Attachment_3_Statement_of_Work_Unaweep_0001.pdf

Unaweep Seep Restoration SOW A. Introduction:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) has been treating infestations of Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) in the Unaweep Seep Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) since 2019. Numerous methods including herbicide application, cutting, and grubbing out roots have been tried, but none have been fully successful. The GJFO would like to use targeted grazing with goats to reduce and control the Himalayan blackberry in this sensitive area. Himalayan blackberry is especially problematic in the Pacific Northwest but has not been previously detected in the field office. Approximately four acres of blackberry have been detected in the ACEC along West Creek. West Creek flows through the ACEC and is a direct tributary to the Dolores River. The project seeks to reduce the threat of downstream spread along West Creek and the Dolores River, protecting the multimillion-dollar investment in the Dolores River Restoration Project.

B. Location:

The project area is in the Unaweep Seep ACEC along Highway 141, approximately nine miles north of Gateway in Mesa County. Staging is available within the ACEC south of the parking area.

Driving directions from Grand Junction: Take US Highway 50 towards Whitewater.

Turn right off US-50 at SH 141 and head towards Gateway. Drive approximately 29.3 miles on SH-141. Staging area will be on the right-hand side just past the Unaweep Seep ACEC parking area. The staging area is not well marked and is accessed through a barbed wire laydown gate. There is no cell service at the parking area or staging area. Prior to unloading and staging, the contractor should coordinate with BLM staff to ensure staging area is adequate, or for assistance with any other logistical questions.

ACEC Map, including Unaweep Seep: BLM Colorado Interactive Map (arcgis.com)

Project Map: Appendix A.

C. Description of Work

Use targeted goat grazing to supress Himalayan blackberry. Infestations of Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and poison ivy (Toxicodendron) also exist within the polygons and should be eaten by the goats.

Management Goals for utilizing goats in the ACEC

• Improve Great Basin Silverspot butterfly habitat by removing invasive species.

https://blm-egis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=59bfb9b9406d4a409e2f510bda9e409f

• Protect investment in the Dolores River Restoration Project by ensuring Himalayan blackberry doesn’t spread downstream.

• Remove impenetrable thickets of Himalayan blackberry to improve wildlife access.

• Control noxious weeds without utilizing herbicides.

D. Contractor Furnished Items

1. Contractor is responsible for the transport of goats to/from project area.

2. Contractor will provide a large enough herd of goats to achieve the desired management goals with a minimum amount of transport truck traffic to limit damage and soil compaction.

3. Contractor will manage grazing goats using a combination of working dogs, professional graziers, and temporary fencing.

4. Contractor will bring, maintain, and operate all equipment and supplies needed to treat 4 acres in the three treatment polygons (see map in Appendix A).

5. Contractor will control and be responsible for the working or herding dogs during herding operations. During periods of rest (when dogs aren’t being utilized to move livestock), the contractor will control or secure their dogs to prevent unwanted interactions with the public, their dogs, and wildlife.

6. The contractor will provide equipment (tanks) for watering livestock and be responsible for suppling and administering water to livestock, dogs, and graziers if needed. Water will be available from West Creek. The contractor will be responsible for hauling water as needed if an alternative staging area is required.

7. The contractor will provide transportation for equipment, operators, and fuel to and from the site. The contractor will be responsible for the appropriate security when equipment is left on site.

8. Contractor is not authorized to create new trails or routes within the Project Area.

9. Contractor is responsible for pressure washing vehicles to remove mud and seed accumulations before entering the Project Area.

10. Contractor will make reasonable efforts to keep goats away from roads and trails in order to reduce the risk of accidents between livestock and public.

11. Contractor will confine goats to the project or staging area to reduce the risk of escape and interactions with bighorn sheep.

12. Contractor will report escaped goats and/or working dogs or accidents to BLM

Ecologist Anna Lincoln (970-244-3019) within 12 hours.

13. Contractor will have someone proficient in the English language present at all times when working.

14. Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Provisions: The government may require the contractor to curtail or cease operations should wildland fire danger approach critical levels. The contractor will be given 24 hours’ notice in the form of a suspend work order issued by the Contracting Officer.

15. Ignition of a wildland fire that threatens the project area may require the contractor to proceed with an emergency evacuation of the project area.

16. The contractor or their employees, upon documented permission from the CO/COR, may establish temporary work camps on public lands administered by the BLM.

Camps shall be kept clean and free of refuse. These camps may consist of mobile trailers, pickup campers, tent trailers, or tents. The contractor will be required to rehabilitate the camping area to the satisfaction of the CO/COR. Camps are subject to all fire restrictions placed by state, county or federal authorities.

17. The BLM must be informed of any objects or sites of cultural, paleontological, or scientific value such as historic or prehistoric resources, graves or grave markers, human remains, ruins, cabins, rock art, fossils, or artifacts. The objects shall not be damaged, destroyed, removed, moved, or disturbed. Any person who knowingly violates this may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment (Public Law 16-95; 16 U.S.C. 470).

18. Contractor must have the qualifications, experience, knowledge, capability, and resources to manage a project of this size and scope within the requested timeframes and in the project area.

19. Contractor must be able to identify the weeds on the Mesa County Noxious Weed List and have knowledge of their life cycles.

20. Contractor must provide proof of liability insurance with a minimum of 1 million dollars.

E. BLM Contributions/Guidelines

1. Pre-educate public land visitors about goat grazing project work using signs, press releases, and on-site presence speaking with public land visitors.

2. The BLM will provide a pre-work conference with the contractor awarded the job.

3. The BLM will provide maps and descriptions of the Project Areas and will accompany the operator around the boundaries.

4. Coordinate project partners to assist with monitoring.

5. The BLM will provide representatives from the BLM GJFO to act as a liaison between the contractor and the BLM Contracting Officer to implement the project and to ensure that the resource objectives of the project area met. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Project Inspector (PI) will provide regular on-site inspections.

F. Contract Period

1. June 13th to October 15th, 2022.

2. Consideration will be given to delays caused by weather and poor road conditions.

G. Prebid Tour

A pre-bid conference will be held for all bidders to more fully explain the project and contracting process. The conference call number and access code will be provided upon a RSVP to the Contracting Officer/Specialist. Email: pfrost@blm.gov. At this time, we do not plan to have an organized or hosted physical site visit. However, you are encouraged and expected to visit the site to ascertain the conditions. Call or email if you need additional information.

H. Invoicing and Payment:

Upon completion of the terms of this contract (as described in Section D) the contractor will submit an invoice with the following information:

• Company name

• Contract number

• Dates of contract performance

• Number of acres grazed, and days worked

• Invoice must be submitted to www.ipp.gov and include an attachment mailto:pfrost@blm.gov http://www.ipp.gov/

Appendix A: Unaweep Seep Project Area Map