A04_Statement_of_Work_CRLA_Munson_Trees_.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

(Attachment 1)

Fuels Reduction/Vegetation Management along Munson Valley Road, Crater Lake National Park

Klamath County, Oregon

140P8423Q0082

Project Description:

The National Park Service at Crater Lake National Park has a requirement to reduce the fuel load and change fuel arrangement inside the park’s boundary by mechanically cutting and piling small diameter, less that 7” diameter breast heigh (DBH) conifers along Munson Valley Road, from Headquarters to

Highway 62. The objective of this project is to reduce the fuel load and change fuel arrangement to reduce the intensity of wildland fire along the highway, which is the primary road leading into and out of the park from the South. There are only three egress routes from the park and over the last several years limited egress was a significant concern during major wildfire events. This project will not only provide safe egress of visitors, park staff, and Concessionaire employees, it will also lessen the intensity along the roadside and enable firefighters to safely try and contain a wildfire.

The Contractor shall furnish all equipment and sufficient personnel for selected maintenance (i.e., chain saws, tools, proper personal protective equipment, etc.) and all related incidental work as in accordance with the unit specifications stated herein. No Government furnished property shall be provided.

Project Area:

The Munson Valley Road Fuels Reduction project is approximately 160 acres in total. This unit starts at

Headquarters all the way to the intersection of Highway 62. This project will go 200 feet from the center line of the road, on both sides of the road. Where there are pull outs, the cut will also be adjusted so that there is approximately 190 feet cut from the edge of the pavement. Before work commences, the NPS will flag the project boundary in pink color flagging. See Project Map which is provided as a separate attachment.

This project is a mix of flat ground and areas with some slope. The forest inside this project is generally mixed conifer with lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, western white pine, white bark pine, red fir and mountain hemlock. The elevation of the project site ranges from 5800 ft to 6500 ft. Weather at this elevation can include rain, lightning, sun, snow, and occasional high winds (30-50 mph). All work shall be conducted within park boundaries.

Scope of Work:

The contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials, supplies and services to accomplish all work required under the following description of work. This shall include mobilization to and from work site.

Motorized equipment is limited to what can be hand-held and hand carried.

The contractor shall fell standing live trees <7” DBH and dead trees <10” DBH (Diameter at Breast

Height), and prune remaining trees, remove ladder fuels, buck up dead and down material, and pile all resulting material on site. All work must be conducted in a manner that protects park visitors, rare plants, archeological sites, park infrastructure, preserves wildlife habitat, and minimizes the aesthetic impacts of the work onto the park. The inside line of the project boundary will be flagged with pink flagging by NPS before work begins.

Future pile burning will be conducted by Crater Lake National Park personnel and is not part of this contract. Excluded areas (e.g., rare plant and wildlife habitat, archeological sites, etc.) will be identified and flagged by park personnel or will be identified by park provided archeological monitors.

Contractor is responsible for maintaining traffic control during operations where cutting will impact the roadway.

Fuels Reduction/Vegetation Management along Munson Valley Road, NPS‐CRLA

Contractor is responsible for providing polyethylene plastic to cover piles.

Work Standards and Thinning Prescription:

Thinning Prescription:

• Thin Conifers over 12” tall to 7” DBH. Leave all live trees over 7” DBH.

• Limb all live and dead branches on leave trees 6 to 8 feet above ground without reducing the live crown to less than 50% of the overall tree height. All pruning stobs will be less than 1/2 inch in length on all sides.

• Leave a minimum of ONE tree every 15 feet. If all trees are less than 7” DBH, pick one tree, with a preference toward red fir and mountain hemlock. Also look for the most vigorous tree or the one with the least visual defects for the leave tree.

• Cut and pile all “ladder” fuels within the drip line of existing trees and moving material at least 7 feet beyond remaining trees. Ladder fuels include brush greater than 1 foot tall and trees up to 7 inches DBH. Trees greater than 7 inches DBH SHALL NOT be removed.

• Burn piles will not be located at the base of remaining trees.

• Cut all regeneration and shrubs in the ditch alongside the road.

• General Appearance - Avoid straight lines, provide vertical diversity, avoid “sterilization”. Leave small clumps of trees and vary spacing.

• Flush cut all stumps within 3” of ground

• Snags (dead standing trees) - Cut snags less than 10” DBH, leave all snags great than 10” DBH.

• Woody Debris - Cut and pile all down material less than 7” in diameter. Leave all down material 7” and greater in their entirety. Avoid bucking logs that are not going to be piled.

• No cutting of live 5-needle pines (see attached photos) and deciduous trees.

• Work with park provided Archaeology Monitors to avoid piling in sensitive sites. These areas will be marked with red and white candy stripe color flagging and red and white striped color pin flagging.

• No piling within the road cut of the Diamond Lake Auto Trail.

• If can dumps or other artifacts are discovered, contact Archaeology Monitors (NPS) immediately and move on with thinning and piling by moving at least 30’ beyond last seen artifact.

• No live limbs shall be left on the stump of any cut stem.

• The COR may reserve individual snags from felling requirements when snags are deemed necessary for other resource goals. These snags will be flagged before work begins.

Figure one: 5 Needle pines

Excluded Areas:

Areas excluded from thinning will be flagged with orange flagging by NPS. The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting any identified flagged area or sensitive site.

Piling Prescription:

It was visually estimated the range of piles may be between 30-60 piles an acre for this project. There is no guarantee on the accuracy of the government estimate, and it is recommended prospective quoters visit the unit to make their own estimates. Vegetation varies throughout the unit and there are sections with lighter and heavier fuels.

• Hand pile all slash (natural dead and down, and activity slash) less than 7” in diameter and greater than 2 feet in length.

• Pile heights 4-6’

• Pile widths 4-6’

• All piles shall be constructed by laying limbs, stems, cut boles, and other slash in the pile to be parallel with each other. Slash that causes large air spaces in piles shall be cut to eliminate air spaces. Each pile shall include an area of small sized slash (small branches less than ¼ to ½ inch in diameter and/or small branches with needles or leaves attached) to provide “kindling” for prompt ignition and to aid in combustion of larger slash. These fuels shall be placed in the center of the pile.

• Piles shall be capped with 4 mil polyethylene plastic. Limbs or other woody debris should be placed over the piles to secure plastic against reasonable wind events. The plastic should cover approximately of 80% percent of the pile. All four corners and the middle of the plastic sheets shall be anchored with slash or other debris. Covering shall be done at the time of piling.

• Piles are not to be placed next to or on top of residual green trees, standing dead trees, on stumps, or near logs greater than 10” in diameter, or on trails or roads.

• Piles should be located a minimum of 15’ from existing live trees.

• Cut materials must be piled within 20 days of being cut.

• Piles will not be placed in ditch along road should be at least 20 feet off the edge of the asphalt.

Work Schedule:

This project is anticipated to take 60 days to complete.

Prior to project commencement, the contractor shall provide to the NPS an updated written work plan that details their work force, equipment, and schedule to provide for completion of the work within the contract performance time. This work schedule must be acceptable to the NPS. Adjustments in performance period of up to two weeks may be made to account for seasonal variation in weather and associated plant life cycles if jointly agreed upon by the contractor and the NPS.

Inspection/Acceptance:

As the basis for approving payment, quality assurance inspections will be conducted by NPS to confirm compliance with the project’s specifications and limitations. Inspections will be performed by a designated

NPS representative and may include use of pre- and post-treatment photographs.

Approval of payment for any work performed will require verification by NPS that average percent of undesirable material removed within the treatment area is within the specific work standards for each vegetation type as specified in the Statement of Work. If the Contractor’s activities result in damage to

Resources, the Contractor shall incur all expense associated with damage assessment, damage repair and monitoring.

If the quality of work does not meet the standards outlined in this Statement of Work, a designated NPS

Representative will document instances of unacceptable work with photos and a description of non-compliance. The Contractor will be notified by the CO of all findings of non-compliance. Upon notification by NPS of incorrect work, all corrective actions shall be completed by the Contractor within seven (7) calendar days.

Payments:

Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's

Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP) at www.ipp.gov. The Contractor shall upload their business invoice as an attachment to the IPP system before you click “submit” in IPP.

To avoid any potential payment delays, the Contractor is highly encouraged to submit a draft invoice to the attention of the CO and COR via email for review and informal approval prior to formally entering the payment request into IPP.

Additional Requirements:

1. Minimum Safety Requirements:

The COR will check for ALL these minimum safety requirements prior to work starting and frequently throughout the project. Any violation of these requirements will require the associated work to stop until these requirements are met.

a. Prior to work commencing on site, a site-specific safety plan shall be prepared and submitted by the contractor covering on-site work to be performed by the contractor and any subcontractors. The plan shall cover topics such as appropriate PPE (hardhat, eye protection, ear protection, chainsaw chaps while operating chainsaws, climbing equipment, etc.), and any other reasonable safety related topics commensurate with the size and nature of this work.

b. All employees shall have and use adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including, but not limited to, hard hat, hearing protection, eye protection, sturdy footwear, and gloves. When running a chainsaw, or within 10 feet of a running saw, chaps shall be worn. Chaps shall be free of saw cuts and other significant damage. The Contractor is responsible for providing all necessary tools and supplies, and appropriate PPE.

c. Contractor and operators shall follow all OSHA regulations which apply to the work activities. OSHA Regulations for tree removal operations can be found at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id =9862 http://www.ipp.gov/ http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id

d. The contractor shall keep a first aid kit that meets the OSHA requirements on site when cutting (see appendix A of the OSHA logging requirements).

e. The contractor shall have at least one First Aid certified employee on site during cutting operations. The First Aid certified employee shall carry written certification showing currency.

f. The contractor shall maintain the ability to contact 911 or Crater Lake Law Enforcement within 15 minutes in case of an emergency. Cell phone coverage is limited in the work area. Radio frequencies for Crater Lake National Park will be provided upon request.

Government radios will NOT be provided.

g. The nearest known emergency medical facility is Sky Lakes Medical Center at 2865 Daggett Ave, Klamath Falls OR (541) 882-6311 (in an emergency call 911). The contractor shall become familiar with this facility’s location and capacity and make this information known to all employees working on the project prior to starting work.

h. Saw gas shall be properly stored in an approved “safety can” without damage. Cans shall be no more than 5.3 gallons and have a fully functional lid or spout cover that is designed to relieve internal pressures if subjected to fire. Leaky cans, cans without lids, or lids that leak when knocked over shall be removed from the project and the park. Fuel and bar oil shall not be left on site overnight.

i. Contractor shall have minor spill protection and spill clean-up equipment on site; a tarp, five (5) gallon bucket and shovel shall suffice when working on the forest floor.

2. Pre-work Field Inspection and Conference

A pre-work field inspection and conference will be arranged between the Contractor, the Contracting

Officer’s Representative (COR) and National Park Service Resource Management Personnel. Meeting place will be at Headquarters.

At the beginning of the first workday, the Contractor and a designated NPS representative will meet to ensure that proper equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are being used. The designated

NPS representative shall periodically monitor work progress to ensure the work limitations and specifications are properly understood and implemented. Any change to the agreed scope of work must be addressed with the Contracting Officer (CO) prior to change.

3. Smoking

Smoking is prohibited except in developed campgrounds, vehicles, or while in an area of at least three feet in diameter that is barren of all flammable materials. All smoking filters (butts) shall be properly disposed of in an approved refuse receptacle as opposed to being discarded on the ground.

4. Food Storage

When not in use, food, lawfully taken wildlife and fish, garbage, and containers and equipment used to cook or store food shall be contained within bear-resistant food storage lockers or out of sight in a hard sided vehicle or vehicle trunk. No provisions for camping in the park will be made available to the contractor.

5. Garbage and Sewage

Garbage and food residue shall be kept inside bear proof garbage cans or closed vehicles and always made unavailable to wildlife. All garbage shall be removed daily. These rules also apply to lunchtime garbage, which include fruit peelings, apple cores, nut shells or excess food. Exposure of any food or residues which could attract bears is strictly prohibited.

6. Invasive Plants

Everything used in project implementation (e.g., vehicles, trailers, equipment, tools, etc.) shall arrive in Crater Lake National Park clean and free of off-site soil and/or organic debris. This equipment will be inspected by park staff (COR, or Natural Resource Botany Staff) before the project begins. Personnel involved in project implementation shall make daily checks of boots, boot laces, packs, etc. to ensure no “hitchhiking” weed seeds are introduced to the project area. Boot brushes and trash bags shall be provided by contractor.

7. Toilet Facilities

Utilize “Leave No Trace” ethics while in the park. Please see www.LNT.org for details. There are vault toilets located just south of the entrance stations; these are the only facilities in the unit.

8. Cultural Resources

The archaeological resources in Crater Lake National Park are a valuable record of human history of this area. In addition, such resources (including arrowheads, chert or obsidian chips, mortars, pestles, old homesteading or logging equipment, old glass, etc.) are protected by federal legislation. Removal or displacement of any cultural resources is prohibited. Many of the areas covered by this proposal are archeologically sensitive. Specifically,

a. If concealed archeological resources are encountered during project activities, all work in the vicinity will stop, steps necessary to protect the resources from imminent damage will be taken, and the COR or other park staff acting as project inspectors will be notified immediately. Buffer the area of the resources by 30’ and contractor work can continue.

9. Weapons

The use of weapons by the contractor is prohibited.

10. Storage and Parking Areas

Parking areas shall be established in existing pull outs only. Storage of equipment and supplies are not allowed on site; all gear, equipment, and supplies shall be removed nightly.

11. Communications

Contractor shall furnish a serviceable cellular telephone, radio, or other NPS-approved device while on- site to communicate with the National Park Service and to provide for the safety of the contract employees.

If the Contractor’s employees do not speak English, the Contractor’s job site supervisor shall be fluent and conversant in both English and the language of their non-English speaking employees.

The Contractor shall contact the COR with project progress notifications prior to completion of each workday. As the Contractor near the completion of the specified work, a site visit will be scheduled with the COR and/or designated inspector to determine if the work has been successfully completed.

http://www.lnt.org/

12. Resource Damage

a. Any ruts and road damage caused by the Contractor will be repaired by the Contractor at their expense.

b. If the Contractor’s activities result in damage to Resources, the Contractor shall incur all expense associated with damage assessment, damage repair and monitoring.

c. Parking in pull outs and picnic areas is required. Do not park off-pavement on vegetation.

d. No off-road vehicle use is allowed. Vehicle use is limited to the same roads as the public.

e. The building of lunch, warming, and other fires within National Park Service property is prohibited.

f. No cutting down of live aspen, 5 needle pines, and incense cedar.

g. No cutting live or dead trees with cavity nests or other signs of significant wildlife use.

h. Prior to spring 2024 work, contractor must coordinate with the COR for start of work. A 3-week lead time is required to allow NPS to conduct the required wildlife monitoring prior to the contractor starting back up for work on site in the spring.

i. All conduct outside of the specified work is subject to park rules and regulations concerning littering, wildlife harassment, collecting, resource damage and other topics as specified for the NPS in the Code of Federal Regulations title 36, which can be found at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/

13. Oregon Farm/Forest Labor Contractor's License

If the State of Oregon requires an Oregon Farm/Forest Labor Contractor's License, then the contractor awarded this contract and all first-tier subcontractors shall be required to obtain and maintain, during the term of this contract, such a license. Contractors not having a current license will be required to furnish evidence of having obtained such license within ten (10) days after receipt of written notification of contract award. Failure to obtain, keep and maintain a current license during the term of this contract or the extension thereof shall be a basis for termination for default.

Information on obtaining this license may be obtained from:

Bureau of Labor and Industries Contact: Licensing Unit

Wage and Hour Division Telephone: (503) 373-1463

3865 Wolverine St. NE; E-1 Fax: (503) 373-7636

Salem, OR 97305-1268

Contractor must visibly post fair wage rules, injury rules, and other applicable rules/rights at the work site or in work vehicles. Given the outdoor work environment it is acceptable to hand out this information to each employee.

14. Prevent Fire Starts

To prevent accidental fire starts, saws shall be equipped with spark arrestors. Any accidental fire starts shall be reported immediately. Should the fire exceed the size of a campfire and threaten workers’ safety, they should depart the area and call 911 or Crater Lake National Park Fire Management immediately.

15. Fire Danger Season

If the COR allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR and outlined in Appendix A at the end of this document.

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/

APPENDIX A: SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF WORK DURING FIRE DANGER SEASON

If the COR allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR and outlined in this section.

FIRE REQUIREMENTS

South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership Fire Danger Operating Plan is located here: South Central Oregon FDOP NW 6.pdf (nifc.gov).

FIRE PRECAUTION LEVELS

There are 4 fire precaution levels that begin with level 1 at the start of the closed fire season and can go through level 4 if conditions warrant. The fire precaution levels restrict certain forest operations as the fire danger increases. It is the responsibility of the individual operating on forest land to know the precaution level for the day and take the correct fire precautions. There are no precaution levels prior to the closed fire season. Each fire precaution level requires adherence to the restrictions applicable to all lower levels in addition to the limits placed by that level.

Level 1 is the lowest level of fire danger usually occurring early in the season and perhaps again after significant rainfall during the season. All requirements listed above apply. Waivers may be issued by the State Districts or Protective Associations, and these MUST be approved by the NPS. Waivers will only be considered if the conditions on the work site are not as severe as predicted. The requirements for fire tools on site, screens installed in saws, and fire extinguishers with saws will not be waived.

Level 2 is the partial hoot-owl where saws can operate from first light in the morning until 1:00 pm. in the afternoon. From 1:00 p.m. until the end of the day saws are to be shut down. Waivers for operating beyond the 1:00 p m. shutdown will be evaluated on a site-by-site basis.

Level 3 is the partial shutdown of all forest industrial operations and shuts down contractor operations with few exceptions. Waivers may be issued on a site-by-site basis.

Level 4 is the general shutdown of all contractor operations. Waivers will not be issued.

ORS. 477.066 requires that an operator on forest land take immediate action to control and extinguish a fire on forest land. The contractor shall take this action and notify the NPS immediately.

OAR. 629-43-030 requires watchmen to be:

● Physically capable and experienced in operating any firefighting equipment on site.

● On duty for 3 hours after the shutdown of the last power-driven equipment for the day.

● Furnished adequate facilities for transportation and communications to summon assistance if needed.

FIRE TOOLS REQUIRED DURING CLOSED FIRE SEASON

The operator/contractor shall furnish fire tools to all personnel on site using the following combinations.

In addition to the above hand-tools, the operator/contractor must provide a backpack pump can filled with water located with the toolbox in a readily available area. All shovels are to be size 0 or larger, long handled. All tools shall be sharp and ready for service. Fire extinguishers as follows:

For chainsaws - 8 oz. capacity by weight.

For vehicles - UL rating of at least 4 BC.

• To prevent accidental fire starts, saws must be equipped with spark arrestors. Any accidental fire starts should be reported immediately. Should the fire exceed the size of a campfire and threaten workers safety they should depart the area and call 911 or Crater Lake National Park Fire Management.