R--VETERINARY SERVICES-IMPLANT TRANSMITTERS

Attachment 1 Page 1 of 3 STATEMENT OF WORK U.S.G.S. Western Ecological Research Center Veterinary Services Introduction: The U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), requests award for expert veterinary services to perform surgeries on diving ducks to implant transmitters and provide postoperative care for the birds. Background & Scope: As the largest estuary on the Pacific Coast of North America, the San Francisco Bay is a critically important stop-over and wintering area for migratory waterfowl. More than half a million ducks and geese rely on the region’s resources to build reserves for migration and reproduction each year (Accurso 1992). Over twenty waterfowl species use a mosaic of habitat types, including tidal marsh, tidal flat, managed and breached diked wetland ponds, open bay, tidal slough, lagoon, and freshwater marsh and creek (Richmond et al. 2014; Strong et al. 2019; De La Cruz et al. 2025). Dabbling ducks, such as northern pintail (Anas acuta), American wigeon (Mareca americana), and northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata) are abundant in San Francisco Bay, and the estuary is particularly noted for its importance to diving (or benthic foraging) ducks (Baldassarre 2014). Scaup (both greater and lesser, Aythya marila and A. affinis), surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata), canvasback (Aythya valisineria), and ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) are among the most numerous diving ducks wintering in San Francisco Bay (Accurso 1992, Collins and Trost 2009). In fact, scaup and scoters in San Francisco Bay comprise nearly 40% of all those counted in the lower Pacific Flyway during the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Midwinter Survey (MWS; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2009).Over 80% of historical tidal marshes and 40% of historical mudflats in San Francisco Bay have been lost or degraded (San Francisco Bay Joint Venture (SFBJV) 2022). To address this habitat loss, large restoration projects are underway that have resulted in more than 10,000 acres of restored tidal marsh over the last two decades, with plans to restore an additional 50,000 acres by 2100 (San Francisco Estuary Partnership 2011, 2015). Much of this restoration is being accomplished through conversion of supratidal habitats, such as former salt production ponds and diked agricultural fields, which are particularly important for waterfowl because they increase roosting habitat and supplement daily energy intake (Takekawa et al. 2009, Brand et al. 2014). Whereas tidal marsh restoration benefits many species, it is expected to reduce existing supratidal habitat acreage throughout the estuary, which may impact both dabbling and diving ducks and potentially alter the species composition of waterfowl populations in San Francisco Bay (SFBJV 2022; De La Cruz et al. 2018; Ackerman et al. 2014a). In addition to tidal restoration, infrastructure changes have the potential to alter waterfowl habitat availability in the region. For example, drought and predicted future reductions in freshwater flows from the San Francisco Bay Delta may influence water salinity and availability, resulting in potential changes to the timing, quantity, and quality of habitat. Region-wide drought can also alter winter and migratory habitat use patterns, causing shorebirds and waterfowl that normally use Central Valley wetland habitat to rely more heavily on Bay and coastal habitat in dry years, such as Suisun Marsh (Kruse et al. 2003, Ackerman et al. 2014a, Barbaree et al. 2020). Likewise, rising seas are expected to inundate both San Francisco Bay ecosystems and infrastructure over the coming century (Thorne -- 1 of 3 -- Attachment 1 Page 2 of 3 et al. 2012, Barnard et al. 2019), and rising water levels can potentially change habitat availability for waterbirds. The margins of San Francisco Bay and adjacent areas reflect a nexus of growing transportation, environmental, and economic needs. Planned infrastructure redesigns in both North and South San Francisco Bay are aimed at fortifying interstates and neighborhoods against rising seas, storm surge, and resulting increases in flooding during winter (Kimley Horn and AECOM, 2018; Tremain et al. 2019). However, it is unclear how these expansive infrastructure projects will influence habitat for waterbirds and other species in the region. Therefore, we seek to evaluate diving duck use of these habitats to better understand the implications of these changes. Our study objectives include: 1. Over the 2026-2027 and2027- 2028 winters, mark up 100 diving ducks with GPS-GSM transmitters. 2.Track fall and winter movements and habitat use of waterfowl in San Francisco Bay, with particular emphasis on Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project Areas. 3.Work with land managers to identify opportunities for wetland restoration and adaptive management that could improve waterfowl habitat. Up to 12 workdays (6 days over 2 time periods) per year are expected to complete this requirement. Technical Requirements: Expert services of uniquely skilled veterinarians are required to surgically implant radio transmitters into diving ducks. Due to the unique characteristics of diving birds, contractor must have specific experience implanting transmitters into diving duck and/or Aechmorphorus grebe species. Description of Services: The contractor shall provide veterinary services to surgically implant up to 100 radio transmitters in diving ducks and provide for postoperative care as needed, including medications. Within 10 hours of capture, the contractor shall implant a GPS-GSM (Ornitela) with external antenna in after second year (ASY) male and female diving ducks. After a recovery period of between two (2) and eight (8) hours, marked birds will be released to the same area that they were captured. Contractor shall advise support crew in assisting with each surgery. Contractor shall also train one other ve…