A04_2025_Lake_Corral_Windthrow_Removal_SOO_0001.pdf

Statement of Objectives

2025 Lake Corral Windthrow Tree Removal Project

Purpose

The goal of this fuel reduction project is to use crews and equipment to remove windthrow trees from a mastication project completed in 2023. Intent is to maintain defensible space adjacent to structures to protect human life, infrastructure and resources from the threat of wildfires. Ground fuels will be reduced so crown fire and ground fire advance are significantly slowed.

The following is the statement of objectives presented to potential bidders to adequately complete hazard fuel reduction on 17 acres at Lake Village in Yellowstone National Park

Project Objectives

1. Crews will gather and haul to predetermined firewood collection locations, 100% of down trees larger than 3 inches in diameter from within the 17 acre unit used for horse pasture.

2. Limbs will be removed on site and stacked in piles for future burning.

3. Minimize ground disturbance as much as practicable.

4. Avoid damaging any wetlands and whitebark pine trees.

5. Minimize impact to NPS horse corral operations, visitors, residents and traffic.

Project Description

The site where this project will occur is within Yellowstone National Park at Lake Village. The project area is

17 acres within the Lake NPS horse pasture. Approximately 200 windthrow Lodgepole Pine trees from a 2023 storm are on the ground with most having already been limbed and cut to varying lengths. Most of the limbs had been chipped previously but approximately 40 whole trees remain. Equipment may be driven anywhere within the unit to access down trees except for marked wetlands and as ground conditions allow. Trees may be cut to any length to accommodate transportation to predetermined firewood staging areas. Both firewood staging areas are within 3 miles of the project site.

The project area is in a Lodgepole pine forest with most of the terrain being relatively flat. The unit to be treated is identified as block 2 on the attached map. Access is to the unit is on paved or gravel road until you enter the corral where you will be on dirt or native surfaces. Due to gate size restrictions, equipment must be able to fit through a 9-foot wide and 12-foot tall opening. All logs shall be transported out through the corral gate.

Contractor is responsible for providing their own lodging. The NPS will provide RV/camper hookup sites near the project area if the vendor chooses to rent or bring their own RV/camper.

This is a service contract focused on removing down ground fuels post mastication treatment. A site tour may be conducted to provide prospective bidders the opportunity to assess the fuel loading and to calculate their expenses.

Work specifications:

1. Gather and haul to predetermined firewood collection locations 100% of downed trees larger than 3 inches in diameter. Logs too rotten to pick up or not suitable for firewood may be left in place.

2. Tree limbs will be removed from trees on site and stacked in burn piles at least 30 feet from nearby trees.

Pile size may be up to 10 feet high and 20 feet wide in a circular or linear windrow shape.

3. Logs may be skidded within the 17-acre pasture but must loaded onto a wheeled transport vehicle upon leaving the pasture. Contractor shall utilize chip bed ground cover when skidding logs as much as practicable to avoid drag marks in grass and native soil. A chip bed covers the majority of the project area.

4. Contractor is responsible for protecting travel surfaces by avoiding if wet or soft.

5. Contractor will rake-out any berms taller than 6 inches upon project completion.

6. Mechanical work can start after September1st and go until weather no longer allows work in the unit, typically late October.

7. Logs piles deposited at the firewood collection sites site will not exceed 6 feet in height.

8. Contractor will ensure gates are closed as needed in the corral to ensure horses do not escape.

Mitigations

1. Avoid working in areas where ground is soft or if equipment is leaving ruts.

2. NPS will flag as many whitebark pine trees 4” (10 cm) DBH and greater throughout the unit for avoidance. Several clumps of smaller sized whitebark pine will also be flagged and avoided.

3. Wetlands and sensitive resource areas will be mapped, flagged by the NPS, and fully avoided by contractor.

4. To avoid impacts to visitor experience, the Contracting Officer Representative or Project

Inspector will be available to answer questions during the treatments.

5. The contractor is responsible for transporting all equipment to and from the project site.

6. Inspections: All vehicles, equipment and materials entering the park shall be subject to inspection by the NPS. Any contractor that needs to bring vehicles, equipment or materials into the park, needs to notify the Project Manager a minimum of 72 hours prior to the anticipated entry into the park. Following such notification, the NPS will schedule a date, time and location of the required inspection and notify contractor of the same.

7. All vehicles and equipment must be washed prior to entering the park. This is to minimize any spread of non-native species into the work area.

8. All equipment shall be leak-free, and all servicing must occur in a location approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

9. All food and drinks must be secured at all times day and night. Grizzly bears and other wildlife frequent the work and living areas for this project. No food or drinks can be left outside or in the back of pick-up trucks any length of time unless it is in the possession of someone. The

COR will also ensure all project related employees, such as contract employees, will be given orientation on how to avoid disturbing or encountering bears and how to minimize unavoidable effects or encounters. Orientation would include information about park regulations regarding bear safety, disposal of garbage and other bear attractants, and approaching or harassing wildlife.

10. Contactor is responsible for providing gas and diesel. Refuel and service equipment at least 150 feet from waterbodies. There is a gas station at Fishing Bridge developed area. Contractor supplied bulk fuel tanks are allowed on site with the approval of the COR.

11. Delivery Work Hours: Work of operating heavy equipment shall be approved by Contracting

Officer Representative, any day between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm, unless prior permission is granted by the Contracting Officer (CO).

12. Personal protective equipment (PPE): Contractor is responsible for providing and wearing all

PPE according to OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I regulations.

13. Contractor must submit a project safety plan and must also maintain basic first aid supplies which must be under charge of a person trained to administer first aid.

14. Lodging: Contractor is responsible for providing their own lodging. If desired, contractor may rent or use personal RV’s or camping trailers. RV/Trailer sites will be provided by the NPS at no cost to contractor.

15. Yellowstone NP will provide road and area closure as necessary as work progresses.

16. Yellowstone NP will provide emergency fire suppression response.

Figure 1: Aerial image of unit 2, Lake corral log removal project.

Figure 2: General map of Lake hazard fuel treatment area.

Figure 3: Image of down trees within project area.

Figure 3: Image of down trees within project area.