OpportunityTitle: YELL-MTFWP Native Broodstock Development
Description: ARTICLE I &#150; BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESThe objective of this agreement is to establish the terms and conditions under which the parties will provide mutual assistance during efforts to develop native fish broodstocks through the expenditure of NPS funds. The objective of this project is to develop mutually beneficial native fish brood sources for use in native fish conservation projects on waters in YNP and Montana.Native fish, particularly westslope cutthroat trout (WCT), Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT), and river-dwelling Arctic grayling (AGY) have and continue to decline significantly across their historic ranges. All three species have been proposed for listing under the ESA and AGY have been found to be warranted but precluded for listing. Both MFWP and YNP are signatories to multiple agreements and strategies to conserve native fish, including; the Conservation Strategy and Agreement for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in the States of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming (2009); Memorandum of Understanding and Conservation Agreement for Westslope Cutthroat trout and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Montana (2007); and the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Montana Arctic Grayling Restoration (2007). These strategies and agreements lay a foundation for cooperative conservation efforts for native fish and acknowledge the need to build partnerships to protect resources that cross jurisdictional boundaries. ARTICLE II - AUTHORITYNPS enters into this Agreement pursuant to:A. 16 U.S.C. 1g. NPS authority to enter into cooperative agreements and transfer appropriated funds to nonprofit organization for the public purpose of NPS programs.ARTICLE III &#150; STATEMENT OF WORKA. MFWP agrees to:1. Provide supplies, materials, and labor for the rearing of native fish gametes at agency operated hatcheries in compliance with native/wild fish isolation standards.2. Analyze genetic samples collected from wild fish to assess the suitability of native fish populations as both donors to and recipients of broodstock gametes.3. Analyze fish health samples for pathogens that would preclude wild fish populations from being donors or recipients of native fish broodstock gametes.B. NPS agrees to:1. Reimburse MFWP for certain expenses incurred during the prosecution of project objectives for FY2013 as specified in Exhibit A, attached.C. NPS and MFWP, jointly, agree to:1. Collaborate in the collection of native fish, gametes, genetic samples, and health samples in both Yellowstone National Park and the state of Montana.2. Collaboratively coordinate the introduction and dispersal of native fish gametes to and from hatchery facilities while maintaining accurate records.MFWP and the NPS will work cooperatively to conduct genetic and health assessments on native fish populations pertinent to native fish broodstock development and conservation. Additionally, native fish embryos will be developed at MFP facilities for distribution into YELL waters for native fish recovery and broodstock creation. The cooperative nature of this endeavor is imperative because of the utmost importance of accuracy, rigor, and timeliness of all elements in concert. Developing native fish broodstocks requires collection of fish gametes, genetic samples, and health samples and then the analysis of all samples within a very narrow time frame. If, either genetics or health analysis is not complete before the embryos mature then the embryos are not suitable for incorporation into the brood and must be destroyed. Worse still, if non-native genetic material or pathogens are introduced into a native fish brood or restoration area it would likely render the entire receiving population useless, negating all costs and efforts expended to create the brood or restoration population. For these reasons, utilizing a cooperator with an equal interest in project success represents the most responsible and cost effective option.ARTICLE IV &#150; TERM OF AGREEMENTThe Agreement will become effective upon the date of the last signature and will expire five years from that date, unless terminated earlier per Article XI. The period from the effective date to the expiration date is the period of performance for the Agreement.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: tina_holland@nps.gov
GrantorContactText: Tina  Holland &lt;br/&gt;Financial Assistance Agreements Officer &lt;br/&gt;Phone 307-344-2082