NPS_Q_A_0003.pdf

1. Has the matter been decided in regard to the species and location of the trees slated for removal and stump grinding?

• See updated tree list.

2. Pertaining to the "mastication" of bamboo along the nature trail, does that mean cutting it up into smaller pieces and leaving on site in general area is acceptable? Or are you looking to have this removed from it presently lies?

• Mastication is the process of grinding or shredding woody materials on the ground and leaving them in place. This is typically performed with a piece of equipment called a masticator or forestry mulcher. Areas within 15 feet of the nature trail where a large volume of non-living debris (limbs, logs, piled brush) are present and stunting herbaceous vegetation should be masticated (mulched/ground in place). These areas are typically where a tree has fallen and the brush was piled to the side of the trail in order to re-open the path. The most significant location is a large pile bamboo in the western side of the nature trail. Mastication is not to impact the soils below the materials and the material is to be left in place and disbursed within the immediate area to a depth of less than 3”. The purpose of mastication is not to brush cut everything within 15 feet of the trail edge.

3. Am I to understand all debris along nature trail is to be moved to 15' feet away?

• See response to question 2.

4. What is the buffer off the trail debris needs to be left? When considering the many removals along the nature trail, what is an acceptable distance off of the trail debris may be left? You are not looking to have tree debris from removals along the nature trail completely removed, correct? I'm just looking for a little more clarification as to what your expectations are for the debris from removals along the nature trail is.

• See response to question 2.

5. When will the stumps be identified for grinding? I assume they are the only ones located in turf areas where mowing takes place, correct?

• See updated tree list.

6. What certification other than an arbortist license is required?

• See scope of work, section 5, Contractor Qualifications.

o 5.4 All work performed shall be under the direction and general supervision of an Arborist(s) certified by the International Society of

Arboriculture (ISA) who possesses verifiable experience as a full-time direct supervisor of tree maintenance and climbing work crews and technical competence in tree physiology, identification, diagnosis of disorders, and current tree care and safety practices in accordance with accepted industry standards.

o 5.5 The Certified Arborist shall be on the job site daily and shall be the primary contact with the Government's technical representative responsible for controlling the quality of work and inspecting all completed work to ensure that contract performance requirements are met.

o 5.6 The Arborist assigned to this contract shall be a full time employee of the Contractor. Independent consultants retained by the Contractor do not meet the criterion of “full time employee’.

o 5.7 All work around power lines shall be performed by Certified Line

Clearance Tree Trimmers in accordance with OSHA 229 CF 1910.269,

1910.331 and ANSI Z133.-2017.

• See scope of work, section 1, Specifications/Requirements. The contractor is responsible for identifying and meeting any and all other state certification requirements for performing this type of work.

o 1.3 Contractor is responsible for obtaining any and all required permits, and meeting all OSHA, ISA, TICA, ANSI, MUTCD, and industry regulations that apply for scope of work. Contractor personnel shall possess and maintain all certifications necessary for performing work associated with this contract. Contractor is responsible for ensuring that appropriate certifications are in place.

o 1.4 Contractor shall research and verify, and at all times comply with all applicable laws, life safety codes, ordinances, rules, regulations, and orders of authority having jurisdiction.

7. The trees to be cut down, are you grinding the stumps on them? In the SOW, there are 86 trees to remove, are we grinding the stumps on them as well?

• See updated tree list.

8. Are all the dead trees and rotten tree trunks to be removed?

• Clarification to scope of work section 1, Specifications/Requirements, 1.16 Tree and Woody Plant Removal, and 1.17 Tree Pruning.

o All debris generated during performance of work is to be removed from the worksite.

• Clarification to scope of work section 1, Specifications/Requirements, 1.16 Tree and Woody Plant Removal.

o Standing trees scheduled for removal and within forested areas may be cut to a “snag” at a height (typically 15’ to 20’) that will not impact the roadway (will not fall outside of clearzone, or reach curb edge), tread of the trail, or the area within 5 feet of the tread of the trail if the snag were to fall. (meaning that the height of the snag must be lower than the horizontal distance between the snag and the potential target areas – ie, roadway, structures, trail, landscape areas. Ex. If the base of a tree that is scheduled to be removed is inside of the woodline at a distance of 25’ from the mowed edge of a landscape, the tree may be snagged at a height of 20’).

o Snagging is the process of leaving the standing trunk of a tree in place where the top portions may be removed safely. The result is an appearance similar to a freestanding pole.