Birch Bay Watershed

The Whatcom Conservation District was recently awarded an EPA grant for a project to work in Birch Bay, Whatcom County, Washington. Birch Bay had been the subject of an innovative pilot study where local, state, and federal agencies collaborated to create a comprehensive set of watershed management recommendations using integrated watershed characterization tools and techniques. This project will implement recommendations (“outputs”) specific to select rural and urban subbasins to improve hydrological, denitrification and pathogen removal processes (“outcomes”) that will improve water quality for recreational swimming and shellfish harvest (“environmental benefits”).

Building upon the successful “Tenmile Creek Model”, work products of the Pilot Study will be shared with watershed residents to impart a greater appreciation for the potential impacts of their individual actions that either improve or degrade their marine and freshwater ecosystems. Residents will be inspired to adopt good stewardship practices, install LID and agricultural BMPs and participate in riparian, wetland and water quality restoration projects. A high resolution subwatershed plan will quantify the ability to mitigate development impacts out of subbasin.

REVISED Whatcom Conservation District

Project Announcement/ Independent Contractor

PROJECT TITLE: Birch Bay Characterization & Watershed Planning Pilot – Taking Action

PROJECT LOCATION: Birch Bay Watershed, Whatcom County, Washington

CONTRACT PERIOD: Part-time Position; December 2010 through June 2014.

AVAILABLE FUNDING: $120,000

Project Description: The Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) is seeking an independent contractor to lead the rural initiative of its recently awarded EPA grant. This grant was made possible by the match provided by the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District with the support and direction of the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatics Resource Management District (BBWARM). The area of Birch Bay near the State Park at the mouth of Terrell Creek is very susceptible to elevated bacteria and nutrient levels. A recent closure of a portion of the shellfish beds to harvest makes this all too clear. The successful contractor will serve as a “trusted advisor” who will instill awareness and motivation in landowners and residents such that they will voluntarily adopt good stewardship practices that will improve the water quality in their watershed for swimming and recreational shellfish harvesting.

The Advisor is responsible for the successful completion of “Task 1: Rural Initiative (Terrell Creek Subbasin)” of the EPA grant. A few of the required activities include:

Bringing together landowners, residents, community groups, and collaborating agency representatives to develop and implement a work plan.
Establishing an advisory committee, organizing community meetings, meeting individually and working cooperatively to build local support for restoration and long-term stewardship of the watershed.
Facilitating the delivery of technical assistance by resource professionals to willing landowners, including gaining permission for the installation of best management practices and restoration projects.
Documenting and presenting project achievements.

Detailed information on the Task, the Project, and the Advisor’s responsibilities are available in electronic version at the WCD website: www.whatcomcd.org/birchbay. A hardcopy can also be obtained at the WCD office during normal business hours.

Project Outcomes

Increased awareness of landowners and residents of the state of their watershed and the potential positive or negative impacts of their activities
Adoption of good stewardship behaviors, implementation of best management practices, and restoration projects.
Measured and calculated water quality improvement within the project area.
Successful accomplishment of grant task.

Qualifications

This announcement is open to individuals, non-profits or other legal entities. NOTE: Where more than one person will be working to fullfil this contract, the applicant should address how consistency in messaging, relationship building and task accountability will be ensured.
Sincere commitment to voluntary, community-supported environmental improvement in the Birch Bay watershed.
Experienced in working with landowners and community groups to achieve objectives.
Knowledgeable about the potential sources of bacterial water pollution and treatment methods of Low Impact Development, On Site Septic Systems, Agricultural Best Management Practices (Ag BMPs), riparian forest buffers and wetlands.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred, but relevant job experience may be substituted.
Physical ability to hike rough terrain.
Access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s license.
Certified Disadvantated Business Enterprises Enterprises including Minority and Women's Business Enterprises are encouraged to apply.

Skills

Ability to develop relationships with all types of people.
Ability to address issues constructively.
Collaborative style that is able to bring parties with differing interests to a common outcome.
Self-directed, energetic and entrepreneurial.
Articulate communicator, both verbally and in writing.
Able to speak to groups.
Strong organizational skills.
Able to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point.

Organizational Profile

· Whatcom Conservation District is dedicated to serving present and future generations of Whatcom County through a natural resource conservation program of leadership, partnership, and technical, and educational and financial assistance to foster a healthy, sustainable relationship between people and the environment.

Formed in 1946, WCD is a legal sub-division of state government and governed by a volunteer board of local residents.
WCD and its staff have been repeatedly recognized for their leadership, effectiveness and professional expertise.

To Apply

Send a cover letter, resume and narrative as to how you would implement this project to the Whatcom Conservation District, 6975 Hannegan Road, Lynden, WA 98264. Attention of George Boggs, Executive Director.
The proposal must be received by 4:30 pm on Friday, December 3, 2010.
The individual or entity contracted to complete this project will serve as an independent contractor.

Whatcom Conservation District

Social Marketing/Independent Contractor RFQ

We are looking for an experienced social marketing firm of individual to assist us in refining our communciation tools and delivery methods. The activities are described in detail in the following document: Marketing_Consultant.pdf The proposal must be received by 4:30 pm on Thursday September 30, 2010. Any changes to the RFQ will be posted here.