The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking prospective agricultural producers to enter into a Cooperative Agriculture Agreement at the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in Cloverdale, Oregon. The producer may have use of up to 74.77 acres of lowland pastures on the Upton Slough Unit of the Refuge. The proposed period of use may be for up to five years. The selected cooperator(s) will be required to manage the lowland pastures by grazing, mowing, haying, and/or green chopping annually between April 15 to October 31.
The cooperator(s) will be selected through an open and competitive process. Applications received by the deadline will be scored and ranked by a panel of representatives from the Service, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, and Oregon State University Agricultural Extension. A one-hour site visit to tour the Refuge’s lowland pastures will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024. Meet in the lower parking lot of Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge (7000 Christensen Road) at 2:00 pm. Call Shawn Stephensen at (541) 867-4550 or (541) 270-1863 for more information.
To apply, interested parties must complete:
1. FWS Form 3-1383-C (Commercial Activities Special Use Permit Application)
2. Bid sheet
These forms along with maps of the proposed Cooperative Agriculture area can be found below for download. Request hard copies of the documents by calling Shawn Stephensen, Wildlife Biologist at (541) 867-4550 or email at shawn_stephensen@fws.gov.
Completed applications are to be submitted to the Service in a sealed envelope marked Cooperative Agriculture Agreement Application, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2127 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365. Applications may be submitted via email to kate_iaquinto@fws.gov. All application must be received by 4:00 pm on March 8, 2024. All proposals will be opened on March 11, 2024 and applicants will be notified by March 25, 2024.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
