1. Statement of Work.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents

Statement of Work (SOW)

Description: Joint Chiefs NNIS & TSI Treatments COR: Clarice Esch Phone: (618) 759-2753 Email: clarice.esch@usda.gov

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The objective of this project is to improve habitat by managing infestations of non-native invasive plant species (NNIS) and with timber stand improvement (TSI) treatments using chemical and mechanical controls at treatment areas distributed across the Shawnee National Forest in southernmost Illinois. These treatment areas encompass a range of sites from high quality habitat within natural areas to spaces used predominantly for recreation to stands destined for future timber harvest. This project involves 11 specific treatment areas which will be further described. The treatment areas are categorized as either TSI or NNIS projects, with the general aims of these project types described below:

TSI Projects: Oak dominance has decreased significantly in upland woods over the past 50 years. TSI projects manually manipulate the forest understory by removing undesirable mesic species that have encroached into upland forested communities. Tree and shrub removal provides growing space for oak/hickory forests by reducing the basal area within a treatment footprint. Mid-story removal of undesirable mesic species, such as maple and beech, allow hardwood species to retain a dominant status as the forest matures. As additional light reaches the understory, oak regeneration is improved and understory sun-loving herbaceous vegetation increases, which benefits pollinators and site diversity. This work focuses on both natural areas and timber sale units. Natural areas were designated to preserve unique natural features such as rare plants, animals, or distinctive habitat and community types. In natural areas, tree and shrub removal can help maintain habitat quality, benefit rare plants, preserve the unique characteristics for which the natural area was designated.

NNIS Projects: Infestations of invasive plants disturb ecosystems, can favor the establishment of additional invaders at the same site, and serve as a seed source for invasion of new sites. Invasive plants can diminish the diversity of understory plant communities and regeneration of desired tree species. Therefore, controlling invasive plant infestations is vital for maintaining healthy and diverse forests. This work focuses on timber sale units, a recreation area, and openland. In timber sale units, existing infestations in the understory can respond to harvest and additional access to light with prolific growth. Treating invasive plants pre- and/or post-harvest can effectively reduce populations and create growing space for regeneration of desired tree species in the understory. In recreation areas, NNIS can impact user experience and easily be spread by recreators. Openlands are maintained as wildlife habitat and reducing NNIS infestations provides native vegetation with additional growing space and improves habitat quality.

2.0 Background

TSI sites CLIN 0001 Project area #1 – (known as Cretaceous Hills Pine (Compartment 83 Stand 16 & Stand 27) TSI Project) is a planted shortleaf pine stand. This pre-commercial thinning aims to reduce basal area in planted pine stands primarily through the removal of midstory stems. This treatment will aid in preparing these stands for future harvest of the pine overstory. After TSI work, we expect a decrease in mesic hardwood species and an increase in light reaching the understory. This area is on the Hidden Springs Ranger District in the Cretaceous Hills area on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is located roughly 15 miles south of Golconda, IL.

CLIN002 Project area #2 – (known as Dog Creek Barrens TSI Project) includes a natural area and surrounding stands, including a mixture of hardwood and pine overstory. This treatment aims to reduce the presence of mesic species and overall density of stems within the site. Within the hardwood stands, we expect this treatment to aid in restoration of a barren and glade system by increasing the amount of light reaching the herbaceous ground flora and maintaining open conditions. This area is on the Hidden Springs Ranger District in the Cretaceous Hills area on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is located roughly 15 miles south of Golconda, IL.

CLIN 0003 Project area #3 – (known as Waterfall Trail TSI Project) is an area of dry upland forest alongside Kinkaid Lake. To maintain and enhance this area, this project aims to reduce the presence of mesic tree species and overall density of stems. Post-treatment, we expect a decrease in mesic hardwood species and an increase in light reaching the understory, which should benefit herbaceous flora and help expand the dry upland forest habitat. This area is on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is located roughly 16 miles west of Murphysboro, IL.

NNIS sites CLIN 0004 Project area #4 – (known as State of IL NNIS Project) is a series of small units within the State of IL openland. The treatment areas are focused on pockets of tree of heaven. Heavy infestations of bush honeysuckle are present. Autumn olive and multiflora rose are occasionally present as well. The objective of this treatment is to reduce woody invasives, particularly tree of heaven, to prevent further spread in the openland. Post-treatment, we expect that this treatment will reduce the tree of heaven seed source in the area and create pockets where additional light is reaching the understory, and a greater diversity of plants may be able to regenerate. This area is on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District west of Kinkaid Lake on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is roughly 18 miles west of Murphysboro, IL.

CLIN 0005 Project area #5 – (known as Tin Pants NNIS Project) is a timber harvest unit heavily infested with bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, and multiflora rose throughout. Tree of heaven and oriental bittersweet are also present, but less frequently. The overall objective of this project area is to treat woody invasives prior to a timber harvest. We expect that pre-treatment of woody invasives will reduce their spread post-harvest and allow a greater diversity of regeneration in the understory. This area is on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District north of Kinkaid Lake on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is roughly 14 miles west of Murphysboro, IL.

Option Base TSI CLIN 0006 Project area #6 – (known as Massac Tower TSI Project) encompasses a natural area and adjacent stands in the Cretaceous Hills area. This treatment aims to reduce the presence of mesic tree species and overall density of stems. Post-treatment, we expect a decrease in mesic hardwood species and an increase in light reaching the understory, which should benefit herbaceous flora. This area is on the Hidden Springs Ranger District in the Cretaceous Hills area on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is located roughly 20 miles south of Golconda, IL.

Optional Year 1 NNIS CLIN 0007 Project area #7 – (known as Johnson Creek NNIS (treatment area 1) Project) includes a recreation site with campground loops, roads, and a boat ramp. The area is heavily invaded with autumn olive and bush honeysuckle; multiflora rose is present and tree of heaven is known from the area. The treatment objective is to treat a heavy infestation of woody invasives to reduce further spread. Some areas overlap with planned timber harvest units and this project will serve as pre-harvest NNIS treatment. We expect that this treatment will improve user experience within the recreation site and allow a more diverse plant community (both woody and herbaceous) to grow in the understory. This area is on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District near Kinkaid Lake on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is roughly 18 miles west of Murphysboro, IL.

Optional Year 1 NNIS CLIN 0008 Project area #8 – (known as Poplar Pine NNIS Project) is a pre-harvest treatment of bush honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and autumn olive within a timber harvest unit. The overall objective is to retreat a heavy infestation of autumn olive that was first treated in fall 2023 and to treat bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose to reduce further spread during and post-harvest. We expect that this treatment will prevent a flush of the target species following harvest and allow a greater diversity of regeneration to occur in the understory (both herbaceous and woody species). This area is on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District in a stand on the southern side of Kinkaid Lake on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is roughly 16 miles west of Murphysboro, IL.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION:

The 8 project area maps show the overall treatment locations. Additional treatment area maps will be provided. We are requesting treatment of approximately 873 acres between the 8 project areas; 291 of these acres are optional. Attached project maps identify the treatment areas and approximate acres to be treated, based on known locations. A written description of the general area is provided below, as well as attached maps showing boundaries of areas to be treated. Driving instructions to the treatment areas are also provided below.

Treatment Area and Acres (Units) to be Treated

Option Treatment Area (Base)

Optional Treatment Area – Year 1

ACCESS to Treatment Areas:

The locations of the various NNIS and TSI sites are shown on the attached project area and site maps:

TSI sites CLIN 0001 Cretaceous Pine TSI (Compartment 83 Stand 16 & Stand 27) - This site is accessible by road. Brush cutters and/or chainsaws can be used to fell trees, while backpack or handheld quart sprayers will be necessary for cut stump treatments. The staging area for this project area is located at 88.51545022°W 37.20849345°N.

CLIN 0002 Dog Creek Barrens TSI - This site is accessible by road. Brush cutters and/or chainsaws can be used to fell trees, while backpack or handheld quart sprayers will be necessary for cut stump treatments. The staging area for this project area is located at 88.50587804°W 37.20799968°N.

CLIN 0003 Waterfall Trail TSI - This site is accessible by road. Brush cutters and/or chainsaws can be used to fell trees, while backpack or handheld quart sprayers will be necessary for cut stump treatments. The staging area for this project area is located at 89.49871021°W 37.81697150°N.

NNIS Sites CLIN 0004 State of IL NNIS - The site is accessible by road. The terrain is variable, and trails are rutted, which may make ATV access challenging. Hiking with a backpack sprayer and brush cutter will be necessary to traverse the treatment area 89.51391610°W 37.85935751°N.

CLIN 0005 Tin Pants NNIS - The site is accessible by road. The terrain is variable, and trails are rutted, which may make ATV access challenging. Hiking with a backpack sprayer and brush cutter will be necessary to traverse the treatment area. The staging area for this project area is located at 89.48071131°W 37.83530231°N

Option Item TSI Site (Base) CLIN 0006 Massac Tower TSI - This site is accessible by road. Brush cutters and/or chainsaws can be used to fell trees, while backpack or handheld quart sprayers will be necessary for cut stump treatments. The staging area for this project area is located at 88.49527194°W 37.18941093°N.

Optional NNIS sites – Year 1 CLIN 0007 Johnson Creek NNIS (treatment area 1) - The site is accessible by road. The terrain is variable, and trails are rutted, which may make ATV access challenging. Hiking with a backpack sprayer and brush cutter will be necessary to traverse the treatment area. The staging area for this project area is located at 89.52304211°W 37.83438902°N.

CLIN 0008 Poplar Pine NNIS - The site is accessible by road. The terrain is variable, and trails are rutted, which may make ATV access challenging. Hiking with a backpack sprayer and brush cutter will be necessary to traverse the treatment area. The staging area for this project area is located at 89.49871021°W 37.81697150°N.

DRIVING DIERECTIONS:

CLIN 0001 Cretaceous Hills Pine (Compartment 83 Stand 16 & Stand 27) TSI Project - From the intersection of Illinois rt. 146, and Illinois rt. 1 (Bay City Road) in Golconda, IL head south ~10.6 miles to 485 FS road. Take 485 FS road ~ 1 mile to Dog Creek Road. The work site begins ~.2 miles south on Dog Creek Road.

CLIN 0002 Dog Creek Barrens TSI - From the city of Golconda, Head south on Adams St/Ohio River Scenic Byway toward Illinois St for 9.5 miles. Turn left onto 1185N/Bay City Rd/Ohio River Scenic Byway for ~4.8 miles. Turn Right onto FR #485 SPUR. The staging area is ~.75 miles down FR #485

CLIN 0003 Waterfall Trail TSI - Head west on Illinois rt. 149 out of Murphysboro, IL to IL rt 3. Take IL rt. 3 to IL rt. 151 North. From IL rt. 151 turn right onto gun ridge road. Take Gun Ridge rd. for ~1.75 miles to private rd. FF. The treatment area is ~.5 miles off Gun Ridge Road on the east side of the road.

CLIN 0004 State of IL NNIS - From Murphysboro IL, take IL 149 to westbound for ~7.7 miles to IL rt. 3. Turn right onto IL rt 3 northwest bound for 4.4 miles to IL rt 151 N. Turn right onto IL rt 151 N, northbound for 5.6 miles to an unnamed road. The unnamed road is the first left (west) after passing Sharp Rock Road on the right (east)

CLIN 0005 Tin Pants NNIS - From Murphysboro Illinois, head North on IL 127N/IL 13 W/N 2nd street for 3 miles to Ava Road business Hwy 13/Kimmel Bridge Road. Turn left onto Ava Road and travel westbound for 8.7 miles to Lone Oak Road. Take lone Oak Road for 1 mile to Possum Road. Take Possum Road for 1.4 miles to the treatment area.

Option Project Area - Base CLIN 0006 Massac Tower TSI - From the intersection of Illinois rt. 146, and Illinois rt. 1 (Bay City Road) in Golconda, IL head south ~8.5 miles to Azotus road. Take Azotus road south ~ 4.6 miles to North Alcorn Road. It is accessible with a vehicle up to 88.5021542°W 37.1810069°N. At this point ATV use is recommended on traveling eastbound and north to the staging area.

Optional Year 1 CLIN 0007 Johnson Creek NNIS (treatment area 1) - From Murphysboro IL, take IL 149 to westbound for ~7.7 miles to IL rt. 3. Turn right onto IL rt 3 northwest bound for 4.4 miles to IL rt 151 N. Turn right onto IL rt 151 N, northbound for 4.4 miles to Johnson Creek Road. Turn Right onto Johnson Creek Road to the treatment area.

CLIN 0008 Poplar Pine NNIS - Head west on Illinois rt. 149 out of Murphysboro, IL to IL rt 3. Take IL rt. 3 to IL rt. 151 North. From IL rt. 151 turn right onto gun ridge road. Take Gun Ridge rd. for ~1.75 miles to private rd. FF. The treatment area is ~.5 miles off Gun Ridge Road on the east side of the road.

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS:

Methods and Chemical/Control for NNIS: Forest Service lands will be treated using a backpack sprayer and/or handheld quart sprayer, along with a brush cutter for cut stump applications. At all sites, woody NNIS can be treated via either basal bark or cut stump application of herbicides; treatment of these species may extend throughout the year excluding the early spring months during leaf out (see Table 2). All stems (regardless of size) of target species should be treated. Foliar treatment of small stems (< 1/2 inch at base) should occur for stems that are difficult to treat with cut stump methods. Areas of high-density infestations may receive two treatments throughout the season to ensure all plants are treated but not to exceed label maximum rates/ac. Sufficient dye should be applied during herbicide treatments so that it is visible for 8 weeks after treatment to aid in inspections.

Methods and Chemical/Control for TSI: Trees and shrubs will be felled using chainsaws and brush cutters using the following felling specifications. Forest Service lands will be treated using a backpack sprayer and/or handheld quart sprayers.

Felling Specifications:

The following felling specifications shall apply to all projects involving tree felling unless there are specific project supplemental specifications.

a) All trees required to be cut shall be cut as close to the ground as possible, except when prevented by natural obstacles.

b) Trees required to be cut shall be completely severed from the stump and lie flat on the ground. No tops shall be left hanging in standing trees.

c) The stump height of cut trees shall not exceed 6 inches above the ground level on the high side of the stump, or 4 inches above natural obstacles.

d) Stumps shall be cut in a manner which results in a flat (parallel to the ground) surface. Angular stump cuts will not be allowed.

e) No boundary or bearing trees marked with paint or flagging shall be cut.

f) No dead trees or trees with exfoliating bark will be cut.

g) All reserve trees as defined in the supplemental specifications (see below) shall be left.

h) Materials that are cut, will be limbed so that they lay within 3ft of the ground unless otherwise stated in supplemental specifications.

i) Trees on the edge of units should be felled inward. Slash shall be removed 10 feet from roads, trails, ponds, and private land, except in areas designated on maps where slash shall be removed 30 ft.

Herbicide Use Specifications:

a. Mixing of chemicals and preparation of treatment devices will occur only on asphalt surfaces or on the main dirt roads and on a permeable mixing pad such as cardboard.

b. Plants may be treated during the months specified in the above table.

c. Areas will be inspected during and after treatment. An acceptable level of treatment will be met when there is a kill rate of at least 90% for target NNIS infestations, and with no more than 5% mortality to nearby or interspersed desirable non-target native plant species because of inadvertent treatment or overspray of herbicides.

d. A sufficient amount of dye must be used so that it is visible for 8 weeks after treatment to aid in inspections.

e. All treatment practices will comply STRICTLY with the directions on the herbicide label.

f. Spray calibration and equipment maintenance records will be provided by the contractor.

The following precautions are partly derived from the Vegetation Management Strategy and Pesticide Use Proposals for the Shawnee National Forest:

· Do not apply directly to water or to areas where surface water is present below the mean high-water mark.

· Individual cut stems will be sprayed for cut stump treatments; the bases of individual stems will be treated for basal bark treatment.

· Bare ground and non-target vegetation will not be sprayed.

· Known infestations on private land will NOT be treated by the contractor.

· Herbicide application rates and distance from water will be consistent with the Pesticide Use Proposals

· and current herbicide label. -Table 1.

· The specific weed species, timing, and treatments are identified in Table 2.

Table 1. Herbicide Application Rates

Foresters’® Non-Selective

Aquaneat® Rodeo®

Garlon® 4 Alligare Triclopyr 4

Forestry Suppliers

Table 2. Treatment by Species

Japanese chaff flower (Achyranthes japonica)

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Hack and Squirt: 25% glyphosate or 22% triclopyr amine in water within 10 minutes of cutting.

Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)

5/1 – 9/31 (foliar)

5/1 – 2/28 (basal bark & cut stump) Foliar: 2% glyphosate or 1-3% triclopyr amine in water.

Basal bark: 20-30% triclopyr ester in basal oil.

Cut stump: 20-25% glyphosate or 10-20% triclopyr amine in water within 10 minutes of cutting.

Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

5/1 – 10/15 (foliar)

7/1 – 2/28 (basal bark & cut stump) Foliar (plants < 6 ft tall): 2-4% glyphosate or 1-2% triclopyr amine in water.

Basal bark: 20-30% triclopyr ester in basal oil.

Cut stump: 25-50% glyphosate or 20-25% triclopyr amine in water within 10 minutes of cutting; or 20-25% triclopyr ester in oil.

Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)

5/1 – 10/15 (foliar)

7/1 – 2/28 (basal bark & cut stump)

Mechanical—Young plants can be pulled from the ground when soils are moist. Larger plants can be weed wrenched or grubbed out.

Foliar: 2-4% glyphosate in water.

Basal bark: 20-30% triclopyr ester in basal oil.

Cut stump: 25-50% glyphosate in water (preferred) or triclopyr amine in water within 10 minutes of cutting or triclopyr ester in oil at 20-25%.

Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

5/1 – 2/28

Basal bark: 20-30% triclopyr ester in basal oil.

Cut stump: 25-50% glyphosate in water (preferred) or triclopyr amine in water within 10 minutes of cutting or triclopyr ester in oil at 20-25%.

Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)

Cut stems: 10% glyphosate (dormant or growing season); triclopyr amine or triclopyr ester (20-25%) during the dormant season.

All other species in TSI treatments

Cut stump: 25-50% glyphosate within 10 minutes of cutting; or 20-25% triclopyr ester in oil.

1. Contractor Responsibilities

a. Any vehicles necessary for transportation of Contractor personnel, equipment or supplies will be provided by the Contractor. ORV’s and vehicles will only be used for treatment along designated motorized trails and roads.

b. The Contractor will provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, herbicides, carriers, or adjuvants, materials, equipment, tools, supplies, licenses, permits, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work.

c. The Contractor shall perform and accomplish the work in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances and following the EPA herbicide label, which is a legal document.

d. The Contractor will provide all necessary safety protective equipment necessary in the loading, mixing, and spraying operations.

e. The Contractor will be required to submit legible written reports for each day of treatment. These reports will show areas treated, amount of herbicide used, amount of time required to treat area, weather conditions at time of application, and species treated. A calendar schedule to supply the reports will be negotiated prior to the contract period. Treatment Record Forms will be supplied to the contractor.

f. The Contractor will provide a final map and shape file of all GIS data (completed with a GPS). Data will be collected in NAD83 datum.

g. The Contractor will provide a phone number where they can be contacted after hours (when not working on the contract).

h. Times that the work can be performed will be dependent on environmental factors such as wind speed, temperatures, and expected and past rainfall within a 24-hour window.

i. The Contractor will clean all equipment (Weed Wash) prior to accessing & leaving the project area. Equipment may be inspected by the COR on-site at any time.

j. The Contractor will inspect, remove, and properly dispose of plant parts found on clothing and equipment before entering or leaving the project area.

k. The Contractor will minimize soil disturbance to avoid creating conditions favorable for the establishment of invasive plants.

l. The Contractor will note occurrences that cross ownership boundaries and include such notes in written reports.

m. The Contractor must be able to identify target NNIS species during the growing and dormant seasons. These may include bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, multiflora rose, tree of heaven, Japanese chaff flower, oriental bittersweet, burning bush, privets, and princess tree.

n. If the work area is located within a burn unit, the contractor will work with the COR to ensure they are not in the area during treatments.

o. The Contractor is responsible for cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately. An herbicide cleanup kit should be within the vehicle (i.e., cat litter).

p. The Contractor must have herbicide labels and copies of safety data sheets (SDS) of chemicals used on site. Copies of labels and SDS of chemicals must be provided to the COR prior to the start of work.

q. At all sites, the contractor will place caution signs around the sprayed area according to the appropriate interval per label directions of the chemical used.

r. Contractor will conduct treatments at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed kill rate of 90% for target NNIS infestations, and with no more than 5% mortality to nearby or interspersed desirable non-target native plant species because of inadvertent treatment or overspray of herbicides. Sufficient dye will be used to so that it is visible for 8 weeks after treatment to aid in inspections.

s. For NNIS treatments, all stems (regardless of size) of target species will be treated.

t. The Contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the work within the time specified as determined by the final accepted work schedule for the awarded contract.

u. Forest Service COR may conduct visual inspection of NNIS treatments on site to check progression and ensure the Contractor is following specified requirements of the contract.

v. If artifacts or cultural materials are discovered during project implementation, cease work, and notify the COR, and the heritage program manager at 618-833-8576 ext. 104. If human remains are discovered, cease work, notify the COR, the heritage resource specialist, and secure the area.

Specifications by project area:

CLIN 0001 For Cretaceous Hills Pine TSI Project– If woody invasive species (autumn olive & bush honeysuckle) are encountered, cut and treat these stems as well.

Mid-Story Removal – Cut Only Pine Stands (see diagram below)

a) Cut all woody vegetation (tree and shrubs) except for reserved species that will be stated below, greater than 4ft tall and less than 7” DBH that are considered overtopped or suppressed mid-story.

1. Species to reserve

a. Persimmon

b) Cut only. No use of herbicide

c) Main canopy should be intact without gaps following treatment.

For all other TSI Project Areas (Dog Creek Barrens, Massac Tower, Waterfall Trail, Bean Ridge)

a) Cut all undesirable woody vegetation (trees and shrubs; maple, elm, hophornbeam, muscle wood, beech, cherry, sweetgum, cedar, pine) except for reserved species stated below, greater than 4 ft tall and less than 8” DBH.

· Species to reserve: Persimmon, Farkleberry, Dogwood, Redbud, Serviceberry, Sassafras When desirable hardwoods (oak and hickory) are encountered, preferentially cut trees (less than 8” DBH) that are suppressed, overtopped, or with defects (crooks, sweeps, cat-face scars, and the like). Retain those with good form.

b) Cut and apply herbicide to all non-oak and hickory species.

Figure credit to Stringer, J. in UT Extension SP 676

For all NNIS project areas, the primary target species present in the treatment area are described in Scope of Work. If any of the following species are encountered, they should be treated with herbicide as well: autumn olive, bush honeysuckle, multiflora rose, burning bush, oriental bittersweet, Japanese chaff flower, tree of heaven, princess tree, or privet.

For all project areas:

Where rare plants or sensitive habitats occur in project areas, locations will be flagged and buffered to minimize direct impacts as needed. Contractor will not fell trees within flagged areas or allow trees to fall into flagged areas. No pesticide application will occur within flagged areas. Ideally, treatment of sites with rare plants and/or sensitive habitats will occur during the dormant season (Nov. 15– April 1) to further minimize disturbance.

Rare plants may be encountered at: Dog Creek Barrens TSI, Massac Tower TSI, Waterfall Trail TSI, Johnson Creek NNIS, Tin Pants NNIS, Bean Ridge TSI

Note about seeps: a section of the Massac Tower area has been excluded (see central hole in map) because seep springs are present. These areas have sensitive vegetation and typically saturated soils. Do not drop trees into this area or traverse this area (on foot or otherwise) to avoid disturbing the soils and vegetation.

Johnson Creek NNIS project area -aquatic safe herbicides are necessary for treatment near waterways.

Massac Tower TSI project area -aquatic safe herbicides are necessary for treatment near the seeps.

TSI work in the Massac Tower TSI & Bean Ridge TSI units must be conducted between Nov 16 and March 31 to ensure listed bat species are protected.

4.0 Government Furnished

The Forest Service will provide maps of the areas to be treated.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Work shall occur between September 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025. The contractor shall complete work on all bid items no later than December 31, 2025. Work periods may be adjusted if weather conditions, or plant phenology require a change. Working on weekends and holidays is acceptable except for sites, such as campgrounds, that receive heavy recreational use on weekends and holidays.

The Johnson Creek NNIS treatments must take place between December 16, 2024, and March 14, 2025, when the campground is closed.

Massac Tower TSI & Bean Ridge TSI work must be conducted between Nov 16 and March 31 to ensure listed bat species are protected.

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Option Item – Base - This will be dependent upon availability of funds

Optional Items Year 1 - This will be dependent upon availability of funds

SOW, Contractor Responsibilities Significant milestones-when each bid item is complete.

6.0 Travel

As outlined in the contractor responsibilities section: Any vehicles necessary for transportation of Contractor personnel, equipment or supplies will be provided by the Contractor.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

A foreman and staff licensed to apply pesticides in the state of Illinois are necessary to perform this contract. These personnel should be experienced with and have knowledge of forestry practices. Specifically, personnel should have knowledge and experience in treatment techniques and identification of NNIS plants known to be present in the project areas, identification of native plant species (to prevent off-target damage during treatments), TSI treatments in Central Hardwood forests, identification of woody species of Central Hardwood forests, and use of GPS equipment to track progress and ensure treatments do not occur across ownership boundaries.

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