2. Appendix A_Crest Switchback DxP.pdf

Crest Switchback DxP Stewardship IRSC Cibola National Forest Page 1 of 15 Sandia Ranger District

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The objectives of this project are to reduce hazardous fuel loading around critical infrastructure, improve forest health in degraded high-elevation spruce-fir stands, and enhance scenic integrity of the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway (NM-536). This will be accomplished through the following:

• Unit-Level Treatment: Unit-level treatment consists of mechanical forest thinning, debris removal and disposal, and machine piling slash. Mechanical forest thinning will follow a Designation by Prescription (DxP) implementation guide to meet desired ends results. Debris removal and disposal include the removal of downed coarse woody debris (CWD) to achieve an end-result fuel loading. Machine piling will include organizing Contractor-generated slash AND existing CWD not meeting removal specifications.

• Traffic Control: This service item includes Contractor responsibilities to develop and implement a traffic control plan and highway closure. Traffic control and closure will be scalable in intensity depending on the Contractor’s operations and proximity to the NM-536. Contractor will be responsible for providing Authorized User access to the Sandia Crest Communication Site and along Ellis Road (FR488), through the duration of the project.

• Hazard Tree Removal: This service item includes felling and removing hazard trees along NM-536. The desired end-result for this item will be that areas designated for hazard tree removal and disposal will be free and clear of hazard to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

SECTION II – WORK ITEMS:

Mandatory Item 1 & Optional Item 3: Unit Level Treatment

Item 1 Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (82 Acres) Item 3 Units 7, 8 (39 Acres)

Table 1: Unit and acre summary for Mandatory Item 1 and Optional Item 3: Unit Level Treatment

Unit Acres 1 21 2 20 3 4 4 33 5 1 6 2 7 23 8 16

Total: 121

Mechanical Thinning:

1. Cut and remove from Contract Area all merchantable trees which meet the minimum tree specifications as identified in A.2 of Appendix B.

2. Appendix C- Road Maintenance Specifications are commensurate with use.

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Debris Removal and Disposal Specifications:

1. Remove downed coarse woody debris (CWD) meeting the minimum piece size and decay class requirements.

2. The minimum piece size required for removal is defined as a 9.0” (inch) diameter at center point and at least a 10’ (foot) length.

3. Debris designated for removal shall be classified as Decay Class I, II, or III as defined below.

4. Remove designated debris to meet desired fuel loading requirements (5 - 15 tons/ac) outlined in Table 3

(below).

a. Currently, CWD is extremely high within the project area, presenting a severe fire and safety hazard. Woody debris ranges from 50-90 tons per acre on average.

b. The desired end-result for this service item is to leave an average of 5-15 tons of CWD per acre.

5. If fuel loading requirements in Table 3 are not met after removing all designated debris (exceeding 15 tons/ac), remaining on-site debris shall be machine piled.

6. If downed trees left onsite intersect Forest Service trails, as shown on the Contract Area Map, Contractor shall buck and remove the portion of the tree that intersects the trail, so the trail is made passable by the public after contract completion.

7. The Photo Series for Quantifying Forest Residues in the Southwestern Region (NWCG 1997) provides a frame of reference for Debris Removal and Disposal. Estimates of existing conditions and desired outcomes are provided below:

EXISTING CONDITION

Figure 1: Photo series references that approximate the existing fuel loading within the contract area. (L) corresponds to the 'lower' fuel loading (R) corresponds to the 'upper' fuel loading in Table 2.

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Table 2: Existing Conditions for Debris Removal and Disposal.

Size Class (in) Weight (Tons / Ac) Lower Upper

0.0 - 0.25 1.5 0.6

0.26 - 1.0 2.5 1.0

1.1 - 3.0 2.1 4.0

Subtotal <3" 6.1 5.6

3.1 - 9.0 24.9 17.0

9.1 - 20.0 19.9 55.8 20.1+ 5.4 17.4 Total 56.3 95.8

DESIRED CONDITION

Figure 2: Photo series references that approximate the desired fuel loading for Item 2: Debris Removal and Disposal. (L) corresponds to the 'lower' fuel loading (R) corresponds to the 'upper' fuel loading in

Table 2.

Table 3: Desired End-Result Conditions for Debris Removal and Disposal.

Size Class (in) Weight (Tons / Ac) Lower Upper

0.0 - 0.25 0.1 0.6

0.26 - 1.0 0.7 3.3

1.1 - 3.0 1.9 4.6

Subtotal <3" 2.7 8.5

3.1 - 9.0 1.7 5.2

9.1 - 20.0 0.8 1.6 20.1+ 0.0 0.0 Total 5.2 15.3

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DECAY CLASS DEFINITIONS FOR REMOVAL

DECAY CLASS I: “Recent”

Decay Class I logs are the least decomposed, with most having leaves still attached and all having intact bark, fine twigs and branches. Logs originating from cutting may not have branches and twigs, but the cuts appear fresh and have not yet turned gray due to sun bleaching.

DECAY CLASS II: “Solid”

Decay Class II logs are ones starting to decompose, leaves largely are absent, and many of the fine twigs have fallen off the larger branches. Bark is typically loose but only starting to fall off the log. In Decay Class II there is evidence that the surface layers of the wood are decomposing, but the inner, central region of the wood is undecayed unless previously infected with heart rot. For logs originating from cutting, the ends are gray from sun bleaching.

DECAY CLASS III: “Solid / Decay”

Decay Class III logs have only a few large branches remaining, often in the form of stubs, the bark is falling off in large patches, and evidence of sloughing of sapwood is also evident. Decay Class III logs are still able to support their own weight along most of their length.

DECAY CLASS IV: “Decayed”

Decay Class IV logs cannot support their own weight and most of their length conforms to the contours for the underlying ground. At this stage of decay, logs lose their round shape and become more elliptical (oval). A decay class IV log would not be able to be reasonably lifted / transported by machine or cable.

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Figure 3: Decay Class Reference Photos for Debris Removal and Disposal.

Machine Pile Specifications:

Note: The desired end-result of Machine Piling is to create neat and orderly machine piles that will facilitate safe and efficient burning. In addition to piling all Contractor-generated slash, machine piles shall also include existing down woody debris not meeting specification for removal under Debris Removal and Disposal.

Since this is an end-results project, it will be at the discretion of the Contractor to determine which existing down woody debris shall be added to machine piles to meet the desired fuel loading conditions. In other words, existing down woody debris only needs to be added to machine piles to meet the end-result of 5-15 tons/ac of CWD left on-site.

1. Allowable equipment: Equipment for machine piling at a minimum should have some sort of ‘bucket & thumb’ to pick up and place slash and downed material into piles. Tracked equipment is strictly prohibited from operating on any asphalt surfaces. Other equipment needed by Contractor for this task shall be subject to Forest Service approval.

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2. Machine pile slash generated by thinning activities and existing CWD within the treatment unit, not meeting specifications for removal under ‘Debris Removal and Disposal’, above.

3. Piles shall be constructed to facilitate full consumption when they are burned.

a. Slash material that causes large air spaces in piles shall be cut and piled to eliminate air spaces.

b. Each pile shall include an ignition area of small sized slash (small branches less than ¼ to ½ inch in diameter and/or small branches with needles or leaves attached) to provide “kindling” for prompt ignition and to aid in combustion of larger slash. These fuels shall be placed in the center of the pile.

c. Piles shall be compact, dirt and trash free, and piled in such a manner that will allow them to burn completely.

4. Piles shall be located outside of leave tree driplines, in openings or areas of low tree density to minimize damage to residual trees when the piles are burned.

5. Piles shall be located at least 20 feet from trail corridors and unit boundaries as shown on the Contract Area Map.

6. Existing downed woody debris: Table 3 provides end-result fuel loading requirements. Remaining CWD not designated for removal (i.e. too small or too decayed) shall be included in machine piles as necessary to meet the desire outcome (5.2 – 15.3 tons/ac CWD).

7. Pile size: Piles shall be 8-15 feet in diameter, minimum of 8-10 feet in height, shall be constructed compact and free of dirt and duff, shall have a good base to prevent the pile from toppling. Piles shall not exceed 30 feet in diameter and 20 feet in height. Material shall be piled in a parallel configuration, similar to pencils in a box. Once a pile meets the minimum diameter and height, slash may be added vertically on the edge of a pile to prevent the pile from toppling. Material used to build piles shall not exceed 8 feet in length. All objects which extend more than 2 feet in any direction from the pile project shall be cut off and returned to the pile. No stumps shall be placed in piles.

8. Piles shall not be constructed on trails. See Section 15. Protection of Improvements.

Paved Surfaces:

1. All paved surfaces within the project area are considered Protected Improvements (see Section 15).

2. Contractor shall install asphalt transitions in all locations where equipment and/or log trucks enter or exit onto a native surface. This is especially important along NM-536 as the highway was recently repaved by NM-DOT.

3. Specifications for asphalt transitions are attached to this contract as a separate drawing (Attachment 6).

4. No tracked equipment is authorized on paved surfaces.

5. When outriggers or control arms are utilized on paved surfaces (e.g., cabling equipment, loaders, etc.), Contractor shall install protective pads or similar to protect the paved surface.

Skid and Access Trail Closures:

1. All skid trail and access trails created by the Contractor shall be closed following use by creating a berm to prevent unauthorized motor vehicle access after the Contract is completed.

2. Closure berm shall be at least 3 feet high.

3. Forest Service may require Contractor to place slash over trails in areas where erosion potential is high.

4. See Appendix B for additional specifications related to trails, their closure, and appropriate erosion control methods.

5. See Attachment 6 for a visual representation of closure methods to be used (berm and slash).

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Mandatory Item 2: Traffic Control

Traffic Control Plan and Permits

1. Contractor shall provide the Forest Service with a written traffic control plan that conforms with specifications, tables, figures, and other drawings provided in Attachment 5a – Traffic Control, as well as all standards in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

2. The drawings provided in Attachment 5b provide two closure alternatives which the Contractor shall utilize.

a. Eastbound / Westbound; NM-536 Closure:

i. NM-536 is fully closed (both lanes) at the 10K parking lot.

ii. A flagger shall be stationed at the closure point during active implementation to turn public users around and to only allow access up the highway to authorized users.

b. Northbound / Southbound; Forest Service Site Closure:

i. NM-536 is open to the Sandia Crest.

ii. Closure devices are stationed at the Ellis Parking Lot and the Lower Loop Parking Lot of the Sandia Crest.

iii. This alternative may only be implemented when the NM-536 is free and clear of safety hazards and operations are not occurring within 150’ of the highway centerline.

3. At a minimum, the traffic control plan shall include the following elements:

a. Objective and Scope

b. Detailed Site analysis

c. Traffic flow and routing strategy

d. Signage and Device specifications

e. Safety protocols, key personnel, and worker protection

f. Emergency response and contingency planning

g. Monitoring plan

h. Communication Strategy

4. Using the traffic control plan and drawings provided in Attachment 5a and 5b, the Contractor shall obtain a Roadway Work Permit from New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT).

5. Contractor will be required to provide a copy of the approved permit to the Contracting Officer prior to the pre-work meeting.

Implementation of Traffic Control

1. Furnish and install traffic control devices and signs in accordance with NMDOT Roadway Work Permit and Forest Service approved traffic management plan. Be advised that some signs are custom and may require a lead up time for ordering/purchasing.

2. All traffic control devices shall conform with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

3. Provide written notice to the Forest Service and NMDOT at least 5 days in advance of implementing the traffic control plan. Any change in the plan, such as transitioning closure patterns also requires a 5-day notice.

4. If traffic control signs or devices are lost or stolen, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative immediately. Replacements shall be furnished and re-installed within 24 hours of notifying the Forest Service.

5. During periods when NM-536 is closed, the Contractor shall designate a flagger to be stationed at the closure point throughout the operational day.

a. Forest Service will provide authorized users a letter from the Cibola National Forest Supervisor explaining the closure and require it be presented to the Contractor when requesting to travel up the road.

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b. Flagger shall maintain radio contact with the Project Manager (or designated personnel) to alert the crew to any potential hazards, coordinate the passage of log trucks, and to coordinate authorized user access.

c. NM-536 shall remain clear of obstructions to allow for authorized users to access after-hours.

6. Forest Service may issue a Notice of Non-compliance if traffic control is not implemented to standard.

Failure to remedy non-compliance may result in a Cure Order and/or suspension of operations until a remedy is furnished to standard.

Optional Item 4: Hazard Tree Removal

Unit 9 (19 Acres)

Note: Within the 19-acre removal area (see Contract Area Map; Unit 9), there are approximately 1.5 hazard trees per acre. On average, trees are 17 inches DBH and 50 feet tall. 12 trees within the unit measured over 18.0” DBH.

1. Manually fell dead and dying trees >12.0 inches DBH.

a. Dying trees are defined as trees with less than 20% live crown ratio.

b. Maximum stump height is 6.0”.

c. Any hang-up trees shall be completely felled.

d. Trees boles (6.0” top DIB) shall be removed from Forest Service land.

e. Any limbs and slash shall be chipped or lopped and scattered to a maximum depth of 12.0 inches.

SECTION III – CONTROL OF WORK

The Contractor agrees to conduct its operations under this contract and other related business activities in compliance with Federal, State, and local statutes, standards, orders, permits and other regulations.

The Contractor shall meet all State and local environmental quality laws applicable to National Forest system lands.

Work may be done any time during the term of the contract, except under the following conditions:

(1) When conditions are such that operations shall be restricted or ceased due to increased fire risk.

(2) Restricted periods for high recreation use shown in Section 10 of Solicitation. Contract Operations

Schedule

(3) When seasonal operating restrictions for active raptor nests are in effect. All active nest sites and areas of restriction are shown on CAM and listed in the solicitation under Protection Measures Needed for Plants Animals, Cultural Resources, and Cave Resources. Restrictions would apply:

(4) If new nests are discovered,

(5) When soil moisture conditions create excessive risk of damage to the soil,

(6) The government reserves the right to prioritize the order in which Units are treated.

(7) If any cultural or archeological sites are discovered during operations of this contract, work will be suspended in the immediate vicinity of the site until a reconnaissance survey is completed by the Forest Archeologist. Areas excluded from treatment shall be deleted from the contract.

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SECTION IV – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

For All Work Items:

At any point during the project, the Contractor and/or Project Manager may request (documented through email, text, or hand-written request) an in the field consultation with the Forest Service to inspect work progress, review contract specifications, or clarify issues. The Forest Service shall respond to Contractor’s request within 5 working days, excluding weekends and federal holidays.

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The following describes the major service items in the Contract and how the Forest Service intends to surveille the Contractor’s work. The purpose of the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is to describe the systematic methods used to measure performance and to identify the reports required and the resources to be employed. The QASP provides a means for evaluating whether the Contractor is meeting it’s performance standards in Appendix A, B, and C. The QASP is designed to define roles and responsibilities, identify the performance objectives, define methodologies used to monitor and evaluate performance, describe quality assurance reporting, and describe the analysis of quality assurance monitoring results. This section also details incentives and deductions for work not completed to standard.

As the performance on the project progresses, the levels of surveillance may be altered for service areas where performance is either consistently excellent or unsatisfactory. If consistently good performance, then the amount of surveillance may be reduced. If observations reveal consistent deficiencies, increased surveillance may be implemented.

The COR, or a designated inspector (GTM), will make periodic inspections while work is in progress, usually daily at first, as needed to ensure work is proceeding satisfactorily. The Contractor shall notify the COR when units are started, when problems are encountered and when contract work needs government oversight.

1. Each unit will be inspected as a separate unit. Unit will not be averaged with other units for acceptance or payment.

2. When units are completed and ready for government inspection, Contractor’s designated Project manager shall request unit inspection in writing, prior to moving out of the general area.

3. The COR, or designated inspector, will determine compliance with contract specifications through informal visual inspections. In the event visual inspection indicates work to be in non-compliance with specifications, prompt corrective action and/or rework shall be required.

Government Inspection Procedures – Item 1 and 3

1. In the event visual inspection indicates work and / or rework to be in non-compliance with contract specifications, a series of verification plots shall be installed by the Government to determine compliance with specifications and percent of satisfactory work for treatment of each unit not meeting specification as observed with visual inspection.

2. Government verification plots will consist of a series of fixed area plots, variable radius plots, and/or fuels transects to record whether density, basal area, best tree selection, residual coarse woody debris and other requirements are being met and to what extent.

3. Plots and grid will be distributed so that a representative sample is obtained.

4. The COR or designated inspector will mark the center of each plot on the ground using flagging, stakes, Page 10 of 15 Sandia Ranger District or pin flags. Additional flagging will be hung near the plot center so that it may be seen from a distance.

The inspector will include the plot number, their initials and date on the flagging.

5. Plots will be numbered to correlate with the inspection form and transects on a unit map.

6. The minimum number of verification plots, per treatment unit, shall be as follows:

Unit Acreage Minimum No. of Plots 1 – 9 1 plot per 2 acres 10 – 29 10 plots 30 – 59 1 plot per 4 acres 60 – 99 20 plots 100 1 plot per 5 acres

7. Determination of acceptability of the work performed will be based on Government verification inspections and will be considered conclusive.

8. At each plot, the Government will examine the plot area and record findings on the items listed below:

a. Plot number

b. DxP Acceptance Criteria see Appendix B, C6.36# Acceptance of Work

c. Stump Heights and Hang-up Trees

d. Amount of down debris (5 to 15 tons per acre).

a. If visual inspection does not indicate acceptable work, the Forest Service will install modified Brown’s Transects (30’; 1,000hr fuels + decay class only) to verify fuel loading.

e. Nearest machine piles satisfactory (size/location/material).

Government Inspection Procedures – Item 2

The COR, or designated inspector, will determine compliance with contract specifications through informal visual inspections. In the event visual inspection indicates work to be in non-compliance with specifications, prompt corrective action and/or rework shall be required.

Work for Item 2 must be satisfactory (100%) throughout the contract period when needed for public safety.

Government Inspection Procedures – Item 4

The COR, or designated inspector, will determine compliance with contract specifications through informal visual inspections. In the event visual inspection indicates work to be in non-compliance with specifications, prompt corrective action and/or rework shall be required.

The Forest Service may flag hazard trees missed if informal visual inspection indicates rework. Work for Item 2 must be satisfactory (100%). All designated hazard trees shall be felled and removed for public safety.

Unsatisfactory Performance

1. If the work quality falls below the acceptable quality level (AQL), the COR will immediately notify the Contractor, in writing, and request to improve the quality of rework.

2. If after rework has been performed and reinspected, and work quality still falls below minimum AQL percent, payment will either be made at a reduced rate, or not at all, as determined in SECTION V below.

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Reinspection Upon Contractor Request

1. If Government inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, a reinspection may be requested, in writing, within 5 business days after receipt of notice of said inspection results. The same inspection procedure will be used; however, the inspection pattern will be shifted so that new inspection plots will not overlap previously inspected plots.

2. If reinspection results – rounded up to the nearest whole percent – indicate a variance of more than 5 percent from the first inspection, the results of the second inspection will be used to calculate work quality and payment, and the Government will bear the cost of reinspection.

3. If reinspection results – rounded up to the nearest whole percent – are within 5 percent of the first inspection, plots from the initial inspection and the reinspection will be combined and used to calculate work quality and payment, and the Contractor shall bear the cost of reinspection.

Government Inspection Procedures – Items 1, 2, 3, 4

Table 1 – Minimum Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) of Work

ITEM DESCRIPTION SCHEDULE UNIT Min AQL

1 Unit Level Treatment MANDATORY ACRE 90%

2 Traffic Control MANDATORY EA 100%

3 Unit Level Treatment OPTIONAL ACRE 90%

4 Hazard Tree Removal OPTIONAL ACRE 100%

SECTION V – PAYMENT METHODS

Partial Payments

The Forest Service reserves the right to deny requests for partial payments.

Method of Measurement for Acreages

Acreages were determined by using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or digitized using GIS mapping. Some unit boundaries are flagged, the majority of boundaries are virtual.

Discernable Boundaries are boundary locations that are readily identifiable features on the ground in locations shown on the Contract Area Map. A Geo-Fence is a location on the ground corresponding to the boundary location shown on a mobile mapping device using a Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver using a digital vector file/shapefile. The digital vector file/shapefile will be provided as an attachment to the Contractor by the Forest Service at award. A digital list of the coordinates can be provided upon request.

Contractor is responsible for obtaining a GPS receiver(s) that is capable of determining the location of the geo-fence boundary within the contract tolerance. Allowable contract tolerance is 30 feet.

Forest Service inspection of treatment boundaries shall be conducted to determine treatments are within the allowable contract tolerance using the digital vector file/shapefile referenced above using a GPS Receiver with a minimum, tested accuracy in a Light- Medium canopy of 20 feet.

National Technology Development Program GPS Receiver accuracy reports by GPS manufacturer and model are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm. Forest Service determination of boundary location will be final.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm

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In case of a major disruption in GPS service, or lack of GPS coverage on the Contract Area beyond the control of the Contractor, as determined by the Contracting Officer, extension of time may be granted by Contracting Officer when requested in writing by Contractor in accordance with 52.212-4 (f) Excusable Delays. To resolve major disruption of GPS service, or lack of GPS coverage on the Contract Area, the Forest Service may elect to Mark Geo- Fence boundaries on the ground, in which case the Forest Service’s determination of boundary location will be final.

The acreage for each work item will be rounded to the nearest acre and is final unless:

a. The contract is modified or,

b. The Government makes a determination to remeasure or,

c. The Contractor exercises his/her option under the following Remeasurement provisions:

Remeasurement

1. The Contractor may request, in writing, remeasurement of any units under this contract if he/she feels that acreage stated on the project maps is incorrect. The remeasurement must be within the existing perimeter of the respective unit. No variance of the unit perimeters as laid out on the ground for this contract will be allowed. All requests for remeasurement must be made prior to payment for each completed unit. Remeasurement will be performed by the Government.

2. If remeasurement indicates that a variance of ten percent or less exists on units of 1 to 5 acres, five percent or less exists on units of more than five but less than 20 acres, or if three percent or less exists on units of 20 acres or larger, the Contractor shall pay for the actual costs of the remeasurement. Under this condition, payment will be made on the acreage stated on the project maps. If the remeasurement indicates the actual acreage varies by more than the above factors from that stated on the project maps, the payment will be made on the remeasured acreage and the Forest Service will pay for the cost of the remeasurement.

Acceptance and Payment – Item 1 and Item 3 Unit Level Treatment

1. If informal visual inspection indicates acceptable work quality, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

2. In the event that formal inspections are used, the rate of payment to the Contractor will be calculated as follows:

(a) For work quality of 90 percent or higher, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

(b) For work quality from 85 to 89 percent after rework, the Contractor will be paid the total multiplied by the bid rate.

(c) For work quality 85 percent and less after rework, no payment made to the Contractor.

Acceptance and Payment – Item 2 Traffic Control

1. Work for this item has a 100% minimum AQL (pass/fail). This item directly ties to public safety and the Forest Service will apply extra scrutiny to ensure that specifications are to standard and maintained throughout the Contract.

2. If informal visual inspection indicates acceptable work quality, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

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3. If work is found to be less than satisfactory (100%), the Forest Service will document the performance issue via a Notice of Noncompliance. Notice of Noncompliance will at a minimum include the following:

a. Issue(s) identified

b. Description of measures required to correct the noncompliance.

c. Reasonable period within which the noncompliance shall be corrected.

4. Repeat non-compliance and/or failure to remedy identified issues may result in a Cure Order or other appropriate actions by the Forest Service, including Stop Work and withholding of payment.

5. Depending on the severity of noncompliance, Forest Service reserves the right to suspend operations.

For example, if noncompliance issue presents a direct hazard to public safety.

Acceptance and Payment – Item 4 Hazard Tree Removal

1. If informal visual inspection indicates acceptable work quality, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

2. Only one rework opportunity will be allowed for this item.

* Stewardship Credits will be earned first, whenever practical. Forest Service Funds will be used if the availability of Stewardship Credits is exhausted or if appropriated dollars are obligated to a specific item.

SECTION VI – DEFINITIONS

ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL): Acceptance of work will be based on compliance with all specifications corresponding to the appropriate task(s). A minimum AQL is required for all service work – hand or mechanical. The minimum AQL will receive a satisfactory performance rating.

ANCHOR TREES: Healthy trees that are adjacent to or within existing trail prisms that contribute to bank and trail stabilization.

AUTHORIZED USER: An authorized user is any person(s) identified by the Forest Service who requires access to the Contract Area during the period of performance. For example, special use permit holders (or affiliates) that require access to the Sandia Crest Communications Site.

BIOMASS TREES: Any conifer material 2 feet in height to 4.9 inches DBH.

BOLE SPACING: The horizontal distance in feet from the edge of one leave tree bole to another leave tree bole, measured from the outside bark of each tree.

BROWNS TRANSECT: A line intercept method for measuring the amount of fuel on the ground.

BRUSH: Vegetation consisting of shrub species with single or multi-stems originating at or near ground level not normally reaching more than 15 feet in height.

CIRCULAR PLOT: A sample plot within a thinning unit that is used to determine the number of desirable trees and other contract specifications.

COARSE WOODY DEBRIS: Woody material left on the ground to meet wildlife habitat requirements.

CROWN RATIO: The ratio of live crown length (tip of leader to base of the crown) to total tree length/height.

CROWN SPACING: The horizontal distance in feet between the dripline of a live crown to another live crown.

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CLEARCUT: A cutting prescription in which all trees within a boundary are designated to be cut.

CROWN RATIO: The ratio of live crown length (tip of leader to base of the crown) to total tree length/height.

CROWN SPACING: The horizontal distance in feet between the dripline of a live crown to another live crown.

CUT TREES: Trees that do not possess the characteristics of desirable leave trees and are required to be cut.

As described by the contract or otherwise marked to be cut.

CUTTING UNIT: See Treatment Unit definition

DAMAGED TREES: Trees damaged beyond recovery. A tree that is larger than 2 feet in height, and has the top knocked out, is leaning more than 10 degrees, has less than one half of its original limbs, or has approximately 50% of bark removed from the circumference of the bole.

DBH: Diameter at breast height, measured at a point of 4.5 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

DECKING: Stockpiling of trees in a designated area.

DEAD/DYING TREES: Trees with the crown foliage changing from green to red, yellow, or needleless. Any tree that has pitch tubes indicating Mountain Pine Beetle infestation.

DESIGNATION BY SPECIES AND DIAMETER (DXSD): A cutting prescription in which species and diameter are used to determine which trees will be left and which will be cut.

DIB: Diameter inside bark.

HANG-UP TREE: Any cut tree suspended above ground level.

HEALTHY REGENERATION: Young, healthy, dwarf mistletoe free conifers, less than 4.9 inches in diameter, free of defect or characteristics.

LEAVE TREE: Trees that possess desirable characteristics and that serve to create the basis for designated spacing requirements or are otherwise designated to be left.

LOPPING AND/OR SCATTERING: Cutting limbs from trunks of cut trees, bucking, and moving and rearranging of slash concentrations to reduce the fuel bed height as specified.

NON-SAWTIMBER TREE: For all conifer species, minimum diameter of 5 inches DBH to minimum diameter by species identified in Appendix B, Division A.

OVERSTORY REMOVAL: A cutting prescription where all trees greater than a specified size are cut. Trees less than the specified size are protected.

PAYMENT UNIT: See Treatment Unit.

PILING: Gathering and stacking of downed wood and activity slash by hand or mechanical methods into piles constructed and located as indicated by technical specification and project maps.

PROGRESSION OF WORK: Work conducted in a progressive, workmanlike and orderly manner by the Contractor.

RESERVE CLUMPS: Groups of trees within a treatment area that are protected from cutting, may also include Individual Reserve trees.

SAWTIMBER TREE: Included timber meeting sawlog size specifications as defined in Appendix B, Division A.2.

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SLASH: Woody material existing or created that has accumulated on the forest floor. Woody material includes logs, pieces of logs, tops, and branches.

UNIT: See Treatment Unit.

TEMPORARY ROADS: Non-permanent roads that are constructed by Contractor for the purpose of treatment unit access.

TREATMENT UNIT: An individual area on the ground in which activities will be performed and which may appear as a separate pay item in the Schedule of Items.

UNSATISFACTORY WORK: If work quality falls below the AQL, the COR will issue a work order or notice of noncompliance to the Contractor in writing. Untreated or unsatisfactory treated areas shall be reworked to obtain satisfactory work quality.

VIRTUAL BOUNDARY: A unit boundary that is shown on the map but is not demarcated on the ground. The contractor must use mapping applications in order to locate these boundaries in the unit.

WHOLE TREE YARDING: Whole tree logging includes cutting tree and removing the entire tree, including tops and branches, to the landing.

WILDLIFE TREE: Standing tree marked to be reserved as a wildlife tree. Used by birds and small mammals for shelter, nesting, perching, etc.

SECTION VI – DEFINITIONS