0516 2023 site maintenance and minor construction 2023 sow revised.docx

2023 SITE MAINTENANCE AND MINOR CONSTRUCTION

Arizona/New Mexico

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C-1 –

PART A-Arizona

Project Location and Description

Description of Work. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, and supervision for site maintenance and minor construction of one project area within the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. This project consists of minor construction activities to redirect surface water runoff and prevent further erosion at a former uranium mine. The project area is the former Red Bluff Mine. An environmental remediation was performed at the site in 2018 to address threats to human health and the environment from elevated levels of heavy metals and increased levels of radiation from waste rock piles located at the site.

Project Location. Red Bluff Mine Site is located approximately 26 miles north of Globe, Arizona via State Highway 188 to State Highway 288 to National Forest System Road (NFSR) 189 within Gila County. Legal description Section 31, Township 5 North, Range 14 East, Gila and Salt River Meridian.

Background. Uranium ore was first extracted from the Red Bluff Mine from 1953-1956. The site sat idle from 1959-1973 while the mining claimant unsuccessfully appealed for a patent on three additional lode claims and two mill sites. The property was transferred, leased, and then subleased from 1974-1980. During this time exploratory drilling was performed in preparation for further development, though it became economically unfeasible to do so and the site was abandoned.

In 2018 the Forest Service performed and environmental cleanup of the former Red Bluff Mine site to address threats to human health and the environment from elevated levels of heavy metals and radionuclides in the waste rock and ore piles. Open mine features also presented a physical safety hazard. Waste rock was excavated and transferred to an onsite consolidation cell which was covered with three feet of clean material. Multiple mine features were closed by backfilling waste to 3ft below ground surface the placing 3ft clean material on top. Other features were closed using bat friendly grates. Erosion control measures and fencing were installed to prevent disturbance during revegetation.

Monitoring inspections in 2020 and 2022 found the clean material backfilled into Open Cuts 2, 3, 4, and 5 has eroded away. Loss of material is between 2-3ft and waste rock may be exposed. It was noted that the backfill material has little cohesiveness in contrast to the hard rock surfaces of the workings, suggesting there is increased surface runoff and little, if any, infiltration. Maintenance work to address this loss of backfilled material, recover potentially exposed waste rock, and divert surface runoff away from the Upper Works area is necessary to ensure the long-term stability of the site.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE

Multiple monitoring visits to the site have documented loss of clean surface cover at mine features in the Upper Workings Area. Minor maintenance and construction work is necessary to address the erosion occurring at the site and to prevent further degradation of the original cleanup effort.

Task 1: Mobilization

Submittals

Prior to beginning field activities at the stie, the contract shall submit the following list of submittals for review and approval by the COR.

Work Plan: The Contractor shall submit a Work Plan which includes the Erosion Control Plan and Site Health and Safety Plan.

Site Health and Safety Plan: The Contractor shall submit and comply with a site-specific Health and Safety Plan.

Certifications: The Contractor shall furnish samples and/or certifications as described in the Specifications. The items requiring certification include, but are not limited to: re-vegetation seed mixtures, and weed free certifications for erosion control materials.

Fire Plan. The Contractor shall submit a Fire Plan to outline measures to comply with fire restrictions, if applicable, on the National Forest. The COR shall provide any fire restrictions that may be in effect during construction.

Erosion Control Plan: The Contractor shall submit an Erosion Control Plan to identify the locations of erosion control measures such as the straw wattles.

Restoration by the Contractor

All areas disturbed by the Contractor’s operation such as, but not limited to, temporary access roads, staging areas, temporary haul roads, loading operations, and disposal operations shall be restored by grading and seeding. During the course of the work the Contractor shall periodically, or as directed by the COR, repair disturbed areas, remove and dispose of all surplus construction materials and debris and keep the project area reasonably clean. Upon completion of the work, the Contractor shall remove temporary construction facilities, debris, and unused materials, leaving the project site in a neat and clean condition. All debris shall be disposed off-site in a state-licensed waste management facility.

Control of Work

The Contractor shall stake or flag clearing limits, staging areas, and all other features of the work and receive approval from the Forest Service’s COR or Project Inspector before proceeding with the work on these items. Staking and surveying by the Contractor is considered incidental to other work items and no separate measurement or payment for this item will be made.

Task 2: Surface Water Diversion

A diagram of proposed actions and material source can be found in Appendix A.

Construction of Drainage Improvement The contractor shall construct a V-Ditch approximately perpendicular to the fence line above the Upper Workings Area. This V-Ditch shall convey re-directed surface runoff away from the Upper Workings Area. Construct the V-Ditch to be minimum 1ft deep by 2ft across and 200ft long, or as otherwise directed by the OSC. The V-Ditch should be lined with small rip-rap sourced from the pit north of the repository. Rip-rap should be partially keyed into the sides of the channel.

Construction of an Earthen Berm The contractor shall construct an earthen berm approximately 150ft long, minimum 2ft high, parallel to the existing fence line, tying into the newly constructed V-Ditch to divert surface runoff away from the Upper Workings Area and into the V-Ditch. This berm shall be constructed out of small riprap filled in with cover material stockpiled at the pit north of the repository.

Task 3: Backfill of Mine Features

Open cuts 2, 3, 4, and 5 shall be backfilled to existing grade using clean material and small riprap to replace eroded material. This material can be sourced at the pit north of the repository. Pending availability in the pit, the small rip is specified as D50 of 5inches for keying into the new channel, and a D50 of 10inches for the earthen berm.

Task 4: Seed Bed Preparation and Hand Broadcast

The contractor shall scarify the top 3-6inches of the ground surface in the areas to be seeded, being careful not to recompact material. The contractor shall then furnish the following seed mix at the rate of pure live seed (PLS) per acre and seed by hand broadcast.

Table 1. Red Bluff Seed Mix

Estimate 1.5 acres will need to be scarified and seeded. Locations will be determined by the COR/OSC in the field.

Task 5: Construction Report

Once work is concluded and has been accepted by the COR/OSC the contractor shall prepare a Construction Report to document activities performed onsite.

In general, the report shall consist of the following sections:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 PROJECT ACTIVITIES

3.0 REFERENCES

Appendix A – Photographic Log Appendix B – Materials Source Certifications

Project Activities includes a detailed description of all key aspects of the project, i.e. type of equipment used throughout the project, key onsite personnel, any submittal certifications, digital photographs, subcontractors, and any other key information. Draft construction report shall be submitted to the COR at 100% fieldwork completion. All photo files shall be included in a flash drive in .jpg format, separate from the report. Photos shall be taken throughout the progress of the project. Final report shall be submitted in flash drive and hard copy within 10 days of COR approval of Draft.

The Final report should include the required information for all sites. The Final Report shall be submitted 10 days after acceptance of the Draft Report. The contractor shall submit 1 bound, 1 unbound, and 1 digital copy to the COR; and 1 bound and 1 digital copy to the OSC. All files should be in PDF; photos shall be in .jpg format.

PART B: New Mexico

Project Location and Description

Scope of Work This work is to add cover soil on top of the existing cover soil at the La Jara Mine to facilitate vegetative growth and prevent erosion. Soil cover material is available from an existing borrow source located 2,000 feet haul distance from the mine. Work includes mobilization, road maintenance, cover soil, mature compost, seeding, and documenting work in a construction report.

Location The La Jara Mine is located on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest in Cibola County, New Mexico. The mine is located north of Grants New Mexico, via State Highway 547. From State Highway 547 follow Forest Road 450 for 3.8 miles. Forest Road 450 is a dry weather road currently passable only by high clearance vehicles. Forrest Road 450F starts at the end of FR 450 and continues on for other 2.4 miles to the La Jara Mine. This road is sandy and currently passable only by high clearance vehicles.

Designed Quantities (DQ). These quantities denote the final number of units to be paid for under the terms of the contract. They are based upon the original design data available prior to advertising the project. Original design data include the preliminary survey information, design, assumptions, calculations, Drawings, and the presentation in the contract. Changes in the number of units designated in the Schedule of Items may be authorized under any of the following conditions:

1. Changes in the work authorized by the CO.

1. A determination by the CO that errors exist in the original design that cause a Pay Item quantity to change by 15% or more.

1. A written request submitted to the CO showing evidence of errors in the original design that cause the quantity of a Pay Item to change by 15 percent or more. The evidence must be verifiable and consist of calculations, drawings, or other data that show how the designed quantity is in error.

Task 1: Mobilization and Bonding Work-This work consists of moving personnel, equipment, material, and incidentals to the project and performing work necessary before beginning work at the project site. This work also includes obtaining permits, insurance, and bonds.

Measurement and Payment-The accepted quantity will be paid for as a lump sum at the contract price.

Task 2: Roadway Maintenance Work- This work consists of grading the existing road with a dozer to eliminate ruts and fill in washouts. Grade Forest Road 450 for 3.8 miles and Forest Road 450F for 2.4 miles to achieve a smooth 14-foot-wide road surface. Utilize adjacent material and widen roadway as necessary on national forest system land to generate material to fill in washouts. Reestablish ditch turnouts where needed and keep existing grade dips and water bars in place. Forest Road 450 partially crosses private land and contractor shall confine all work through private land within the existing maintained roadbed.

Measurement and Payment- The accepted quantity will be paid for as a lump sum at the contract price.

Task 3: Cover Soil Work- This work consists of excavating and placing cover soil. This includes excavating, hauling, placing, sloping, shaping, and finishing earthen material.

Borrow Source- The borrow material is generally a well graded sand found at the designated borrow area. Borrow area is flat, partially covered with grass, and no clearing is required. Excavate borrow area approximately 250 feet long by 200 feet wide in an oval shape with an average depth of two feet and side slopes of 25% or flatter. Round all slopes to a natural appearance.

Construction- Excavate, haul, and spread cover soil evenly across the existing bare soil at La Jara Mine. Cover soil shall be placed approximately nine inches in depth, with a tolerance of plus or minus 3 inches.

Measurement and Payment-Measurement will be by the cubic yard as measured in the hauling vehicle. The accepted quantity will be paid at the contract unit price for each cubic yard excavated and placed.

Task 4: Mature Compost Work-This work consists of furnishing and placing mature compost to aid in the growth of vegetation to the cover soil and at the borrow source.

Material- Furnish partially decomposed organic material, (such as leaves, grass, shrubs, and yard trimmings) cured for 4 to 8 weeks. Maturity is indicated by temperature stability and soil-like odor. Furnish friable, dark brown, weed-free, and pathogen-free mature compost.

Cover Soil- After cover soil has been spread to a uniform depth and shaped, spread 100 cubic yards of mature compost to the surface of the cover soil to a ¼ inch depth. Use blower equipment or other approved means to apply compost. Disk or use rotary mixer to incorporate the compost uniformly into the top six to nine inches of soil.

Borrow Source- After borrow source has been excavated and shaped, spread 40 cubic yards of mature compost to the surface of the borrow source to a ¼ inch depth. Use blower equipment or other approved means to apply compost. Disk or use rotary mixer to incorporate the compost uniformly into the top six to nine inches of soil.

Measurement and Payment- Measurement will be by the cubic yard as measured in the hauling vehicle. The accepted quantity will be paid at the contract unit price for each cubic yard furnished and placed.

Task 5: Seeding and Mulching Work- This work consists of soil preparation and seeding disturbed areas that require revegetation including the borrow pit and cover soil areas.

Seed- Seed shall be applied by the seed drilling at the following rates per acre of pure live seed.

Arizona Fescue (Festuca arizonica) var. Redondo 3 pounds PLS Western Wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) var. Arriba 8 pounds PLS Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) var. Paloma 6 pounds PLS Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracillis) var. Alma or Hachita 8 pounds PLS Mountain Muhly (Muhlenbergia montana) l 2 pounds PLS Slender Wheatgrass (Elymas trachycaulus) 6 pounds PLS Mountain Brome (Bromus marginatus) 7 pounds PLS 40 pounds PLS

All seed purchased will be certified to be free of the noxious weed seeds from weeds listed on the current ‘All States Noxious Weeds List’. Test results from a certified seed analyst and seed analysis labels attached to the bags will be provided to the COR.

Seed Installation- Cultivate the seeding area to a minimum depth of 4 inches and prepare a firm, but friable seedbed before seeding. Seed shall be applied by drill seeding using approved equipment suitable for handling native seed. Hand-operated seeding methods are satisfactory only on areas inaccessible to mechanical equipment. Apply 120 pounds of pure live seed to the cover soil and 50 pounds of pure live seed to the borrow source. Seeding is not permitted on snow covered or frozen ground.

Measurement and Payment- The accepted quantities will be paid at the contract price for each pound of pure live seed furnished and planted.

Task 6: Construction Report

Once work is concluded and has been accepted by the COR/OSC the contractor shall prepare a Construction Report to document activities performed onsite.

In general, the report shall consist of the following sections:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 PROJECT ACTIVITIES

3.0 REFERENCES

Appendix A – Photographic Log Appendix B – Materials Source Certifications

Project Activities includes a detailed description of all key aspects of the project, i.e. type of equipment used throughout the project, key onsite personnel, any submittal certifications, digital photographs, subcontractors, and any other key information. Draft construction report shall be submitted to the COR at 100% fieldwork completion. All photo files shall be included in a flash drive in .jpg format, separate from the report. Photos shall be taken throughout the progress of the project. Final report shall be submitted in flash drive and hard copy within 10 days of COR approval of Draft.

The Final report should include the required information for all sites. The Final Report shall be submitted 10 days after acceptance of the Draft Report. The contractor shall submit 1 bound, 1 unbound, and 1 digital copy to the COR; and 1 bound and 1 digital copy to the OSC. All files should be in PDF; photos shall be in .jpg format.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The scope of work shall begin within 10 days of the Notice to Proceed and be completed within calendar 120 days.

CONTACTS

The Contractor shall submit and/or coordinate all deliverables to the following Government representatives.

Hailey Stock, COR 333 Broadway Blvd, SW Albuquerque, NM 87102 e-mail hailey.stock@usda.gov

Arizona Statewide On Scene Coordinator, OSC Contact information to be provided after contract award

Steven McDonald, New Mexico Statewide On Scene Coordinator, OSC 333 Broadway Blvd Albuquerque, NM 87102 e-mail steven.mcdonald@usda.gov

APPENDIX A

Diagram of Proposed Runoff Diversion

Proposed Material Source Adjacent to Site image1.png image2.jpeg