National Wildlife Refuge Enhancements

This is an announcement for issuing a single source financial assistance award to Delmarva Resource Conservation & Development Council (DRCD), Cambridge, Maryland. This announcement is for notification purposes only. This cooperative agreement will assist in habitat management activities for waterfowl and facilities maintenance at Blackwater and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuges in Cambridge and Rock Hall MD respectively. This includes planting and maintaining over 400 acres of crops for migrating and overwintering waterfowl, waterfowl impoundment and pump maintenance, and spraying of invasive plants. DRCD will also assist in maintenance activities to support the hunt program on over 15,000 acres, and facilities support.The partnership supports the Secretarial priority of conservation stewardship by facilitating important habitat management for waterfowl and public recreation through hunting. The Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex provides critical migratory and overwintering habitat for Canada geese, American black ducks, tundra swans, and is a priority wetland in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. 8. The partnership will help connect people with nature by creating a safe and accessible refuge, such as improving hunt roads and trails, as well as maintain infrastructure such as buildings and gates. This infrastructure improvement work not only saves money by proactively addressing maintenance issues, but also is important to ensuring a safe experience for visitors and staff.