A04_SOW_Bottomland_Forest_Restoration_Howard_Creek_Final.pdf

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge

Statement of Work for

Site Preparation and Tree Planting to Restore Mesic Bottomland Forest

SCOPE: This Statement of Work defines the tasks required to convert 5 to 10 acres of reed canary grass to floodplain forest on the Howard Creek Unit of the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge).

The Habitat Management Plan for the Refuge considers mesic forest to be the target restoration community for the area around Howard Creek where reed canary grass meadow currently dominates the project area. This project area will be converted from reed canary dominated meadow to bottomland forest to provide breeding and stopover habitat for wildlife including neotropical migratory birds and tree-roosting bats.

Restoration of this project area will utilize four methods: herbicide site preparation, mechanical site preparation, nucleated (clustered) tree and shrub planting, and post-planting tree seedling herbicide weed maintenance.

The items listed below are to be bid and awarded through this scope:

1. Apply two foliar broadcast herbicide applications to 5 to 10 acres of reed canary grass and other herbaceous vegetation within the “2024 Tree Planting” Project Area polygons identified in the attached map in purple outline during 2024. A total of 5 acres of area is included in these foliar treatment polygons. However, if the project cost is less than the government’s not to exceed cost, the project area, (Fig. 1 purple polygons) may be expanded up to 10 acres. The application should occur twice during the growing season (preferably September/October and May). Vegetation should be green and actively growing at the time of application. Chemical herbicide selected for use will be approved by the refuge prior to application, but shall be of the following specifications:

• Initial choice for reed canary grass foliar treatments is clethodim and an approved surfactant per application rates and conditions specified in Pesticide Use Proposal #R3-24-32579-011 (attached)

• Secondary choice for reed canary grass foliar treatments is glyphosate and an approved surfactant per application rates and conditions specified in Pesticide Use Proposal #R3-24-32579-001 (attached)

2. Conduct soil scarification treatments to the areas within the “2024 Tree Planting” Project Area polygons identified in the attached map in purple outline. A total of 5 acres is included in these scarification polygons which share the same footprint as the herbicide application polygons. The objective of this treatment is to create visible bare soil in a minimum of 95% of the area within the boundary of the Project Area using tillage style equipment such as an agricultural tractor and disc.

This mechanical site prep shall be implemented in such a way to ensure a loose, bare mineral seedbed to a depth between six (6) and twelve (12) inches deep across at least 95% of any area designated for mechanical site prep treatments. Mechanical site prep shall be restricted to the upper twelve (12) inches of soil and this depth. Mechanical site prep shall not be completed until the herbicide site prep has deadened reed canary grass within the project area. Scarification shall be completed to ensure a bare mineral soil seedbed no later than June 1 of the growing season following herbicide site prep

(see #1) treatments.

3. Conduct tree and shrub planting in the applied nucleation (clustered) spacing arrangement within the

“2024 Tree Planting” Project Area polygons identified in the attached map in purple outline after the scarification is complete. A total of 5 acres of area is included in these clustered planting polygons. All trees shall be planted in a square of 9 trees at 15 x 15 ft spacing (0.046 acres per clump). An outer ring of 24 bareroot shrub seedlings shall be planted at a 7.5 foot spacing 7.5 feet outside the outer planted trees (Figure 1). The number of clusters planted should equal 7 clusters per acre for a total of 35 clusters split across the two Project Area polygons. Planting may occur between October 1 and July 1

(if the ground is not frozen or forecasted to freeze within one month). Each containerized tree will receive one hardwood stake and one bark protector. Every planted tree cluster will require a GPS location. Coordinates of collected tree cluster must be under 3 meters from the center tree of each 9-tree cluster.

• Approved species list and quantities of planting materials is listed below in Table 1.

4. Perform herbicide tree seedling maintenance around nucleation planted trees and shrubs for three growing seasons following planting. For seedlings fall planted in 2024, this would include one herbicide application in the May 2025, a subsequent application a year later in May 2026, and a final application in the third spring following planting in May 2027. A 3 foot radius around each planted tree and shrub shall be deadened with a foliar contact herbicide, preventing herbicide damage to planted seedlings. Any seedlings showing herbicide drift damage shall be replaced by the contractor.

• Foliar treatments are to consist of glyphosate or clethodim and an approved surfactant per application rates specified in Pesticide Use Proposal # R3-24-32579-001 (attached)

• Japanese hops (Humulus japonicus) is not currently known to be present on the site, but if it is encountered at any location within any treatment zone, it must be documented with a GPS coordinate, treated with herbicide, notified to refuge contact, and re-visited and re-treated during typical herbicide re-entry.

Figure 1. Applied nucleation cluster planting layout

STOCK TYPE: Trees and shrubs selected for the project shall be from seed collected from Midwest sites no further than 500 miles from the project site. Trees shall be grown in a container with soil with an overall plant height no less than 4 feet tall. Shrubs selected for this project shall be of bareroot stock with a minimum height of two feet from root collar to apical meristem. All trees grown in at least 3-gallon containers shall be produced by an air root-pruned method to develop a dense, fibrous, non-curling root system. The only known sources for the specified wetland adapted, root pruned containerized seedlings include Forrest Keeling Nursery, Elsberry, Missouri, and Woody Warehouse, Lizton, Indiana. They refer to this product as “conservation grade RPM” (root production method) containerized seedlings. The successful contractor is responsible for the purchase, delivery, and condition of the planting stock. Early communication with the nursery(ies) is expected to occur to ensure that tree and shrub species requirements will meet contract specifications at the time of planting.

SPECIES AND ARRANGEMENT: The species (Table 1) of trees and shrubs shall be intermingled amongst the clusters with respect to stock type as depicted in Figure 1. Within each cluster, species of trees and shrubs should be planted in an alternated arrangement, so that more than 2 species of tree and shrub respectively are within each cluster. Tree and shrub species may be substituted after consultation and approval by the refuge contact listed below. All trees shall be planted in a square of 9 trees at 15 x 15 ft spacing (0.046 acres per cluster). An outer ring of 24 bareroot shrub seedlings shall be planted at a 7.5 foot spacing 7.5 feet outside the outer planted trees (Figure 1). The number of clusters planted should equal 7 clusters per acre, 17 clusters in one project area polygon, 18 clusters in the other project area polygon for at total of 35 clusters across the 5 acre Project Area.

STAKING AND SHELTERING: Each planted tree shall be staked with a hardwood (oak preferred) stake no smaller than 0.75 inches in diameter and 48 inches in length. The stake shall be hammered through the upstream (western side) side of each planted tree’s root ball between 2 and 4 inches from the planted stem so that the stake penetrates the root ball and into the native soil beneath the planted tree to anchor the tree from flowing floodwaters. Planted bareroot shrubs will not be staked.

Each planted tree shall be protected with tree shelters that are at a minimum 47 inches in height. Shrub species do not need to be sheltered. Pre-cut shelters such as the 47 inch Plantra “trunk saver” shelters are recommended since they are precut lengthwise for ease in sliding around large containerized tree stock as required by this statement of work. Placed shelters around stem of tree should be in contact with the soil surface and no more than 0.5 inch above the surface of the soil to prevent rodent entry. To accommodate the shelter, trees may be pruned cleanly as to leave more than 2/3 of the tree’s canopy intact. Tree shelters may be trimmed to a height no less than 36” to accommodate smaller stock types. The shelter should be securely fastened to the hardwood stake located on the north side of each tree with a zip tie, tied twine, or similar product to be removed at a later date by the refuge. Planted bareroot shrubs will not be sheltered.

Table 1. Tree and Shrub Species Specifications and Planting Materials.

Planting Material Minimum

Height

Common Name Scientific Name Quantity Total

Quantity

Swamp White

Oak

Quercus bicolor 70

White Oak Quercus alba 70

Containerized Tree 4 feet

Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa 70 315

Any gallon pot Silver Maple Acer saccharinum 35

Hackberry Celtis occidentalis 35

River Birch Betula nigra 35

Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum 168

Red Osier Cornus sericea 168

Bareroot Shrub 3 feet Nannyberry Viburnum lentago 168 840

Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius 168

Buttonbush Cephalanus occidentalis 168

Plantra Solid Wall

Tree Bark Guard

47 inch NA NA NA 315

Hardwood Stake 4 feet NA NA NA 315

Total Materials 1785

CONTAINERIZED TREE GUIDELINES: Containerized tree roots and potting material will remain moist from the time they are delivered from the nursery until they are planted into the ground. Trees will not have terminal leaders broken off during transport and handling efforts. Preference from the government is to consider palletizing trees and shrubs at the nursery to reduce damage during transport.

Handling, staging, and storage of trees must meet nursery standards preventing unnecessary stress and/or damage to the trees. All trees must be inspected and approved by the refuge prior to planting. At the time of inspection, the refuge contact will determine if tree roots are moist, that roots are not frozen, terminal leader is intact, tree height is correct, quantities per tree species is correct, and handling of trees meet requirements of this contract and industry standards. Failure to pass 100% of these requirements means all or individual trees will be rejected. Rejected trees are required to be replaced at the cost of the contractor.

Rejection of trees at any time from delivery and staging prior to being planted will be replaced at no additional cost to the government.

During planting operations, all trees must be inspected for circle roots; roots growing around the edge of the pot that are greater than ¼ inch in diameter. All circle roots must be properly pruned as discovered while removing trees from their individual pots. Roots will be cleanly cut, not torn or shredded off.

Proper tree and shrub handling and planting techniques must meet nursery industry standards. The hole dug for the tree must be wide and deep enough to plant the root ball without smashing the roots during back filling. The tree must be planted with the top of the root flare at or just below ground level. Loose soil must be placed above the root mass during planting and is not to exceed 1 inch above the top of the root flare. Soil is to be gently backfilled around the roots so that there are no air gaps between the root mass and edge of the hole. Trees and shrubs will be planted so that the terminal leader is oriented vertically without any significant lean past 10 degrees. Avoid planting at least one week before suspected frozen ground conditions.

All nursery materials must be removed and properly disposed of prior to placing the tree in the ground;

this is to include bamboo posts, fasteners, tape, labels, pot, etc. Variation of these requirements will require approval of the refuge contact. All considerations above will be used as Acceptable Quality

Levels (AQL) metrics during Quality Assurance (QA) inspection. Failure to achieve above 95% accuracy will require rework at no additional cost to the refuge.

All planting efforts will require spatial data delivery. Every planted tree cluster will require a GPS location. Coordinates of collected tree cluster must be under 3 meters from the center tree of each 9-tree cluster. The contractor may provide an alternative spatial data collection format prior to planting efforts for approval by the refuge contact. All considerations for spatial data delivery will be used as metrics during QA inspection. Failure to achieve above 99% accuracy will require rework at no additional cost to the government.

Any planting stock substitutions may be authorized by the discretion of the government to meet required quantities and heights per species. All proposed substitutions must be provided in writing to the refuge contact to include nursery location, quantities by species and by height in units of 6 inches.

Documentation from at least 3 nurseries, meeting requested planting material requirements, must be provided to show lack of availability to approve any substitution.

BAREROOT SHRUB GUIDELINES: Bareroot nursery stock shall be kept cool and moist but not submerged in water prior to planting. Planting shall occur as soon as possible from when the stock is acquired from the nursery. Bareroot stock shall be stored under a tarp and/or in the shade while working on the project site. Handling, staging, and storage of shrubs must meet nursery standards preventing unnecessary stress and/or damage to the stock. Roots shall be trimmed to an overall length of no less than

6 inches and no greater than 10 inches. All shrubs must be inspected and approved by the refuge prior to planting. At the time of inspection, the refuge contact will determine if shrub roots are moist, that roots are not frozen, height is correct, quantities per species is correct, and handling of shrubs meet requirements of this contract and industry standards. Failure to pass 100% of these requirements means all or individual shrubs will be rejected. Rejected shrubs are required to be replaced at the cost of the contractor. Rejection of trees at any time from delivery and staging prior to being planted will be replaced at no additional cost to the refuge.

During planting operations, a dibble bar or similar tool will be used to create a furrow for the shrub roots.

The hole dug for the tree must be wide and deep enough to plant the root without “J-hooking” the roots during back filling. The shrub must be planted with the top of the root flare at or just below ground level.

Soil furrow shall be closed around the roots so that there are no air gaps between the root mass and edge of the hole. No spatial location data is to be collected for shrub planting locations. Avoid planting at least one week before suspected frozen ground conditions.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL: Quality assurance visits by Refuge contact will determine if work meets Acceptable Quality Levels (as listed above in this scope) to avoid rework or reduction in payment. Meetings or site visits will be scheduled to discuss AQL levels if needed.

After 12 months post planting, a minimum threshold of planted stock survivorship shall be no less than

80% survival of tree species in each cluster. If survivorship, due to factors the contractor can control, is below the minimum threshold, the responsible party will have another 12-month period to replant trees at the same specifications listed in this document to attain the desired survivorship.

Measurement and Payment

The measurement of meeting contract requirements and payment will be determined per line item. The cost per unit per line item is to include all labor, travel costs, equipment, materials, mobilization, demobilization, and any other associated costs.

Contractor Submittals with Bid

1. The contractor is to provide a cost per unit per line item and the total amount of all line item totals added up.

2. The contractor is to provide the list of staff that will be implementing potential herbicide application and to provide their associated pesticide applicator license for the state of Iowa.

Due to restrictions on operating UAS or other aerial equipment over Federal land, aerial applications will not be allowed.

All herbicide applications shall be applied only when surface (20-foot winds) have a southern direction (Southwestern, southern, or southeastern origin) with forecasted south winds for the remainder of the workday.

LOCATION: Howard Creek is located in north central Clayton County about 1 mile south of

Farmersburg, Iowa and 6.5 miles north of the Fern Ridge Unit. The project area in this unit is accessible with a variety of equipment.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: August 1, 2024, to October 31, 2027

WORK SCHEDULE: Work will be performed any day of the week during daylight hours, except on

Federal Holidays.

CONTACTS: Kendra Pednault, District Manager, McGregor District: Upper Mississippi River National

Wildlife and Fish Refuge, kendra_pednault@fws.gov, phone 608-306-2202 mailto:kendra_pednault@fws.gov