Attachment_A_-_SOW_-_Specifications.docx

Hiawatha NNIP IDIQ 12569R19Q0017 Attachment A – Specifications

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT

C.1. INTRODUCTION

The Hiawatha National Forest, hereafter referred to as the Forest or HIF, has a requirement to reduce impacts from invasive species by restoring the forest’s health in order to be resilient to the effects of invasive insects, pathogens, plants, animals, and other pests (HIF Forest Plan, 2-22). Currently there is a need to enter into a Performance Based Service Contract (PBSC) for Forest-wide control of nonnative invasive species (NNIP) of plants using a combination of physical/manual, mechanical and chemical treatments. Work done as part of this contract may occur in selected areas of the Munising Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District, Rapid River Ranger District, St. Ignace Ranger District, or the Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District.

C.2. BACKGROUND

The Hiawatha National Forest administers approximately 1 million acres in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Private land parcels are scattered throughout the forest boundaries. The Forest is physically divided into two zones, the East Zone and West Zone. The East Zone contains about 44% of the Forest’s total area, whereas the West Zone has about 56%. Land administered by the Forest includes a variety of upland and wetland habitats, including both forested and open lands. The Forest has over 100 acres of shoreline on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan (East and West Zones) and Lake Huron (East Zone).

Broad-scale timber harvesting and fires occurred in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Timber harvesting continues to be one of the largest activities on the Forest. Recreation opportunities on the Forest are also in high demand. This history as well as other modes of disturbance have contributed both directly and indirectly to the establishment of NNIP plant infestations throughout the Forest.

The primary objective is to eradicate, control, or reduce NNIP populations, thereby minimizing the threat to native plant communities, wildlife and fish habitat, rare species and habitats, and reducing overall economic impact caused by these species. Activities would emphasize control of primary NNIP species that occur on the Forest. To accomplish this objective, the Forest uses an integrated pest management (IPM) approach for NNIP control activities as required by the Hiawatha National Forest Plan (2006) and in the Non-Native Invasive Plant Treatment Project Environment Assessment (2012).

Hiawatha National Forest Plan:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5106341.pdf

Environmental Assessment for NNIP:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5106341.pdf

C.3 SCOPE OF WORK

Work will be accomplished through task orders (TO), issued against a multiple award indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. The Forest anticipates multiple tasks orders for controlling both herbaceous and woody NNIP using a variety of specified treatments through the IDIQ contracts, as funding permits. The awarded contracts and subsequent TOs shall constitute the entire agreement including all terms and conditions applicable to the contract. Upon TO award, and before any contract work is started, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will arrange for a pre-work conference to discuss contract provisions and specifications.

The Contractor shall provide expertise, labor, supervision, services, approved Forest herbicides, carriers or adjuvants, dyes or other herbicide markers, materials, equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, licenses, permits, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the standards attached to each TO. The Government will furnish a key for entry into locked gated areas (see GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY).

The Contractor shall perform and accomplish the work in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances. The Contractor and designated applicators must possess a current Michigan Commercial Pesticide applicator’s license. The Performance-Based Service Contract (PBSC) Statement of Work (SOW) shall consist of completing the ordered tasks to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) required in Section E (INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE).

Each TO will involve work that may include manual/physical, mechanical, and/or chemical controls. Infestation of NNIP to be treated include herbaceous and woody species (grass, forbs, vines, shrubs, and trees). All chemicals applications must be applied according to label directions.

C.4 GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATIONS

C.4.1 Project Description and Specifications Current NNIP species of immediate concern to receive treatment are in the attachment, “Hiawatha National Forest NNIP List” (Appendix A). This list also highlights critical NNIP species that require addition documentation, mapping, and reporting by the Contractor if found inside or outside the specified project area. Additional species found on the Forest are listed but will only require treatment if designated in high priority areas as specified by the COR. The “Watch List” contains species not yet reported in the area but if found the Contractor is required to provide additional documentation, mapping, and reporting to the COR.

This contract is part of a forest-wide project to remove and control undesirable non-invasive species of herbaceous plants, grasses, vines/semi-woody vines, shrubs and trees on the Hiawatha National Forest. Project areas may be located in selected locations throughout the Forest (West Zone and East Zone) within the Munising Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District, Rapid River Ranger District, St. Ignace Ranger District, or the Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District (see attached Vicinity Maps; Map 1 & Map 2).

Non-native invasive plant treatment may include the use of one or a combination of methods consisting of manual/physical, mechanical, and chemical treatment to eliminate NNIP when possible or appreciably reduce their presence in treatment areas. The project takes an adaptive management strategy, which will result in changes in treatment strategies if monitoring of treatment areas indicates that treatment objectives are not being met.

Invasive plant control activities may be conducted along disturbed corridors (e.g. roads, trails, utility corridors), at developed sites (e.g. campgrounds, recreation sites), in and around disturbed sites (e.g. gravel pits, maintained openings, timber harvest units). Other treatments may occur in selected portions in the interior of the forest where isolated sites of high priority NNIP species exist. Larger infestations would be treated with vehicle mounted equipment using single or multi-nozzle spray devices and/or mechanized equipment whereas individual NNIP or smaller infestations would involve use of backpack or hand-held equipment or manual efforts. Maintaining the surrounding native plant community components is of critical importance, especially in areas that contain milkweed which is important to Monarch butterflies.

Method and timing of NNIP treatment will depend on many factors such as species, location and accessibility, patch size, concentration of NNIP, population characteristics (new or established), distance to surface and ground water, distances to sensitive species or other important natural resources, surrounding vegetation, potential of treatment success, and exposure to the public. If necessary for the protection of natural resources, the COR may designated areas to be left un-treated within the project area(s), or specify specific timeframes for treatment and additional mitigation measures if needed as specified in the TO. These areas will be discussed with the Contractor during the pre-work meeting and may be flagged on site prior to the work start. The location of and access to the areas, size of areas, targeted NNIP species, method of treatment, timing of treatment and re-treatment, special conditions, and other information pertinent to each area will be provided with site-specific project maps in the task order. Inventory of NNIP species throughout the entire Forest is not yet complete and still ongoing.

The Contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the contract within the time specified in the TO and as determined by the final accepted work schedule. The Contractor shall report treatment progress to the COR at a minimum of once per week (telephone check-in suffices).

Forest Service COR or Contract Inspectors may conduct visual inspection of NNIP treatments on site to check on Contractor progression to the specified requirements of the contract. The COR may conduct random inspections and sampling to verify acceptable removal and/or kill rates to target NNIP infestations and removal or mortality to non-target desirable native plants.

All manual/mechanical/herbicide applicator treatment staff must be able to identify target NNIP plant species in the field, including during dormant seasons, to a sufficient degree without exceeding the maximum acceptable levels of removal or mortality to desirable non-target native species and to meet minimum removal and/or kill rates to target NNIP infestations (refer to Quality Assurance Plan). NNIP populations may be flagged on the ground by Forest Service personnel.

C.4.2 Equipment Requirements The Contractor shall provide tools and equipment that are suitable for the job. Prior to starting work, the Contractor must clean all equipment (e.g. saw blades/chains, mowers, trimmers, ATV/UTV, trucks, trailers, etc.) used in NNIP treatment activities PRIOR to entering the treatment areas. All equipment shall be free of soil, plant parts (including roots) and seed. Project COR or designated individual has the right to inspect equipment on-site and may require further cleaning before moving equipment on to the Forest or to another treatment area as needed. If cleaning is required between treatment areas, the Contractor will inform the COR at least 48 hours in advance of needing an equipment check. Herbicide tank cleaning will only be conducted at COR pre-approved location or off Forest and according to State laws.

All power-equipment shall be equipped with Forest approved spark arrestor and shall be in good operating condition. The Contractor shall make provisions for or have suitable equipment (appropriately sized fire extinguisher and serviceable round-pointed shovel) to prevent or extinguish any fire that may result due to implementation of contractual work.

Wet weather conditions may preclude the use of vehicles and all-terrain vehicles (ATV/UTV/OHV) in on or off road areas, such as fields or along trails, for indefinite periods or possibly the entire area at certain times of the year. The COR will determine those conditions or locations that warrant cessation of vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV use. Use of ATV/UTV/OHV Forest Service roads must be in compliance Forest and State motor vehicle regulations and must comply with the HIF Motor Vehicle Use Map unless administrative use of other roads is authorized. Any vehicle/ATV/UTV/OHV mounted single or multi-nozzle spraying equipment shall be calibrated with recent documentation or calibrated on-site as determined by the COR at the time of site-specific proposal requests.

NOTE: Use of aircraft, tractors or any other heavy-equipment is prohibited within this contract.

C.4.3 General Physical/Manual & Mechanical Treatment Specifications The Contractor will conduct physical/manual treatments to individual plants or small infestations (≤ 5 acres). Acreage will be specified in the TO. In rare instances, manual and/or mechanical treatments may be performed in conjunction with herbicide treatments as specified in the TO. For both manual and mechanical treatments, timing of treatment will vary depending on target species phenology, location of the project, and proximity to sensitive species and/or habitats or other important natural resources. Location and timing of treatments will be specified in the TO. The Contractor may leave plants on site or bag and remove when mature flowers or fruit is present or as directed in the TO or by the COR in the pre-meeting.

Mechanical methods shall not be performed in designed wilderness areas or near and around federally listed plant species. Manual or chemical methods in these areas is permissible as specified in the TO.

The Contractor will conduct treatments to 100% of the specified project area(s) of the target NNIP infestation(s). The Contractor will conduct treatments at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed a removal rate of ranging from 85-90% for target NNIP infestations, and with no more than 10% mortality to nearby or interspersed desirable non-target native plant species because of inadvertent treatment (refer to Quality Assurance Plan).

C.4.4 General Herbicide Treatment Specifications The Hiawatha National Forest has currently approved the following five herbicides:

Clopyralid

Additional herbicides may be included and used based on their upcoming approval. Until approval of additional herbicides the Contractor must only use herbicides specified above or as specified in the TO.

Herbicide selection is dependent on the NNIP plants targeted for control treatment, surrounding vegetation, distance to ground and surface water, soil type, and other non-target resources that may be impacted by herbicide applications. If necessary for the protection of natural resources, the COR may designated areas to be left un-treated within the project area(s). These areas will be discussed with the Contractor during the pre-work meeting and flagged on site prior to the work start.

The herbicide to be used for chemical treatment, the application method and the desired application rate and will be identified in the task order. Additional mitigation measures may also be specified in the TO.

Applicators will use typical herbicide concentrations (minimum rate known to be effective for control) according to all EPA approved manufacturer herbicide directions. The Contractor will mix herbicides in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and all applicable laws or regulations.

The Contractor and any employees must follow all label safety requirements and recommendations. At a minimum, this will require all applicators and handlers to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, gloves that are impervious to the pesticide in use, and footwear that provides protection from exposure to the pesticide being used. The Contractor must have clean water and soap for applicators and handlers to be able to wash their hands. The Contractor must also provide enough clean water to provide first aid in case the herbicide contacts eyes. This will include clean water to rinse eyes for 15-20 minutes. The Contractor must possess a working cell phone to be able to contact the Forest Service as needed and emergency personnel if necessary.

The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately of any spills. The Contractor must furnish herbicide labels and copies of material safety data sheets (new SDS) for all herbicides used at the worksite. The Contractor will have all label and chemical safety information on hand during applications.

Application operations shall be conducted as indicated on the herbicide label, including approved concentrations, rates/acre, and environmental conditions. Only chemicals approved for aquatic use, such as aquatic formulation to glyphosate (Rodeo ® or equivalent product) may be applied within 100 feet of water bodies or in areas with high water table. No direct application to a water body is permissible at this time.

This contract does not allow aerial spraying. Where appropriate, vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted single or multi-nozzle sprayers are permissible to apply herbicides using a spot spray or broadcast spray technique in designated fields or grassland openings, gravel pits, and along roads. Spot spraying typically involves the use of backpack sprayers, hand-held sprayers, glove swipe methods, or other hand-techniques, and along designated motorized trails where ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers is also permissible.

Except for selected areas of dense infestations of NNIP where herbicide use could occur throughout much of the year or areas, foliar application will most likely occur when native plants are dormant and by spot-spraying of target species. For other herbicide application during the growing season, the contract will require the use of selective herbicides or a selective method of application to reduce effects to the surrounding non-target vegetation. Other work may involve NNIP control of woody shrubs, trees, and woody vines by using a combination of herbicide treatment and cutting.

The Contractor will place warning signs around the sprayed areas according to the appropriate re-entry interval per label directions of the chemical if applied (minimum of 72 hours after treatment) where the public may have contact with the herbicide. Where necessary per label directions, caution signs may include a temporary closure of treatment areas (the need for temporary closure should be discussed with the COR to make sure there are no conflicts). These areas typically include campgrounds, trails and trail heads, day-use areas and administrative sites.

Foliar herbicide application will occur mainly after full leaf expansion and applicators will apply herbicides in a systematic fashion to provide coverage to the entire NNIP infestation. Contractor shall apply foliar spray in such a manner to thoroughly wet foliage, but not to the point of runoff to avoid harm or mortality to desirable non-target plant species. Dye will be used by the Contractor so that the COR can track where spraying occurred.

The Contractor is responsible for conducting chemical treatment activities at optimal times in the day, temperature, and weather conditions to maximize the success rate of treatments. The Contractor must take care to minimize the drift from herbicide application. The Contractor is responsible for checking the weather forecast prior to herbicide application to give enough time (per label directions) prior to rain events in order to make sure herbicide has a sufficient drying period on the target plant to be effective.

The Contractor will conduct treatments to 90-95% of the specified project area(s) of the target NNIP infestation(s). The Contractor will conduct treatments at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed a killing rate of ranging from 85-90% for target NNIP infestations, and with no more than 10% mortality to nearby or interspersed desirable non-target native plant species because of inadvertent treatment or overspray of herbicides (refer to Quality Assurance Plan). Failure of the Contractor to achieve the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) will result in re-work in the failed area. The Contractor must ensure that any re-work does not cause the application of herbicide exceeding maximum allowable application volume within an area or season in accordance with the label. If adequate control was not achieved by the first application and a second application cannot be made in accordance with the label, the contractor shall meet with the COR to identify an alternative.

C.4.5 Additional Protection of Natural Resources The Contractor shall take every precaution to prevent pollution from fuels, oils, chemicals, silt or other harmful materials of any stream, lake or reservoir located in or near the contract areas. All streams shall be kept free of Contractor-generated debris. Only aquatic-approved formulations of herbicides may be applied within 100 feet of a wetland or body of water, or in areas with a high water table. All herbicides must be applied in compliance with the herbicide product label and Michigan pesticide certification regulations.

The Contractor, upon discovery of suspected archaeological or historical materials, shall cease work in the vicinity of such material and immediately notify the COR.

If Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive species are observed during treatment activities, the Contractor shall cease work in the vicinity of the observation and immediately notify the COR (e.g. flushing of sharp-tailed grouse)

The Contractor shall take every precaution to prevent damage to any improvement in contract areas such as roads, trails, ditches, fences, etc. All existing roads used by the Contractor shall be left in the same condition, or better, as when the operation started.

All gas and oil cans or other litter generated by the Contractor during this contract shall be removed from Forest Service land as work progresses.

C.4.6 Record Keeping The Contractor will maintain an accurate daily log record of herbicide used in each area (see Daily Logs/Records section for the required elements) and furnish a copy of the log to the COR upon request. Other minimum record requirements include copies of hazardous material handling certificates and pesticide applicator licenses and copies of safety data sheets (SDS) of chemicals used.

The Contractor will be issued maps and coordinates of project areas with additional infestation locations (if locations have been previously mapped). The must be able to use a GPS unit to locate areas with infestations. The Contractor must record on a map and take GPS points when they observe critical NNIP species or Watch-Out NNIP species (Appendix A) outside the mapped infestation boundary, to help the HIF adjust Forest-wide infestation data.

C.4.7 Daily Logs/ Records Contractor will maintain an accurate daily treatment log of treatment activities and chemicals applied in treatment areas using Hiawatha National Forest Invasive Species Treatment Form. This form will be supplied to the Contractor as well as instruction by the COR on how to complete the form prior to the start of work. Copies of the treatment forms must be supplied to the COR at billing, at inspections, upon request, or in the timeframe specified in the TO. For all treatment activities, the Contractor is required to provide copies of the treatment forms to the COR no later than one week after treatment application per site. Monitoring effectiveness is required by the Contractor and the Forest as required in Section E (INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE). Forest Service monitoring will be completed by the COR or other designated inspector(s) within 30 days after receipt of the invasive species treatment form.

A copy of all completed treatment forms shall be provided to the COR prior to the submission of the final invoice. When invoicing for partial work payments, the Contractor shall provide information from the treatment forms regarding the treatments completed for the relevant specific contract line items.

Using the supplied treatment forms, the Contractor must record the following for all activities: site name, Contract Line Item, GPS coordinates, target NNIP species’, phenology at time of treatment, type of treatment category, equipment used, start/stop time dates and times, total treatment hours, acres treated, optional narrative for miscellaneous notes or observations. When chemicals are used, the Contractor must record the following data: name of licensed applicator(s), temperature, wind speed (mph), wind direction, cloud cover %, distance to water (if applicable), chemical name, dilutant used, colorant used, adjuvants/surfactants used, application rate, and total volume mixed.

Data collected and reports prepared under this contract are the property of the USDA Forest Service. Data publication is prohibited without prior consent of the USDA Forest Service and Hiawatha National Forest and the USDA Forest Service reserves the right to edit any potential publications. The USDA Forest Service will be acknowledged in any publications using such data.

C.5 Licensing and Certification The Contractor and designated applicators conducting herbicide treatments must possess a current State of Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicators license and be certified for the type of habitat(s) required for each task order (category 2 – forest pest management and/or category 6 – right-of-way pest control) at the time of herbicide treatments. Copies of certifications shall be provided with technical proposal or at pre-work meeting.

The Contractor shall ensure that there is a Michigan pesticide licensed applicator on-site at all times of treatment or has direct voice communication by telephone or radio with the certified supervisor.

C.6 Task Order Issuance Each task order will be awarded according to the solicitation and resultant IDIQ contracts. Additionally, task order pricing requests may require a technical submission. The technical submission will include a draft Work Plan and Schedule. The draft Work and Schedule should include a start date, production rate, completion date, labor, and equipment list. The Contractor shall demonstrate the ability to complete all tasks for completion of the work required by the Contract.

Task Orders will include specific dates for conducting the given treatments. Depending on the season each year, the dates may receive small adjustments, with consent of both the Contracting Officer and Contractor.

If the issued task order, the Contractor will then submit the final site-specific Work Plan and Schedule for approval by the COR. The approved Work Plan and Schedule will indicate how the Contractor intends to meet the required Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) values, as referenced in the Quality Assurance Plan, as well as contract specifications. The Work Schedule will provide dates of work for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) addressed in the contract, to include completion of all work before the required final date specified. The Contractor shall inform the COR of completion of each Contract Line Item. The Work Plan for the awarded contract shall include any changes in values or proposed chemicals differing from the initial Work Plan, and the Contractor will inform the COR of any relevant changes to the technical specifications when performing work under the task order.

C.7 Inspections The Contractor may set up the Work Plan and Schedule to include interim inspections; however, interim inspections will only be done upon completion of at least one line item (CLIN). The Contractor shall complete the CLIN work according to the approved Work Schedule then request an inspection by the COR. Contractors are reminded that some work, such as herbicide application, cannot be immediately inspected, because an appropriate time interval must pass before determining whether the AQL has been met.

C.8 Invoicing Invoicing is tied to successful inspection of work. The Contractor may only invoice after the COR has inspected the line item(s) work and the work is determined to have met the AQL. This applies to both interim and final payments.

C.9 Safety Plan The Contractor will provide a written safety plan that demonstrates how the contractor will ensure a safe work environment for themselves, their employees and the public at large. The safety plan should include: 1) a first aid plan including documenting procedures in case of chemical exposure or trauma resulting from equipment use; 2) a chemical spill plan documenting internal procedures, in the event of a pesticide spill on-site or in transport; 3) herbicide labels and safety data sheets for each chemical; 4) documentation to substantiate that the Contractor has an ongoing safety training program, 5) documentation regarding any Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) actions/citations issued against the Contractor within the previous three (3) years, to include follow-up measures or remedies taken by the Contractor.

For any treatments occurring in right-of-ways, the Contractor must meet the safety requirements as specified in the permit to work on right-of-ways for treating invasive species infestations. These requirements specify that all applicators wear a type II safety vest and that the vehicle used to apply herbicide have an activated high intensity light, and at least one “road work ahead” sign be placed 500 feet before the work area.

C.10 Government Furnished Property A government furnished key will be provided to gain access into locked gated areas.

C.11 Definitions

1. Contracting Officer: A Forest Service employee with the authority to: enter into, administer, and terminate contracts, as well as issue determinations regarding such matters as claims.

2. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A Forest Service employee that is appointed and officially designated by the Contracting Officer to assist the Contracting Officer with the technical matters related to contract administration. The COR will assist the Contracting Officer with surveillance of contractor performance.

3. Forest Service Inspector: A Forest Service employee designated by the Contracting Officer or COR to perform surveillance of contractor performance.

4. Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): A suitable level of conformance based on an established percentage of defects.

5. Quality Assurance: Those actions taken by the Forest Service to assure services meet specified requirements.

6. Quality Control: Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the specified requirements.

7. Performance-Based Service Contract (PBSC): A contract which incorporates a results-oriented statement of work, describing the overall work to be accomplished (outcome/result), rather than explicitly describing how the tasks should be performed, to accomplish the work.

C.12 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

C.12.1 Physical/Manual Treatment Category C.12.1a Herbaceous flowering plants, grasses - Pull/Dig/Clip:

The Contractor may use a one or a combination of hand-pulling and/or digging to remove plant including roots of herbaceous plants. This method is reserved for individual plants or small infestations ≤ 5acres. Work shall occur in specified locations and times as requested in the Task Order (TO). Clipping methods shall be exercised to remove aboveground vegetation (stem and/or flowering heads) of species which result in a negative response (increased growth) to pulling and/or digging. Specific treatment technique will be determine by the COR prior to performing work. The Contractor may leave plants on site or bag and remove when mature flowers or fruit is present. The Contractor shall take care to minimizing soil disturbance. Example species: garlic mustard, knapweed, St. Johnswort, white sweet clover, thistles.

When milkweed plants are present, the Contractor must take care not to disturbed any part of individual or populations of milkweed. When digging, a buffer of two feet should be giving and hand-pulling or clipping shall be completed to remove NNIP nearest to milkweed. The COR may flagging areas to remain un-treated prior to the start of work and these areas will be discussed with the Contractor during the pre-work meeting.

C.12.1b Small woody shrubs and vines – Clip/Cut:

The Contractor shall clip or cut using pruners, lopping shears, handsaw, ax, or similar non-motorized device to remove NNIP infestations. This method is typically performed on small infestations ≤ 5 acres. Work shall occur in specified locations and times as requested in the Task Order (TO). The Contractor may be leave plants on site or bag and remove as specified in the TO. Examples species: Asian honeysuckles, multiflora rose, and other invasive trees and shrubs.

When milkweed plants are present, the Contractor must take care not to disturbed any part of individual or populations of milkweed.

C.12.2 Mechanical Treatment Category C.12.2a Herbaceous flowering plants, grasses, and small shrubs– Mow/Brush:

The Contractor shall mow or brush using a motorized mower, hedge trimmer, or similar device to remove aboveground vegetation in order to reduce seed production and restrict growth. Work shall occur in specified locations and times as requested in the TO. The Contractor may leave plants on site or bag and remove when mature flowers or fruit is present or if species to be treated root by cuttings. This method is reserve for large patches of NNIP. Additional need to for herbicide treatment may be included in the TO. Example species: knapweed, St. Johnswort, thistles, and sweet clovers. Some small shrubs may be specified for treatment as designated in the TO.

C.12.3 Herbicide Treatment Category The Contractor shall apply herbicide treatments in specified locations and times as identified in the Task Order.

The Contractor is be responsible for treating all infestations of target species within 25 feet of either side of roads, trails, or utility corridors. In some situations this distance will vary and will be specified in the TO.

Generally, interior forest foliar spot treatments would occur within 1000 feet of roads, trails, and openings or as specified in the Task Order.

The Contractor is responsible for treating all target infestation in old fields and other grassland openings. The Contractor will use one or a combination of hand-held or backpack sprayers, or vehicle or ATV/OHV mounted sprayers with a single or multi-nozzle application device in these areas as specified in the TO. Interior infestations will be spot-sprayed using hand-held or backpack sprayers. Specific mechanism of application will vary depending on location and extent and size of the infestation, and project objectives and will be specified in the TO.

For herbicide treatment in gravel pits, the Contractor must treat all target NNIP within the pit including stockpiles of gravel, pit floor/working surface (where equipment is stored and work from), and 25’ on either side of access roads into the pits and the access road itself if found to harbor NNIP. Gravel pits, pit acreage, specific treatments, and species will be specified in the TO.

C.12.3a Herbaceous flowering plants, grasses, vines, and small trees/shrubs – Foliar treatment:

The Contractor will conduct foliar application of selective and/or non-selective herbicides directly to foliage utilizing hand-held and/or backpack sprayers or truck, ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers with a single or multi-nozzle application within ¼ mile of a drivable road, trail or utility corridor as designated in the TO. Large infestations of young woody seedlings, saplings or suckers of NNIP will require specific herbicide for foliar treatment and will be specified in the TO.

Typically spot-spraying using hand-held and/or backpack sprayers is reserved for small infestations whereas truck or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers are using for treatment large continuous NNIP infestations.

The Contractor must leave a 33ft buffer between milkweed and spraying of NNIP in order to lessen any impacts of potential overspray onto the milkweed population.

C.12.3b Small trees and shrubs – Cut stem/stump:

The Contractor will conduct cut stem/stump applications of utilizing hand shears, loppers, axes, brush saws, chain saws, weedship or other simple mechanized tree cutting device to cut stems and apply selective and/or non-selective herbicides to stumps via spraying, brushing, or dabbing directly on stem/stump surface. Typically, only a small amount of chemical is applied and no runoff shall occur. Where cutting of trees or shrubs occurs, the contractor will make the cut less than 6 inches from the ground surface. Method of treatment will be assigned in the task order. Examples of target species: buckthorns, Asian honeysuckles, and other invasive trees and shrubs.

The Contractor must leave a 33ft buffer between milkweed and spraying of NNIP in order to lessen any impacts of potential overspray onto the milkweed population.

C.12.3c Small trees and shrubs – Basal spray:

The Contractor will conduct basal herbicide application as specified in the TO. The Contractor will perform treatments on stems that are less than six inches in diameter. Typically, a low-volume application will be performed by spraying a band (extending up 6-12 inches from ground) of concentrated herbicide the full circumference of the trunk or stem base of the NNIP, approximately 12 inches aboveground, without runoff, or as specified in the TO. A thinline basal bark treatment is completed by applying undiluted herbicide to all sides of the stem in a pencil-thin band about 6 inches above groundline. Treatment shall be applied in the spring or when the plant is dormant as specified in the TO. The Contractor shall only apply approve herbicides. In some instances, basal bark application will use “hack and squirt” method as requested in the TO for thicker barked species. In general, basal bark spraying is suitable for thin-barker woody species and effective to treat saplings, regrowth, and multi-stemmed trees and shrubs. Example species: buckthorns.

Non-Native Invasive Plant (NNIP) List

Table 1. List of Non-Native Invasive Species of immediate concern (recorded on the Hiawatha National Forest in 2017). Species highlighted in yellow indicate critical concern and the need for additional documentation, mapping, and reporting to COR for all individuals and/or populations found within or outside project area(s) to assist.

LOBE

TYAN

NOTE: some NNIP species listed are aquatic or wetland species. They are included in the complete forest list but SHALL NOT be treated under this Contract unless they are found in upland areas designated in the proposed action. No herbicides will be applied directly to or in water.

Table 2. Additional species known to be invasive and present within the forest. Treat when present in high priority areas.

Table 3. “Watch List” Species known to be ecologically invasive in nearby areas and/or states, but are not yet documented on the Forest. If found on the Forest they need to be documented, mapped, and reported to the COR.

Map 1. Vicinity Map showing counties within West Zone and East Zones of the Hiawatha National Forest

Map 2. Vicinity Map showing Forest Districts within West Zone and East Zones of the Hiawatha National Forest image1.jpeg image2.tiff