Technical Specifications.docx

TIMBER SALE PREPARATION SERVICES

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. BOUNDARY LAYOUT

Unit boundaries will be determined by the unit boundary implementation map location and layout guidelines with boundary adjustments made for logging requirements, riparian habitat conservation areas, and unsuitable forest lands. Adjustments in unit boundaries are common and reconnaissance for logging feasibility is desirable. Typical adjustments account for 30-40% of unit acres being eliminated for various reasons. All adjustments will be agreed upon prior to acceptance. Boundaries of units are put in with blue flagging. The unit boundary layout map will be updated with unit adjustments and logging breaks. Roads used as part of the boundary will be flagged and will be included for boundary layout payment. There are approximately XXX total acres of layout required under this solicitation.

Layout will be implemented using the following criteria:

1. No timber harvest would occur within Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs). Known locations of RHCAs and associated buffers are shown on unit maps. Unit boundaries will be located in accordance with the following buffers:

a) 300 foot buffer on perennial fish bearing streams

b) 150 foot buffer on non-fish bearing streams and wetlands greater than 1 acre in size

c) 100 foot buffer on seasonally flowing or intermittent streams and wetlands less than 1 acre in size

d) 50 foot no-equipment buffer will be placed around wet areas, seasonally moist areas, seeps, and springs

e) 50 foot no-equipment buffer will be placed from the centerline of the drainage or from the top of the slope break at the edge of all ephemeral draws

2. Locations of botanical, heritage, or other resources to be protected will be buffered out of the unit when specified as “Restricted No Activity Area” on unit specific maps provided by the Forest Service.

3. Logging system limitations:

a. Tractor skidding equipment would be allowed to operate on slopes averaging 35% or less. Slopes 36-45% for distances less than 100 feet can be included in tractor units when approved by the Forest Service.

b. Skyline yarding to 1,500 feet External Yarding Distance. Use of one intermediate support acceptable with validation of adequate support trees.

c. Off-Road Skyline yarding (excaline) to 800 feet External Yarding Distance.

d. Each unit shall have only one logging system. If multiple logging systems are found within a unit, it shall be split into two separate harvest units.

4. The layout person will fill out unit card information (Attachment 4) describing logging system and special requirements (swing yarding, temporary road needs, directional felling, high banking, line pulling, etc.), and general species composition.

B. GPS TRAVERSING

All units shall be traversed with GPS meeting standards in Forest Service Handbook 2409.12. A “walk” file or “always active-only record points” file will be used to record 3-D position fixes for each GPS traverse.

1. GPS setting will follow the referenced Handbook direction. Contractors are required to utilize the TwoTrails software. The software is commercially available, for free, at the following link: https://www.fs.fed.us/forestmanagement/products/measurement/area-determination/.

2. Position fixes shall be collected while moving around the perimeter. Use a collection interval appropriate to the speed of travel in order to record an accurate path of the unit boundary. Loss of position fixes (signal) is acceptable for a short duration while moving in a straight line. Position fixes shall be received at all turning points.

3. GPS traverses shall directly follow the blue ribbon boundary line or painted/posted boundary. Painted/posted boundaries will take precedence for measurements. The GPS traverse line shall not vary more than 5 feet from the painted/posted boundary.

4. Prepare a sketch map of the unit utilizing Attachment 4. Map will include pertinent features such as: springs, streams, ridges, rock outcrops, openings, roads, trails, planned road P-lines, logging breaks, etc.

5. All units will be corrected fully and completed polygons.

C. BOUNDARY POSTING AND PAINTING

Sale Unit Boundaries are designated by posting unit signs. The ORANGE paint and blue ribbon aid in identifying the boundary location. Sale units are initially identified with blue ribbon. Note: The Contractor shall only use Government Furnished paint for boundary designation.

1. Unit boundary signs and ORANGE tracer paint shall be used to indicate cutting unit boundaries unless otherwise indicated by Forest Service. Cutting unit boundaries must be posted so there are no questionable or borderline trees. At least two painted boundary trees shall be visible from any single painted boundary tree. Live trees greater than 8.0” DBH shall be used for boundary trees where possible.

2. “Cutting Unit Boundary” signs shall face into the unit. Unit boundary signs shall be posted at unit corners on roads or access points. Cutting unit signs shall be posted so they are attached solid to an object; signs shall not be posted on movable objects. Cutting unit numbers will be painted intermittently on boundary trees facing into the unit. The Sale Name of XXX shall be hand written in permanent ink on all cutting unit boundary signs. Signs shall be located where they are legible from the road.

3. Painted boundary lines shall consist of three vertical stripes painted on trees, or brush if no trees exist, and shall be at least three feet long, two inches wide and between four and seven feet above the ground level. The center stripe shall face directly into the cutting unit while the other two stripes shall be opposite of each other facing the direction of the unit boundary. Painted trees/brush shall be intervisible. The stump mark shall be a concentration of paint in the form of a horizontal stripe extending at least one-fourth the tree circumference or 12 inches in length, whichever is greater, and at least 2 inches wide on the base of the tree at ground level on the downhill side. Logs or rocks shall not be used for marking unit boundaries. Paint shall be in crevices of the bark, avoiding moss and lichen when possible, to ensure longevity of paint on the tree.

4. Where existing open or travelable roads serve as boundaries, only the corners where the boundary leaves the road are to be marked and unit boundary sign placed facing into the unit. Overgrown roads will be painted.

5. Where cutting unit boundaries intersect P-lines, (flagged locations of new road construction) the boundary signs shall be put 20 feet each side of the P-line on a painted boundary tree with sign facing into the unit. Boundaries intersecting temporary roads shall be put directly on the flagged P-line.

6. Painting shall be done in accordance with manufacturers’ directions and safe practices.

7. Common unit boundaries will be paid for as one boundary at the unit price, unless the Government specifies that the common boundary be marked at different times.

8. When available, the largest diameter tree for boundary posting will be used. Brush or stumps shall be used only if no other trees are available.

D. TREE MARKING

Tree marking shall involve designation of trees to be Leave Tree Marked (LTM). Contractor shall only use Government Furnished tracer paint for LTM designation. The designation will be identified based on a marking guide included. Any variation to the following specifications will be noted.

1. Leave Tree Mark (LTM): Trees will be marked with ORANGE tracer paint. Leave trees shall be painted with a horizontal band of paint which must be visible on all sides of the tree. The band shall be at least 2 inches wide and between 5 and 7 feet above the ground as measured on the uphill side. The stump mark shall be a concentration of paint in the form of a horizontal stripe extending at least one-fourth the tree circumference or 12 inches in length, whichever is greater, and at least 2 inches wide on the base of the tree at ground level on the downhill side. Stump marks shall be concentrated in cracks or crevices on the stump as much as possible.

2. Individual Tree Mark (ITM): Trees will be marked with BLUE tracer paint Cut trees shall be painted with a horizontal band of paint which must be visible on all sides of the tree. The band shall be at least 2 inches wide and between 5 and 7 feet above the ground as measured on the uphill side. The stump mark shall be a concentration of paint in the form of a horizontal extending at least one-fourth the tree circumference or 12 inches in length, whichever is greater, and at least 2 inches wide on the base of the at ground level on the downhill side. Stump marks shall be concentrated in cracks or crevices on the stump as much as possible.

3. Protection of Stream Courses: Unit boundaries will be laid out in advance of contractor activities in an effort to delete out any streams or wet areas, all of which require protection buffers. However, during marking within the cutting unit the contractor may come across streams, seeps or wet area(s) all of which require stream protection buffers. The contractor will need to leave tree mark all merchantable trees within the stream protection zone of any stream, seep or wet area as defined in the marking guide. This area will be located on a map and the COR will be informed of its location.

4. Trees shall not be marked during periods of heavy wet weather days or snowy weather when paint is unlikely to stick to the trees.

5. Where it is necessary for the Contractor to make changes in trees originally marked, the contractor shall completely obliterate or ‘X’ out, as determined by the COR, any paint marking errors with BLACK tracer paint with no pay adjustment.

6. The contractor shall be required to keep count of the total number of trees marked and number of cans of paint used by harvest unit. This information shall be turned into the COR when the marking has been completed on each unit.

E. Timber Cruising The intent of the timber cruise is to provide the Forest Service with a cruise report and file to facilitate the timber appraisal process. All timber cruising will be performed by Forest Service certified timber cruisers (FSM2442.03#2). If the cruise design and plan was prepared by Contractor, all cruising performed under this contract shall meet the sampling error requirements set forth in FSH 2409.12, chapter 40 (See Region1 Direction) All data collected shall meet the accuracy requirements in FSH 2409.12, chapter 60.

1) If the Contractor provides the project cruise design and plan, the actual cruise the target sampling errors stated in the cruise plan. If these errors are not met and additional samples can be obtained in an unbiased manner, Contractor must supplement the cruise to correct deficiency. Additional samples cannot be added to tree-based cruise methods, particularly 3P, unless insurance trees have been previously identified. A complete re-cruise may be necessary for strata with tree-based cruise methods that do not meet the specified error standards. A reasonable number of measurements per sample group must be taken.

2) The Contractor will ensure each cruiser has written cruise instructions on how plots or measure trees will be identified on the ground, how measure trees will be selected, measurements to be recorded, plot locations, boundary plot directions, and any other information necessary to conduct a proper cruise.

3) Field data recorders with the applicable Forest Service cruising software must be used during data collection for tree-based cruise methods. Unless otherwise agreed, the Contractor shall provide and process cruise data using the most current versions of Forest Service cruising software. The unit will determine whether the windows mobile or the android version of the Forest Service software will be used. The applicable electronic cruise files (.cruise and .out files) will be provided to the Forest Service on a weekly or otherwise agreed to basis throughout the cruise implementation.

4) All measurements and defect determinations will be done in accordance with FSH 2409.12, Chapters 10 and 20. Document reasons for defect deductions on measure trees. Record all unusual features at plot locations which may influence cruise procedures, hence accuracy (excessive slope, blowdown patch, hazardous conditions, etc.).

5) The names of cruisers must be documented for each unit. Unless otherwise agreed, cruisers shall manually record cruise tree information and notes on a Timber Cruise Data Sheet that is available in the back of the Timber Cruise Reference Guide. It is recommended that Contractor periodically record tallies and/or sum of KPI by sample group to ensure timber cruise data can be re-entered into a field data recorder if the file becomes damaged.

6) All timber cruising performed by contractors will be check cruised by a Forest Service certified check cruiser. All timber cruising must meet standards in 2409.12 Chapter 60.

A. Cruise Implementation:

Cruise the tree that is randomly or systematically selected as a measure tree.

1) Do not manipulate cruise tree selection (add or delete measure trees outside of the planned frequency) if the actual selection of measure trees appears higher or lower than planned. Notify the COR or designee if the design frequencies appear to be falling short of meeting the target errors or number of measure trees. Any frequency adjustments require a new stratum. All strata must meet the applicable error limits.

2) If a species is discovered that is not in the cruise file, add it into the applicable sample group for minor species in the cruise file(s) and notify the COR or designee.

3) Faulty equipment that is out of adjustment and not reading measurements correctly shall be replaced and measurements taken with this equipment shall be re-measured.

4) Plots must be located on a systematic grid. Do not drop or move a boundary plot if the center falls inside the harvest unit. Plots located along unit boundary will be completed using the Mirage Method as described in Chapter 30 of Timber Cruising Field Guide. Document plots that land outside of unit.

F. SKYLINE PROFILE

1. Logging system profile data will be collected in accordance with profile plan and instructions provided by Forest Service in technical specifications.

G. . CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS

Contractors shall furnish equipment, labor, and tools necessary for compliance with field procedures herein. Suggested items include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Paint guns

2. Azimuth compass with declination setting of 14o E

3. Tatum’s and/or traverse books

4. String box or 100’ tape

5. Relaskops or prisms

6. Indelible ink markers or grease pencils

7. Diameter tape

8. Clinometer with percent scale

9. Loggers’ tapes

10. Flagging; solid blue and pink/black stripe

11. GPS equipment and TwoTrails (version 2 or Android) software

12. Staple hammer with staples for boundary signs and profile tags

H. GOVERNMENT SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS

1. Tracer paint

2. Paint MSDS sheets

3. Work maps, Marking Guidelines, and Skyline Profile Analysis

4. Latitudes and longitudes of profiles

5. Skyline Road Profile Data Sheets

6. Profile tags

7. Aerial photos or color copies

8. GPS data

9. Unit boundary signs