Attachment_4,_Special_Contract_Requirements.pdf

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS –

Mitigating Measures for the Ocmulgee River Equestrian Trail

FW-125 Forest Supervisor closure orders for existing trails or use areas will be used when necessary to manage environmental impacts and to protect public safety (2004 The Chattahoochee-Oconee Land and Resource Management Plan).

Trail users may be negatively affected by noise and the presence of heavy equipment during harvest activities. In cases where trail users’ safety is a concern, portions of the trail will be closed during harvest activities. The duration of these effects will vary depending on the orientation of the trail to the project area. Silvicultural activity for a geographic location will vary by treatment, which will have effects on trail users in those locations. Trail users may see slash and signs of vehicle travel in the woods, which could negatively impact their experience. Such impacts may be evident during harvest activities and possibly for longer periods with connected actions i.e., midstory treatment and prescribed burning. Long-distance trail users may be impacted if a portion of the trail is closed for safety reasons.

All designated Forest Service trails would be protected, signed, and closed if necessary during silviculture vegetation treatment and prescribed fire activities. These activities may occur adjacent to trails, but the trail tread and clearing widths must be returned to Forest Service trail standards within weeks of impact

FW-129 During active projects, all trails, ditches, and other associated improvements in the project area are kept free of logs, slash, and debris. Any trail, ditch, or other improvement damaged by operations is promptly repaired (2004 The Chattahoochee-Oconee Land and Resource Management Plan).

Within 15ft. on each side of the centerline of the Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Trail (ORET), all slash and debris as a result of the C116 Integrated Resource Project (CIRP) will be removed. This will occur within two weeks upon completion of that Treatment unit. If a treatment unit is partially completed debris and slash must be removed within one week of leaving that area.

All debris and slash within the tread of the ORET will be removed within two weeks of completion of the harvest operation for that treatment unit, as determined by the Timber Sale Administrator (TSA)

For areas where harvest operations intersect the ORET tread, the area will be graded, shaped, seeded and hardened to protect from soil erosion. This will occur upon completion of operations within that treatment unit.

Within 15 feet from the centerline of the ORET retain all blazed trees and marked boundary trees. Retain at least five trees per tenth of a mile that are twenty inches DBH or greater (when available).

Were constructed temporary roads overlay the ORET tread, those areas will be shaped, graded, hardened and seeded to the original width, grade and surface of the trail, upon completion of that treatment unit.

No Hazard trees as a result of the CIRP will be left within 25ft. from the ORET centerline.

After all timber sale operations are completed, all residual trees using painted bands, within 15 ft. from the centerline of the designated Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Trail, will be blacked/browned out using an approved water-based paint. Do not apply and cover the blazed markings painted on trail corridor trees for the ORET. This will be accomplished by Oconee Ranger District personnel.