SEMO Songbird Study

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is beginning a study within the southeast Missouri lead mining district to assess injury to songbirds. Substantial involvement on the part of the Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the activities to be funded. In particular, the Service will be/expects to be responsible for assisting nest search efforts and nest monitoring, environmental sampling and project coordination. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intents to award two cooperative agreements without competition under justification 505DM 2.14B.4. One to the University of Missouri and one to Southeast Missouri State University to receive funding for implementing a NRDAR assessment study to determine lead exposure and assess potential reproductive impacts in songbirds breeding within the Southeast Missouri lead mining district. The University of Missouri has unique expertise in the field of nest searching and bird reproductive behavior, and is locally situated, making the competition for these funds impractical. Southeast Missouri State University has unique expertise in the field of avian toxicity and bird reproductive behavior, and is locally situated, making the competition for these funds impractical. Authorized by Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C 9601, et seq.; Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C 1251-1387; Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, 16 U.S.C 742a-742j; Oil Pollution Act of 1990, Public Law 101-380.