311000_clearing_and_grubbing_R4.pdf

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USDA FOREST SERVICE, R-4

(PROJECT TITLE)

SECTION 311000 - CLEARING AND GRUBBING

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY

A. This work shall consist of clearing, grubbing, trimming, removing, and disposing of or treatment of timber, construction slash, and debris. This work shall also include preservation of vegetation and objects designated to remain from injury or defacement.

1.2 RELATED SECTIONS

A. Section 024100 “Waste Material Disposal.”

1.3 DEFINITIONS

A. Areas to be Cleared and Grubbed - The limits of clearing and grubbing will be established by this specification, by other specification items, or on contract Drawings.

The clearing and grubbing limits will normally coincide with the designated working limits; however, the Contracting Officer may also designate individual trees and snags outside the clearing limits for selective removal and disposal, or he may designate areas within the working limits where clearing and grubbing is not required or allowed within the provisions of this specification.

1. Grading Limits - Area that is to be excavated or covered with additional materials during construction.

2. Working Limits - Area consisting of the grading limits plus room for equipment to maneuver to perform the necessary clearing and grubbing. These limits, to be held to a minimum, will be designated for each project.

3. Clearing Limits - Area consisting of the working limits plus any additional area to operate a boom or other above-ground clearance requirement.

1.4 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

CHOOSE ONE PARAGRAPH BELOW:

A. There will be no separate measurement or payment for work in this Section. Clearing and Grubbing is considered incidental to other items of work shown in the Schedule of Items.

B. The quantity to be measured shall be number of acres and fractions thereof, cleared and grubbed within the designated clearing limits indicated on the drawings or staking in the field by the Contracting Officer. Areas not shown on the drawings or not staked for clearing and grubbing will not be measured for payment.

C. Payment shall be lump sum for Clearing and Grubbing.

D. The quantity to be measured shall be the linear feet, station, or miles measured along the construction centerline. The designated units of measurement shall be as listed in the Schedule of Items.

E. The quantity to be measured shall be the number of individual trees of various size-designations removed. Tree diameters will be measured at a height of 12 inches above the ground. Trees less than 6 inches in diameter will not be measured as individual tree removal. When the Schedule of Items indicates measurement by individual unit basis, the units will be designated and measured in accordance with the following Schedule of Sizes:

Size of Least Diameter At Height of 12 inches Designation

Over 6 inches to 24 inches

Small

Over 24 inches to 40 inches Medium Over 40 inches Large

F. When an item for "Individual Removal of Trees, Miscellaneous" is shown in the BID SCHEDULE, measurement will be the number of trees designated to be removed regardless of size.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS (Not Applicable)

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 CLEARING AND GRUBBING

NOTE TO DESIGNER: Designate indicate items to be salvaged on Drawings or in schedules.

A. All trees, brush, shrubs, stumps, roots, and other vegetative material and debris within the designated clearing limits, shall be cleared, grubbed, removed, and disposed of except the following condition:

1. Those items designated to remain by the Contract or Contracting Officer.

2. Undisturbed stumps outside the roadway, trailway, and parking area, provided they do not extend more than 12 inches above the original ground (measured from the uphill side) and are not closer than 2 feet from the edge of road or parking area, are not in the cut or fill slopes, and they do not interfere with the placement or compaction of embankments.

B. All roots over 3 inches in diameter within the roadbed area shall be grubbed to a minimum depth of 6 inches below subgrade. Roots over 3 inches in diameter protruding from the excavated slope shall be cut flush with the excavated slope surface.

C. Clearing slash shall be treated in accordance with “Slash Treatment” paragraph below.

D. Trees shall be felled within the clearing limits, usually towards the center, so as to prevent damage to the trees that are to be left standing. In some cases, controlled felling, cutting of trees into sections from the top downward, or other means shall be used when required to prevent damage to property, structures, traffic, and trees/vegetation to remain.

E. Fire-dangerous dead trees or unstable live trees, designated by the Contracting Officer within [the project area], [200 feet slope distance of the centerline of roads] shall be cut off not more than 12 inches above the uphill ground line and utilized or removed.

F. Branches on remaining trees or shrubs shall be trimmed to give a clear height of 14 feet above the roadbed unless otherwise shown on the Drawings. Tree limbs shall be trimmed as near flush with the trunk as practicable.

3.2 UTILIZATION OF TIMBER

A. Merchantable timber is timber that meets Utilization Standards. Utilization Standards shall be trees larger than 8-inches in diameter measured 12-inches above grade.

B. Utilization and Removal of Timber: Trees that meet “Merchantable Timber” standards shall be treated as follows:

1. Logs meeting utilization standards shall be limbed and decked at locations shown on the Drawings or approved by the Contracting Officer. Decking shall be done in such a manner that logs are piled parallel one to the other, can reasonably be removed by standard log loading equipment, will not damage standing trees, and will not roll. Decks shall be free of brush and soil. Title to all such timber cut from National Forest land shall remain with the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in accordance with its regular procedures, unless otherwise specified.

2. Removal from Government Land. Merchantable timber, designated for removal, shall become the property of the contractor without charge and removed from Government land. This timber shall not be exported from the United States nor used as substitution (as defined in 36 CFR 223 Subpart D) for timber from private lands exported by the contractor or an affiliate directly or indirectly.

3. Logs meeting utilization standards shall be limbed, cut into 16-inch to 36-inch lengths, and stacked in various locations throughout the recreation development.

Logs stacked shall be stable and free of brush and soil.

4. Disposal as Unmerchantable Timber. Timber on this project is not considered merchantable and shall be disposed of in accordance with “Slash Treatment” paragraph below.

3.3 PIONEER

A. Pioneering operations shall be done in a manner that prevents undercutting of final excavation slopes, maintains materials within the road, trail, or parking limits, and controls runoff.

3.4 SLASH TREATMENT

DESIGNER: Opinions on how slash should be treated varies widely from project to project.

Ask Forest contact which method is preferred and delete the rest, or use options below to designate in schedule of items or to be determined by the CO during the contract. Some methods cost more than others, so it is best to make a choice and delete the unneeded options.

A. Treatment of construction slash larger than 3-inches in diameter and 3-feet in length shall be accomplished by one or more of the following methods [as Designated in the Schedule of Items][as Designated by the Contracting Officer]:

1. Scattering: Construction slash shall be scattered outside the clearing limits without damaging trees. All logs shall be limbed and placed away from trees, positioned so they will not roll, and not be placed on top of one another. Stumps shall be removed and disposed of off site. Other construction slash shall be limbed and scattered to reduce slash concentrations.

2. Burying: Construction slash shall be buried at the locations shown on the Drawings and designated on the ground. Construction slash shall be matted down in layers and covered with at least 2 feet of rock and soil. The final surface shall be smoothed and sloped to drain.

3. Chipping: Construction slash up to at least 3 inches in diameter and longer than 3 feet shall be processed through a chipping machine. Chips shall be deposited on embankment slopes or outside the roadway to a loose depth not exceeding 6 inches. Minor amounts of chips may be permitted within the roadway if they are thoroughly mixed with soil and do not form a layer.

4. Piling and Burning: Construction slash shall be deposited in areas shown on the Drawings and designated on the ground. Piles shall be constructed so that burning does not damage standing trees. If burning is incomplete, the slash remaining shall be repiled and burned until pieces are reduced to less than 3 inches in diameter and 3 feet in length. These pieces shall then be scattered.

5. Decking Unmerchantable Material: Logs not meeting utilization standards and other material that exceeds 8-inches in diameter shall be decked in areas shown on the Drawings and approved by the Contracting Officer. Material shall be cut into lengths not to exceed 32 feet and all limbs removed. Decks shall be stable and free of brush and soil.

6. Stacking of Unmerchantable Material: Logs not meeting utilization standards and other material that exceeds 4-inches in diameter shall be limbed, cut into 16-inch to 36-inch lengths, and stacked in various locations throughout the recreation development. Log stacked shall be stable and free of brush and soil.

7. Removal: Construction slash shall be removed or hauled to locations shown on the Drawings and designated on the ground.

8. Piling: Construction slash shall be piled in areas shown on the Drawings and designated on the ground for later burning or disposal by others. Piles shall be placed and constructed so burning will not damage remaining trees. All stumps shall be reasonably free of dirt. Unmerchantable logs shall be cut into lengths less than 20 feet prior to placement in the pile.

9. Placing Slash on Embankment Slopes: Construction slash shall be placed on completed embankment slopes to reduce soil erosion where shown on the Drawings. Construction slash shall be placed as flat as practicable on the completed slope. Slash shall be placed from the toe of the embankment to a point at least 2 feet below subgrade elevation. Priority for the use of available slash shall be given to (1) through fills, (2) inside of curves, and (3) ditch relief outlets.

B. Construction slash less than 3 inches in diameter and 3 feet in length may be scattered within the clearing limits.

C. No construction slash shall be deposited in lakes, meadows, streams, or streambeds.

Construction slash that interferes with drainage structures shall be removed immediately.

3.5 CLEARING OR CLEARING AND GRUBBING REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIOUS

ITEMS:

A. Paths and Trails - The path and trail clearing limits shall be 3 feet on each side of the tread centerline and extend to a height of 8 feet above the tread. Shrubs normally growing less than 2 feet tall when mature shall be left undisturbed where they occur outside the cut and fill slope areas. All branches, except short shrubs, which extend into the travelway shall be removed by cutting them flush with the trunk of the tree or shrub.

B. Roadways and Parking Areas - On roadways and parking areas, the area to be grubbed shall be an area between the cut and/or fill stakes. The clearing area will normally be an additional 5 feet on each side of the grubbed area and shall extend to a height of 14 feet above the finished roadway surface.

C. Snow Play Areas - Clearing for the snow play areas will consist of the removal of trees, larger shrubs, and other objects as designated. No heavy construction equipment will be permitted on slopes steeper than 20 percent. Stumps and trees within the designated snow play areas are to be cut not to exceed 4 inches above ground level and stumps are not to be removed. Shrubs indicated for removal are to be cut off at ground level. All disturbed areas resulting from the clearing operation are to be smoothed and compacted.

D. Summer Play Areas - Trees and shrubs are to be removed from summer play area sites.

Tree stumps may be left if cut within 4 inches of the finished ground surface.

E. Trenches for Water, Sewer, Electrical Lines, and other Underground Utilities - If no reference is made elsewhere, a clearing of [5][10] feet on each side of centerline will be allowed.

F. Buildings - Construction work shall disturb a minimum of the existing terrain and plant life adjacent to the building site. Only trees, shrubs, stumps, and major roots which interfere may be removed. When excavation reveals the major roots of a live and significant tree nearby, the Contractor shall not remove the tree unless it interferes with the construction and removal is authorized by Contracting Officer.

1. Comfort Stations, Pumphouse, and Sewage Lift Stations - Maximum clearing limits shall be confined to an area 20 feet outside the outside structure foundation wall on two sides and to an area 10 feet outside the outside structure foundation wall on the other two sides, unless otherwise shown on Drawings.

2. Offices, Homes, and Warehouses - Maximum clearing limits shall be confined to an area 50 feet outside the outside structure foundation wall on one side and to an area 15 feet outside the outside structure foundation wall on the other three sides, unless otherwise shown on the Drawings.

3. Bituminous-Surfaced Pads, Fire Areas, and Other Campground Items (Hydrants, Wastewater Sumps, Tent Sites, Pads at Individual Units, Trailer Dump Station, etc.) - Maximum clearing limits shall be confined to an area 5 feet outside the exterior sides of the completed unit on three sides. On the fourth side, sufficient space will be allowed to properly perform the work with equipment of sufficient size to do the work. Normally, the limits will be as indicated on the Drawings.

Construction work shall disturb a minimum of the existing terrain and plant life adjacent to the site work. Branches of trees extending over the cleared area shall be trimmed to give a clear height of 12 feet above the cleared areas.

G. Wells: The clearing area shall be minimized, but shall be large enough for the well to be constructed safely. Provide an adequate area for the well drilling rig to operate.

H. On Site Wastewater Systems and Drainfields - for drainfields and absorption beds, clearing and grubbing limits shall be the entire area that contains the drainfield and/or absorption bed and to a minimum of 10 feet outside the edge of the drainfield or absorption bed. All stumps and large root balls shall be removed from the area.

I. Septic Tanks and Sewage Holding Tanks – Clearing and grubbing limits shall be a minimum of 5 feet outside the edge of the tank.

3.6 TEMPORARY EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL

Delete this Article if erosion and sedimentation control measures are included in Division 1 "Temporary Facilities and Controls."

Add specific procedures or installation requirements for temporary soil protection and stabilization, erosion controls, stormwater runoff controls, and sedimentation controls. If particular products are required, add product standards and descriptions to Part 2. Select second option in first paragraph below to comply with LEED Prerequisite SS 1 if sediment and erosion control plan is included in the Contract Documents; select third option if Contractor is required to provide sediment and erosion control plan to comply with LEED Prerequisite SS 1.

A. Provide temporary erosion and sedimentation control measures to prevent soil erosion and discharge of soil-bearing water runoff or airborne dust to adjacent properties and walkways, according to[ Section 023701 “Sediment and Erosion Control Measures.”] [requirements of authorities having jurisdiction] [sediment and erosion control Drawings] [a sediment and erosion control plan, specific to the site, that complies with EPA 832/R-92-005 or requirements of authorities having jurisdiction, whichever is more stringent].

B. Inspect, repair, and maintain erosion and sedimentation control measures during construction until permanent vegetation has been established.

C. Remove erosion and sedimentation controls and restore and stabilize areas disturbed during removal.

3.7 WASTE DISPOSAL

A. Debris and refuse shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 024100 “Waste Material Disposal”.

REVISION HISTORY:

PRIMARY AUTHOR: KEN A. GODDARD, WRITTEN DURING THE

WATER/WASTEWATER SPEC-WRITING SESSION IN JANUARY, 2004. CREATED

FROM R-2 MASTERSPECS AND R-4 CSI SPEC. REPLACES R-4 SPEC (SECTION 02130).

12/2004: REVIEWED AND EDITED BY D. WEWER.

3/21/2006: D. Wewer - Updated Section to new numbering system.

? - ? – Several Edits seemed to have been made.

8/30/06: D. Wewer – Put “Grading Limits” back into the definitions.

3/3/2010: D. Wewer – Fixed Editor’s Notes formatting.

3/4/2010: D. Wewer – Added clearing limit requirements around wells.

12/13/2010: D. Wewer – Added option for CO to designate slash treatment method. Added Editors Note selecting slash treatment methods.

3/29/2011 D. Wewer: Made minor edits.

END OF SECTION 311000

March 2024