1. Statement of Work (SOW).docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Table of Contents

Statement of Work (SOW)

Description: Joint Chiefs NNIS & TSI Treatments COR: Justin Dodson Phone: (618) 253-1018 Email: justin.dodson@usda.gov

Objectives The objective of this project is to improve habitat by managing infestations of non-native invasive plant species (NNIS) and through timber stand improvement (TSI) treatments using chemical and mechanical controls at several natural areas and timber sale units. Treatment areas are located on the Shawnee National Forest. This project involves 10 specific treatment areas which are described by location and in detail below:

NNIS sites CLIN 0001 Project area #1 – (known as Ava Cave Roadside Invasives Project) is on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District within Ava Zoological Area on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is roughly 19 miles west of Murphysboro, IL. The overall objective of this project area is to treat infestations of autumn olive and bush honeysuckle extending from the roadside into the natural area and prevent further NNIS encroachment.

CLIN 0002 Project area #2 – (known as Kinkaid Lake Invasives Project) 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 17 miles west of Murphysboro, IL. Treatment for this project area aims to reduce autumn olive throughout a timber sale unit prior to harvest. The overall objective is to treat a heavy infestation of autumn olive and reduce further spread during and post-harvest.

CLIN 0003 Project area #3 – (known as Kingpin Pondside Invasives Project) is on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is roughly 30 miles south of Jonesboro, IL. In this project area, autumn olive will be treated throughout the stand and around the pond. Autumn olive, multiflora rose, and black locust are the target species. The overall objective is to treat an infestation of autumn olive around a pond and encroaching into a timber unit post-harvest, thereby reducing seed sources for future spread.

CLIN 0004 Project area #4 – (known as Dean East Invasives Project) is on the Hidden Springs Ranger District at Dean Cemetery East Ecological Area on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is located roughly 16 miles south of Golconda, IL. This overall objective for this project area is to treat an infestation of autumn olive and create growing opportunities for native plants within the natural area.

CLIN 0005 Project area #5 – (known as Snow Springs Invasives Project) is on the Hidden Springs Ranger District bordering Snow Springs Natural Area on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is located roughly 18 miles south of Golconda, IL. Treatment for this project area aims to reduce a heavy infestation of autumn olive bordering a natural area. The overall objective is to treat the autumn olive infestation and reduce the likelihood that it will spread into the natural area.

TSI sites CLIN 0006 Project area #6 – (known as Wolf Creek TSI Project) is on the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District at Wolf Creek Biological Area on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is located roughly 21 miles south of Jonesboro, IL. This project aims to improve growing conditions for an uncommon tree species, yellow wood, by reducing basal area along the roadside where yellow wood is growing.

CLIN 0007 Project area #7 – (known as Seep Springs TSI Project) is on the Hidden Springs Ranger District at Kickasola and Snow Springs Ecological Areas on the Shawnee National Forest. This treatment area is located roughly 18 miles south of Golconda, IL. The overall objective for this project area is to reduce basal area in the vicinity of seep springs which will allow more light to reach the understory and reduce water uptake by neighboring trees which may be degrading the seeps.

CLIN 0008 Project area #8 – (known as Cretaceous Hills Pine #1 (Compartment 85 Stand 3) TSI Project) 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. This pre-commercial thinning aims to reduce the 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.

CLIN 0009 Project area #9 – (known as Cretaceous Hills Pine #2 (Compartment 83 Stand 10) TSI Project 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. 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.

CLIN 0010 Project area #10 – (known as Cretaceous Hills Pine #3 (Compartment 85 Stands 6,4 and 42) TSI Project 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. 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.

Scope of Work 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 both natural areas and timber sale units. Natural areas were designated to preserve unique natural features such as rare plants, animals, or distinctive habitat types. In natural areas, controlling invasive plant infestations will help protect and preserve the unique features for which the natural area was designated. 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.

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 frees up 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.

CLIN 0001 Ava Cave Roadside Invasives Project (project area #1) is within Ava Cave Zoological Area and infested with autumn olive and bush honeysuckle. Generally, the highest densities of invasive species are near the roadside and then diminish to a patchy infestation further from the road. Following invasives treatment, we expect to see an increase diversity and abundance of understory plants and reduction in the spread of the treated invasives throughout the natural area.

CLIN 0002 Kinkaid Lake Invasives Project (project area #2) is a pre-harvest treatment of a dense autumn olive infestation within a timber harvest unit. We expect that this treatment will prevent a flush of autumn olive growth following harvest and allow a greater diversity of regeneration to occur in the understory (both herbaceous and woody species).

CLIN 0003 King Pin Pondside Invasives Project (project area #3) is a post-harvest treatment of invasive species within a timber harvest unit and along the borders of a pond in the unit. The pond is bordered by autumn olive, multiflora rose, black locust, and bush honeysuckle. These pondside infestations are the most severe within the project area because they have access to more sunlight. Within the harvest unit, a dense infestation of autumn olive was previously treated, and this project includes a follow-up treatment of any remaining NNIS. We expect this treatment to reduce NNIS infestations and CLIN 0004 Dean East Invasives Project (project area #4) is following up on a TSI treatment in 2021 that opened up the canopy substantially to improve habitat for rare plants present in the natural area. Autumn olive has grown into this project area and the current project aims to reduce this encroaching infestation to benefit the growth of desired rare plants in the herbaceous layer.

CLIN 0005 Snow Springs Invasives Project (project area #5) borders Snow Springs Natural Area and is heavily infested with autumn olive. The area has not been treated for NNIS before. It did experience prescribed fire in 2019. Post-treatment in this area we expect to see an increase in understory plant diversity and abundance.

CLIN 0006 Wolf Creek TSI Project (project area #6) is contained within Wolf Creek Biological Area, the southern portion of which was burned in 2019. Following TSI work, we expect an increase in light reaching the mid- and understory yellow wood and subsequent benefit to the growth and regeneration of yellow wood (Cladrastis kentuckea). We also expect to see an increase in understory plant diversity and abundance.

CLIN 0007 Seep Springs TSI Project (project area #7) encompasses both Kickasola and Snow Springs Natural Areas. The area was burned in 2019. Treatment is also ongoing for Japanese stiltgrass. After TSI treatment, we expect an increase in light reaching the understory and an associated increase in understory plant diversity and abundance. Kickasola includes barren communities that this work aims to maintain. In the immediate vicinity of the seeps, we expect removal of some trees to benefit the hydrology of the seeps.

CLIN 0008 Cretaceous Hills Pine #1 (Compartment 85 Stand 3) TSI Project (project area #8) is a planted pine (shortleaf) stand in the Cretaceous Hills area. After TSI work, we expect a decrease in mesic hardwood species and an increase in light reaching the understory.

CLIN 0009 Cretaceous Hills Pine #2 (Compartment 83 Stand 10) TSI Project (project area #9) is a planted pine (shortleaf) stand in the Cretaceous Hills area. After TSI work, we expect a decrease in mesic hardwood species and an increase in light reaching the understory.

CLIN 0010 Cretaceous Hills Pine #3 (Compartment 85 Stands 6,4 and 42) TSI Project (project area #10) is a planted pine (shortleaf) stand in the Cretaceous Hills area. After TSI work, we expect a decrease in mesic hardwood species and an increase in light reaching the understory.

The contractor will provide transportation, supervision, labor, operating supplies, appropriate herbicide as specified below, dye, surfactant, and incidentals. Additionally, a global positioning unit (GPS) will be used (provided by the contractor) to record areas of treatment by species. New infestations encountered will be inventoried using GPS, and then treated according to the specifications.

Location and Description The 10 project area maps show the overall treatment locations. Additional treatment area maps will be provided. We are requesting treatment of approximately 637 acres between the 10 project areas. 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

Access to Noxious Weed Treatment Areas The locations of the various NNIS and TSI sites are shown on the attached project area and site maps:

CLIN 0001 Ava Cave Roadside Invasives Project area – This site is accessible by road and all treatment areas are located near the road. The terrain is varied with relatively mild slopes. Hiking with a backpack sprayer and brush cutter will be necessary to traverse the treatment area. The staging areas for this project area are located at 89.5492538°W 37.8529004°N, 89.5592984°W 37.8493867°N, & 89.5608434°W 37.8509108°N.

CLIN 0002 Kinkaid Lake Invasives Project area – 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 89.5002848°W 37.8212259°N CLIN 0003 King Pin Pondside Invasives Project area – This site is accessible by road. The terrain is varied, though relatively mild. 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 89.3788565°W 37.2504370°N CLIN 0004 Dean East Invasives Project area – Access to this area will be limited to ATV or UTVs along the access road and then working through the site with a backpack sprayer and brush cutter. The terrain is relatively flat. The staging area for this project area is located at 88.5225317°W 37.2034781°N CLIN 0005 Snow Springs Invasives Project area – Access to this area will be limited to ATV or UTVs along the access road and then working through the site with a backpack sprayer and brush cutter. The terrain is varied, though relatively gentle. The staging area for this project area is located at 88.4836938°W 37.1779565°N.

CLIN 0006 Wolf Creek TSI Project area – This site is accessible by road and all treatment areas are located on slopes near the road. The terrain is steep. Brush cutters and/or chainsaws can be used to fell trees. Backpack or handheld quart sprayers will be needed for stump treatments. The staging area for this project area is located at 89.3498139°W 37.2090558°N.

CLIN 0007 Seep Springs TSI Project area – Access to this area will be limited to ATV or UTVs along the access road and then working through the site with a backpack or handheld quart sprayer. Brush cutters and/or chainsaws can be used to fell trees. The terrain is varied, though relatively gentle. The staging area for this project area is located at 88.4858065°W 37.1844068°N.

CLIN 0008 Cretaceous Hills Pine #1 (Compartment 85 Stand 3) TSI Project – 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 88.4951829°W 37.1895130°N, & 88.4952951°W 37.1880951°N.

CLIN 0009 Cretaceous Hills Pine #2 (Compartment 83 Stand 10) TSI Project – 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 88.5012954°W 37.2071623°N.

CLIN 0010 Cretaceous Hills Pine #3 (Compartment 85 Stands 6,4 and 42) TSI Project – 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 88.5058846°W 37.1754162°N.

Driving Directions CLIN 0001 Ava Cave Roadside Invasives Project area – 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 left onto Kessel rd. Take Kessel Road west for ~1.75 miles to Suchman rd. Take a right on Suchman rd. headed north for ~ 1 mile to locate the first of the two treatment areas. The second treatment area within this footprint is ~1.3 miles off of Suchman Road.

CLIN 0002 Kinkaid Lake Invasives Project area - 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 ~.3 miles off Gun Ridge Road on the east side of the road.

CLIN 0003 King Pin Pondside Invasives Project area – From Illinois rt 127 headed South from Jonesboro, IL take a right turn onto IL rt. 4 (grapevine trail road). Stay on IL rt. 4 for ~3.25 miles and take a right onto IL rt. 4 northbound. From IL rt. 4 northbound turn left onto Bean ridge rd. heading southwest. The treatment area begins ~3 miles off bean ridge road.

CLIN 0004 Dean East Invasives Project area – 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 for ~ 3.4 miles. The work site is located ~.25 miles off an ATV access trail east of Azotus road.

CLIN 0005 Snow Springs Invasives Project area – 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 the trail eastbound and south.

CLIN 0006 Wolf Creek TSI Project area – From Illinois rt. 127 headed South from Jonesboro, IL take a right turn onto IL rt. 4 (grapevine trail road). Stay on IL. Rt 4 for ~3.25 miles and take a left onto IL rt. 4 southbound. From IL rt 4 take a right turn onto Wolf Creek Road headed west. The treatment area begins ~.5 miles off Wolf Creek Road.

CLIN 0007 Seep Springs TSI Project area – 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, where a trailer can be pulled off the road and unloaded. At this point ATV use is recommended on the trail eastbound and south.

CLIN 0008 Cretaceous Hills Pine #1 (Compartment 85 Stand 3) TSI Project - 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, which is across from Bert Medley Road. It is accessible with a vehicle up to 88.5021542°W 37.1810069°N, where a trailer can be pulled off the road and ATV unloaded to continue. The site is located .3 miles north on the trail.

CLIN 0009 Cretaceous Hills Pine #2 (Compartment 83 Stand 10) 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 ~.65 miles to FR #485 spur. The work site area begins at .04 miles down the FR #485 spur on the north and south of the road with most of the work south of FR #485 spur.

CLIN 0010 Cretaceous Hills Pine #3 (Compartment 85 Stands 6,4 and 42) TSI Project - 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 ~ 5 miles to trail 1422. There is a parking area where an ATV can be unloaded to gain access to the work sites which are off of trail 1422.

Period of Performance Work shall occur between September 01, 2023, through December 31, 2024. The contractor shall complete work on all items no later than December 31, 2024. 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.

· 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. Autumn olive and bush honeysuckle will be treated via either basal bark or cut stump application of herbicides. Treatment may extend throughout the year excluding the early spring months during leaf out (see Table 2). If infestations show high density in areas, they may receive two treatments throughout the season to ensure all plants are treated but not to exceed label maximum rates/ac.

· 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. All TSI project work will occur between November 16 and March 31 to limit disturbance to possible bat roosting trees.

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 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 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) Slash shall be removed 10 feet from roads, trails, ponds, and private land.

The following precautions are partly derived from the Vegetation Management Strategy and Pesticide Use 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 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

Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

6/1 – 2/28

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)

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.

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

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

Dye will be used @ 1 oz. per gallon.

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 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 weekly 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 and temperatures.

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, black locust, tree of heaven.

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. Dean East Invasives and Wolf Creek TSI Projects are within burn units; treatment must be completed prior to February 1, 2024.

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. Where the public may have contact with an herbicide (e.g., trails, parking areas), 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.

s. 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.

t. 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.

u. 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.

2. Project Specifications

a. Mixing of chemicals and preparation of treatment devises 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. All treatment practices will comply STRICTLY with the directions on the herbicide label.

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

f. 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. 1 – March 31) to further minimize disturbance.

g. All TSI project work will occur between November 16 and March 31 to limit disturbance to possible bat roosting trees.

Specifications by project area CLIN 0001 Ava Cave Roadside Invasives Project area – Be aware of private land inholding in the vicinity of treatment areas. Reduction of infestation by ~90% for treated species.

CLIN 0002 Kinkaid Lake Invasives Project area – Be aware of the private land nearby. Reduction of infestation by ~90% for treated species. Rare plants may be encountered at this site.

CLIN 0003 King Pin Pondside Invasives Project area – Aquaneat & Aquamaster are necessary for treatment alongside the pond. Reduction of infestation by ~90% for treated species.

CLIN 0004. Dean East Invasives Project area – Be conscious of girdled dead stems from past treatments. Reduction of infestation by ~90% for treated species. Rare plants may be encountered at this site.

CLIN 0005. Snow Springs Invasives Project area – Any disturbance of the seep springs should be avoided or minimized to the extent possible. Avoid walking through the springs and dropping stems into the seeps. Reduction of infestation by ~90% for treated species. Rare plants and sensitive habitat may be encountered at this site.

CLIN 0006. Wolf Creek TSI Project area – Rare plants may be encountered at this site. Yellow wood stems have been flagged in the project area. Avoid damaging any yellow wood during TSI work. Also, be able to identify yellow wood to avoid cutting any unflagged individual. Light thinning to target smaller stems on the side of the hill. Reduction of BA by ~20 by felling primarily beech and maple stems. Ironwood, elm sweetgum and musclewood can also be removed. Stumps will be herbicide treated to reduce resprouting for all mesic species. Undesirable trees > 9 inches DBH will be girdled rather than felled if needed to reach the specified reduction in basal area. If it is necessary to fell any oak or hickory stems to reach desired BA, these stumps will not be herbicide treated to allow for resprouting.

CLIN 0007. Seep Springs TSI Project area – Stems dropped during TSI treatment should not fall into the seep springs. Any disturbance of the seep springs should be avoided or minimized to the extent possible. Avoid walking through the seep springs. Throughout the stand, basal area should be reduced by ~1/3. BA is currently at ~ 120. Species targeted for removal are: maple, beech, ironwood, musclewood, elm, black locust, and sweetgum. Stumps will be herbicide treated to reduce resprouting for all mesic species. Undesirable trees > 9 inches DBH will be girdled rather than felled if needed to reach the specified reduction in basal area. If it is necessary to fell any oak or hickory stems to reach desired BA, these stumps will not be herbicide treated to allow for resprouting. Rare plants and sensitive habitat may be encountered at this site.

CLIN 0008 Cretaceous Hills Pine #1 (Compartment 85 Stand 3) TSI Project; Cretaceous Hills Pine #2 (Compartment 83 Stand 10) TSI Project; Cretaceous Hills Pine #3 (Compartment 85 Stands 6,4 and 42) 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.

CLIN 0009 Cretaceous Hills Pine #2 (Compartment 83 Stand 10) TSI Project – Rare plants may be encountered at this site.

CLIN 0010 Cretaceous Hills Pine #3 (Compartment 85 Stands 6,4 and 42) TSI Project – Kudzu is present at the north end of the site. Contractor should be extra conscious of all plant materials on equipment and personnel travelling into and out of work site.

Within the site, equipment should be cleaned after passing through the kudzu infestation as needed or if plant material becomes entangled in equipment.

The kudzu infestation is being actively treated by USFS staff.

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

Minimum Requirements The Contractor shall have knowledge of herbicides, proper application techniques, safety precautions, NNIS identification skills, tree identification skills, experience treating invasive weeds, and experience conducting TSI treatments. The Contractor or designated representative will be required to hold and possess the appropriate State of Illinois Commercial Applicator License on the site during the performance of the contract and will be required to show proof of license at the request of the Contracting Officer or COR. For further information please contact The Illinois Dept. of Agriculture

Springfield Office - Administrative Headquarters

State Fairgrounds P.O. Box 19281 Springfield, IL 62794-9281 Phone: (217) 782-2172

The Contractor or his/her designated representative will be required to show proof of such license at the pre-work conference.

General Safety Information

· First Aid: In case of an emergency involving any of the following please contact the designated Contracting Officer or their designated representative.

· Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with water and then with soap and water.

· Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for 10-15 minutes using an approved eye was bottle, remove contacts, do not rub eyes, transport to a physician.

· Inhalation of fumes: Get into fresh air, if breathing problems, transport to a physician.

· Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; contact one of the following numbers for ingestion.

Illinois Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222 Hazardous Materials Spills call Chemtrec (800) 424-9300 Dupont (800)-441-3637 Dow (517) 636-4400 Illinois EPA (618) 833-8576 Major Spills call Division of Environmental Quality (208) 373-0502 In addition, contact the COR Justin Dodson (618) 253-1018

Protection

· Wear personal protective clothing and equipment as specified on the container label.

Mixing

· Read all label instructions prior to mixing.

· Always mix in a well-lit and ventilated area, do not mix at night.

· Avoid inhaling vapors.

· Determine the amount of mix to be used in one day and mix only what is needed for treatment that day.

Clean-up

· Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling herbicides and equipment.

· Wash contaminated clothing before reuse and separately from other laundry.

· To dispose of empty containers, triple rinse and puncture the container and place the container with the other solid waste going to the landfill.

· Do not rinse water on the ground, instead use in the tank as part of the water for the next mix.

Spills

· Spills will be reported as stated in section of the Pesticide Discharge Management Plan

· Keep people away from the spill.

· Contain the spill.

· If it starts to spread, dike with soil, sand, or cat litter.

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