A04_KlamathMarshNWR_SOW_Amended_07262023.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (Amended) Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Habitat Enhancement on Klamath Marsh NWR

July 26, 2023

GENERAL:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Klamath Basin NWR Complex, 4009 Hill Rd., Tulelake, CA, 96134, has a need for hazardous fuels reduction in portions of the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in rural, Klamath County, Oregon. Rural residences, cultural resources, valuable hydrologic features, and important wildlife habitat are present on lands in and adjacent to Klamath Marsh NWR. This area has many permanent residences and is surrounded by private and federally owned forest and range lands. The Klamath County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2016) identifies lands near Klamath Marsh NWR as Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). The CWPP specifically identifies the Sand Creek area as being at high risk for wildfire danger and recommends reducing current fuel loading.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to implement treatments to reduce hazardous fuel loading and restore the beneficial effects of fire to the ecosystem within Klamath Marsh NWR.

Treatment will reduce lodgepole encroachment in historic meadows and aspen stands.

Additionally, a mechanical fuels reduction treatment on refuge lands will create a strategic fuel break near property boundaries, reduce the potential for crown driven wildfire, and reduce the overall likelihood of undesirable fire behavior.

DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK:

Treatment will consist of small tree thinning and/or removal, pruning, and mowing/mastication of brush on suitable ground within the boundary of the Klamath Marsh NWR (see Map 1). Final treatment acreage is dependent upon site conditions (slope, rocks, vegetation structure, etc.) and funding. Units will be delineated after the contract has been awarded. Treatment will be accomplished by hand operated chainsaws and ground based mechanical equipment including but not limited to rubber tired or tracked skidders, excavators, and skid steers with mastication or mowing implements.

The contract may include option years, but the treatment acreage and funding will vary for each year. The initial work will be no less than 200 acres.

Bids will need to be submitted with a cost per acre ($/acre) format.

The proposed treatment will result in meadow and habitat enhancement, aspen stand improvement, and hazardous fuels reduction. The understory will be more open with isolated pockets of residual brush. Leave trees will be limbed to a height that prevents ground fire from spreading into the canopy. The prescription will include specific items such as:

Areas of Conifer Encroachment into Historic Meadows

• Remove all trees <12” dbh (except aspen) to an average crown to crown spacing of 15’ across the project area. This will allow for clumps and gaps throughout the project area.

• Remove brush and areas of dense fuel loading (jackpots) that will act as ladder fuels.

• Approximately 15% of the project area will be left for habitat retention and wildlife cover. Retention clumps shall not exceed 1.5 acres. This will be negotiated once the project is awarded.

• No trees >12” dbh will be removed unless they pose as safety concern to those working in the area.

• No snags 8” dbh or greater shall be cut.

• Limb leave trees to a height of 6’ or greater.

• No downed material >16” in diameter will be mowed, masticated, or piled. Limbs acting as ladder fuels will be removed from these logs.

• Species preference will be aspen, ponderosa, lodgepole, juniper.

Areas of Aspen

• Clear all conifers <14” dbh within aspen stands.

• Clear all conifers <14” dbh within 30’ of aspen stands.

• No snags 8” dbh or greater shall be cut.

Activity Constraints

• For areas within ½ mile of an active bald eagle nest, treatment will occur outside the nesting season of January 1 – August 15.

• For areas designated as calving and fawning for mule deer and elk, treatment will not occur between May 15 – July 15.

• Mechanical equipment will be excluded within 100’ of surface water source. Frozen ground conditions may reduce this exclusion zone.

• Manual or hand thinning may be necessary is sensitive meadow areas or aspen stands.

• In pine stands, at least 15% of the area will be retained as clumps or thickets. Minor thinning and limbing may occur within these areas.

• Sensitive cultural areas may have site specific precautions and constraints.

• Contractor will follow Oregon Industrial Fire Precaution Level guidelines.

PLACE/DELIVERY AND PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The contractor shall visit Klamath Marsh NWR (see Map 1) and meet with the Refuge staff to refine project objectives and implementation scope and to identify any potential issues prior to project implementation. The contractor will not begin work until given approval by the Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist.

The anticipated period of performance shall be September 1st, 2023, through September 30th, 2026. Dates are subject to change based on option year execution.

Project area is usually accessible mid-March through November and during periods of frozen ground conditions. Drier years may allow for access outside this time frame. Work may be permitted during favorable ground conditions regardless of time of year unless wildlife Limited Operating Periods (LOPs) or Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs) prohibit acceptable working conditions.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE:

Evaluation and acceptance will be determined by the Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist and/or designated refuge staff.

The contractor shall take special care to protect government property, cultural resources, and sensitive natural resources during the execution of the work.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT OR MATERIAL/INFORMATION:

The government will not furnish any equipment to complete the work. The Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist or his designated representative will provide guidance, maps of the project area, and access to the work site as required.

AVAILABILTY:

Normal duty hours are Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. In the event of an emergency the contractor shall provide contact information.

Non-duty hours include weeknights, weekends, and government holidays.

Site visits prior to proposal submittal should be coordinated with the technical POC on the final contract.

Map 1. Project Area