A04_-_TSI_SOW_annual.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK: TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT

Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge 24141 Kansas Highway 52, Pleasanton Kansas 66075

1 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF WORK

1.1 Background

Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is a 7,400 acre area located near Pleasanton, Kansas -- 45 miles south of Overland Park, Kansas. The Refuge is named after the Marais des Cygnes River that runs through the heart of the Refuge and is the dominant natural feature of the region.

The Refuge was established in 1992 for the protection and restoration of bottomland hardwood forest. Much of the Refuge that lies above the floodplain is comprised of forest, grassland, and former cropland. Tallgrass prairies are found throughout the Refuge. They are limited in size and number but are very important to pollinators and migratory birds that move through the Refuge. Since 2000, the Refuge has replanted 574 acres of native grasses and forbs on former agricultural fields. These plantings were dominated by grasses due to the expense of forbs. Refuge prairies contribute to the local diversity, provide habitat for grassland birds and native pollinators, and allow rest for the native forbs with the absence of haying pressure.

The Refuge primary objective is the protection and restoration of bottomland hardwood forest. Because of the amount of former agriculture that once dominated this area, many of the tree species present are residuals from fence lines and tree rows – predominantly Osage orange (hedge) and locust. Additionally, the refuge management would ideally include the use of prescribed fire through the timber to maintain a desired species community that is tolerant of fire. However, conditions have made prescribed fire execution difficult for several successive years, resulting in a suite of species that is fire-intolerant. Additionally, much of the older stands in the forest contain clusters of red oak that are +50 years old decadent stands. The predominant understory in many of those locations consists of shade tolerant (and fire intolerant) species that would not be beneficial to long term maintenance of the forest. The refuge is undertaking a timber stand improvement by harvest project that will focus primarily in the bottomland forest south of 1500 Rd (see map attached.) In one location, the TSI work will follow the timber harvest to be completed prior to 2022.

1.2 Statement of Need

The proposed project supports the Regional Director’s priority for Ecologically Sustainable Management. As the Service addresses the community transition to less than desirable species, we will be returning these areas to forest that will be more tolerant of fire, allowing management actions that benefit the forest but also the surrounding areas to be executed in an efficient, beneficial manner. These habitat improvements will, in turn, provide umbrella benefits to numerous migratory songbirds, gamebirds, pollinators, and other local fauna.

1.3 Scope of Work

Tree and shrub removal by mechanical means to reduce standing trees, shrub or understory that would prove problematic. Work may be accomplished using small equipment implements such as a skid-steer with an attached Fecon, chainsaw, small tractor, or others. This should not be considered an expected exhaustive list. Cut trees may also require chemical stump treatment, which will be determined by refuge staff prior to work beginning, with prioritization of work areas designated by the refuge staff before work begins and communicated to the contractor in writing, including designated areas identified in aerial maps. All work will be conducted on the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge in Linn County, Kansas.

1.4 Forestry Specific

All trees in this bid that are marked with blue paint still standing will be cut or mechanically removed.

Species to be cut include hackberry, elm, ash, and Osage Orange, but will include occasional other species. Density of marked trees will vary throughout the project. Soils on-site are well-drained, but vehicle access may be difficult at times. During wet conditions, truck access may be limited. Work is still permitted but may require a ½ mile hike. All trees to be cut will have been painted blue, and all blue painted trees must be cut level. Painted trees must be off the stump, and resting on the ground, not hung up in adjacent standing timber. Woody debris is to be disposed of according to refuge management directions, to be determined at start of work. For bidding purposes, cost for removal or relocation of woody debris should be included, even though removal may ultimately not be requested.

2 GENERAL BID INFORMATION

It is strongly suggested for vendors to plan a site visit (visualize scope of project, ground conditions, etc.) prior to submitting for the project. Site conditions can be extremely wet during certain seasons of the year depending on annual rainfall and groundwater flow. In no way should the brief descriptions listed here be considered a thorough account of conditions. Site locations are both in closed areas and in areas open to the public; site visits do not need to be coordinated with the Refuge Manager though it is encouraged so that the closed area location can be accessed, and any questions that arise at the time of visit can be answered. Contractor shall furnish all labor, services, equipment, specified materials, and perform all work in connection with the timber stand improvement. Questions may be directed to the refuge manager prior to bid.

2.1 Duration of work

2.1.1. Exclusion Period: The Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge falls within historic range of the federally protected Northern Long-eared Bat (NLEB). There have been surveys for this species on the refuge that have failed to document any NLEB occurring within refuge boundary. However, out of an abundance of caution – Timber Stand Improvement work described in this bid will not occur during the months of June and July, the maternal roosting months for this tree dwelling species.

2.1.2 Period of Performance: Because of the necessary work that must occur in Harvest Area, Units A, B, and C before TSI work included in this bid can occur, an extended Period of Performance (PoP) will be included in this contract. Work may begin in Unit D at any time beyond the exclusion period. Work in all units A-D must be completed by Dec 2022. If the necessary Timber Harvest work in Units A, B, or C have been delayed due to unforeseen or unpreventable events, the contract PoP will very likely be extended.

2.2 Materials, Chemicals and Application

The cost submitted must include all needed supplies (chemical, equipment, additives) – the refuge will not supply additional materials. While the refuge will not supply chemical, stump treatment may be necessary, and the type and rate of application will be determined by refuge staff according to current land management practices, seasonal and ambient condition appropriateness, and chemical manufacturer standards.

2.3 Locations for Bid

The area for potential TSI includes 4 areas of focus, labeled as A, B, C, and D on the map below. Following is a description of each area and the work expectation for each.

For Fiscal Year 21, bids should be focused on area D. Separate line items with A, B, and C should be included so that itemized that can be implemented as time and funding allow.

Marias des Cygnes NWR within Linn CO, Kansas

Plot locations within Refuge boundary

2.3 Location 1 – Southside Area, Unit D: The project area encompasses 53 acres. Species to be cut include hackberry, elm, ash, and Osage Orange. Density of marked trees will vary throughout the project. Soils on-site are well-drained, but vehicle access may be difficult at times. During wet conditions, truck access may be limited. Work is still permitted but may require a ½ mile hike. All trees to be cut will have been painted blue, and all blue painted trees must be cut level. Painted trees must be off the stump, and resting on the ground, not hung up in adjacent standing timber. Osage orange tree stumps must be treated with Remedy Herbicide (per label instructions), but no other species. Contractor must use blue indicator dye in the stump treatment. Trees >12” diameter breast height (DBH) must be cut below 8” stump height. Trees <12 inch DBH will have a maximum stump height of 4 inches, though shorter is preferred.

Unit D

2.3 Location 2 – Harvest Area Units A, B and C:

2.3.1. GENERAL INFORMATION AND TIMING:

There is a planned Timber Harvest to occur in this location. TIMBER HARVEST IS NOT PART OF THIS PROJECT PACKAGE. This are will be available to begin work AFTER the timber harvest has been completed. The harvest contains a total of 220 acres, divided into 3 units (Area A, B and C). Work may begin on any unit for which the harvest has been completed, it is not necessary that all 3 units harvest be complete before TSI work can begin. (As of 12/31/2022, Unit C has been completed)

3 CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions about any aspect of this bid request may be directed to:

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