A04_SOW_Agassiz_NWR.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge

22996 290th Street NE

Middle River, MN 56737

218/461-8970

STATEMENT OF WORK

Agassiz NWR Levee Brush and Tree Removal

Overview:

Seeking quotes from contractors for woody vegetation removal on Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge.

This project includes mowing/mulching and cut/stump treatments on levees within Agassiz NWR. Tree removal is being complete in order to enhance firebreaks within the refuge. Specifications on work will be outlined below. See attached map for worksite locations.

Location:

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, 22996 290th Street NE, Middle River, Minnesota 56737

See attached map for worksite locations.

Contact Information:

Cody Okeson

Deputy Refuge Manager

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge

320-333-4933 cody_okeson@fws.gov

James Graham

Refuge Manager

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge

218-689-7987

James_graham@fws.gov

Contractor Responsibilities:

• Prior to starting work on site, the contractor must inform Contact listed above at least 48 hours in advance.

• It is HIGHLY recommended that contactors visit the site prior to submitting a bid or quote. Bids must include any mobilization or other related fees.

• Work cannot begin until after: November 15th, 2026

• Work must be completed by: March 15st, 2027

• Equipment left on-site must be secured and is the sole responsibility of the contractor.

• Equipment must be cleaned pre and post entry of the site for noxious and invasive species.

• Work will be conducted in a manner that will minimize rutting, disturbance, or compaction of soil or sod and the spread of noxious and invasive species.

• Payment will be processed following receipt of proper invoices and inspection of work for contract compliance.

• Submit complete herbicide application record upon completion of work.

General Mowing Guidelines and Tree Removal Specifications:

All Work Areas (see attached map):

• Mow, grind, or hand cut all woody vegetation within the levee. This includes the full width of the levee from ditch bottom to ditch bottom. (See attached map).

• Mow, grind, or hand cut all woody vegetation stems as close to ground level as possible. The

FWS Site Manager shall have final determination.

• Mowing may occur at snow level when depths are 10 inches or less, except stumps with a basal diameter of 2 inches or larger must be ground to within 2 inches of ground level.

• All mowing of smaller diameter brush and trees must occur before felling of larger diameter trees, so felled trees do not obscure mowing access to brush.

• All trees too large to mow/grind must be hand felled as close to the ground as possible. In no case shall the hand cutting height be more than 2 inches above ground level.

o Trees must be felled away from ditches and removed from the levee area. Trees felled into ditches or access trails must be bucked and removed.

o Trees may need to be piled in area with larger dense trees being cut. Pile locations will be outside of levee area and approved by project manager. See tree pile specifications below.

• If brush does not cut off cleanly, or if rutting or uprooting of trees or sod occurs, halt operation and contact the FWS Site Manager.

Tree Pile Specifications

Contractor will work with FWS Site Manager to determine pile locations. All piles must be placed greater than 50 feet from the levee area. Piles must be stacked to allow for consumption by fire and should follow these specifications.

• Remove as much earthen material from trees as possible. If a dozer is used to assist in piling trees, DO NOT scrape the dirt/soil into the pile.

• Stack trees and woody debris tightly and uniformly in piles, with a mixture of fuel sizes throughout the pile. Place the majority of the smaller diameter fuels on the pile bottom for more effective burn consumption.

• Cut lateral limbs off of trunks and substantial secondary limbs (facilitates better packing of the pile). No treetops on top of the pile with branches protruding toward the sky.

• Orient trunks and limbs parallel to each other as much as possible to facilitate better pile packing.

• Avoid placing all the larger tree stumps (largest diameter fuel) in one location.

• Pile size must be larger than 10(length) x 10(width) x 5(height) feet.

• Do not exceed a pile size of 25(length) x 25(width) x 20(height) feet. Individual pieces are not to exceed 20 feet in length. Building a larger pile often results in the fuels being too spread out on the ground once the pile burns down, unable to benefit from heat being generated by other smoldering/burning fuels, allowing fuels to cool and decreasing consumption.

• Heavy equipment is necessary to make most piles as tight as necessary. Relying on the weight of trunks to compact a pile can be effective, but applying pressure with heavy equipment to compact the pile should be a standard operating procedure.