Agency Pollution Control Agency

Contractor Crow Wing County SWCD

SWIFT Contract Number B41032

Project Name Crow WIng County Citizen Monitoring Program

Project Number (if applicable) CR3302

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The purpose of this project is to collect a complete Trophic Site Index (TSI) data set for Crow Wing County lakes and a complete data set for streams and rivers, and assist the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in their Intensive Monitoring Program (IMP). Crow Wing County, Cass County, Wadena County, Morrison County and Hubbard County are partnering together to ensure that all target lakes and rivers within the Crow Wing River watershed are monitored in the most efficient way. We will do this by utilizing citizen participation, ownership and understanding of their waterways. While many Crow Wing County lakes and rivers have participated in the Citizen Monitoring Program (CMP) program, many of these lakes and rivers remain deficient in chemistry data such as total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, e-coli, total suspended solids, total suspended volatile solids, nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite, which are needed to meet (303)d and 305 (B) criteria. Citizens and the SWCD staff will partner in this project and implement the monitoring and data collection. One of the goals in the Crow Wing County Local Comprehensive Water Plan (CWP) is to establish a countywide citizen monitoring program. Surface water assessment monitoring will enable state 303(d) and 305(b) assessments and provide a better understanding of these lakes and rivers. The lake and river data will help local government units prioritize and protect the Northern Forest Lake Ecoregion.

Project Duration

Start Date Wed, 03/31/2010 - 00:00

Original end date Sat, 06/30/2012 - 00:00

Actual end date Sat, 06/30/2012 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $45963.80

Amendments $0

Contract total $45963.80

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? 352 E710 WY2

Is this a sole source contract? No

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) {Empty}

Evaluator Name Kelly O'Hara

Evaluator Email Address kelly.ohara@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Good

Evaluate the contractor's quality Good

Evaluate the contractor's cost Good

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Good - Several sites and/or parameters were missing sampling events throughout the two monitoring years. As a result a significant amount of monitoring had to be made up in June of 2012. This type of sample schedule management should be avoided in the future to avoid missing data points for the watershed assessment meetings. Additionally, communication between Crow Wing County SWCD with the MPCA should be improved. Grantee should strive to include MPCA project manager in any and all correspondence with regional MPCA staff, subcontractors, and citizen volunteers to avoid confusion of any sort.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): {Empty}

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 4 - satisfied