OxbowsSOW.doc

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USDA- NRCS

Cranston Site –Oxbows Floodplain Restoration Scope of Work December 2009 This Scope of Work covers the provision of engineering/design services including all necessary site and environmental assessments, preparation and documentation of all required permits, conducting all required surveys for the Cranston Site 3- Oxbows Floodplain Restoration for the Emergency Watershed Program- Floodplain Easement program, hereafter called the Project.

This Scope of Work consists of providing all engineering & design, labor, vehicles, facilities and other necessary items required for the preparation of final "ready-for-bid" construction documents for the implementation and construction of the Project.

Project Description:

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), NRCS is authorized to improve the associated floodplain near Cranston Site 3 – Oxbows in Cranston, RI. The site consists of a 67.74 acre parcel of land identified as Assessor's Plat 2 Lot 4004. It is located between Broad Street and Warwick Avenue in Cranston. It abuts the Pawtuxet River. With the exception of two ball fields, the site is undeveloped wetlands and floodplain.

The proposed project includes the engineering, design and permitting for restoration of surrounding floodplain areas. Restoration activities include but are not limited to: Removal of selected dikes and associated fill, restoration of channel geometry and floodplain connectivity to the main stem of the Pawtuxet River. Other activities are clearing and grubbing as required, reestablishment of native floodplain shrubs, trees and aquatic plants.

The property is owned by the City of Cranston. It is part of a larger Pawtuxet River Restoration initiative that includes the removal of the downstream Pawtuxet Falls Dam. One of the goals of the NRCS Floodplain Easement Program is to restore, protect and maintain existing floodplain functions. An analysis is required for the Project to determine the quantities and extent of excavation required to provide floodplain storage that is sufficient to handle larger storm events.

1.1 Project Schedule

It is anticipated that the Consultant’s work will begin on or about December 28, 2009. A “Notice to Proceed” (NTP) will be issued after an Agreement is executed. The work is to be completed within ninety (90) calendar days of the NTP.

Project Services

The Consultant, acting under the authority and responsibility of the Engineer as defined in the construction contract, shall complete the following services:

1. Project kick-off meeting: Conduct a project kick-off meeting with NRCS and City of Cranston officials to review project scope and requirements.

2. Site visit: Perform initial site visit with NRCS and RIDEM Office of Customer and Technical Assistance within 7 (seven) days of NTP. Perform site visits as necessary to verify dimensions, locations and other pertinent information for the successful completion of the Project. Site visits must been completed with NRCS personnel.

3. Data collection: Obtain necessary information for successful completion of the Project. This information includes, but is not limited to, property boundaries, historic stream channel alignment, topographic information, construction access, soils, geology, hydrology, threatened and endangered species, old historic photographs and any applicable data from the City of Cranston. All property boundaries in the project area shall be identified by the Consultant and added to the plans.

4. Survey: A site survey shall be performed by a licensed professional surveyor and include all existing structures and stream channels, property boundaries, trees 12 inch and larger, and delineation of limits of wetlands and water bodies. The survey shall extend a sufficient distance both upstream and downstream in order to produce a hydraulic model. This includes surveying and identifying any upstream or downstream obstructions. The project area, existing structures and stream channel, wetland flags, and utilities are to be field located and added to the plans. Sufficient topographic data shall be obtained for the purposes of stream channel alignment and calculation of required excavation quantities for floodplain improvement.

5. Hydraulic Modeling: Develop a hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) model of the project area to support design and permitting efforts. Evaluate any existing H&H analysis performed by others, including FEMA and the City. The model shall include both existing and proposed conditions for 2-, 10-, 25-, 50- and 100-yr storm events. The H&H model shall be utilized to investigate design alternatives to determine the revised channel geometry. In developing the model the Consultant shall determine flood impacts to surrounding homes and evaluate whether construction of proposed stream channel improvements will increase upstream and downstream flooding.

6. Geotechnical Investigation: The Consultant shall evaluate the fluvial geomorphology of the proposed stream channel modifications and give consideration to the soils and stability. NRCS requests that the Consultant utilize personnel with experience in fluvial geomorphology to complete this task. As part of the geotechnical investigation, the Consultant shall also evaluate the stability of the proposed locations for the modified channels by preparing a report summarizing findings, recommendations, boring logs, and soil profiles.

7. Prepare 30% designs: The Consultant shall prepare 30% designs to be reviewed and approved by NRCS and the City of Cranston. The Consultant shall conduct a review meeting to discuss comments. The drawings shall be prepared in AUTOCAD and be presented in a scale that provides sufficient detail to complete the work but not smaller than 40 feet per inch. Drawings shall be presented on minimum 22x34 inch sheets.

8. Prepare 60% designs: Upon approval of 30% designs, the Consultant shall prepare 60% designs to be reviewed and approved by NRCS and the City of Cranston. 60% designs shall include final location of stream channel improvements, grading plan, planting plan, wetland mitigation plan, dewatering plan, limits of disturbance, erosion and sediment control, final site access, construction staging areas and any other information required for permit review. Technical specifications and a detailed cost breakdown for construction of the Project shall be developed as part of the submittal. The Consultant shall conduct a review meeting to discuss comments.

9. Prepare permitting documentation: Prepare design and construction drawings, details, and project documentation sufficient to obtain all permits and solicit competitive construction bids.

a. Upon approval of the 60% submittal, the Consultant shall prepare plans to be submitted with the landowner’s permit applications that shall be of sufficient detail to support the permits. The Consultant shall support the NRCS and the City of Cranston during the permit reviews, including onsite visits with the permitting agencies and any permit meetings and/or hearings. Any changes or additional mitigation measures requested by the permitting agencies shall be incorporated in the final construction documents as necessary or required.

b. The proposed project will be regulated by the RIDEM Wetlands Division. All necessary documentation will be completed by the consultant in order for the landowner to submit for all permits. The RIDEM Water Quality Regulations require that a Water Quality Certificate be obtained for site disturbances which have the potential to contribute increased pollutants to Waters of the State and/or that require an Army Corps of Engineers permit. The landowner shall submit all permit applications based on the engineering and design and the results of the environmental impact assessment as completed by the Consultant. The Consultant will be responsible to perform any needed sediment testing required by RIDEM to obtain the water quality certificate. If required by RIDEM, a plan will be developed to dispose of any material that is excavated from the site. The consultant shall provide all necessary documentation support for Army Corps of Engineers permits if needed.

10. Prepare ready-for-bid documents (100% designs, specifications, and project manual): The Consultant shall provide NRCS 100% construction documents for final review by the NRCS and the City of Cranston and attend a review meeting. Upon approval, the Consultant shall provide the NRCS with final contract documents, fully suitable for construction, and sealed by a professional engineer registered in the State of Rhode Island.

a. The Consultant shall prepare as part of the construction documents, but under separate cover, a detailed cost breakdown for the construction of the Project.

b. The Consultant shall develop, as a part of, and included in the engineering/design documents, a “permit” section describing all applicable permits necessary for the design, construction and intended use of the Project, wildlife habit fragment restoration and education.

c. The Consultant shall prepare a project manual containing all specifications and bid documents. The Consultant shall coordinate with the City of Cranston and NRCS to develop project manual and bid documents.

d. The Consultant shall provide six (6) sets, hard copy, of all final documents, drawings, manuals, and plans and three (3) sets of electronic copies of the same.

11. Meetings: Conduct progress meetings with NRCS and City of Cranston officials as needed. Conduct two outreach meetings to inform the public of the Project and its progress. One meeting shall be held at the 30% design stage and one meeting shall be held as the designs approach 100% completion. The Consultant shall prepare presentations as part of the outreach meetings. Prepare and circulate meeting minutes for all meetings.

Additional Information

All planning and design work products developed under this task order are property of USDA-NRCS. These products included, but are not limited to: survey data, flied books, AutoCAD files, reports, hydrologic and hydraulic models, and sediment data and models.

The NRCS point of contact for technical issues for this project will be:

Frank Vogel Phone: 401-822-8823 Fax: 401-828-0433

60 Quaker Lane, Suite 46

Warwick, RI 02886

Frank.Vogel@ri.usda.gov The NRCS point of contact for contractual issues for this project will be:

Mr. Douglas Brown, Contract Specialist

Phone: 413-253-4357

Fax: 413-253-4375

451 Main Street

Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 Douglas.Brown@ma.usda.gov

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