Maryland Nutria Project External Project Review

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5 is announcing its intent to award a contract to Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. for a Maryland Nutria Project External Project Review as a sole source contractor. The purpose of this award is to provide an authoritative and independent assessment of what has been achieved by the project and to recommend future directions, approaches, and priorities to the Nutria Management Team. The project goals are: To eradicate nutria from the Delmarva Peninsula; Identify the most effective methods for nutria eradication; Document and highlight marsh recovery following nutria eradication; Provide natural resource managers nationwide with critical information for eradicating nutria through publications and development of a website; and educate the public about the value of wetlands, the economic and ecological impacts of nutria, and the importance of the Maryland Nutria Project. Marsha Browning, Contracting Officer at USFWS, 300 Wesgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035-9589, award to be completed by 8/28/09.