Youth Crew Stoll Trail Rehabilitation June 2014 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a National Park Service (NPS), Midwest Region, discretionary cooperative agreement opportunity to recruit an organization capable of providing and leading a single youth trail crew to rehabilitate the Stoll Loop Trail at Isle Royale National Park near Houghton, Michigan.

2) What are the identifiers for this opportunity (FON and CFDA)?

The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is FY2014 ISRO YCTR 0001. The CFDA number is 15.931, Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.

3) How many awards did NPS plan to make?

NPS anticipated making one award.

4) What was the maximum amount of funding available?

Total funding was not to exceed $25,000.

5) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. There was no cost share or matching requirement.

6) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants included certain nonprofit organizations (including those without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education) and public or state-controlled institutions of higher education.

7) When was the application window and deadline?

The opportunity was posted February 7, 2014. Statements were due by 5:00 CST on February 14, 2014.

8) What project dates did NPS expect?

The core project was scheduled for approximately June 17 through July 9, 2014, described as a 21 to 30 day stint for one crew.

9) What crew size and staffing structure were requested?

NPS requested a crew of 8 to 10 participants, with at least two leaders and at least six crew members.

10) Where is the work located?

The main worksite was the 3.6-mile Stoll Trail (also referred to as the Stoll Loop Trail) at Isle Royale National Park. It is an eastern Isle Royale day-hike route beginning near Snug/Rock Harbor, running toward Scoville Point, and returning along the Tobin Harbor side.

11) Why is the Stoll Trail a priority?

The trail includes 11 boardwalks and is valued for overlooks of Lake Superior and Tobin Harbor. It is described as a high-use corridor for visitors based around Rock Harbor.

12) What type of work would the crew perform?

The work focused on hands-on trail rehabilitation and basic erosion control. Activities included brushing and clearing the trail corridor, removing identified plants and woody growth, hauling cut material and duff out of sight of the trail, and performing tread and erosion control improvements.

13) What are the corridor clearing targets?

The crew would brush and clear the trail corridor to roughly six feet wide and eight feet high.

14) How would cut vegetation and duff be handled?

Cut material and duff would be hauled out of sight of the trail and stomped down to speed decay and reduce visual impacts.

15) What erosion control and tread improvements were included?

Examples listed included grading and straightening sections of trail and removing or addressing rocks and roots that create tripping hazards.

16) What happens if the Stoll Trail work is completed early?

If the Stoll Trail work was finished early, the crew could be reassigned to similar maintenance tasks supporting park goals.

17) Was there a potential follow-on assignment?

Yes. One potential follow-on assignment mentioned was additional brushing and rehabilitation on the Greenstone Trail near the West Chickenbone Lake campground.

18) Were there special logistical considerations for the follow-on assignment?

The Greenstone/West Chickenbone area was described as a hillier interior setting that could require canoe-based gear shuttles.

19) How physically demanding is the project?

NPS emphasized the work is physically demanding, backcountry-style work. Crew members should expect constant stooping, bending, kneeling, squatting, and walking.

20) What were the expected daily hiking distances?

Daily hikes were described as ranging from about 2 to 10 miles.

21) What weather and environmental conditions should crews be ready for?

Conditions could include heat, humidity, cold, rain, and generally changeable Lake Superior weather.

22) What did NPS say about leadership and oversight?

Because Isle Royale is remote, the selected organization would be responsible for providing strong on-site leadership for youth participants and coordinating closely with NPS staff. NPS would oversee standards and provide day-to-day logistical support.

23) What trail tools and competencies were preferred for crew leadership?

Desired skills included the ability to safely use and maintain common trail tools such as loppers, Pulaski, fire rake/council tool, pruning saws, rock and root bars, rock hammers and chisels, shovels, rakes, a rock sling, and a wheelbarrow.

24) Were there expectations about tool storage or staging?

Yes. Leadership was expected to be able to establish tool caches in primitive settings.

25) What camping and field-system experience was preferred?

Preferred competencies included managing camping systems from setup and takedown to cooking and water treatment.

26) Was wilderness medical training mentioned?

Yes. A preferred educational background included wilderness first aid knowledge.

27) Was canoe experience mentioned?

Yes. Experience with loading and safely operating canoes was preferred, especially if the Greenstone/West Chickenbone assignment was needed.

28) Where would the crew be based during the project?

The crew would be base-camped primarily at Rock Harbor campground in group sites about 400 yards from the dock.

29) What facilities were available at the base camp?

Potable water and pit toilets were available at the Rock Harbor campground group sites.

30) What did the announcement say about insects?

The announcement highlighted typical early-season biting insects and suggested bringing a screen tent to make cooking and downtime more manageable in buggy or rainy conditions.

31) What services were nearby at Rock Harbor?

Rock Harbor was described as the park’s eastern hub, with a small store, visitor center programs, marina, restaurant/dining hall, and lodging facilities nearby.

32) What communication limitations should participants expect?

The park stressed the island’s lack of phones and internet. Participants should be prepared for limited communication and rely on the park for emergency support.

33) What operational support and equipment would NPS provide?

NPS committed to supplying key support and equipment including a large group Katadyn water filter, fuel for camp stoves, all tools needed for the trail work, and a park radio with call numbers and emergency contacts.

34) What food and resupply responsibilities were described?

The selected organization would purchase food. NPS would transport food to Rock Harbor or McCargoe Cove for one resupply during the stay.

35) What packing guidance was provided for temperatures and rain?

Participants were advised to pack for temperatures roughly ranging from the 40s to 80-90 degrees in summer and to bring rain gear.

36) What did the announcement recommend for bug protection?

It specifically noted early-season biting insects and suggested planning for bug protection, including the idea of bringing a screen tent.

37) What did the announcement say about personal medications?

Participants were told to carry sufficient personal medications for the full trip, including allergy medications such as for bee stings, since they would not be easily obtained on-island.

38) What was required in the response package?

NPS requested a Statement of Information (maximum three pages) explaining how the organization would implement and manage the project in coordination with NPS staff.

39) What organizational details needed to be included in the statement?

The statement needed basic organizational details including the organization’s name, mission, and contact information.

40) What qualifications and evidence did NPS want applicants to show?

Applicants needed to provide evidence of relevant qualifications, particularly experience recruiting and placing youth interns/crews, delivering similar conservation projects, and identifying the staff, faculty, or students available for the work.

41) Was a budget included in the initial submission?

Yes. In addition to the narrative statement, applicants had to submit a preliminary bid.

42) How would NPS select and finalize the budget?

NPS would use the statement and preliminary bid to select the best-fit organization, then negotiate the final budget after selection.

43) How were submissions to be delivered?

Submissions were to be emailed.

44) What should be included in the email subject line?

The email subject line was to include the opportunity number and project title.

45) Who were the listed NPS contacts for submission?

The listed NPS contacts were Catherine Schroeder and Julie Hendricks.

46) Was there a grants management contact for access issues?

Yes. A grants management specialist contact was provided for access issues.