B_-_Ottawa_South_Zone_Wildlife_Openings_Statement_of_Work_and_Specifications.docx

SOLICITATION #12569R19Q0010

OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST OPENINGS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT 2019

SOUTH ZONE WILDLIFE OPENINGS

Attachment B – Statement of Work and Specifications

Statement of Work and Site Conditions: This contract includes upland openings that were formerly more open than today, due to ingrowth of woody vegetation; mostly trees and some alder and willow. We want most of the woody vegetation removed, to preserve the open, sunny character of these sites. Included are upland openings that can be maintained entirely via mechanical means such as tractors with rotary mower decks, tracked skidsteers with mower decks, tracked skidsteers with grinding heads (e.g. Fecon or similar forestry mulching heads), as well as areas that we will not allow equipment to operate on due to resource damage concerns. Portions of openings in Norwich Units A and B outlined in blue would have to be maintained by people working on foot with hand-held chainsaws and rotary head brushsaws. Only handwork will be allowed in Norwich Units C and D due to no way to transport equipment across Livingston Creek.

There are operating season restrictions on Norwich Units A and B in Ontonagon County due to heavy clay soils that rut easily when saturated. Our experience indicates these clay soils (Units A, B, E and F) can usually support equipment operations July 1- Sept 14, but not always. There may be periods of 1-3 days when equipment operations would have to cease following heavy rains.

There are three sites (Little Falls Stand 17, East Camp Lake Stand 12, and East Camp Lake Stand 49) where some brushpiling may be required of larger material not mulched sufficiently by equipment. The piling is required primarily due to the sites’ amount of larger material and proximity to active Timber Sale roads. Brushpile locations will be flagged by Forest Service personnel/COR.

We expect operators to have all the necessary equipment to efficiently and effectively cut and fell or mow/mulch undesired woody vegetation encroaching on the sites. Perimeters of openings will be flagged in pink and GPSed. Within the openings some reserve trees and shrubs will be blue flagged to aid operators to avoid cutting them. We also expect operators to be proficient at identifying tree and shrub species common in this area. Our specifications require identifying and not cutting certain species of trees and shrubs as part of project implementation. If archeological resources, listed plants or dens or nests of listed wildlife are found and occupied, work will cease immediately and the Forest Service will be contacted to determine next steps.

We expect the contract work to be completed in one Standard Operating Season (July 1 to November 14, 2019). Due to clay soil conditions within the Norwich GEMS area, the Contractor shall commence work within 5 days of the site conditions becoming favorable within the first Normal Operating Season.

It is to the contractor’s benefit to respond as quickly as possible, so not to incur additional expense from having to perform the work with hand tools. Forest Service will determine favorable site conditions and notify Contractor within 24 hours that work can begin.

The second Normal Operating Season shall be reserved for completion of services unable to be completed during the first contract period due to causes beyond Contractor’s control including, but not limited to, extended rain events that result in saturated soil conditions precluding equipment operations, or high fire danger etc.. Mobilization of equipment to the site can be done earlier if it does not cause road rutting or other resource concerns. Option to use the second Normal Operating Season will not be granted due to Contractor’s lack of timeliness in capitalizing on the favorable operating conditions that nature presents.

Road Access to the Sites Within the Norwich GEMS, located in Ontonagon County, MI, north of Matchwood, MI. Take Norwich Road north from M-28 5 miles. Units A and B are accessed via FR624, approximately 1.2 miles west of Norwich Road. We expect the contractor to mow the brush and grass along FR624 from ditchline to ditchline (roughly 15’ wide; we are calling this trail mowing Unit E). Units C and D are accessed via Livingston Road (FR622), from 0.5 mile to 1 mile west of the end of Livingston Road. Units C & D are located west of Livingston Creek, accessed by hiking west across Livingston Creek on a trail. No equipment is allowed across Livingston Creek. We expect contractor to mow all brush and grass along FR622, from the Forest Service gate west to the creek where the trail dead ends. We are calling the trail mowing of FR622 Unit F.

Little Falls Stand 17 is located in Ontonagon County, north of Watersmeet, MI. Take FR5350 east from Hwy. 45 approximately 3.5 miles to FR5255-B. The opening is approximately 1.5 miles north of FR5350, on FR5255-B.

Hoist Lake Stand 5 is located in Gogebic County, south of Watersmeet, MI. Take CR210 east from Hwy. 45 approximately 2.2 miles, and turn north on Dinner Lake Road. Take Dinner Lake Road approximately 1 mile and turn west on FR5012-E and follow it to the opening, approximately 0.8 mile.

East Camp Lake openings are located in Ontonagon County, east of Paulding, MI and within the East Camp Lake Timber Sale. From Paulding, MI take Bond Falls Road approximately 5.6 miles east to FR5350. Take FR5350 approximately 2.7 miles east to FR5356 (Interior Hunter Walking Trail sign). The openings are located within the timber sale area and generally near FR5356 (see map).

Morrison Creek Hunter Walking Trail is located in Iron County, north of Iron River, MI. Take Gibbs City Road north from US Hwy. 2 approximately 7.6 miles to FR3480. Take FR3480 east approximately 2.5 miles to the large wooden sign and trailhead.

Cooks Run Hunter Walking Trail is located in Iron County, west of Iron River, MI. Take FH16 south from US Hwy. 2 approximately 2.7 miles to FR3210. Take FR3210 west approximately 1.6 miles to FR3213. Take FR3213 north approximately 0.3 miles to parking area and trailhead.

Scaup Lake Hunter Walking Trail is located in Gogebic County, SE of Watersmeet, MI. Take GOG-210 east from Hwy. 45 approximately 5.6 miles to FR3925. Take FR3925 east approximately 1.4 miles to FR3925-M3 and gate, this is the first trailhead. The second/middle gate is 0.5 mile further east, and the third gate is another 0.3 mile east from there.

Bluebill Creek Hunter Walking Trail is located in Gogebic County, east of Marenisco, MI. To the northernmost trailhead take FR7100 SW from US Hwy. 2 approximately 1.4 miles to FR7120. Take FR7120 SW approximately 1.4 miles to large sign and trailhead/gate. To the southernmost trailhead take FR7100 SW from US Hwy. 2 approximately 6.5 miles to GOG-525. Take GOG-525 west approximately 2.2 miles to large sign and trailhead/gate on north side of road.

Moraine Lake Hunter Walking Trail is located in Gogebic County, south of Marenisco, MI. Take M-64 south from US Hwy. 2 approximately 8 miles to FR8100. Take FR8100 west approximately 1.6 miles to FR8120. Follow FR8120 south approximately 1.9 miles to trailhead on FR8122.

Harris Creek Hunter Walking Trail is located in Gogebic County, SE of Wakefield, MI. Take GOG-519 south from US Hwy. 2 approximately 16 miles to Harris Creek Road, close to the Wisconsin state line. Follow Harris Creek Road east approximately 0.7 mile to trailhead.

Contractor shall maintain Forest Service roads and trails in approximately the same conditions they are in at the beginning of the contract, and appropriate with the Contractor’s use. Performance of road and trail maintenance by Contractor may be required prior to, during, or after each period of use. Maintenance may include brushing, removal of fallen trees or logs, back blading, re-crowning and re-shaping to drain the road surface.

So far as practicable, Contractor shall protect access routes and other improvements (such as dikes, trails, berms, ditches, etc.):

a) Existing in the operating area

b) Determined to have a continuing need or use, and

c) Designated on the Project Area Map Contractor shall keep roads and trails open and passible during contract work in the event the roads and trails are needed for fire protection or other purposes; this includes keeping roads and trails free of equipment, slash and debris resulting from Contractor’s operations. Contractor shall restore running surface of any roads or trails damaged by Contractor’s operations.

Opening-Specific Cutting Specifications, Site Conditions, Equipment Limitations, and Seasonal Operating Restrictions:

A. Little Falls opening: Watersmeet District Opening Compartment 50/Stand 17 (17 acres). Access via FR5255-B, north of FR5250. Heavy brushing required, some tree felling/girdling. There will likely be some mechanical brush piling required of larger material that isn’t mulched sufficiently by the equipment. Brushpiles will be placed in the interior of the opening at least 50 feet from the perimeter in locations identified by Forest Service personnel/COR. Brushpile dimensions should be no larger than 10’ in height by 15’ at the base.

B. Norwich Unit E: Bergland District; FR 624. Mow the access trail from ditchline to ditchline (roughly 16’ wide). Total of 1.6 miles.

C. Norwich Unit F: Bergland District; FR 622 (Livingston Road). Starting at the Forest Service gate on FR622, mow the trail from ditchline to ditchline (roughly 16’ wide) to the end of the trail where it dead ends into Livingston Creek. Also, mowing of the spur trail that extends north into an opening off of FR622 is required (see map). Total of 0.8 mile.

D. Norwich Unit C: Bergland District Opening 111/04 (6.8 acres); Access via FR622 (Livingston Road), then hike in, across Livingston Creek. Entire unit is limited to hand work only as there is no way to bring equipment across Livingston Creek. Contract period July 1- Nov. 14. Light brushing required, limited tree felling. Girdling all aspens >8” dbh.

E. Hoist Lake opening: Watersmeet District Opening Compartment 151/Stand 5 (26 acres). Access via FR5012-E north from Dinner Lake Road. Moderate brushing required, minimal tree felling. Avoid the wet bowl near the NW corner of the opening. This is a Rx burn unit and the dozer control line serves as the primary boundary identification F. Norwich Unit A; Bergland District Opening 111/17 (1.7 acres). Access via FR 624, then south through existing opening to Unit B. Trail will have to be cut through about 100 yards of woods to get equipment to Unit A. Mechanized work July 1- September 14 only. One area, about .2 acres, outlined in blue on the map, along western border, is a wet swale, and it is probable that only hand tools will be permitted. Hand work allowed throughout unit at any time during contract period (July 1- Nov. 14). Heavy brushing and tree felling. Reserving white pine > 10” dbh.

G. Norwich Unit B: Bergland District Opening 111/04 (33.7 acres). Access via FR 624, then south through existing opening to Unit B. Mechanized work July 1- September 14 only. There are small areas, outlined in blue on the map, that are potentially too wet for equipment operations, and bids should assume only handwork will be permitted in the blue polygons. Hand work allowed throughout unit at any time during contract period (July 1- Nov. 14). Cut down all aspens, regardless of diameter. Regenerating some small clones of aspen within this big unit is desired. Note there is a clump of large aspens and spruce in the far east end of the unit that is to be completely felled. No leave trees to be retained other than oaks, cedar or hemlock (if any). The objective is to regenerate a dense thicket of young aspen to supply forage for beavers in the pond located immediately to the south. Moderate brushing, some tree felling.

H. Norwich Unit D: Bergland District Opening 111/04 (12.8 acres). Access via FR622 (Livingston Road), then hike in, across Livingston Creek. Entire unit is limited to hand work only as there is no way to bring equipment across Livingston Creek. Contract period July 1- Nov. 14. Moderate brushing required, moderate tree felling. Girdling all aspens >8” dbh.

I. East Camp Lake opening: Kenton District Opening Compartment 174/Stand 12 (6 acres). Access via FR5356 south from FR5350. Heavy brushing required, some tree felling; girdling aspens >8” dbh. There will likely be some mechanical brush piling required of larger material that isn’t mulched sufficiently by the equipment. Brushpiles will be placed in the interior of the opening as far from the perimeter as possible in this narrow opening, locations identified by Forest Service personnel/COR. Brushpile dimensions should be no larger than 10’ in height by 15’ at the base.

J. East Camp Lake opening: Kenton District Opening Compartment 174/Stand 17 (1 acre). Access via FR5356-C, west of FR5356. Moderate brushing required, minimal tree felling. This is an inclusion within the surrounding stand and is located on a spur of the Interior Hunter Walking Trail.

K. East Camp Lake opening: Kenton District Opening Compartment 174/Stand 18 (4 acres). Access via FR5356-F, west of FR5356. Heavy brushing required, and some tree felling. This opening is located on a spur of the Interior Hunter Walking Trail.

L. East Camp Lake opening: Kenton District Opening Compartment 174/Stand 37 (3 acres). Access via 5356-A, west of FR5356. Heavy brushing required, and some tree felling. Some girdling of aspens >8” may be required.

M. East Camp Lake opening: Kenton District Opening Compartment 174/Stand 49 (1 acre). Access via FR5356. Heavy brushing required, and some tree felling. Some girdling of aspens >8” may be required. Some mechanical brush piling may be required of larger material that isn’t mulched sufficiently by the equipment. Brushpiles will be placed at least 50 feet from the perimeter in locations identified by Forest Service personnel/COR. Brushpile dimensions should be no larger than 10’ in height by 15’ at the base.

N. East Camp Lake opening: Kenton District Opening Compartment 203/Stand 25 (2 acres). Access via FR5356. Moderate brushing required, and minimal tree felling. This is an inclusion within the surrounding stand, and is located near the southern gate on the Interior Hunter Walking Trail.

O. Morrison Creek Hunter Walking Trail: Iron River District Compartment 90. T44N, R35W, Section 23. Access via FR3480. Mow segments of HWT ditchline to ditchline approximately 8’-12’ in width. Do not mow the east half of the middle connector trail as it is too rough and rocky, foot path only. There are two very small openings, one on each north-south segment, that also need to be mowed. Total of 1.6 miles.

P. Cooks Run Hunter Walking Trail: Iron River District Compartment 108. T43N, R37W, Section 9. Access via FR3213, north of FR3210. Mow segments of this HWT ditchline to ditchline approximately 8’-12’ in width. Also mow the access road FR3213 from ditchline to ditchline (north from FR3210) to approximately 12’ in width. Total of 3.5 miles.

Q. Scaup Lake Hunter Walking Trail: Watersmeet District Compartments 166 and 167. T44N, R38W, Sections 33 and 34. Access via FR3925. Mow segments of HWT ditchline to ditchline approximately 8’-12’ in width. In order to avoid a creek and wet area along the western trail segment, this trail system needs to be mowed in two “halves”. Both halves are accessible from FR3925 at different gated trailheads. The western segment also needs heavier mowing along the ditchlines to remove the encroaching conifer (balsam and spruce). Total of 2.5 miles.

R. Bluebill Creek Hunter Walking Trail: Bessemer District Compartments 193, 194, 195, 225, 227. T45N, R42W, Sections 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 16. Access via the trailhead on FR7120 to the north, and the trailhead on GOG-525 to the south. Cannot mow across Bluebill Creek (no bridge). Trail system has to be mowed in two parts. South quarter from trailhead at GOG-525, northern ¾ from trailhead at end of FR7120. Total of 13.6 miles of trails and roughly 24 acres of openings. Generally mow 16’ wide on all segments, but mow 24’ wide on FR 7120 (1.8 mi) and FR 6830 (1 mi), and 6’ wide on portions north and west of the GOG 525 trailhead (1.1 mi). 8 earth berms will need to be removed to gain access by mowing equipment. 7 of these will not be reconstructed. One will be reconstructed off GOG 525, near southern trailhead. An additional berm will need to be constructed off GOG 525, near southern trailhead.

S. Moraine Lake Hunter Walking Trail: Bessemer District Compartment 242. T45N, R44W, Sections 23, 24, 25. Total of 2.2 miles. Mow trails 16’ wide where possible. One 2 acre opening at southern terminus of trail is to be maintained, operable by equipment throughout contract period. Reserve selected groves of paper birch in openings.

T. Harris Creek Hunter Walking Trail: Bessemer District Compartment 18. T45N, R44W, Section 18. Total of 2.8 miles. Access to trail system is currently blocked with an ATV barrier constructed of landscape timbers. Structure will have to be dismantled and moved and replaced with earth berm and boulders. Mow trails 16’ wide where possible. Four openings, 6 acres total. Operable with equipment July 1- Sept 14. Trail has wet spots that may not be crossable with equipment if soil conditions get wet. Reserve selected groves of paper birch in openings.

Opening Maintenance Cutting Specifications:

1. Dead standing snags will preferentially be left standing, unless deemed a safety concern by contractor.

2. Live cavity-containing trees >8” diameter breast height (bdh) will be retained whenever practical.

3. White and red pines greater than 12” dbh will be retained.

4. Aspens greater than 8” dbh within the perimeter of work sites will generally be girdled, but can be felled if there is a compelling reason. Girdling shall consist of two horizontal saw cuts all the way around the bole of the tree. Saw cuts shall be at least two inches apart horizontally, and deep enough to sever the cambium but not too deep into the sapwood which would weaken the bole. Girdling of aspens reduces their root suckering response, compared to felling them.

5. Bur (white) oak, red oak, cedar, hemlock, apple and hawthorn should not be mowed, cut or girdled within perimeter of work sites.

6. Wildlife shrubs (blackberry and-raspberry, serviceberry, hazel, winterberry holly, willows, alder etc), cherry, paper birch, and white pine should be retained up to but not to exceed 15% cover within the perimeter of work sites.

7. Some trees and shrubs of the key species mentioned above have been flagged with yellow or blue flagging. These trees and shrubs shall NOT be cut or damaged. This has been done by the Forest Service to aid contractors in identifying and retaining these species. In some instances, certain aspens have been yellow-flagged for retaining. This is to reduce the aspen’s suckering response post-cutting.

8. All other trees and shrubs greater that 12” tall shall be cut and completely severed from the stump. Trees greater than 8” dbh may be girdled in lieu of felling if the contractor prefers.

9. Maximum stump height of cut or mowed/mulched trees shall be 6” or lower, or below any live branches that occur below 6”. For example, if green balsam boughs sprout 4” above the ground, the stump shall be cut below 4” level. Completely sever all trees and shrubs. Hinges are not acceptable. Stumps are not expected to be grubbed or pulled out.

10. Directionally falling trees onto each other is preferred to create brushpiles to serve as wildlife denning areas within the work sites.

11. If using mower deck or mulching head, minimize scalping to extent practical. Ideal mowing and mulching height is about 4”- 6” above the ground. Pivoting with tracked vehicles is discouraged. Exposing mineral soil is discouraged to prevent soil erosion and creating sites for invasive plants.

12. Prior to taking any equipment off a gravel-surfaced road into the woods trails and openings, the Forest Service must inspect all equipment to be visually free of dirt, seeds, or plant parts that may contain invasive species. Expectation is for equipment to have been cleaned with stiff broom or thoroughly washed prior to arrival at work site. If moving between the above work sites the operator will not be expected to clean their equipment. But if equipment leaves the Ottawa and works elsewhere, we expect the equipment to be cleaned again, and we will inspect it again before allowing work to resume at these project sites.

13. If fire danger is Very High or Extreme, Forest Service may temporarily suspend operations until fire danger declines.

14. If rutting is occurring, Forest Service may temporarily suspend mechanical operations until ground conditions improve. Hand work could continue unabated, however.

15. Roads and trails are to be reshaped and bladed, if needed, to restore road/trail surfaces to pre-contract conditions, unless mutually-agreed to by both parties prior to onset of use.

16. If listed plants or dens or nests of listed animals are found and occupied, work will cease immediately and the Forest Service biologist will be contacted to determine next steps.

17. If any heritage resources are discovered, work will cease immediately and the Forest Service archaeologist will be contacted to determine next steps.