A04_-_Forestry_Mowing_-_SOW.pdf

Statement of Work

Farm Unit 2 (Monty’s), Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area.

This project involves forestry mowing flush with ground invading trees in farmland conservation buffers and levees.

1. Introduction and Overview

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area was established in 1994 in Pike and Gibson Counties to conserve and manage habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds, resident wildlife, and endangered and threatened species. Active habitat management of wetland, forest, and prairie habitats occur on the nearly 13,000 acres acquired to date. The refuge offers public hunting and fishing, wildlife viewing and photography, environmental education and interpretation.

The refuge headquarters is located in Oakland City, IN.

Farm Unit 2 is located in Gibson County northwest of crossroads S 1050E and E 50N northwest of Oakland City, Indiana and is comprised of 249 acres of farmland, conservation buffers, and levees. See Attachment A and B.

1.1 Background

As described in the refuge 2017 Habitat Management Plan, staff at the refuge actively manage some early successional habitat (i.e., prairie and conservation buffers) for migratory birds and pollinators. Periodically early successional units need some form of disturbance to produce the habitat conditions desired for the aforementioned species. Without regular disturbance, the unit will encounter woody vegetation encroachment. Conservation buffers and other early successional areas typically receive disturbance in the form of mowing, disking, and/or prescribed fire. Infrastructure such as levees receive regular yearly mowing to maintain the integrity of the levee by preventing woody species from growing onto and weakening the levee with tree roots. The focal areas on this project were unable to be mowed or disked for a period of multiple years because of wet conditions and have since grown up in scattered small (<3” diameter) trees.

Forestry mowing is an effective technique to remove woody vegetation and cut stumps flush with minimal disturbance to other vegetation and soils. Cutting the stumps flush without leaving a stub will allow follow up management of these areas in the future without the likelihood of ruining tractor tires while mowing, disking, spraying, or otherwise accessing the site.

1.2 Objective

The objective of this project is to remove woody vegetation in various locations on Farm Unit 2 by cutting and grinding the material flush with the ground using a forestry mower mounted on a skid steer (equipment described in #2). Woody species in this project are all 3” diameter or less and comprised of mostly of willow, cottonwood, sweetgum, and maple

Completing this project would allow the Refuge to continue to manage the area as intended for migratory birds and pollinators, allow farming operations and access to continue, improve public viewing of wildlife, and increase safe access for the management of the site.

1.3 Period of Performance

August 1 through September 30, 2025. No mowing shall begin before August 1 to minimize impacts to nesting birds. Performance period is 30 calendar days from Notice to Proceed but can be flexible based on accessibility of the site (i.e., dry enough to prevent rutting).

2. Scope of Work

This project in Farm Unit 2 consists of:

A. 3/4 mile of removing scattered woody material on side of levee (dams are approximately 15 feet wide)

B. Completely forestry mowing 30-acre conservation buffer flush to the ground that has scattered woody material contained in it.

See Attachments B (Aerial photo with project area marked) and C (Site photos).

The Contractor shall:

A. The contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, supplies, and transportation to perform the desired forestry mowing.

B. In the areas to be forestry mowed woody material shall be cut flush to the ground with all cut material to be ground up with the forestry mowing attachment. No stubs shall be left to allow for future follow up management like mowing, disking, spraying and general access without the chance of ruining tractor tires. Areas are designated on the attached maps.

C. The forestry mowing shall be done with a heavy-duty hydraulic forestry mowing attachment (i.e., Fecon brand) mounted to a tracked skid steer machine to minimize soil disturbance.

D. Minimum equipment requirements: 100 Horsepower skid steer with rubber tracks, 40 gallon per minute hydraulic flow for head attachment, planar teeth on attachment (for cutting flush/level with ground).

E. Prior to starting work, the Contractor shall meet with Refuge staff to review the project.

3. Place and Deliverables

The work will be performed at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area in

Gibson County at Farm Unit 2.

The project completion date may be extended due to weather-related delays or wet conditions by coordinating with the Contracting Officer.

4. Location: See location on map – Attachments A and B.

5. Inspection (and Acceptance)

Work shall be inspected by FWS representative (Contracting Officer Representative – COR, Heath Hamilton).

Final acceptance shall occur upon; a) approval of all work at final inspection by COR, b) receipt of closeout submittals, and c) receipt of release of claims.

6. Availability

Headquarters of the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area is located at

510 ½ W Morton St, Oakland City, IN 47660. Offerors are highly encouraged to schedule a site visit with Heath Hamilton, Acting Refuge Manager, at (812) 749-3199 prior to submitting a proposal.

Project work activities are permitted from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm CDT Monday through Friday, and on weekends with permission, except Federal holidays.

7. Attachments

Attachment A – Refuge Overview Map with Project Area Marked

Attachment B – Aerial Photo with Project Areas Marked - Farm Unit 2

Attachment C – Pictures – Site Photos – Farm Unit 2

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Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area

The USFWS makes no warranty for use of this map and cannot be held liable for actions or decisions based on map content.

Source of information from FWS Cadrestral date August 10, 2022, NWI, Indiana.edu and refuge office.

Produced at Refuge Office, Oakland City, IN.

Acquired to date: 10,699 acres Acquisition area: 22,472 acres Conservation easement: 1,043 acres Refuge Established: 9/7/1994

Refuge Map 2022 - 2023

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Refuge public use regulations apply to refuge lands and Columbia Mine Preserve.

Respective brochures

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Closed to Hunting (see inset)

Private Property

Columbia Mine Preserve-Refuge Conservation Easement. Restricted hunting applies

Refuge Land - Restricted Hunting - Columbia Mine Preserve Regulations Apply

Refer to appropriate brochure for respective hunting and fishing regulations on Columbia Mine Preserve and refuge owned lands.

Railroad September 28, 2022 Revised April 10, 2024

Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Patoka_River/map.html

Forestry Mow Work Areas

1. Farm Unit 2

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Attachment A: Forestry Mow Work Areas - Overview MapAttachment A: Forestry Mow Work Areas - Overview Map

Forestry Mow Work Areas Conservation Buffer and Levee

Legend

Conservation Buffer - 30 Acres

Farmed Field 8 - 185 acres

Levee (.75 mile)

3000 ft

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Attachment B

Attachment C Pictures – Site Photos – Farm Unit 2

Pictures

Farm Unit 2 levee with scattered trees on the slope. Levee is .75 miles long.

An example of plant material to be removed mowing the entire 30-acre conservation buffer.

An example of plant material to be removed mowing the entire 30-acre conservation buffer.