Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

Statement of Work for Planted Tree Maintenance & Fuels Reduction

SCOPE: This Statement of Work defines the work required to treat fuels around planted trees and shrubs and maintain planted trees/shrubs at multiple sites on the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge). See site specific notes for history and timing of treatment required for each site.

Site Visits: A site visit is highly recommended prior to submitting a quotation. Site visits may be scheduled by contacting Jennifer Froehly, Wildlife Biologist:

Jennifer_froehly@fws.gov, 507-450-1138

Brush and Vegetation Removal

1. Herbicide Application

• Between May 1, 2027, and June 30, 2027, spot applications of a Refuge approved aquatic glyphosate with water and non-ionic surfactant shall be applied at each live planted tree or shrub to provide competing vegetation control and reduce fuel load.

• Application shall cover the area of a circle around each tubed (trees) and staked (trees and shrubs) seedling with a radius of 3 feet.

• Mechanical control (mowing or weed-whacking) may be used if site conditions prohibit the use of chemical control (ie. flooding). However, mechanical control may only be used following consultation with the Refuge at the time of each treatment. If after consultation with the Refuge, mechanical control is acceptable, services shall be completed by July 30, 2027.

o Aquatic glyphosate trade names allowed for use on the refuge include: Aqua Star, Aquamaster, AquaNeat, Aqua Pro, Rodeo, Roundup Custom

• Contractors shall use precise applications and protection from drift to ensure that planted seedlings are not damaged.

2. Tree Tube and Stake Maintenance

• Ensure all existing tree tubes are positioned vertically and all stakes are firmly secured in the ground. Tubes and stakes shall be positioned so they do not cause the enclosed seedling to bend.

• Reposition or replace tree tubes for tree species and reposition or replace stakes for tree and shrub species where necessary to meet the requirements above.

• Where a tree seedling is shorter than its tube, cut the tube to a height that allows the uppermost leaves of the seedling to extend above the top of the tube without damaging the seedling.

mailto:Jennifer_froehly@fws.gov

• Position stakes on the upstream side of the seedling relative to the direction of flow.

• Secure each tree tube to its stake using zip ties through the bottom two sets of tube holes.

• Remove and properly dispose of tree tubes and stakes associated with dead seedlings.

• Upon completion of work at each site, provide the Refuge with a count of dead tree seedlings identified at that site.

The Government will furnish replacement tree tubes, stakes, and zip ties required to perform this work.

3. General project guidelines

• Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator’s License shall be current for an appropriate category and a copy sent to the Refuge before work begins

• Before beginning work, contractor shall arrange an on-site meeting with the Refuge to review contract specifications, expectations, and address any other pertinent questions.

• A completed pesticide application report (attached) must be sent to the Refuge within 1 week of herbicide application.

• Hand/wand herbicide application only. NO broadcast spraying with a boom allowed.

• All herbicide applications shall follow appropriate herbicide label directions

• No spraying when standing water is present

• Maintain outlined no heavy equipment/vehicle travel zones. Do not drive over or damage any natural tree and shrub regeneration (not tubed or staked).

• Notify Refuge at least 24 hours before work starts at each site.

Treatment Units in order of priority:

Huber Unit: Just south of County II on WI 37, Alma WI; 44.375541, -91.869157

• Maximum 400 seedlings planted June 2026.

• 90% is an old field that can be driven with a 4x4 truck or UTV

Black River Bottoms: Lytle’s Landing, Lytle Rd, Onalaska, WI 54650

• Maximum 300 seedlings planted in 2025 and 2026.

• Walk in only via Great River State Trail, Lytles Landing

Trempealeau NWR River Bottoms: River Bottoms parking, W327 WI-35, Fountain City, WI 54629

• Maximum 100 seedlings planted spring 2026

• Contractor may get gate code from Refuge. Gate may not be left open. Drive on established 2 track only.

Nelson field 1: Field northwest of S1277 WI-35 Nelson, WI

• Maximum 80 seedlings planted June 2026

• Contractor may sign out a gate key with the refuge. Gate may not be left open.

Contactor can drive and park along utility line right of way.

Nelson field 2: Field southeast of S. 3rd St Nelson, WI

• Maximum 60 seedlings planted Spring 2024

• Vehicle access down railroad 2 track. No driving in field due to lots of additional direct seeded seedlings.

Contractor-Furnished Materials and Equipment

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, transportation, equipment, tools, herbicide, surfactant, water, personal protective equipment, and other materials and supplies necessary to perform the work described in this Statement of Work.

Government-Furnished Property and Information

The Government will provide access to the treatment areas, including applicable gate keys or access codes, and will identify the boundaries of the treatment areas. The Refuge will furnish replacement tree tubes, stakes, and zip ties required to perform the tree tube and stake maintenance. No other Government-furnished property, equipment, materials, or supplies will be provided.

LOCATION: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, 102 Walnut St, Ste 205, Winona, MN 55987

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: May 1, 2027- July 30, 2027

WORK SCHEDULE: Work will be performed Monday – Friday, except on Federal Holidays.

CONTACTS:

Jennifer Froehly, Wildlife Biologist. Jennifer_froehly@fws.gov, 507-450-1138

Wendy Woyczik, District Manager, wendy_woyczik@fws.gov, 608-780-8306 mailto:Jennifer_froehly@fws.gov mailto:wendy_woyczik@fws.gov

USFWS Pesticide Usage Report

Refuge Name: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge – Winona Site Name:

Applicator’s Name/Company:

Date Sprayed:

Target Species (list):

Percent Cover (circle one) <1% scarce 1-10% poorly represented 10-25% well represented 25-60% abundant >60% luxuriant

Application Method (circle one) foliar basal bark cut stump ground spot spray Other

Application Equipment Used (list):

All Herbicide and Additional Chemicals Used (List EPA Reg # and manufacturer):

Application Rate:

Total Amount of Mixture and Herbicide Used:

Total Acres Sprayed:

Weather:

Wind Speed and Direction:

Precipitation (last / next expected):

Temperature:

Additional Comments:

Produced by USFWS Biologist Jennifer Froehly Winona,MN

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Huber Planting

WILDLIFE

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge La Crosse County, Wisconsin

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes no warranty for use of this map and cannot be held liable for actions or decisions based on map

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NAT ONAL U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

WILDLIFE Trempealeau National Wildlife and Fish Refuge REFUGE SYSTEM Buffalo County, Wisconsin

Riverbottoms Management Unit 2026 Tree Planting Map

Polygon xy: 91.6017122°W 44.0595296°N

Produced in the Division of Refuges Onalaska, Wisconsin Produced 2 August 2026 0 Basemap Sources Copyright© 2014 National Geographic Society, i-cubed File C \Userslbhenry\OneDrive - DOI\Restoration Planning\ IRA\Big River IRAIMcGregor Disitrict

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes no warranty for use of this map and cannot be held liable for actions or decisions based on map content.

This map is intended as a general guide for the public and commercial use of National Wildlife Refuge lands.

The purpose of this map is to visually describe the proposed locations of Inflation Reduction Act sub-projects within the Midwest Region.

Map image is the intellectual property of Esri and is used herein under license. Copyright © 2022 Esri and its licensors. All rights reserved.

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Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Winona District

Nelson Fields Planting Units

Produced by USFWS Biologist Jennifer Froehly Winona, MN 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 Basernap: Esri Imagery Hybrid ■ ■ Miles PathS:\WinonaDistric(GIS)\WinonaBiologyGISMaps\MATS\MATS_MAP.aprx DateSaved:8/3/20263:l 7PM The USFWS makes no warranty for use of this map and cannot be held liable for actions or decisions based on map content

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