A04_SOW.docx

SOW – Tamarac NWR – Interior Firebreak Construction Overview Bids are being considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the harvest and mechanical treatment of approximately 0.46 miles (2.24 acres) of new fire break creation at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located within T141N R39 Sections 12 & 13 (See attached map). This fuel break will be a new creation and target overgrown abandoned logging roads where feasible. Work will include the removal of mixed northern hardwood stands comprised of aspen, oak, maple, and basswood with a small component of additional tree species within the understory, such as, hazel (Corylus spp.), dogwood (Cornus spp.) and willow (Salix spp.). The firebreak construction location (see project map) targets a populated area adjacent to Tamarac NWR which is southeast of Dry Lake. Ultimately, these fuel breaks through contiguous timber will aid in reducing wildfire spread to adjacent private, county, and tribal lands that are moderately populated and highly recreated. This project will also aid in fire suppression needs in the future, improve tribal access for traditional gathering and cultural ceremonies, and improve emergency access throughout the Refuge.

Time frame: Construction of fire break completion is targeted for completion December 31, 2025, however there will be a time period between May 30, 2025 through August 15, 2025 when no work can be performed.

Total length of Designated Fire Breaks:

· Dry Lake: 0.46 mile

Approximate Width of Designated Fire Breaks: 40 feet each

Approximate Acreage of Designated Fire Breaks:

· Dry Lake: 2.24 acres

Contractors may contact Tamarac NWR to set up a site visit before submitting a bid to inspect the treatment area, as the size and density of the trees and brush are not always consistent throughout each of the fire break project areas.

Vegetation Removal Guidelines The removal of vegetation within these fire breaks will require both brushing/saplings cutting/mastication and timber harvest (cutting and removal) to a width of 40' along a linear route flagged in the field. Vegetation or fuel removal will be done with any combination of mechanical mowing, sawing, mulching, chipping, tree shearing, or stump grinding. Various implements such as: feller buncher, skidder, excavator, tractor, front end loader, and/or skid steer may be utilized to achieve a 40’ wide fuel break with an up to 15’ foot overhead clearance and a passable driving surface free of large boulders, stumps, or slash.

The fire break line intended for timber cut and mastication will be marked with flagging tape or paint. Individual trees, brush, and saplings of varying size are to be cut at ground level. Treatment requirements include the cutting and removal of all tree species with a diameter ˃ 3” and mastication of all woody plant material < 3” within all sections of the fire break. Individual trees, brush and saplings are to be cut to ground level and removed from the fire break. No piles of woody debris should be left within or piled adjacent to the fire break. All woody material ˃ 3” must be removed from the site. Slash must be masticated to the greatest extent possible and scattered evenly across the site, piled, or pushed away from the fire break, or removed from the project area. Woody material < 3” that is not removed should be scattered and mulched > 100 feet from the fire break. All tree and brush stumps are required to be cut, ground, or masticated to ground level in order to limit stump sprouting and facilitate future maintenance of the fire break.

Operations may be halted at the discretion of the Tamarac NWR Project Managers for any reason, such as: post treatment site conditions are not being met, or if weather results in an inability to complete project operations, or ground conditions or soil resource becomes threatened (ie; rutting).

Special Considerations:

Equipment: The Contractor shall furnish at its own expense all equipment, labor, tools, transportation, and fuel necessary to perform and complete the Project.

Timing: The Contractor shall complete work as described herein and specified by Tamarac NWR Project Managers only during daylight hours unless otherwise directed or permission is provided by Project Managers. The Contractor shall provide advance notice to Project Managers before initiating work. No Project shall begin on a weekend or holiday unless permission is provided. No work shall be commenced until the Contractor receives a confirmation to proceed from Tamarac NWR Project Managers.

Wetland and Cultural Resources: Preserving the integrity of soil and cultural resources is of the highest concern to Tamarac NWR. As such, Tamarac NWR reserves the right to suspend all contracted actions if rutting or damage to the soil resource occurs. Contractor shall cease/suspend all operations if significant rutting or soil disturbance occurs and contact Tamarac Project Managers before proceeding further. Additionally, if evidence of cultural resources (e.g. bones of human or unknown origin, artifacts, structures, etc.) are found, Contractor will immediately cease work and notify the Tamarac NWR Project Managers. In the interest of preservation, project operations may be halted to avoid damaging cultural resources.

Endangered Species: Project operations and schedule may be adjusted due to protection guidelines for endangered species.

Invasive Species: Tamarac NWR requires active steps to prevent or limit the introduction, establishment, and spread of invasive species during contracted work. The Contractor shall prevent invasive species from entering or spreading within a project site by cleaning equipment prior to arriving.

If the equipment, vehicles, gear, or clothing arrives at the project site with soil, aggregate material, mulch, or vegetation (including seeds) the Contractor may be required to remove equipment from site until it is deemed free from harmful contaminants and vegetation. All equipment must be clean and leak free before work begins.

Tamarac NWR shall be responsible for identifying the location of any known infestations and share the information with the Contractor, who shall be responsible for communicating any precautions needed to its staff. Parking and staging areas and travel routes shall not be within known infestations. If the site is known to have invasive species, clean equipment, vehicles, and boots of all plant material and soil prior to leaving the site. If the Contractor discovers additional invasive species infestation areas during the project, the Contractor is to report the newly discovered infestation to Tamarac NWR Project Managers.

Damage Prevention and Maintenance: Contractor shall exercise reasonable care to prevent undue damage to the forest, roads, and skid trails and undue risk to public safety. The contractor assumes all liability for persons or property damaged due to project operations or the moving of equipment. Tamarac NWR Project Managers shall have authority to temporarily close down all or any part of the Contractor’s operations to prevent damage and threats to public safety.

Forest roads used in connection with this project shall be kept in passable condition for normal use. Contractor will not create any new roads and will confirm project site access routes with the Tamarac NWR Project Managers. The Contractor shall remove daily all bottles, cans, paper, and other litter from the project site.

The Contractor shall not drain or dump grease, hydraulic fluid, oil, fuel, antifreeze, or hazardous material on the public lands property. If a spill or leak occurs, the Contractor is responsible for the cleanup and proper disposal of the spilled material, contaminated materials used to contain or clean-up the spill, and contaminated soil. The Contractor shall notify the Tamarac NWR Project Managers immediately of any spill of hazardous material.

The Contractor is responsible for repairing any and all damage to property that results from project operations described herein. Tamarac NWR reserve the right to stop project operations due to weather-related conditions that reduce the ability of the contractor to complete quality work or threaten public property or safety.

Access: Tamarac NWR will supply a combination lock for gates and Contractor will be required to close gates when entering and exiting Project sites and forest roads or trails.

Monitoring: Tamarac NWR will conduct regular site visits to monitor the quality and progress of mechanical treatments within Project areas. Project monitoring will be conducted by Tamarac NWR Project Managers. Monitoring visits will include observation and assessment of areas completed by the Contractor at the time of the visit to ensure that post treatment conditions are in accordance with contractual requirements.

Tamarac NWR Contact for this project:

Wayne Brininger, Wildlife Biologist Wayne_brininger@fws.gov 218.849.9870

Eric Mark Glacial Ridge NWR 17788 349th St SE Erskine, MN 56535 Eric_mark@fws.gov

701.425.9080 cell