B08_Attachment_6_140P8422R0005_Site_Visit_Notes-Q-A_0001.pdf

SOLICITATION NO. 140P8422R0005

REPLACE FAILED SEPTIC TANK & DRAINFIELD SYSTEMS

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK

SITE VISIT – JUNE 29, 2022

SITE VISIT SUMMARY:

At 1:00 PM on 06/29/2022, no contractor representatives had arrived at the designated meeting point in front of the east side campground visitor center. The representative from Copper Mountain services, Eric Anderson, arrived at 1:15 PM. At 1:30 PM the site visit commenced with no other prospective contractors having arrived at the designated meeting location. The first locations visited were the Comfort Station #1 by walking, then the group walked to the location of the sewer lift station (sheet C03), and then the group walked to the bridge at the historic Bacon Ranch to observe the location of the combined drainfields for septic tank effluent coming from Comfort Stations #1 & #5. The group then visited by vehicle to Comfort Station #4 (to be demolished), then to Comfort Station #3 and its drainfield area, then to Comfort Station #2 and its drainfield area, and then to Comfort Station #5. The drive to Comfort Station #5 was along the paved road that the sewer force main alignment takes from the septic tank at Comfort Station #5 to the sewer lift station. While at Comfort Station #5 the new electrical power extension alignment to Comfort Station #5 was observed. At approximately 2:30 PM the site visit was concluded.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RECEIVED TO DATE:

1. Question: Is there a soils report or maybe bore logs for the area?

NPS response:

a) The construction documents do not have a design requirement for the onsite wastewater disposal system and therefore do not contain site soils information; rather, the construction drawings and specifications are prescriptive and fall under the Waste Discharge Permit obtained by the NPS from the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB.)

b) In the case of the required sandy loam import for the drainfield for Comfort Station #2 only, that is called out on sheet C15 and defined in specification section 33 34 00 Onsite Wastewater Disposal, the local native sandy loam soil from the area of the drainfield for Comfort Station #3 can be used. The native soils profile done by the NPS on native soils taken from test pits excavated in the locations of the drainfields for Comfort Stations #3 indicates that from approximately the ground surface to down to approximately 36 inches below the ground surface is sandy loam soil. The Contractor will be responsible for obtaining representative samples of these native soils and have them analyzed to determining their properties.

140P8422R0005, Site Visit Notes

c) Test pits and deep borings done by the NPS during the design phase of the project were used to collect soil samples to have soil classifications made. The areas of the drainfields have predominantly loamy/silty sands soils down to a depth of approximately 4 feet below the ground surface. As noted in b) above, layers of sandy loam were identified in some locations but not wide spread in general. In general, at deeper depths layers of sandy/silty gravels and gravelly sands/silts were encountered as were silty clays and clayey silts. However, the soils in proximity to Comfort Station #5 are predominantly silts and clays. Also, layers of cobbles have been encountered in limited areas near the creeks in the general east side campground area on previous projects as have isolated boulders less than 15 inches in diameter. Well logs for wells at the north end of the east side campground show sand and gravel existing down to a depth of approximately 80 feet below the ground surface.

d) The depth to ground water (wet season) in general is approximately 7.5 feet below ground surface. However, along the road going from Comfort Station #2 to Comfort Station #3 there is a section along the road where spring water coming from the adjacent hillside is at the ground surface all year round. The road surface in this permanently wet section is comprised of a series of individual concrete planks laid one next to the other.

2. Question: What interaction has the NPS had with Pacific Gas and Electric related to the new electrical power infrastructure required to be installed to provide electrical service to Comfort Station #5?

NPS response: The NPS, during the design phase, had a ticket with PG&E opened to have them come out to the site in the spring of 2021 to review the site and provide design information to the NPS.

3. Question: What is the load limit for the bridge over Sandy creek at the historic Bacon Ranch?

NPS response: This bridge has a load limit of 10 tons. The location of the combined drainfields for Comfort Stations #1 & #2 can also be access along a gated dirt road coming off of HWY 25 that runs north-south just to the east of Sandy creek. (Note: The paved Pinnacles highway (HWY 146) runs north-south to the west of the creek.) Also, within the campground the crossing of the paved road from the west side of Sandy creek to Comfort Station #2, that is situated on the east side of Sandy creek , is over a large diameter buried culvert that does not have a specified load limit - the load limit is therefore the legal load limit for HWY 146.

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