AAFB Arbor Plan PWS 2023.docx

Joint Base Andrews 316 Civil Engineering Squadron

Performance-based Work Statement (PWS)

Arbor Plan 2023

3466 North Carolina Avenue Andrews AFB, MD 20762

07/10/2023

1.0 Introduction

Andrews Air Force Base was established as Camp Springs Army Air Field in 1938. It was later named Andrews Air Force Base. It is comprised of 4300 acres of mixed use development.

Andrews AFB, Main Base, is located in south central region of Prince Georges County, Maryland approximately five miles southeast of Washington, D.C. The installation is situated just outside (east) of the Capitol Beltway (I-495), near the western edge of the middle Atlantic Coastal Plain. The Blue Ridge Mountains are about 60 miles west of the Main Base and Chesapeake Bay is 25 miles east.

Andrews AFB Main Base is divided into western and eastern sections, separated by the airfield that runs north-south. The western portion of the Main Base contains the majority of land area, including a large outdoor recreation/golf course facility, all of the community facilities, accompanied and unaccompanied housing, and Malcolm Grow Medical Center. The majority of the industrial uses are located in the eastern portion of the Main Base. Both sections house mission and administrative facilities.

1.1 Vegetation Background

Vegetation communities at Andrews AFB Main Base consist of extensively managed landscape areas (improved areas) and other unmanaged patches of natural plant communities. Nearly 80 percent of the Main Base is developed or intensely managed (improved or semi-improved). The intensely managed areas include lawns, gardens, golf course fairways, ponds, bare ground, and recreational fields. Semi-improved areas include runway borders, the infield, and approach clear zones. The remaining unimproved areas support vegetation communities, such as mixed hardwood forests, mixed hardwood-pine forests, oak forests, oak-hickory forests, oak-pine forests, pine forests, pine-oak forests, red maple swamp, and shallow emergent marsh (Figure 1).

In 2004, approximately 710 acres of forestland occurs on the Main Base. These forested areas are scattered around the perimeter and southern portion of the Main Base. The forest classifications include modified commercial forestland (MCF), non-commercial forestland (NCF), and restricted commercial forestland (RCF). However, the limited area of forest and urban environment precludes forest management activities for commercial timber production. Approximately 222 acres of MCF occur in scattered stands on the east side of the Main Base.

Approximately 334 acres of NCF occur in the housing areas and golf courses. Approximately 152 acres of RCF occur in riparian zones.

2.0 Project Goals

The goal of this project is to produce a significant update to the 2010 Arbor Plan that accomplishes several goals outlined below:

· Fulfill the intent of 2007 Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, applicable laws, and DOD best practices

· Updates the mapped layer of tree stands using GIS techniques and aerial photos

· Determine Approximate Acreage Changes in Andrews Forest Stands Over Time using existing GIS/Aerial Photographic data (i.e. XX acres in 1970, XX acres in 1980, XX acres in 1996, & current)

· Develop Schematic Plans to Lay Out Re-Planting Zones that conform with the Andrews 2010 General Plan future land use

· Be written as an enabling tool to address reviews of new construction plans and forest management goals

2.1 Future planting & Urban Forestry

The Arbor Plan, with focus on urban forestry, has been developed to provide future planting guidelines, as well as outlines measures of tree removal/preservation during project design to minimize the adverse impacts of new projects.

The 2010 Arbor Plan stated a plan for 160.5 acres of prioritized tree planting, but the plan did not provide useful tools in realizing that goal. The replanting zones did not include figures or value added information to support the execution of the work.

Since the 2010 Arbor Plan, increasing development pressures and airfield obstruction issues have consumed some acreage of trees on base. Continued development of the base will occur as the base modernizes, missions evolve, and new missions are sited at the base. This development can pose risks to forest stands and disruption of biodiversity. In addition, much building demolition and construction have occurred that open up new opportunities for replanting.

The 2023 Arbor Plan must include the development of future planting that will be used over the next 5-10 years to accomplish several goals:

· Meet EMS and INRMP objectives in enhancing open space and natural areas

· Help offset recent clearing

· Promote non-fragmented ecological communites and biodiversity - the challenge at an air base is to encourage habitat that is not in conflict with the mission.

· Sustain ecological values and function of the forested landscape; and

· Integrate forest management activities with management of all natural resources and with the military mission requirements at AAFB

· Enhance aesthetic and ecological value of barren areas on base where possible

It is expected that two types of planting areas could be developed to achieve the goals of ecological and aesthetic improvements. The majority of planting areas are expected to mimic more natural settings, however some may be defined by other feature such as street trees or to break up a barren landscape in an industrial area.

Planting areas and proposals must balance the following factors, among others:

· Current and future land use

· Airfield restrictions

· Utility Corridors

· Recreational opportunities

· Security, force protection building setbacks

· Maintenance requirements

2.2 Standards & Supporting Studies:

This effort shall be guided by several key documents and industry best practices to generate a deliverable.

· AFI 32-7064 Integrated Natural Resources Management

· Andrews Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan

· Maryland Forest Conservation Act of 1991

· Forest stand conservation should be considered in compliance with the Maryland Forest Conservation Act. Current Tree removal/preservation guidelines are as follows:

· Removal of canopy areas of less than one acre; 1:1 ratio; removal : replanted

· Removal of canopy areas greater than one acre; minimum 60% canopy replacement

· Andrews Air Force Base General Plan, 2023

· Andrews Air Force Base Architectural Compatibility Plan, 2023

· Andrews Air Force Base Environmental Standards, 2023

· Andrews AFB Environmental Management System, Relevant Objectives

· Prince George’s County Woodland Conservation and Tree Preservation Ordinance

3.0 Forest Stand Characteristics and Management

3.1 Aircraft safety and clear approach-departure clearances are of great importance in the determination of forest stands. Removal and trimming are under constant consideration for all areas in a flight path. With much of the tree coverage on the Suitland Parkway, the National Park Service (NPS) must be in coordination with any actions.

3.2 In the manipulation of forest stands, characteristics such as shape, size, species composition, and density affect wildlife habitat. Quality of habitat life is highly dependent on all aspects of the forest stand. Biodiversity is a strong measure in ensuring preservation and continued management.

3.3 All maintenance and management of forest stands are in accordance with the American National Standards Institutes obtained through the International Society of Arboriculture.

3.4 Tree City

Andrews AFB has been recognized by The National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for over 15 years. . The following four standards must be met to continue compliance:

· Development of a tree board

· Tree care ordinance

· Community forestry program supported by an annual budget of at least $2 per capita

· Arbor Day observance and proclamation

4.0 DELIVERABLES: Any papers, recommendations, etc. that the contractor submits are drafts, not final copies. Government reserves the right to make changes on delivery dates.

4.1 The Contractor shall provide their management personnel roster, to include all teaming arrangements, within ten (10) business days after the contract award. The Contractor shall develop a work plan that details personnel roles and provides a schedule of how this work plan will be accomplished.

4.2 The status of this task shall be provided to the Government no less than a monthly basis. Exact dates will be determined by mutual agreement between the Contractor and the Government within ten (10) business days after the contract award. This monthly update summarizes the status and progress of all activities performed by the contractor under this Task Order PWS. PMRs meeting location will be via telecon or as directed by the COR.

4.3 Draft Arbor Plan (delivered electronically, figures provided in hard copy if needed) should include the Proposed Planting Area Locations and Conceptual versions of the planting schematics within 70 days of the site visit. It should also include the results of the GIS analysis of the updated mapping and historical trends of tree acreage on base.

4.4 Draft Final Arbor Plan as Stated Below – for Coordination and Comments. To be provided within 30 days of inputs on the Draft Arbor Plan.

4.5 Final Arbor Plan would incorporate comments on the Draft Final, and include shape files of the updates forest layer and supporting reports and figures in PDF and native format. The Planting Plan schematics s should be provided in a format that can be utilized as an overlay in the base GIS drawings to facilitate execution.

4.6 Photography may be required to successfully complete portions of the tasks. Photography of any kind must be coordinated through the installation point of Contact (POC). All photographs taken throughout the performance of this contract shall become property of the US Government.

Deliverable Schedule

Work plan (Delivery Order)

Showing Expected Elements of Field work, planned schedule, and Deliverable Elements

Within 28 business days after contract award electronically

5.0 MEETINGS

Anticipated face to face meetings will include the following at a minimum:

· Kick-Off Meeting with 316 CES/CEAN staff (including CEP Drafting Shop, CEAO Community Planners)

· Field Visit Outbrief Describing Findings and Next Steps (to CEA)

· Presentation of Draft Findings and Plans

· Review Comments and Finalize Report (includes CEP, CEO)

· As needed, a follow up discussion at Andrews to visit the site or meet with technical ort to support a leadership briefing may be required.

Provide regulatory/professional interface by assisting with oral/written interaction with interested parties related to the projects and studies included in this contract. At meetings and/or hearings, present technical information and provide logistical support (e.g., handouts, minutes, etc.) in support of the government’s position.

6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. The period of performance associated with this task begins on upon task order award and has a duration of ~ 220 calendar days.

FIGURES

1. Example of Forest Map from 2004 Arbor Plan

2. Overall Map from 2004 Arbor Plan

3. Example Concept Map image1.emf

Vegetation Communities at Andrews AFB Main Base

Source: Aerial Express 2004; & Andrews AFB GIS Created in ArcGIS 9 using ArcMap

0 2,5001,250 Feet

1 inch equals 2,500 feet

Legend 5

Boundary Streams Waterbodies Bare Ground Building Mixed Hardwood Forest Mixed Hardwood Pine Forest Mowed Field Mowed Grass Oak Forest Oak Hickory Forest Oak Pine Forest Parking Pine Forest Pine Oak Forest Red Maple Swamp Roads Tarmac

Figure 1 image2.emf

1111 77

33 99

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

Air Mobility Command

14 NOVEMBER 2004

TAB

NO.

SHEET 1 OF 1

GEOBASE / DRAFTING

& SURVEYING

BUILDING 3710

312-858-4302

Andrews Air Force Base

A2

ARBOR PLANS

0 800 1,600 2,400 3,200400 Feet

National Executive Route *Additional landscaping may be required*

Demo planned for FY07 Proposed landuse = Open Space Possible Housing Privatization Site

Demo planned for FY07

Possible Housing Privatization Site

Child Development Center

Child Development Center

Demo planned for FY05 Proposed landuse = Recreation

Demo planned for FY05

Greening Andrews AFBGreening Andrews AFB Tree planting areas are identified and prioritized as indicated in the table and map below, respectively. All planting and maintenance activities shall be in accordance with the Andrews AFB Arbor Plan and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Only native tree and shrub species will be planted. For more information, see the Andrews AFB Arbor Plan, the GeoBase dataset (depicted in this map), and the Maryland DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/criticalarea/trees.html.

Legend flora_replanting_area installation_area airfield_surface_area road_area structure_existing_area fence_line wetland_area golf_course_area surface_water_body_area forest_stand_area

Tree planting areas were identified according to the following criteria; availability of unforested, open-space, future and current land use according to the AAFB Base General Plan, and need for landscape improvement.

Prioritization of planting areas is dependant primarily on land use catagory. Higher priorities are assigned to the national executive route, community, and open space areas while lower priorities are assigned to industrial and aircraft operations areas.

Future land use is considered in the development of cost estimates, planting arrangements, and species and plant type selection.

1 inch equals 800 feet

Priority Acres Cost ($K)

1 16.9 86 2 10.3 79 3 6.9 45 4 19.7 123 5 8.6 54 6 2.9 25 7 6.1 31 8 23.6 60 9 5 12 10 53.6 134 11 6.9 28

160.5

Phase Priority Cost ($K)

1 1,2 165 2 3,4 168 3 5,6,7,8,9 182 4 10,11 162