USFWS

Mass EOEA
 

Woodlot
Alternatives, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Notice of Public Meeting – Round 1 Proposal Evaluations and Public Comment

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, comprising the Massachusetts SubCouncil of the Housatonic River Natural Resource Trustees (MA SubCouncil), have scheduled an informational meeting to present the results of the Review Team’s Round 1 Evaluations of project proposals and ideas.  The MA SubCouncil will also receive public comment on the project proposals and ideas during the meeting.  From December 2005 to March 2006, the MA SubCouncil solicited proposals and ideas from the public for various types of projects that would restore or enhance the natural resources and natural resource services of the Housatonic River watershed in Massachusetts.  This Round 1 solicitation provides a means to disburse $3.5 to $4 million for the implementation of restoration projects from approximately $7.75 million received as part of the General Electric/Housatonic River Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) case. 

The MA SubCouncil solicited projects from the public through a Request for Proposals and a Request for Ideas using the Commonwealth’s web-based procurement solicitation system (Comm-PASS).  The solicitation closed March 21, 2006.  Submittals have been evaluated by a team of reviewers comprised of federal and state government agency staff possessing relevant technical knowledge and experience.  A series of relevant questions – the Evaluation Criteria – were applied to each project application by the review team.  The results of this evaluation, which are advisory to the MA SubCouncil, will be presented during the public meeting.  In addition, the MA SubCouncil seeks public comment on the submitted project proposals and ideas.  Such comments could include Evaluation Criteria scoring performed by the public.  The MA SubCouncil will choose projects to fund after consideration of the Review Team scores and public comment.

Hard copies of proposals that were submitted by applicants to receive funding from NRDAR monies are available for public viewing at the Lenox Library Association and five other public libraries in the Housatonic River watershed in Massachusetts.  Proposals may also be viewed online at www.ma-housatonicrestoration.org. 

The public meeting to present the results of the Round 1 Evaluation will take place on:

Thursday, September 21, 2006

5:30 – 7:30 PM

Lenox Town Hall

6 Walker Street, Lenox, Massachusetts  01240

Additional public comment will be accepted for a period of two weeks after the September 21, 2006, public meeting.

Information about the Housatonic River Watershed Restoration Project in Massachusetts is available online at www.ma-housatonicrestoration.org.  Additional information can be obtained by contacting Todd Chadwell of Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. at tchadwell@woodlotalt.com or (413) 442-9389.

website
maintained by:
Woodlot Alternatives, Inc.