Mosquito View DxP Stewardship IRSC - Site Visit Questions and Responses.docx

Mosquito View DxP Stewardship IRSC – Site Visit (06/08/2022)

1. What are the specifications for spacing of non-sawtimber and biomass trees in units 1 and 2?

Non-sawtimber and biomass trees are to be thinned to a residual spacing of 12-15’ between non-sawtimber and biomass boles.

2. Do you have to limb non-sawtimber and biomass trees in units 1 and 2?

Yes. Specifications state that non-sawtimber and biomass trees shall have limbs cut from bole to a top diameter of approximately 4-inch diameter inside bark, at which point the top will be cut from the remainder of the stem. The top and boles will not extend over 24 inches in height above the ground.

3. Are roads through units paved?

Lake County Road 9 is the only paved asphalt road in the contract area. National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 107A, which is in the central portion of the contract area and is the main access to the cutting units is not paved.

4. Can equipment be moved off road through cutting units to access other cutting units?

Yes. Equipment can be moved off road through cutting units or along NFSR 107A to access other cutting units. Equipment must cross Lake County Road 9 to access cutting unit 9.

5. What is the proximity of the powerline to trees designated to be cut?

Trees designated to be cut are located approximately 30 feet from the powerline. The powerline height is approximately 30 – 40 feet above tree heights.

6. Is slash to be returned to skid trails?

All slash from sawtimber and non-sawtimber trees is to be piled primarily and scattered on the landing or skid trails secondarily, but not necessarily returned to the forest and scattered on skid trails.

7. Is the landing to be ripped and seeded?

Non-sawtimber is to be decked at landings for later removal as fuelwood. No ripping or seeding of landings is required unless non-sawtimber is removed as timber subject to agreement and there is no continuing need for use of the landing.

8. Are all biomass trees within 10 feet of NFSR 107A required to be cut?

Yes.

9. There is no line item for road maintenance, is this correct?

Yes. Road maintenance is the responsibility of the purchaser. It is included as an appraisal cost towards the sawtimber, which is to be removed. Road maintenance specifications and mileage is included in Appendix C.

10. Are biomass trees required to be piled or decked in cutting unit 13?

Biomass trees 3.0 – 4.9 inches DBH to a 2-inch diameter inside bark with a minimum length of 8 feet are to be decked in cutting unit 13.

11. Can you process multiple biomass trees from 3.0 – 4.9 inches DBH that are to be decked in unit 13 at a time?

Yes. You can process multiple biomass trees from 3.0 – 4.9 inches DBH at a time to help reduce the breaking of the boles when processing to a 2-inch diameter inside bark. If this is completed mechanically it is recognized that a majority, but not all limbs will be severed from the bole.

12. Can you hand fall and limb biomass trees from 3.0 – 4.9 inches DBH in cutting unit 13? If so, can you lop and scatter the slash and tops from biomass trees 3.0 – 4.9 inches DBH in cutting unit?

Yes. You can hand cut and limb biomass trees from 3.0 – 4.9 inches DBH in cutting unit 13. Yes. You can lop and scatter slash and tops from biomass trees 3.0 – 4.9 inches DBH in cutting unit if they are cut and limbed by hand. Slash and tops would be required to be scattered and left within 24 inches of the ground and not in piles.

13. Can NFSR 107 be used for hauling above the junction with NFSR 107A?

Yes, but there are no areas for landings in cutting units 11 and 12 above the junction with NFSR 107A.

14. Does the requirement to cut and lop and scatter all biomass trees within 10 feet of road’s edge only apply to areas within cutting units?

Yes.

15. What are the restrictions for recreation events?

There will be no operations or hauling during scheduled recreation events, such as, but not limited to the Leadville 100 bike race.

16. What are hauling restrictions?

Hauling is prohibited from 12:00 pm Fridays through 6:00 am Mondays and all holidays from the Friday immediately preceding Memorial Day through Labor Day. Log trucks are restricted to a maximum gross weight of 85,000 pounds

17. What are the requirements for breakage during skidding from biomass trees 3.0 – 4.9 inches DBH in unit 13?

Tops and limbs that break off or are lost on the way to the landing during felling, skidding, and yarding operations shall be lopped and scattered according to the following specifications: Contractor shall cut all exposed limbs from included product to a top diameter of approximately 4-inch diameter inside bark, at which point the top will be cut from the remainder of the stem. The top and boles will not extend over 24 inches in height above the ground.