Scope_of_Work_Karamin_2_5_16_(002).pdf

Scope of Work

Karamin Cattle Co. WRP 66054611015SW

Performance Period Ending: December 31, 2020

Work Planned

Access

2016-2020 Annual Access Routes

(Seasonal access only – dependent on water levels) Mow 10’ width strip to allow easier site access for vehicles and equipment (see map for approximate route through western half of easement to access easement under bridge). This will be done each year of the contract.

Mow 10’ width access trail through southern bank of eastern half of the easement to allow access to channel crossing site (see map for approximate route). This will be done each year of the contract.

If needed, temporary fence post removal and replacement of fence post/wire at the end of each season to allow equipment access at SE corner of eastern half of easement near home site (see map). Temporary fencing will be needed to prevent livestock access while the fence post is removed. Access to the site and this temporary fence will be utilized if equipment access to the property is needed though the eastern adjacent property owned by a different party.

Neighbors to the east are willing to negotiate access through their property. If needed access agreement with neighbors to the east will be handled by NRCS.

Uplands Treatment (Approximately 128 acres – see map)

Mow the uplands area as soon as possible in spring, see map.

3 chemical herbicide applications to control a variety of annual and perennial broadleaf and grass weed species on-site; control schedule for spring, summer, and fall (May-September 2016). Weed growth will dictate exact timing. At no time will weeds be allowed to make seed. Chemicals may be ground applied or aerially applied according to label.

2 heavy disc tillage operations minimum 4” in depth for weed control/site preparation (May and

September 2016).

weed species on-site; control schedule for spring, summer, and fall (May-September 2017). Weed growth will dictate exact timing. At no time will weeds be allowed to make seed. Chemicals may be ground applied or aerially applied according to label.

If needed, 2 heavy disc tillage operations minimum 4” in depth for residue incorporation (May and

August 2017). Packer or coil tine harrow will be pulled behind disc to smooth soil surface. NRCS in conjunction with contractor will determine the need for this operation.

weed species on-site; control schedule for spring, summer, and fall (May-September 2018). Weed growth will dictate exact timing. At no time will weeds be allowed to make seed. Chemicals may be ground applied or aerially applied according to label.

If needed, coil tine harrow for site preparation. To be determined by NRCS in conjunction with contract holder.

Drill native grass species mix in November 2018 (see attached for native grass seed mix).

SEEDBED PREPARATION

The seedbed must be firm and weed-free prior to seeding to ensure good seed to soil moisture contact. Use tillage (coil tine harrow) may needed to achieve this condition. Do not create a smooth surface as some ridging and roughness are important.

SEEDING

Seeding may be accomplished by conventional or no-till methods although no-till drills must be closely monitored. The target depth is 1/4" below soil surface for seed placement. One to two bushels/acre of clean (No.1), sterile rice hulls, vermiculite or other suitable carrier may be necessary to facilitate even flow.

Seeding dates vary somewhat based on weather conditions and location. Fall seeding required and should be done when the soil temperature at a depth of 2" drops below 40°

Fahrenheit.

If environmental conditions do not allow a fall seeding, NRCS will authorize a spring seeding.

Post-plant weed control – 3 selective chemical herbicide applications to control broadleaf weed species during spring, summer, and fall (March-September 2019). Weed growth will dictate exact timing. At no time will weeds be allowed to make seed. Spraying will occur over the previously seeded area.

Post-plant weed control – 3 selective chemical herbicide applications to control broadleaf weed species during spring, summer, and fall (March-September 2020). Weed growth will dictate exact timing. At no time will weeds be allowed to make seed. This will be sprayed over previously seeded area.

Drill 50% of the uplands area (approximately 64 acres) with forb species seed mix (see attached for forb species seed mix and seeding instructions listed above). Forbes will be inter-seeded into fall seeded 2018 area using, a no-till drill and ¼” seeding depth.

Reed Canary Grass (RCG) Treatment Areas (2 treatment areas - see map)

25ft by 500ft reed canary grass treatment areas will be laid out at least 25ft away from the channel banks. One treatment area will be along the north bank and 1 treatment area will be along the south bank (2 treatment areas total 12,500 sq. ft. total treatment area planned).

Mow the two RCG treatment areas as soon as possible 2016 but no later than May.

3 non selective chemical herbicide applications to control RCG at the 2 treatment sites (April-

September 2016). Weed growth will dictate exact timing. At no time will weeds be allowed to make seed.

Mow the two RCG treatment areas March-April 2017.

Plant 1360 Salix spp. (Salix exigua, Salix scouleriana, Salix prolixa, Salix lasiandra), red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera trichocarpa), and woods rose

(Rosa woodsii) containerized and/or bare root seedlings no later than April 10, 2017 unless environmental condition do not allow access to the site. Containerized and/or bareroot seedlings will be used for this spring planting, currently planned for April 10, 2017 but may be subject to change depending on weather conditions. Species quantities are listed in the Seed Mixes/Planting

Materials attachment. Each of the 2 plots will have 680 tree/shrubs planted in them on a 4ft by 4ft spacing. Species numbers will be based on percent of each species list in the table below. If the below listed species and/or quantities are not available from vendors NRCS Ephrata field staff will be notified and NRCS will approve substitutions. This activity requires monitoring by an archaeologist (provided by NRCS) which will require coordination of schedules.

Containerized Seedlings

• Minimum size will be 1/4 inch RCD. (RCD: Root Collar Diameter)

• Ample root development and a good balance between root and stem may be more important.

Bareroot Seedlings

• RCD is 3/8 inch. (RCD: Root Collar Diameter)

• No seedlings smaller than 1/4 inch RCD will be used unless approved by NRCS

• There should be from 2 to 6 FOLR (FOLR: First-Order Lateral Roots

This is the number of large ‘first order’ lateral (side) roots branching off from the taproot, depending on species)

Planting Method

Each 25ft by 500ft treatment area will be planted on a 4ft by 4ft tree/shrub spacing. The planting hole diameter will be a minimum of two times the diameter of the root ball. The sides of the planting hole should be vertical. If the sides of the planting hole appear shiny or glazed, rough up the edges with a shovel to loosen the soil before planting. Locate the root flare or root collar when planting. This is the transition zone between the main stem and the root system, this should be minimally exposed. Before adding soil back into the planting hole, ensure roots are not kinked or circling to prevent improper rooting. Once the plant has been placed in the hole and backfilled with soil lightly tamp the soil around the stem ensuring that the root collar is not exposed more than a ½ inch.

Figure 2. US Forest Service

Survival Rate

An 80% survival rate is expected for the aforementioned planting to be determined in 2018. If the survival rate of the planting is not achieved the contractor will replace and replant appropriate species as determined by NRCS using the original specifications. Only exception to the 80% survival requirement is if wildlife or rodent damage is the cause of seeding death. This will be determined by NRCS.

Post Plant animal control- Apply wildlife controllant (deer repellant) such as Seadust , at the time of planting deer repellant such as Seadust with bond adhesive or other approved wildlife controllant after planting containerized and/or bare root seedlings to protect against browsing damange.

3 grass-selective chemical herbicide applications to control RCG at the two treatment sites (March-

September 2017). Weed growth will dictate exact timing. At no time will weeds be allowed to make seed.

Mow 10 ft. buffer around (2) 25ft by 500ft treatment areas.

3 grass-selective chemical herbicide applications to control RCG at two treatment sites (March-

September 2018). Weed growth will dictate exact timing. At no time will weeds be allowed to make seed. This will involve the use of small equipment or hand spraying.

At time of first spring chemical herbicide application apply wildlife controllant (deer repellant) such as Seadust with bond adhesive or other approved wildlife controllant.

Replacement of any dead cuttings due to circumstance other than wildlife damage (required survival rate of 80% after 1 year of planting). Cause of death will be assessed and determined by

NRCS in 2018. Replanting will be done in late fall of 2018 or no later than April 10, 2019 by contractor at contractor expense.

Mow 10 ft. buffer around (2) 25ft by 500ft treatment areas.

http://z.about.com/d/treesandshrubs/1/0/O/4/-/-/plantingdepthUSFS.jpg

3 grass-selective chemical herbicide applications to control RCG at the two treatment sites (March-

September 2019). Weed growth will dictate exact timing. At no time will weeds be allowed to make seed. This will involve use of small equipment or hand spraying.

At time of first spring chemical herbicide application apply wildlife controllant (deer repellant) such as Seadust with bond adhesive or other approved wildlife controllant.

***In instances when applying herbicides near water, an appropriate aquatic labeled non-residual herbicide will be used by licensed applicator at label rate for control of weed species on-site.

***Please note: engineering work on the Crab Creek channel and for proposed pond areas will likely be occurring over the 2016-2020 time frame as well. The RCG treatment area plots planned on the map are subject to change. Contractor will not be held responsible if RCG treatment areas are is changed by NRCS. Contractor will be kept up-to-date on planned engineering work that will take place once designs for the area have been finalized.

Seed Mixes/Planting Materials

Native Grass Species Mix Pure Live Seed (PLS) lb/ac

Great Basin wildrye 1.5 lb/ac

Bluebunch wheatgrass 4.5 lb/ac

Sandberg’s bluegrass 1 lb/ac

Bottlebrush squirreltail 1.5 lb/ac

Blue wildrye 1 lb/ac

Forb Species Mix Pure Live Seed (PLS) lb/ac

Western yarrow .15 lb/ac

Lewis flax .3 lb/ac

Shaggy fleabane .2 lb/ac

Carey’s balsamroot .5 lb/ac

Sulphur lupine .2 lb/ac

Hoary tansyaster .2 lb/ac

Munro’s globemallow .2 lb/ac

“Ladak” alfalfa .5 lb/ac

Arrowleaf balsamroot .2 lb/ac

Reed Canary Grass Treatment Species # of cuttings

Scouler's willow (S. scouleriana) 200

Coyote willow (S. exigua) 180

Pacific willow (S. lasiandra) 180

MacKenzie's willow (S. prolixa) 220

Red osier dogwood 240

Black cottonwood 110

Woods rose (Rosa woodsii) 230

Total 1360