B01_SPRNCA_II_Boundary_Fence_Specs_-_Sept17_2024_1.docx

Construction Specifications Bureau of Land Management - Tucson Field Office San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) Boundary Fence Reconstruction Phase 1B, 1C, 1D, 2B and Option-3A.

Introduction This project covers five phases of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) boundary fence reconstruction and maintenance project to conserve, protect, and enhance the SPRNCA conservation values outlined in Public Law 100-696. The total mileage for these five phases is 28.21 miles. All distances in this document are estimates only.

1. Phase 1B -- approximately 6.86 miles

2. Phase 1C -- approximately 8 miles

3. Phase 1D -- approximately 4.84 miles

4. Phase 2B -- approximately 3.87 miles

5. Option-Phase 3A -- approximately 5 miles The proposed work will occur entirely on BLM managed public land (See Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) and will reconstruct this partially connected and non-functioning (due to age of the existing fence, topography, weather damage) fence. Reconstruction of the fence will include vegetation clearing; installation of T-posts; stress, stretch, end and corner panels; installation of panel gates; and removal of non-functioning and remnant fence or unused fence materials. Fence reconstruction would follow the specifications in BLM Manual H-1741-1 and Arizona Game and Fish Department wildlife-friendly standards for a four-wire fence with stays. Wire spacing will be 16”, 22”, 30” and 42” with the bottom wire being smooth and top three barbed (Figure 16).

The topography of the project contains dense vegetation of whitethorn and creosote shrubs with some lower drainages having larger mesquite trees. Water flows from the uplands to the SPRNCA through multiple drainages that have steep elevation changes. The steep slopes may have heavy rock cover. Any existing large water gap upright infrastructure that is still in good usable condition may be reused with new materials for the hanging portion. The remaining smaller drainages will require bracing outside of water flow paths to prevent damage during flows. Climate for the area depends on the time of year but can get below freezing in the winter months to over 100 degrees in the summer. Monsoon season begins mid-July and runs through September. Storms are most common in the afternoon, but large, unexpected storms can happen at any time.

Access to and along the fence line may be by foot, UTV, skid steer or vehicle. A fence buffer of 30 feet is divided into 15 feet on each side of the surveyed line; however, access along the fence line may be restricted to the 15 feet of buffer on the BLM managed land. The BLM will survey and mark the SPRNCA boundary fence line. Fence replacement must follow the survey line as accurately as possible. Phase 1B southern access is from Highway 80 at Curtis Windmill. The northern access for Phase 1B is from Highway 80, Curtis Flatts Rd, Judd Street and Escalante Rd (Figure 1). Phase 1C will have its main access from Highway 80, Apache Powder Rd, Escalante Rd (Figure 2). Phase 1D access will be from Highway 82 and Imbalance Ranch Rd (Kellar Rd) (Figure 3). Phase 2B access will be from Charleston Rd or Highway 82 utilizing Powerline Rd (Figure 4). Option-Phase 3A access is one of the easiest routes including Moson Rd and Highway 90 with existing 2 track roads on more than 75% of length (Figure 5).

Equipment needed to implement construction may include trucks, equipment trailer, UTV, skid steer loader (hydraulic driver, possibly mower, bucket), backhoe or excavator, and/or pneumatic drivers.

General Information and Requirements Existing fence removal and fence reconstruction of the 6.86 miles on Phase 1B, 8 miles on Phase 1C, 4.48 miles Phase 1D, 3.87 miles on Phase 2B and 5 miles on Option-Phase 3A as indicated below.

A. Description of Work:

a. Fence Removal- Contractor shall furnish all labor and equipment necessary to remove approximately 28.21 miles of 4 strand barbed wire fencing including posts and end, stress, and brace panels. All debris, including wood posts, poles, steel posts, and wire, becomes the property of Contractor and must be removed from the work site. Contractor shall be responsible for disposal of all debris in a legal manner and payment of any fees required. Burning of debris is not permitted on the work site.

b. Fence Construction- Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supplies, and materials, except specified government furnished property, to reconstruct 28.21 miles of 4 strand barbed wire fences and gates. Construction of the 4-strand barbed wire fence will include installation of stress panels, end panels, corner panels and steel gates.

B. Schedule: A project initiation meeting shall occur prior to the start of any construction activities to establish a schedule for project completion. Contractors shall provide regular progress updates to the BLM Project Manager on a weekly basis. Contractor shall schedule operations, so that work is generally conducted between 06:00 and 18:00, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays or as otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer (CO) to avoid disturbing nearby residents.

C. Location: Work under this contract is in Cochise County, State of Arizona.

a. The work location for Phase 1B is shown on Figure 1: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 1B and is between Summers Well Entry Corral and Cary Rd. Some roads may cross land not under the jurisdiction of the BLM, and other routes do exist. In the Public Land Survey System, the project is within Township 19S, Range 21E, Sections 4 and 9, and 18S 21E sections 20, 21, 28, 29, 32 and 33. Cochise County, Arizona. Coordination with private landowners will be needed on this phase. Route follows existing fence for 0.87 mile and differs from NCA boundary on the northeast corner avoiding private housing. Approximately 0.32 mile on the south side of Escalate Rd is new construction that will not being replaced.

b. The work location for Phase 1C is shown on Figure 2: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 1C and is Cary Rd to south of Sacaton Wash all on the west side of the San Pedro River. Some roads may cross land not under the jurisdiction of the BLM, and other routes do exist. In the Public Land Survey System, the project is within T18S R21E sections 19, 2029, 30, 31 and 32. T18S R20 E Section 24 and T19S R21E Sections 5, 8 and 17 all on the west side of the San Pedro River. Cochise County, Arizona. Coordination with the El Paso Natural Gas will be needed on this phase.

c. The work location for Phase 1D is shown on Figure 3: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 1D is south of Sacaton Wash to Highway 82 on the west side of the San Pedro River. Some roads may cross land not under the jurisdiction of the BLM, and other routes do exist. In the Public Land Survey System, the project is within T20S R21E, Sections 4 and 5. T19S R21E sections 17, 19, 20, 29, 32 and 33. Cochise County, Arizona. Traffic barriers and signage on Imbalance Ranch Rd will be needed.

d. The work location for Phase 2B is shown on Figure 4: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 2B is Lucky Hills to the north side of Charleston Rd on the east side of the San Pedro River. Some roads may cross land not under the jurisdiction of the BLM, and other routes do exist. In the Public Land Survey System, the project is within T20S R21E, Sections 24, 25, 2635 and 36. Cochise County, Arizona.

e. The work location for Option-Phase 3A is shown on Figure 5: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 2B is Charleston Rd to Highway 90 on the west side of the San Pedro River. Some roads may cross land not under the jurisdiction of the BLM, and other routes do exist. In the Public Land Survey System, the project is within T21S R21E, Sections 23, 26 and T22S R21E Section 1. Cochise County, Arizona.

D. Trash Disposal: Pack all trash generated by the Contractor out of public land and disposed of at an approved land fill facility. No trash or litter shall be allowed to accumulate on the grounds. Collect, contain, haul, and dispose of litter and debris generated daily by the Contractor, and dispose of in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding construction waste. Burning of trash is prohibited. Trash shall not be buried on public land.

E. Environmental Considerations: Do not conduct fueling operations on site. Excavate any fuel or oil spills occurring during the work of this project to a depth of 12 inches beyond contaminated material and removed from the work location in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. Operate vehicles and equipment within existing roadways and parking areas. Upon completion of the contract, remove all trash and construction waste materials that include erosion control measures. Furthermore, smooth any areas of earth grossly disturbed by the Contractor’s operations as directed by the Contracting Officer (COR) and Project Inspector (PI).

F. Prevention of Invasive Noxious Weeds: Before entering BLM land, Contractor shall power wash/rinse off its equipment to reduce greatly the possibility of introducing invasive noxious weeds. If invasive noxious weeds still become established within the project area, implement control methods to limit propagation. Invasive noxious weeds that become established shall be monitored for the duration of the contract and reported via documentation submittal to the BLM. Invasive and noxious weeds include Johnsongrass, bull thistle, tamarisk, cocklebur, and any others that have not been documented previously in the project area.

G. Safety and Quality Control Plans: Within 10-days following contract award, Contractor shall provide to the Government effective quality control and safety plans for acceptance by the BLM.

H. Fire Season: Contractor shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws relating to fire prevention and special conditions of work as directed by the Government.

I. Cultural Resource Protection: If in connection with operations under this authorization, any archaeological or historical artifacts, human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, objects of cultural patrimony as defined in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (PL 101-601; Stat. 3048; 25USC 3001) are discovered, stop operations in the immediate area of the discovery, protect the remains and objects, and immediately notify the Contracting Officer (CO) of the discovery. Continue to protect the immediate area of the discovery until notified in writing by the CO that operations may resume. Allow access to the archaeologist for visual inspections of the project site during the progress of work.

J. Drawings: Drawings in this document are general only and dimension of each structure will be fixed by the Government to adapt the design to existing conditions at the structure location. Dimensions may be provided in the written instructions under Installation.

K. Access: Transportation and access within the SPRNCA will be managed in accordance with the 2019 SPRNCA Resource Management Plan Record of Decision. Nearest towns include Sierra Vista, Benson, and Tombstone. Phase 1B southern access is from Highway 80 at Curtis Windmill and the northern access is from Highway 80, Curtis Flatts Rd, Judd Street and Escalante Rd. Phase 1C will have its main access from Highway 80, Apache Powder Rd, Escalante Rd. Phase 1D access will be from Highway 82 and Imbalance Ranch Rd (Kellar Rd). Phase 2B access will be from Charleston Rd or Highway 82 utilizing Powerline Rd. Option-Phase 3A access is one of the easiest routes including Moson Rd and Highway 90 with existing 2 track roads on more than 75% of length.

1. Terrain: The current fence line runs through rough and rocky terrain (Figure 6). Vegetation includes whitethorn and creosote shrubs in the uplands. Drainages may contain mesquite. Smaller vehicles such as UTVs will be the primary vehicles along the fence line. Vehicle access along the fence on slopes over 16% will be avoided as much as possible to reduce impacts and potential for erosion. Four-wheel drive vehicles will have difficulty accessing most fence line.

2. Access routes will be flagged by BLM. All travel must be restricted to these areas only.

3. Travel will be restricted to the 30 feet fence buffer along the fence line. The 30-foot fence buffer is divided into 15 feet on each side of the surveyed line; however, access along the fence line may be restricted to the 15 feet of buffer on the BLM managed land.

4. With permission from the Government, sand and gravel washes may be used to access the worksite. The wash must be wide enough for passage by work vehicles without clearing or removing vegetation or constructing a grade.

5. During construction unauthorized vehicle access along the fence line must be blocked or gated to prevent unauthorized traffic, to promote revegetation and to stabilize soils after the project is completed.

6. Contractor shall restore roads damaged by Contractor, at the Contractor's expense, to the same condition as prior to the commencement of work.

7. After construction is completed, the contractor shall post “This is not a road” signs at the newly cleared entry points from major roadways. This is to prevent unauthorized traffic, promote revegetation of the area and stabilize soils after the project is completed.

8. The BLM will survey and mark the legal boundary lines. Survey markers will be set at a minimum of every quarter mile prior to construction.

Lodging: No camping is permitted at or near the work site. Lodging and refueling options are available in Sierra Vista, Whetstone, Tombstone and Benson, AZ. No onsite above ground fuel storage onsite or electricity is permitted. Cell coverage is limited in some of the lower elevations near site.

Statement of Work A. Materials: Contractor shall furnish all wire and fencing materials needed to complete 28.21 miles of fence according to type and specifications of materials listed below: Any substitutions must be approved by the BLM assigned COR.

1. Barbed Wire shall be 12.5-gauge galvanized wire with 2-point barbs of 14-gauge wire spaced 4 inches apart. Wire and barbs shall be zinc-coated steel with a zinc coating of at least 0.3 oz/ft2 of coated surface area. The minimum breaking strength of each wire shall be 950 lb.-force. The barbed wire shall conform to ASTM A121.

2. Smooth Bottom Wire shall be 12.5-gauge barbless wire, galvanized wire. Wire shall be zinc-coated steel wire with a zinc coating of at least 0.3 oz/ft2 of coated surface area. The minimum breaking strength of each wire shall be 950 lb.-force. The barbless wire shall conform to ASTM A 121.

3. Wire Fence Stays shall be manufactured from smooth galvanized 9-gauge wire centered between T-posts.

4. Steel Fence T-Posts shall be green with white or silver tops, “T” bar type, with a welded or riveted anchor plate. Steel T-posts shall be manufactured from wrought, rail, or new billet steel, and shall have a minimum weight of 1.33 lb./linear foot. The height of post can vary depending on soil depth. Six-foot-long T-posts are required at 16.5-foot spacings. With approval of the COR, 5-1/2-foot-long T-posts may be used in hard or rocky soils. The T-posts shall conform to ASTM A702.

5. Fasteners: Only clip-type wire fasteners will be permitted. Punched tabs for fastening wires are unacceptable.

6. Steel Panels and Braces: Contractor shall install stress panels every quarter mile and with any change of direction of the boundary. Additional bracing may be needed before and after drainages to create a water gap. Contractor shall cap the tops of each exposed pipe.

7. Steel Pipe for stress, end, and corner panels: Contractor shall use steel pipe. Steel pipe must be 2 3/8-inch o.d. schedule 80 steel pipe that is new or ones with best used condition of greater than 80% wall life. Comment by Breiner, Joan M: “for stress, end and corner panels.” could be added if that is accurate.

8. Gates: Standard design for entry gates into the SPRNCA must include locking devices on each gate that do not require chain and help prevent lockouts from other users. Figure 7 includes two different designs: one with a slide design and one with a wheel design. These are provided as examples only. Inclusion in this document does not represent an endorsement of either system.

9. Removal and Recycling: Current fencing shall be removed and recycled or disposed of in approved landfill. Contractor may keep recycling proceeds. The metal in the existing infrastructure, while old, has significant weights.

10. Project site shall be cleaned daily. All refuse must be removed by Contractor. Contractor shall dispose of materials and be responsible for all expenses incurred with disposal in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

B. Execution

1. Environmental Considerations:

a. Cultural: Contractor shall immediately suspend all operations in the vicinity upon discovery of any possible historical, archeological, or paleontological artifacts (such as historical ruins, graves, fossils) until authorized to proceed in writing.

i. Contractor shall immediately notify the COR in writing with the location and nature of the findings. No objects of cultural resource value may be removed.

ii. Contractor shall be responsible for protecting the discovered cultural resources from damage. Contractor shall be liable for all damage to discovered cultural resource caused by their actions or the action of their agents or representatives.

iii. The BLM will conduct a cultural survey in the fence buffer prior to construction.

b. Clearing and Grubbing: Contractor shall clear brush and trees with manual and powered hand tools along fence buffer. Clearing will be held to only that necessary to allow construction of the project and no larger than the fence buffer. Removal of all vegetation and root stubs along the fence buffer will prevent tire damage and allow for long term use of this fence line for maintenance. Disburse removed vegetation by scattering away from the project line. Burning of vegetation or debris is not permitted.

c. Wildlife: BLM will conduct a pre-work bird survey to identify presence of migratory bird nests. Construction work will be prohibited during nesting season in critical habitat. Contractor will be notified of any restrictions prior to start of construction.

2. Removal of Existing Fence: Contractor shall remove all existing wire, end, stress, and corner panels, and gates as staked in the field or as designated by the Government. All debris, including wood posts, poles, steel posts, and wire, becomes the property of Contractor and must be removed from the work site. Contractor shall be responsible for disposal of all debris in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Burning of debris is not permitted.

3. Installation: (approximate quantities for Phase 1B, 1C, 1D, 2B and Option-3A)

a. General: Contractor shall construct fences as described in the specifications and along the fence line as flagged in the field by BLM.

b. Driving Posts: Any post (T- post or tubular posts) damaged by pounding (e.g. split, bent, twisted, or mushroomed tops) will be rejected and replaced at Contractor’s expense. Drive steel posts into the ground so the T-post remains 48” above ground. The anchor plate must be below the ground surface.

c. T-posts spacing: T-posts shall be a maximum of 16.5 feet apart. The Government may approve spacing up to 20 feet apart in extremely rocky soils. Any soils that don’t permit driven posts can be relocated to the nearest practical location.

d. Corner panels (Qty: 18, 10, 1, 2 and 6): Corner panels shall be installed where the fence changes of direction. Three steel pipe posts 9 feet long with a minimum of 2-3/8 inches o.d. shall be driven five feet into the ground for a final height of four feet (48 inches). At a minimum of 6 feet on either side of each 9-foot pipe post, a 5-foot post shall be driven to one foot. A welded kicker at 45-degrees between the shorter and longer posts ensures long term structural integrity. Fence wire shall be secured at both ends of braces and panels as shown in Figure 10. Unstable corner panels will be rejected and replaced at Contractor’s expense. All open ends of the pipe shall be capped.

e. Stress Panels (H) (Qty: 26, 62, 15, 16 and 22): Stress panels shall be constructed every quarter mile (80 rods) center-to-center for barbed wire sections and at points between which wire is to be stretched. Stress panels shall be installed at the top and bottoms of hills (Figure 11). Stress panels may be used in crossing small drainages as approved by the Government. Each stress panel will consist of a single large brace panel installed in alignment with the fence. In-Line Pull Post assemblies are recommended in straight sections of the fence line and where there are sudden changes in elevation, such as the bottom and top of steep slopes greater than eight (8) percent (Figures 10 and 11). Nine-foot-long posts shall be driven five feet into the ground for a final height of four feet (48 inches). At a minimum of six feet on either side of each nine-foot pipe post, a five-foot post shall be driven to one foot. A welded kicker at 45-degrees between the shorter and longer posts ensures long term structural integrity. Fence wire shall be secured at both ends of braces and panels as shown in Figure 8. Unstable stress panels will be rejected and replaced at Contractor’s expense. All open pipe ends shall be capped.

f. End Panels (Qty: 8, 5, 10, 10 and 8): End panels shall consist of a large and small brace panel installed in alignment with the fence. Construct end panels at the end of fence runs as shown on Figure 12 with pipe dimensions as described for stress panels. End panels will be constructed at each gate. Each main post will be nine-foot-long pipe driven five feet into the ground for a final height of four feet (48 inches). At a minimum of six feet on the necessary side of the nine-foot pipe post, a five-foot post shall be driven to one foot. A welded kicker at 45-degrees between the shorter and longer posts ensures long term structural integrity.

g. Small Water Gaps (Qty: 11, 30, 5, 15 and 0): Figures 13-17 are examples of permitted fence types to be installed at small drainage crossings. These small water gaps have been identified as less than 100 feet in width.

h. Large Water Gaps (Qty: 3, 8, 4, 3 and 2): Where the fence crosses a drainage more than 100 feet wide, end bracing shall be installed on each side of the drainage. Water gap fence section materials shall equal the quality of the adjoining fence. They shall be assembled as a separate unit to protect the main fence from damage. The ends of the water gap fence wires shall be attached to a separate steel line post attached to the end brace using lightweight wire or staples that will allow the water gap to break away from the end braces in a flood event without damaging the end braces and adjacent fence sections. Existing pipe structure in good condition may be utilized but new cable and hanging fence will be new construction. Figure 19 is the design preference for longer length water gaps.

i. Wire: All wire shall be tightly and uniformly stretched and shall be securely attached to steel posts with standard wire clips. Wire is properly stretched when it is springy to the touch. Terminate wire at each end panel or corner panel by wrapping wire around the post twice and tie off by wrapping the incoming wire a minimum of four times. Wire spacing will be 16”, 22”, 30” and 42” with the bottom wire being smooth and top three barbed (Figure 18). One wire stay per panel shall be centered between posts.

j. Gates (Qty: 1, 2, 4, 4 and 1): Gates shall be attached to end panels or corner panels. The Contractor shall use Steel Frame Gate design as shown in the top illustration of Figure 20.

MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

A. Units: The work described in this section will be paid on a lump sum basis. The Contractor shall include consideration for the subsequent items in the contract proposal price.

1. Wire fence will be measured and paid for by the linear foot of fence as measured along the ground surface next to the completed fence, including distance across gate openings, end panels, stress panels, corner panels, and small water gaps. The quantities of end, stress, and corner panels, gates and large water gaps are to be paid based on the actual number of these items. Note: Gates do not include adjacent end or corner panels. These are separate items. Comment by Breiner, Joan M: Is all of this still valid? Comment by Baker, Eric M: This is what previous CO put in. Its wording each of them take into account differently

2. Fence removal will be paid as a lump sum.

Figure 1: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 1B Map.

Figure 2: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 1C Map.

Figure 3: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 1D Map.

Figure 4: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 2B Map.

Figure 5: SPRNCA Fence Reconstruction Phase 3A Map.

Figure 6. Examples of project terrain.

Figure 7: Examples of lock types for gates.

Figure 8. Standard post and barbed wire fence end

Figure 9. Stress panel braces for elevation changes.

Figure 10. Pull Panel design. Do not use concrete. Posts are to be driven 5 ft below ground as described in the above section on “Installation”.

Figure 11. Stress Panel design. Do not use concrete. Posts are to be driven 5 ft below ground as described in the above section on “Installation”.

Figure 12. End panel design. Do not use concrete. Posts are to be driven 5 ft below ground as described in the above section on “Installation”.

Figure 13. Stone deadman example.Figure 14: Small water gap fencing example.

Figure 15: Small water gap fencing example.

Figure 16: Small water gap fencing example.

Figure 17: Small depression fencing example.

Figure 18: Wire guide example.

Figure 19. Large Water Gap design.

Figure 20: Gate designs. Contractor shall use Steel Frame Gate design (top illustration.

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