Specifications include, but are not limited to: The consultant will conduct a feasibility analysis that will start with an evaluation of existing conditions, the results of which will be used to inform the identification of options that could be pursued to improve fish passage and flood resilience at the crossing. Resources such as the U.S. Forest “Stream Simulation: An Ecological Approach to Providing Passage for Aquatic Organisms at RoadStream Crossings” manual and guidance from the Maine Forest Service Stream Smart Crossings program will be used to ensure that all options appropriately apply habitat connectivity best practices, such as stream simulation design. The consultant will also perform hydrologic and hydraulic studies to inform the feasibility analysis. As part of the feasibility study the contractor will conduct an alternatives analysis to help select the preferred alternative. A no-action alternative will be included to consider future costs and risks if nothing is done. At a minimum, the following will be developed by the contractor for each alternative: site plan, typical sections, cost estimates, regulatory constraints, implementation challenges, and operation and maintenance requirements. Each alternative must also include an assessment of its capacity to adapt to climate change, including large flood flows. The comparison of alternatives will include, at a minimum, cost, regulatory and site constraints, implementation challenges, operation and maintenance requirements, magnitude of ecological connectivity and diadromous fish passage improvement, and resilience against climate impacts. Risk must also be included in the alternatives comparison...
