314_Quality_Control_Plan.pdf

Quality Control Plan Aerial Herbicide Application

Calhoun County, Texas

1. Scope

The work consists of applying herbicide by helicopter on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easements located in Calhoun County, Texas.

This specification shall cover the supply of all labor, materials, and equipment required for performing the chemical application on various sites consisting of a total of 1,978.8 acres as shown on plan maps.

The chemical or chemicals used for this project must carry a guarantee by the manufacturer that the chemical mix will kill the target specie.

2. Application

• Tebuthiuron 20% (Spike 20P) pellets shall be applied by helicopter for the treatment of Running live oak.

• Large (> 40 feet height) desirable live oak trees shall not be treated, with an average buffer distance of 100 feet left untreated around them. Wetland areas shall also be avoided and left untreated.

• Chemical application shall be performed on a per tract basis and a GPS system capable of downloading the shapefiles of the individual units may be used to increase the effectiveness of the application.

• Care shall be taken not to damage existing vegetation on adjacent areas by chemical drift, scoring, barking or other injury during chemical application.

• Chemical shall be applied according to the specimen label, and the contractor shall obtain and pay for all necessary permits and licenses required by statute or by any by-law, order or regulation having the force of law.

3. Staging The staging area for the purpose of re-fueling and the loading of herbicide onto helicopter will be conducted in a designated area determined by NRCS staff. Structures, trees and other vegetation shall be protected from damage throughout the duration of the contract period. Any damages resulting from the contractor’s operations or neglect shall be repaired by the contractor. Area will be left free of trash and debris.

4. Spill Prevention The equipment that the Contractor utilizes to undertake the work shall be maintained in a manner that minimizes the potential for spills of fuels, lubricants, and other hazardous construction materials. The contractor shall employ at a minimum the following prevention, control and response measures:

A. Only perform equipment fueling, maintenance and repair as needed for efficient performance of the work, and in a manner that is protective of water quality and the environment.

B. Spill prevention shall include but not be limited to the placement of drip pans under equipment, the draining of leaking fluid reservoirs and/or lines, and the repair of leaking gaskets.

C. In the event of any accidental leaks or spills, immediately clean up the spill and contain any contaminated waters. Remove any contaminated soils, contaminated water, sludge, spill residue or other hazardous materials offsite in accordance with all applicable laws and dispose of at a lawfully permitted facility.

D. Maintain onsite a spill kit for emergency containment and cleanup.

The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer in the event of any spill or release of chemical in any physical form within the project site or adjacent waterways. The Contractor shall be solely responsible for all costs of fines, cleanup, sampling and analysis, reporting and monitoring that results from any fuel or chemical release caused by the Contractor.

5. Certification NRCS will inspect the treatment area to ensure it meets our standards and specifications.

Aerial Herbicide Application