BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC00017 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and Montana Conservation Corps (Recipient), for the purpose of promoting and stimulating education, job training, development of responsible
citizenship, productive community involvement, and furthering the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Master Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.
STATEMENT OF WORK:
The Coal Vein Nature Trail is located in the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park (THRO).
This project will engage youth participants in the rehabilitation of Coal Vein Nature Trail through the following tasks:
widening 185 feet of trail; restore 210 feet of vacated or social trail using vertical mulch; repair 40 feet of tread surface; construct one 30 foot puncheon/bog bridge; install 10 check steps, remove 11 obsolete trail structures (i.e., Sign posts and water bars), install 6 check dams, install 4 trail directional signage; fill 12 square feet of sink holes; and minor brush clearing as needed.
The work crew will consist of five youth crewmembers who will work to rehabilitate approximately 500 feet of unpaved trail.
The project will expose crewmembers to various hands-on experience and include:
rebuilding tread surface; installing check steps; and rebuilding or adding water bars or other erosion control measures as needed; add aggregate to trail as needed; trim back any vegetation that is impeding upon the trail, and constructing a 30 foot puncheon.
The NPS will provide cultural/ environmental programs to the crewmembers including park tours, educational programs, talks on the history of the park, and other similar programs.
The project will motivate its youth participants to become involved in the natural, cultural and/or historical resource protection of their communities and beyond.
Upon completion of this project, 500 feet of vacated trail will be restored to its natural state and social trailing that parallels will be widened and stabilized for safe visitor use.
RECIPIENT AGREES TO:
(1) Provide two experienced Trail Crew Leaders to plan and implement a safe strategy for achieving park objectives; (2) Provide five Youth Trail Crewmembers to work with Trail Crew Leader to accomplish objectives; (3) Provide transportation for Youth Crew to THRO; (4) Provide transportation between camping location and work location while at THRO; (5) Provide all required tools to achieve Park objectives; (6) Provide administrative support to pay for crew transportation and living expenses.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:
(1) Provide location for camping with access to water, showers, restrooms, and shelter from weather; (2) Provide detailed overview of desired outcomes of Trail Rehabilitation:
Summary of Tasks:
Widen 185 feet of trail, restore 210 feet of vacated or social trail using vertical mulch, repair 40 feet of tread surface, construct one 30 foot puncheon/bog bridge, install 10 check steps, remove 11 obsolete trail structure (i.e., Sign posts, water bars), install 6 check dams, install 4 trail directional signage, fill 12 square feet of sink holes, and minor brush clearing as needed; (3) Provide safety briefing of Park specific hazards such as snakes, bison, and thunderstorms; (4) Provide park radio for emergency communications; (5) Present Educational Program to further engage and education Youth Trail Crew on Stewardship of public lands; (6) Provide all natural materials needed to complete the project.