable isotope analysis 3,000 SUBTOTAL 23,100 I. TOTAL DIRECT COSTS 163,665 J. INDIRECT COSTS (15% of TDC) 24,550 K. TOTAL COSTS $I88,2I5 14 Exhibit A Pa e14of14 CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS City of Corpus Christi Ordinance 17112, as amended, requires all persons or firms seeking to do business with the City tc provide the following information. Every question must be answered. If the question is not applipble, answer with'NA'. FlRM NAME: STREET: CITY: FlRM is: 1. Corporation ^ 2. Partrrership ^ 5. Other ^ Z1P• 3. Sole Owner ^ 4. Assoaation ^ DISCLOSURE QUESTIONS If additional space is necessary, please use the reverse side of this page or attach separate sheet 1. State the names of each "employee" of the City of Corpus Christi having an "ownership interest" constituting 3°k or more of the ownership in the above named "firm". Name Job Title and City Deparhnent (6 known) 2. Stale the names of each "olTiaal" of the City of Corpus Christi having an "ownership irterest" constituting 3% or more of the ownership in the above named "firm". Name Title 3. Stale the names of each "board member" of the City of Corpus Christi having an "ownership interest' constituting 3% w more of the ownership in the above warned "firm". Name Board, Commission or CommiGee 4. Stale the names of each employee w officer of a "coruultant' for the City of Corpus~Christi who worked on any matter related to the wbjeet of this contract and has an "ownership interest" constituting 3% or more of the ownership in the above named "firm°. Name ConsuttaM CERTIFlCATE I certify that all information provided is true and correct as of the date of this statement, that I have not knowingly wdtrheld dsdosure of any information requesled; and ffiat supplemental statemerds vnll be promptty submitted to the Cily of Corpus Christi, Texas as changes occur. Jeanette Holmes Associate Director Certifyflttg Person: '}ale: (fypeorPrint) OCT 1 Signature of Certifjrirtg, Person: Date: 5 2008