Site Visit Notes_QA_BoveeRestorationIRSC_20230816.pdf

Bovee Restoration IRSC Pre-Bid Tour and Q&A

August 16, 2023

10:00-13:30 (CDT)

14 people in attendance (See attached sheet)

Q: Any restrictions regarding migrations of birds?

A: No. Only timing restrictions are:

1. June 1 – July 31 with regards to the Northern Long-eared Bat

2. Rifle deer hunting season (Nov. 12-20, 2023)

3. Potential for other pauses due to fire weather, snow depth, etc. Refer to Appendix A, Section III, Control of Work

Q: Will shredding be an option for slash disposal?

A: Slash will be used for stabilization of skidding/forwarding trails. Remaining slash will be lopped and scattered within the units, with a depth no greater than 12”. There is flexibility in how the slash depth is to be met (shredding, mastication, etc.) to be discussed with COR.

Q: What do the plantation monuments look like?

A: Monuments are flagged, as are nearby trees, with knots facing the monuments. Monuments may be difficult to see due to vegetation. They are also on the Contract Area Map. During operations if any monuments not already documented are found, report them to the COR, and avoid them (10-ft buffer).

However, operations do not need to cease.

Q: All logs, full suspension?

A: Yes. Again, this means no dragging.

Q: Why is whole tree yarding prohibited?

A: A few reasons - limited space to process the trees and pile slash in the landing areas, resource protection (no dragging on sandy soils, road/trail surfaces), we want slash to be lopped and scattered within units for soil stabilization/microsites, and full suspension systems require processed logs.

Synonymous with “in-woods processing.”

Q: What about the biomass material that is less 5” (tops or other material)?

A: Anything less than 5” is processed in the units, treated as slash, and left out of the decks. Any dead trees less than 5” in DBH do not need to be protected, and can be run over or cut if needed to access the required cut trees (any small trees run over or cut will be treated as slash).

Q: What will the units look like after processing?

A: It is a clear cut, so all trees greater than 5” DBH and at least 8’ of usable material will be decked.

There is an exception of 4 trees per acre for snag retention. Marked reserve trees (leave trees) will also remain – these are scattered live trees. Leaving some snags in clumps is encouraged to help the snags resist being knocked over by the wind, but ensure that the clumps are spread throughout the stand.

Boundary trees may count as snags. There will be residual slash, and also scattered trees less than 5” in

DBH.

Q: Where will the material be dragged to (landings)?

A: Landings will be determined in discussions with the COR, to give maximum flexibility.

Q: What are winters like here (Halsey, NE)?

A: Highly variable. Temperatures can be near freezing (above or below) or below zero. Some winters little to no snow, while other winters have several feet of snow that has drifted and the area is inaccessible without light tracked vehicles or plowing (winter of 2022-2023). Closest to an average winter will see multiple snow storms dropping 3”- 8” of snow, that melts quickly or is carried away by wind, so that at any given time no more than 3”-6” of snow is on the ground with open patches with no snow.

Q: Where does aggregate come from?

A: Contractors are responsible for sourcing aggregate.

Q: The powerline appeared to be downed near the highway, is it still active and where does it run?

A: We will check on the powerline to see if it is still active, and it has been added to the Contract Area

Map.

Q: What is that orange-painted tree?

A: That is a boundary tree. Boundaries are painted with vertical orange bands facing along the boundary, and a dot facing into the unit. Because this is a salvage sale, we painted as few trees as possible, so that as few additional snags/leave trees are retained as possible. Additional flagging may be hung in places to help locate the boundary trees; flagging is not contractual, and these trees are to be cut if they are within the unit. Boundary trees can count towards snag retention.

Q: It looks like some windmills are in the sale area, are there any in the units?

A: There is one windmill/solar pump in Unit 5. There are 3-4 additional windmills within the sale area, just outside units. They have been added to the Contract Area Map.

Q: Is there an Avenza compatible version of the Contract Area Map?

A: Yes, the map posted in SAM is georeferenced and can be downloaded.

Q: What is the longest skidding/forwarding distance?

A: The furthest south unit along the 203 road, where hauling is prohibited, is 2-2.5 miles from the intersection with the highway. Plus the skidding/forwarding through the unit itself.

You’ll notice that the northernmost .4 miles of the 203 road say “restricted,” there is the potential for very limited hauling on this stretch only as needed because it is north of the adverse portions.

Q: Will the trails be closed to the public? Can people ride ATVs off-trail?

A: That will be covered in the Traffic Control Plan. Closure, if needed, can be discussed with the District.

No, people cannot ride OHVs off-trail.

Q: There are some hardwoods in the units, do those trees need to be addressed?

A: The only species being cut are pine and Eastern redcedar/juniper. No hardwood species are being treated.

Q: Is the biomass mandatory removal, and what is the biomass size class?

A: All pine and cedar products 5”+ are now Biomass and available as timber subject to agreement. Refer to the merch specifications listed in Appendix B. Removal is optional for all products.

Q: How was the volume estimated and can the calculations be made available?

A: A cruise was completed, and has been made available on SAM.

Q: Sawtimber is mandatory removal, but what do you do with it, if you don’t want it?

A: All material reqardless of size and species is now timber subject to agreement with optional removal.

Q: Does the cedar need to be decked; all of it?

A: All cedar cut, skid and deck units > 5” DBH is now an optional work item. We recognize that many smaller stems will need to be run over or cut to access the required cut trees.

Q: Does the cedar need to be decked; can it be shredded or masticated?

A: Reference amended requirements in Appendix A.

Q: Can material be chipped and spread in the units?

A: Reference amended requirements in Appendix A.

Q: The end date listed is May 31 2025, is there any opportunity for extension?

A: New contract end date in May 31, 2026. Yes, the contract can be extended under certain conditions and considerations as approved by the CO.

Meeting Attendees

Colt Spence – Bohemian Lumberjack Company, LLC

Zach Quigley – Barcel Logging

Michael D. Nickolite – Barcel Mill

Barton Barcel – Barcel Mill

Boston Barcel – Barcel Logging

Jason Severe – Nebraska Forest Service

Matt Mattioda – Miller Timber Services

Mike Chapman – Miller Timber Services

Aron Lewis – Nebraska Forest Service

Zach Sullcum – H2

Matt Christen – H2

Cody Howa – H2

Nicholas Dobesh – USFS, Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands – Supervisor’s Office

Sarah Myers – USFS, Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands – Supervisor’s Office