Attachment_1_Appendix_A__Mill_Creek_A_to_Z_Stewardship_6172013.pdf

APPENDIX A

Pacific Northwest Region, Colville National Forest

Mill Creek A to Z Stewardship

Performance Work Statement

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this solicitation is to secure professional services in forestry, hydrology, silviculture, soils, fire/fuels, wildlife biology, fisheries biology, heritage, recreation, scenery, transportation, logging systems, writing/editing, GIS applications, and other disciplines as necessary to prepare an environmental analysis and pre- and post-harvest services in accordance with NEPA pertaining to vegetation and access management on the Three Rivers Ranger District.

2.0 SCOPE

The purpose of the project is to prepare a NEPA document and provide pre- and post-sale services that move the planning area toward the desired condition identified in the NEPA analysis. Services could include road construction, reconstruction, maintenance and decommissioning; harvest unit design and layout; timber cruising; mechanical fuel reduction; pre-commercial thinning; and tree planting for the Mill Creek A to Z Stewardship project area. Objectives include:

• Provide wood fiber that contributes to the economic and social well-being within Stevens County and the surrounding area.

• Generate revenue to help finance pre- and post-harvest activities identified within the NEPA document.

• Manage timber stands to improve their productivity and move toward the desired conditions as per Colville Forest Plan direction.

• Reduce the risk of severe, stand replacement fire within the Mill Creek watershed and surrounding area.

• Reduce the severity of insect and disease activity within the Mill Creek watershed and surrounding area.

•. Manage roads and OHV trails as per Colville Forest Plan direction.

• Improve water quality and potential habitat for anadromous and inland fish species.

• Improve security and thermal cover and forage for big game species.

3.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Third Party Contractor's general role as an independent contractor will be to work cooperatively with and under the direction of the Forest Service to prepare environmental documents that meet the standards set forth in the National

Environmental Policy Act, 40 CFR §1500-1508, forest service regulations 36 CFR 220 and Forest Service policy (identified in FSH 1909.15). The Contractor shall furnish all labor, personnel, supervision, materials, supplies, tools, equipment, computers, transportation, travel, and incidentals to perform all work necessary for completion of the environmental documents and pre-and post-harvest services as described within this solicitation. The required services consist of the following in which one person may hold more than one position, if qualified:

3.1 Project Manager/NEPA Specialist

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Project Manager/NEPA Specialist with expertise in managing a team of specialists and in the NEPA process. The Project Manager is responsible for:

1. Ensuring Third Party Contractor's interdisciplinary team (IDT) meets scheduled deadlines.

2. Ensuring environmental documents prepared by Third Party Contractor's IDT are complete and adhere to NEPA regulations, Colville Forest Plan standards, and all applicable Forest Service regulations and policies.

3. Working closely with the Forest Service's Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to ensure potential roadblocks for meeting deadlines are addressed early on to minimize potential delays.

4. Facilitating public meetings in Colville, WA, prior to and following issuance of the draft NEPA documents.

The project manager is also required to adhere to applicable administrative review processes, either: 36CFR 215.1-215.7 Notice and Comment (http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/applit/36cfr215.htm) or 36 CFR 218 (http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/applit/36cfr218a.htm) and Forest Service Handbook 1509.12.

5. Identifying and responding to substantive comments received on the draft NEPA documents then compiling and editing responses to those comments supplied by the appropriate Third Party Contractor's IDT members.

6. Meeting with Forest Service personnel and U.S. Fish and Wildlife personnel at Level I consultation meetings to discuss the proposal' s anticipated effects to terrestrial (wildlife and botanical) and aquatic species.

7. Providing the necessary information that will allow the USFS to initiate formal ‘government to government’ consultation with the following regional tribes: Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Spokane Tribe and Kalispel Tribe.

8. Providing the necessary information for the USFS to meet Washington State Historical Society Preservation Office (SHPO) Section 106 standards.

9. Collaborating with interested publics including representatives from the Northeast Washington Forest Coalition (NEWFC).

3.2 Writer-Editor

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Writer-Editor with mastery at preparing complex NEPA documents. The Writer-Editor is responsible for:

1. Organizing, writing, and editing documents and/or sections of documents as required by NEPA regulations.

2. Editing a separate Roads Analysis Report RAR.

3. Maintaining a project record that adheres to Pacific Northwest Region 6 standards.

4. Taking accurate notes of all Third Party Contractor's IDT meetings and public meeting following issuance of the draft NEPA documents.

5. Developing and organizing public contact mailing list.

3.3 Hydrologist

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Hydrologist with expertise in preparing hydrologic report for NEPA documents. Experience working in Eastern Washington/North Idaho forests is preferred. The Hydrologist is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section.

http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/applit/36cfr215.htm

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing a paper or electronic copy of all references, or a website location where the reference may be found, cited for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT, especially the Fisheries Biologist and Soil Scientist to ensure the hydrology report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Providing a professional judgment within the specialist 's report as to the project's compliance with the Clean Water Act, Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, and standards and guidelines within the Colville Forest Plan that are associated with water resources. This will include providing rationale and documentation in support of the professional judgment.

5. Determine existing condition & requirements related to any 303(d) listed streams in the project area. Address associated TMDL requirements.

6. Work with soil scientist to completing a WEPP (Watershed Erosion Prediction Project) analysis for soil erosion for each alternative. Elliot, W. J., Hall, D. E., and Scheele, D. L. 2000. WEPP Interface for Disturbed Forest and Range Runoff, Erosion and Sediment Delivery. Technical Documentation.

http://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/fswepp/docs/distweppdoc.html

7. Identify, map (GIS) and classify all known and surveyed project area stream courses (e.g. ephemeral, intermittent and perennial).

3.4 Soil Scientist

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Soil Scientist with expertise in preparing soils reports for NEPA documents.

Experience working in Eastern Washington/North Idaho forests is preferred. The Soil Scientist is responsible for:

I. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section. Analysis should follow FSM 2520 R6 Supplement 2500-98-1.

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing a paper or electronic copy of all references cited, or a website location where the reference may be found, for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT, especially the Fisheries Biologist and Hydrologist to ensure the soils report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Work with hydrologist to completing a WEPP (Watershed Erosion Prediction Project) analysis for soil erosion for each alternative. Elliot, W. J., Hall, D. E., and Scheele, D. L. 2000. WEPP Interface for Disturbed Forest and Range Runoff, Erosion and Sediment Delivery. Technical Documentation.

http://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/fswepp/docs/distweppdoc.html

3.5 Fisheries Biologist

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Fisheries Biologist with expertise in preparing fisheries reports for NEPA documents, including Biological Evaluations. Experience working in Eastern Washington/North Idaho forests is preferred. The Fisheries Biologist is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section.

http://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/fswepp/docs/distweppdoc.html http://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/fswepp/docs/distweppdoc.html

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing a paper or electronic copy of all references cited, or a website location where the reference may be found, for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT, especially the Soil Scientist and Hydrologist to ensure the fisheries report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Ensuring Inland Native Fish Strategy (INFISH), standards and guidelines are analyzed for each alternative.

USDA Forest Service. 1995. Inland Native Fish Strategy Environmental Assessment. Intermountain, Northern and Pacific Northwest Regions. (http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/fish/9506-infish.pdf).

5. Preparing a BE for sensitive species (a Biological Assessment for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed species is not anticipated at this time as bull trout are not known to occupy the project area).

6. Identify, map (GIS) and classify all known and surveyed project area fish-bearing streams.

3.6 Silviculturist/Forest Vegetation Specialist

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Silviculturist/Forest Vegetation Specialist or equivalent with expertise in preparing forest vegetation reports for NEPA documents, including noxious weeds. Experience working in Eastern Washington/North Idaho forests is preferred. The Silviculturist/Forest Vegetation Specialist is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section.

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing an electronic or hard copy of all references cited, or a website location where the reference may be found, for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT, especially the Fire/Fuels Specialist and Wildlife Biologist to ensure the forest vegetation report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Ensuring vegetative analysis is prepared using the Third Party Contractor’s stand exams. Analysis shall address biophysical environments and structural stages per Regional Forester’s Forest Plan Amendment #2 (a.k.a. Eastside Screens, 1995) Lowe, J. E. 1995. Regional Forester’s Forest Plan Amendment #2: Revised Interim Standards for Timber Sales on Eastside Forests (and revised environmental assessment).

(http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_033053.pdf;

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5314617.pdf).

1920 Memo from USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Regional Forester to Forest Supervisors of the Colville, Deschutes, Fremont, Malheur, Ochoco, Okanogan, Umpqua, Wallowa-Whitman, and Winema National Forests. Portland, OR. Analysis shall follow FSH 2409.17 silvicultural practices handbook including 2409.17-2011-1 August 29, 2011 (Region 6 Supplement).

5. Prepare a BE for sensitive botanical species and a BA for ESA listed botanical species.

6. Prepare silviculture prescriptions for all vegetative management activities including commercial sale units and post-harvest pre-commercial thinning and planting units.

3.7 Fire/Fuels Specialist

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Fire/Fuels Specialist with expertise in preparing fire/fuels reports for NEPA documents. Experience working in Eastern Washington/North Idaho forests is preferred. The Fire/Fuels specialist is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section for Chapter 3.

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing an electronic or hard copy of all references cited, or a website location where the reference may be found, for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT, especially the Forest Vegetation Specialist and Wildlife Biologist to ensure the fire/fuels report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Ensuring analysis address condition class, fire regimes, low, moderate and high crown fire risk sites and fuel models within the project area; and include air quality considerations (FSM 5144, FSM 2580).

5. Design and layout of project area fuel reduction projects. Identify, locate (GPS) and mark (flagging, tags or otherwise as approved) all sites proposed for mechanical fuel reduction (e.g. grapple piling, mastication).

3.8 Wildlife Biologist

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Wildlife Biologist with expertise in preparing wildlife reports for NEPA documents, including BEs/BAs. Experience working in Eastern Washington/North Idaho forests is preferred. The Wildlife Biologist is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section.

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing an electronic or hard copy of all references cited, or a website location where the reference may be found, for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT, especially the Forest Vegetation Specialist and Fire /Fuels Specialist to ensure the wildlife report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Working closely with the USFS wildlife biologist on BAs requiring formal consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

5. Ensuring analysis addresses Forest management indicator species (MIS) including viability assessment (per Youkey, 2012), landbirds and sensitive species, and ESA listed species. Analysis will calculate elk habitat effectiveness (EHE) by alternative, road densities by alternative, and old growth analysis using Colville NF protocol. Snag-dependent species habitat analysis will include use of the DecAid model.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/nr/wildlife/decaid-guide/index.shtml. Direction for landbirds is found at: Altman, B. 2000. Conservation Strategy for Landbirds in the Northern Rocky Mountains of Eastern Oregon and Washington. American Bird Conservancy, Corvallis, OR. 128 pp.

http://scholarsarchive.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/7260/columbia_basin.pdf?seq uence=1

6. Preparing a BE for sensitive species and a BA for ESA listed species.

7. Identify and map (GIS) all known and surveyed wildlife habitat conservation areas including but not limited http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/nr/wildlife/decaid-guide/index.shtml http://scholarsarchive.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/7260/columbia_basin.pdf?sequence=1 http://scholarsarchive.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/7260/columbia_basin.pdf?sequence=1 to the following: Big game winter range, goshawk nest sites, Lynx habitat, PMA conservation core and corridors.

3.9 GIS Analyst

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a GIS Analyst with expertise in entering data into GIS and preparing maps/reports. The GIS Analyst is responsible for:

1. Maintaining a GIS database compatible with ESRI ArcGIS for the project that is capable of analyzing all relevant data as required by each IDT member.

2. Ensuring all GIS files developed for the project are provided back to the Forest Service in a format compatible with ESRI ArcGIS.

3. Ensuring all Forest Service provided GIS files are returned to the Forest Service upon completion of the contract.

3.10 Archeologist

The Third Party Contractor shall provide an Archeologist with expertise in preparing heritage reports for NEPA documents. The Archeologist is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section.

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing a copy of all references cited for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT to ensure the heritage report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Working closely with the USFS archeologist to ensure documents meet Section 106 Clearance from the Washington State Historical Society Preservation Office (SHPO).

5. Identify, map (GPS), mark (flagging, tags or otherwise as approved) and record all known and surveyed project area heritage sites.

3.11 Recreation Specialist

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Recreation Specialist or equivalent with expertise in preparing recreation reports for NEPA documents. The Recreation Specialist is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section.

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing a copy of all references cited for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT to ensure the recreation report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Identify, map (GIS) and classify all known and surveyed recreation sites (e.g. dispersed camping) as defined in Colville National Forest Plan direction.

3.12 Scenery Management

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Landscape Architect or equivalent with expertise in preparing a scenery management report for NEPA documents. The Landscape Architect is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section.

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing a copy of all references cited for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT to ensure the scenery report is integrated with the other reports.

3.13 Transportation Engineer

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Transportation Engineer or equivalent with expertise in preparing a transportation management report for NEPA documents. The Transportation Engineer is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section for

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing a copy of all references cited for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT to ensure the transportation report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Preparing a Roads Analysis Report (RAR). Coordinate and integrate recommendations from the IDT.

5. Design, survey and layout of project area roads. Determine road construction, reconstruction, maintenance and decommissioned specifications and costs. Coordinate with other specialists to determine the level and type of road decommissioning required to meet resource needs. Locate, map (GPS) and mark (flagging, paint, stakes or otherwise approved) all construction, reconstruction and decommissioned road sites.

Ensure all constructed, reconstructed, maintained and/or decommissioned roads meet Colville NF standards and requirements identified in the project’s decision document.

6. Identify road right-of-way needs from state and private ownerships.

3.14 Pre-and post-sale Forester

The Third Party Contractor shall provide a Pre-sale Forester or equivalent with expertise in preparing a logging systems and economics report for NEPA documents. The Pre-sale Forester is responsible for:

1. Completing a Specialists Report for the project record that contains all information required for full disclosure of effects (to identified issues) in the EIS/EA/CEs. Specialist will provide a detailed Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences section.

2. Gathering references to support conclusions made in their Specialist's Report, citing the references as appropriate, providing a bibliography of all references used, and providing a copy of all references cited for inclusion in the project record.

3. Working closely with the Third Party Contractor's IDT to ensure the loggings systems and economics report is integrated with the other reports.

4. Design and layout of project area harvest units. Determine harvest systems, specifications and costs.

Locate, map (GPS) and mark (flagging, paint, signs or otherwise approved) harvest unit boundaries. Ensure harvest systems and unit boundaries meet NEPA and Colville NF standards.

5. Harvest Unit Tree designation. Develop marking guides based on the silvicultural prescription and harvest system. Ensure tree designations (e.g. LTM, DxD, DxPre) meet requirements identified in project’s decision document and Colville NF standards (FSM 2430, FSM 2440, and FSH 2409.12).

6. Design and layout of project area post-harvest thinning and planting projects. Identify, locate (GPS) and mark (flagging, tags or otherwise as approved) all sites proposed for thinning and planting.

4.0 PERSONNEL PROVIDED BY THE FOREST SERVICE

4.1 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)

The COR will be the point of contact between the Third Party Contractor and the Forest Service for the oversight of the Contract. The COR is responsible for:

a. Acting as the Forest Service liaison for all contact with the Third Party Contractor regarding the scope of work.

b. Providing the Third Party Contractor with any existing data for the project.

c. Monitoring the Third Party Contractor's progress on the project.

d. Inspecting the quality of the analysis and specialist's reports.

e. Reviewing the documentation (specialist's reports, NEPA documents, BEs/BAs, ROD, and RAR) to ensure it is concise, complete, and adequate for the decision to be made.

f. Inspecting the Third Party Contractor's analysis and documentation to ensure it complies completely with the requirements of NEPA and CEQ Regulations.

g. Keeping the Forest Service's Contracting Officer (CO) informed of contract compliance.

4.2 Responsible Official (Forest Supervisor) and their Delegated Official (District Ranger)

The Responsible Official or their delegated official will:

a) Review Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences of the draft EIS/EA/CE.

b) Review the draft EIS/EA/CE prior to printing and distribution;

c) Review comments received on the draft EIS/EA/CE and Third Party Contractor's response to comments;

d) If formal consultation is required, review the Contractor's BEs/BAs prior to submission to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;

e) Review Third Party Contractor's final RAR;

f) Review the final EIS/EA/CE prior to printing and distribution;

g) Review the project record and insure that all Government furnished and project related materials are received by the Forest Service.

4.3 Resource Specialists

Forest Service resource specialists that may be assigned to provide oversight of the Contractor's IDT include a NEPA Coordinator, Pre-sale Forester, Archeologist, Soil/Water Specialist, Fisheries Biologist, Silviculturist, Fire/Fuels Specialist, Wildlife Biologist, and GIS Analyst. Additional specialists may include, but are not limited to: a Botanist, Range Conservationist, Road Engineer, Writer-Editor, and Recreation Specialist.

5.0 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

1. Title to Government-furnished property shall remain in the Government. The Third Party Contractor shall use the Government-furnished property only in connection with this Contract. This includes use of electronic data.

2. Upon delivery of government-furnished property to the Third Party Contractor, the Contractor assumes the risk and responsibility for its loss or damage.

3. All documents and records generated or used to complete this Contract will be made part of the official project record and will remain official Government property to be turned over to the Forest Service upon completion of this Contract or upon request by the Forest Service. The Third Party Contractor may not release the project record to anyone outside the Forest Service.

4. Documents and records generated or used to complete this Contract may be subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), unless FOIA regulations specifically exempt their release. All FOIA requests from the public for information related to this project will be administered by the COR. Project documents used or developed by the Third Party Contractor's shall be made available to the Forest Service upon request. No documents are to be released by the Third Party Contractor to anyone outside the Forest Service unless otherwise agreed to in writing.

6.0 SUMMARY OF TASKS AND TECHNICAL SPECIFIICATIONS

The Third Party Contractor shall be responsible for completing the following tasks and meeting the technical specifications herein:

1. Orientation: Attend a pre-work conference and at least one field trip with the COR and supporting USFS staff to gain familiarity with the project area, environmental conditions, and proposed treatment actions.

2. Field Data, project documents and reports and references sufficient to support the NEPA analysis and decision.

All field data, project documents and reports and references shall be submitted to the Forest Service upon request. Field data, project documents and reports and references shall not be released to outside organizations or agencies without written consent from the Forest Service.

3. Field data, project documents and reports and references: Provide any data, reference material or other project documents (e.g., case studies, research results, other NEPA documents) used as part of, or to support, project analysis to the Forest Service.

4. Project Record: The project record shall include all field data, project documents and reports and references.

This information shall be used by the responsible official to help evaluate all the relevant issues, concerns and alternatives and make a reasoned decision. The project record is used to defend the decision under the Forest Service's administrative appeal and objection processes and in court if the decision is further challenged. It is essential that the NEPA process for any proposal made by the Forest Service is well documented and organized.

Short time frames involved with appeals, objections and litigation necessitate a systematically organized, readily accessible record. The Third Party Contractor shall place all documents generated or used for the development of the EIS/EA/CEs, RAR, and BEs/BAs into a concise project record. The project record shall be filed by subject.

For example, separate sections may be titled "Meeting Notes", "Wildlife", "Direction and Planning", etc.

Documents may occur in all acceptable formats (hard copy paper, compact disk, digital etc.) and may include:

papers, published studies, books, reference maps, written and electronic correspondence, final computer runs, etc. The Forest Service will maintain these as part of the project record. The Third Party Contractor shall submit 1 original and 1 exact copy of the original project record in three-ring binders and submit both at the completion of the Contract. Forest Service requires planning records to be able to stand on their own during appeal or litigation challenges. Should Third Party Contractor have numerous EIS/EA/CEs or books that need to go into the planning record, Third Party Contractor should provide electronic copies and/or photocopy the portion of the documents used in analyses and photocopy the cover of the documents and Library of Congress page in books.

5. Coordination with COR: Communicate at least bi-monthly (i.e. every other week) with the COR to coordinate activities, and provide updates of progress and key developments, using phone, e-mail, or site visits. The Third Party Contractor is responsible for communicating directly with the COR to request specific information required from the Forest Service. Requests for information from the Forest Service will be made in writing or e-mail and include specifications regarding format and content with a not-to-exceed due date for receiving the information.

The COR may need to schedule one-on-one meetings with individual specialists in order to clarify information.

6. Coordination with Forest Service IDT: Call, e-mail, and meet with the Forest Service frequently between meetings to get feedback, check progress on tasks, and keep everyone informed and involved. Third Party Contractor shall go through the COR first. COR will relay requests/info to USFS IDT personnel and will inform Third Party Contractor when they can contact USFS personnel without going through the COR first.

7. Approval from the Responsible Official (Forest Supervisor) or their Delegated Official (District Ranger). The Third Party Contractor shall request signed approval from the Responsible Official or their delegate for the following documents:

a) Proposed action, purpose & need statement, public participation plan, key issues, alternatives and preliminary effects at their individual development points.

b) Draft EIS/EA/CE prior to printing and distribution;

c) Third Party Contractor's response to comments;

d) If formal consultation is required, the final BEs/BAs prior to submission to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;

e) The final RAR;

f) The final EIS/EA/CE prior to printing and distribution;

g) The project record

9. Resource Areas of Concern: Issues have not been identified yet. Until scoping is completed by the Third Party Contractor, the following resource areas will likely need to be analyzed by the Third Party Contractor. Issues to analyze may change from this list and may include more issues or fewer issues than those included in the following list. The Forest Service Responsible Official provides final approval of critical issues.

a) Water Quality –

The proposal may adversely affect water quality.

Net result in road miles including decommissioning.

Net result in number of identified road concerns and stream crossing concerns, tied through planned maintenance, repair, and decommissioning.

b) Fisheries Resource- The proposal may adversely affect aquatic habitats for native fishes.

Pool frequency.

Large woody debris.

Fine sediment levels.

Channel connectivity.

Viability of native fish species.

c) Forest Vegetation-

Forest stand susceptibility to insects and disease, and stand replacement crown fire.

The forest vegetation assessment should also include an assessment on stand structure, species composition, and departure from historic conditions.

Acres of forest stands proposed for treatment and the effects of those treatments.

Acres of insect and disease high-risk stands receiving treatment to improve these conditions.

d) Fire and Fuels –

Relative Risk of crown fire to private lands, homes, powerlines and other infrastructures.

Acres moved towards historic fire regimes, and acres treated by fire condition class and fire regime.

Acres of low, moderate and high-fire risk stands proposed for treatments.

e) Wildlife Resource-

The proposal may adversely impact abundance, distribution, and structure of terrestrial species habitat (endangered and threatened, Colville National Forest sensitive, and management indicator species) and the continued capability of the watershed to support viable populations.

Net result in road miles (open and restricted) including decommissioning (tied to road density related to wildlife habitat requirements).

Acres and percent change in suitable habitat for Colville National Forest wildlife management indicator species (MIS).

Acres and percent change in suitable habitat for Federally listed and Colville National Forest sensitive wildlife species.

f) Roads and Access Management –

The level of road construction, reconstruction and decommissioning needed to improve aquatic and terrestrial species may impact some Forest users' ability to access the area by motorized vehicle.

Miles of road reconstruction and decommissioning.

Miles of road open to the public.

g) Economics/Socio-Economics –

The proposal has potential to influence income and jobs.

Income – Direct and indirect jobs related to implementation of project activities.

Sale value.

Include costs and revenues of all proposed project activities.

10. Biological Evaluations/Biological Assessments (BEs/BAs): Biological Assessment: Write the BEs/BAs for Section 7 Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The BAs for consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will address effects the proposed selected alternative will have on terrestrial (botanical and wildlife) ESA listed species. The BEs will address the effects the alternatives analyzed in detail will have on sensitive terrestrial (botanical and terrestrial) and aquatic species. The BEs/BAs shall be in accordance with the following:

a) Contracted Fisheries Biologist, Wildlife Biologist, and Forest Vegetation Specialist shall be qualified biologists and silviculturists with at least a Bachelors degree in biological sciences.

b) The Third Party Contractor shall collect necessary data including interviewing knowledgeable individuals to prepare the BEs/BAs.

d) Unless formal consultation is required the contractor shall submit the BE/BA to the US Fish and Wildlife Service with a copy of the BE/BA plus cover letter sent to the USFS.

e) The Third Party Contractor may talk directly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; however, the COR shall be kept informed of pertinent issues and developments.

f) The Action Area for impacts analysis shall center on the project area, but may include as much area as required to fully analyze the direct, indirect & cumulative impacts of the Forest Service preferred alternative (i.e. discussions of impacts in the BAs may include the entire range of a species).

g) The BAs shall contain the standard BA requirements found in FSM 2672.4.

h) The Forest Service will approve the determinations of effect.

Formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be the responsibility of the Forest Service. The BAs will be provided to the Forest Service in a final form and acceptable for submission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

11. Background and Support Materials for the EIS/EA/CEs: Support materials may be separate documents such as Technical Reports. Support materials may be included in the EIS/EA/CEs by reference. Support data may be included in an appendix or placed in the Project Record. The purpose of background and support materials shall be to provide backup data for the environmental analysis while minimizing the length of the document, reducing the amount of technical information of interest to a limited audience, and/or organizing information so it is available if requested under the Freedom of Information Act . Technical Reports, background and support materials, by reference, shall be an extension of the EIS/EA/CE. Important conclusions shall be incorporated into the NEPA document along with the cause and effect relationship. An exhaustive description of resource data that is not pertinent to the decision to be made is not appropriate in the EIS/EA/CEs.

12. Collecting and Incorporating Comments from the Public: The term "public" includes whoever wants to receive a copy of a Forest Service released document or whoever has expressed an interest in the project during any portion of the project development or analysis. Public comments may range from corrections to grammar and punctuation to discrepancies with technical and scientific information. Depending on the number of people who make comments throughout the process, the task of collecting and incorporating applicable comments may be substantial. The Forest Service as lead Agency, and the Third Party Contractor, must consider and respond to comments that may come from the public, local and state government agencies, other Federal agencies, and industry. Depending on the nature of the comments, the changes may need to be extensive to the analysis document. As a result, the Third Party Contractor may not be able to complete the draft of the document in the timeframes initially agreed upon. Therefore, some slip in the timeline may result in order to complete a document that meets the needs of the responsible official. Potential problems and/or delays to the timelines shall be communicated to the COR as soon as possible.

13.

Analysis of the comments received during the comment period: The Third Party Contractor shall compile and analyze comments received on the draft EIS/EA/CE released for a 30-day CE/EA comment period or 45-Day comment period for an EIS (36 CFR 215 or 36 CFR 218). The Forest Service will review the list of substantive comments prior to the Third Party Contractor initiating responses. Upon completion of analysis, review and comment, the Forest Service may provide review and feedback prior to signing off on their completion. After review by the Forest Service, the comment letters will be scanned and, along with the Third Party Contractor's responses (after Forest Service approval), will become an appendix to the decision document. All public comments received shall become part of the project record. If comments on the draft EIS are extensive and require substantial changes to the draft EIS, the Forest Service may require a supplement draft EIS be prepared and sent out for another 30 or 45-Day Comment Period prior to preparing the final EIS.

For EA/CEs the Third Part Contractor shall consider all substantive written and oral comments submitted. All written and oral comments received for the EA/CE will be placed in the project file and become a matter of public record.

14. Draft and Final EIS/EA/CE Distribution: The Third Party Contractor will complete, including formatting, a draft and final EIS/EA/CE for public distribution. The Third Party Contractor will furnish distribution-ready review copies of each draft and final versions to the Forest Service for approval prior to the Third Party Contractor printing them for distribution. The document is expected to include both black & white, and color reproductions.

15. News Media: The Third Party Contractor is responsible for preparing any information for release to the news media; however, the Third Party Contractor shall release no information directly or indirectly without prior written approval from the Forest Service. The Third Party Contractor is not authorized to disseminate information to the public, verbally or in writing without prior written approval from the Forest Service.

16. Mailing List Management: The Third Party Contractor shall provide the Forest Service with a list of members of the public who contact Third Party Contractor and desire to receive a copy of the draft or final EIS/EA/CEs.

17. Roads Analysis Report (RAR): The Third Party Contractor will complete a RAR for the project area that follows the six-step roads analysis procedure outlined in Forest Service Handbook 7709.55, and Misc. Report FS-643.

The RAR will be a separate document from the EIS/EA/CEs. A draft of the RAR will be submitted with the DEIS/EA/CE so public comment and involvement on it may be obtained. The RAR must be concise and consistent with the final EIS/EA/CE. Guidance is found at FSH 7709.55, FSM 7700, and USFS Region 2 Road Analysis Guide.

7.0 DOCUMENTATION

1. Documents produced by the Third Party Contractor shall be submitted to the Forest Service in Microsoft Word format, using a minimum of 11-point, serif fonts (such as New Times Roman, Book Antigua, or Garamond). Maps within the documents shall be placed into a PDF, bitmap or jpg format. The Third Party Contractor is encouraged to e-mail draft and final documents in order to expedite Forest Service reviews. Edits to Microsoft

Word documents, where possible, will be made using the "track changes" feature of Microsoft Word.

Documents shall meet requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

2. The EIS/EA/CE and all documents developed for public distribution shall be written in a manner that facilitates public review and understanding.

a) The EIS/EA/CEs shall be concise public documents. Rather than the documents consisting entirely of long narratives, use bulleted or numbered statements where appropriate, and display quantitative data in tables or charts, where they may aid in public review and understanding.

b) Use a simple and consistent outline format throughout the document, with clear headings and sub-headings

c) Avoid using Forest Service or bureaucratic jargon or acronyms. Where a technical term is needed, include a brief, simple translation of the term within the context where it is used, to avoid the reader having to rely entirely on the glossary.

d) Translate technical or jargon-filled language into plain, easy to understand language.

e) The EIS/EA/CEs will focus on the treatment of significant issues in Chapter 3.

f) Technical Reports are required to be clear, concise and well-organized.

g) The environmental effects analysis in Chapter 3 shall contain: rationale, professional judgments and scientific studies that support the conclusions, which help shed light on the degree of uncertainty or reliability of effects analysis.

Explanations of the action or cause for each environmental effect.

The term "environmental effect" is synonymous with "environmental impact". The analysis of environmental effects shall be conducted in the context of impacts on the "human environment" as described in 40 CFR § 1508.14.

Descriptions of location, magnitude/intensity, and general duration of environmental effects.

Direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects.

Avoid repetition, focusing on differences in effects between fully developed alternatives, so readers may easily contrast and compare alternatives, based on the effects described.

Incorporation of scientific material by reference, by summarizing and citing appropriate literature.

References will be listed as an Appendix to the EIS/EA/CEs.

3. The EIS/EA/CEs shall be site-specific to the location described in Section C of the solicitation.

4. The Affected Environment shall be combined with Environmental Consequences into Chapter 3.

5. The format of the EIS/EA/CEs shall closely follow this main-topic outline, unless changes are approved by the

COR:

a) Cover Sheet including project name, responsible official, Forest Service shield, administrative unit, county, and State.

b) Equal Employment Opportunity statement

c) Brief Project Summary

d) Table of Contents

e) Chapter 1.0- Purpose and Need for Action

Introduction: Location and Background (note: attach vicinity maps)

Document organization

Proposal and Background

Purpose and Need for Action

Regulatory Requirements and Required Coordination

Project Area Management Direction.

Proposed Action

Public Involvement

Issues

Decision to be Made

f) Section 2.0 - Alternatives Including Proposed Action

Introduction

Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis

Alternatives Considered in Detail

Elements Common to All Action Alternatives

Comparison of Alternatives (note: mostly table format)

Management Requirements and Mitigation Measures

Monitoring and Evaluation

Implementation Plan

g) Chapter 3.0 - Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences.

Analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of the alternatives considered in detail. Each significant issue will fully discussed in Chapter 3. The format for Chapter 3 will be:

Resource Affected (i.e. Water Resources, Forest Vegetation Resource, etc)

Significant Issue Indicator 1, Indicator 2, etc

Background or Introduction

Forest Plan Direction

Scope of the Analysis (for the issue)

Affected Environment (for the resource tied to the issue)

Summary

Affected Environment disclosure for indicator 1

Affected Environment disclosure for indicator 2, etc

Environmental Effects

Summary

Indicator 1

• Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects to Alt A

• Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects to Alt B (combine with others with similar effects)

Indicator 2

• Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects to Alt A

• Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects to Alt B (combine with others with similar effects),

• Continue this format for any other indicators of the issue.

• Forest Plan Consistency

• Irreversible or Irretrievable Commitments

h) Chapter 4.0 - Public Involvement

• Public Involvement Summary

• Consultation with Tribal Governments

• Collaboration with interested publics including representatives from NEWFC

• List of Recipients of this EIS/EA/CE

• Comments Received on the DEIS/EA/CE and Agency Responses (note: for final documents only)

• Interdisciplinary Team members

j) Appendices

1. Literature Cited (in standard scientific format)

2. Glossary and list of acronyms (if used)

3. If maps are not incorporated into the main part of the EIS/EA/CE document, they need to be included in the appendix.

4. Best Management Practices

5. Forest Vegetation Resource

6. Monitoring

7. Road Management

8. KV and Other Opportunities

9. Wildlife Resource

10. Index

8.0 Documentation sent to the USFS

Project documents shall be addressed as follows:

Mike North TEAMS Enterprise Unit 2231 Co Bar Trail Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Voice: (559) 359-5771 or (929) 213-5846 E-mail: mnorth01@fs.fed.us

Delivered documents shall be in the form of paper copies, facsimiles, and/or electronic copies as specified. Electronic word processing documents shall be Microsoft Word. Where multiple copies are indicated, it will be understood these are to be paper copies. Elsewhere where copy media is unspecified by the Forest Service, it will be the option of the Third Party Contractor to provide the materials by either paper copy or electronic copy. For enhanced communication and to minimize time constraints, it is anticipated and desired that many transmittals will be via electronic mail.

If formal consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service is required the Forest Service will review all draft materials.

Generally, one review will be sufficient prior to printing final materials. However, based upon the amount or complexity of the Forest Service's revision comments, the Forest Service shall have the option of reviewing drafts until they are revised to the Forest Service's satisfaction.

All EIS documents shall be published to the standards outlined within the Federal Register Drafting Handbook. Mailings shall be by United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express (Fed Ex).

All GIS data developed by the Third Party Contractor shall meet Forest Service accuracy standards for geographic data and shall be provided electronically to the Forest Service. Forest Service uses ESRI Arc GIS version 10.

A. Meeting Notes: The Third Party Contractor shall provide a copy of meeting notes (both internal with Forest Service personnel and external with the members of the public) within 5 working days following each meeting during the lifetime of the project. The notes do not become "official" until the Forest Service has an opportunity to review them. Generally, the review will be 5 days or less from time of receipt. Once "official", the notes shall be placed in the project record.

B. Work Plan: Within 30 days of issuance of the task order, the Third Party Contractor shall submit a work plan.

The work plan shall be a comprehensive plan and schedule for completion of all aspects of the task order.