Riverdance Pollinator Habitat

The Riverdance Pollinator Habitat project is a low-impact environmental initiative led by the East Merced Resource Conservation District on Riverdance Farms, a family-owned organic farm located at 12230 Livingston-Cressey Rd in Livingston, California, within Merced County. The project aims to enhance on-farm biodiversity by establishing native pollinator habitat, specifically targeting the conservation of Monarch butterflies and other key pollinating species, thereby supporting long-term agricultural resilience in the Central Valley. It is structured in two phases, with Phase I focused on minor vegetation alterations to create the habitat and Phase II reserved for future evaluation and potential expansion. The initiative has been formally exempted from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under 14 CCR § 15304(d), recognizing it as a minor land alteration with negligible environmental impact. The project is publicly funded and implemented through the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, with no formal contract value, pricing, or line-item costing provided, and classified as a forecast rather than an active procurement. The place of performance is fixed at the farm site, and no delivery, packaging, or logistical specifications are required. The East Merced Resource Conservation District serves as the lead agency and primary point of contact, with Zachary Wells, the Executive Director, serving as the designated representative for inquiries and oversight. No formal contracting officer, contracting officer’s representative, or technical representative has been named, and no federal acquisition regulation (FAR) clauses, unique entity identifiers, socioeconomic certifications, or payment details are included in the documentation. Submission requirements are minimal, limited to a completed Notice of Exemption form and supporting certified documentation, to be mailed to the Office of Planning and Research in Sacramento. Despite the absence of structured evaluation factors, award criteria, inspection protocols, or performance metrics, the project adheres to standard native habitat restoration practices under CEQA’s categorical exemption. The timeline for Phase I implementation is aligned with the Notice of Exemption signature date of November 18, 2025, and the posting date of November 19, 2025, indicating an imminent start with no specified end date. There are no options, security clearances, key personnel requirements, or conflict of interest provisions associated with this initiative, reflecting its scope as a community-based ecological enhancement effort without complex procurement structures.