U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Western Ecology Division, 200 SW 35th St., Corvallis, OR 97333

A -- EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION IN THE CLACKAMAS RIVER BASIN OF OREGON DUE 053196. Contact Richard Sumner, 541/754-4444. Requirements - The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Pacific Northwest Ecosystem Management Research Program, managed from the USEPA National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Western Ecology Division in Corvallis, Oregon, anticipates funding a cooperative agreement research study. The purpose of the study is the development and documentation of a process for evaluating and predicting the effects of multiple, relatively small, environmental protection actions on the ecological function and condition of larger landscape units (e.g., watersheds). Knowledge gained from the study will prove useful to local communities interested in establishing environmental benchmarks. Benchmarks are used to evaluate trends relative to the achievement of established environmental goals for a geographical area. They are developed, in part, using information gathered from environmental monitoring. The more rigorous scientific review of the benchmarks, and the environmental indicators upon which they are established, will reinforce their legitimacy. In this regard, respondents will generate study hypotheses that test the use of various methods and indicators for evaluating the effects of environmental change. The project complements Salmon and Forest Initiatives being conducted by EPA Region 10. The work is sanctioned under the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific Northwest. funding is anticipated in September 1996, with a planned project period of 16 to 24 months. The project will be fully funded at approximately $150,000. Preproposals for project funding must be received by May 17, 1995. They will be evaluated according to criteria outlined in the full Request For Preproposals. Interested applicants must be eligible to receive federal assistance under the federal Clean Water act as amended, and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 30-General Regulation for Assistance Programs and Part 40-Research and Demonstration Grants. ONLY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND NONPROFIT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS eligible to receive federal assistance under this Act should submit preproposals. Also, favorable consideration will be given only to those applicants that demonstrate direct knowledge of the ecology and land use setting of the Clackamas River Basin, and demonstrate experience in developing technical tools that are useful to community organizations operating within the study area. EPA reserves the right to fund all or parts (options) of one or more proposals, and/or fund the options incrementally, or not to award funding. To obtain a more detailed statement of work contact Richard Sumner, Western Ecology Division, USEPA National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (541) 754-4444, FAX (541) 754-4716. (129)

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