Additional_Questions_and_Answers.docx

Additional Questions and Answers for Wetland Restoration Project #2 – Ingham County, Michigan

Per Spec 5-Pollution Control: 3. Erosion and Sediment Control Measure: Seeding -Seeding to protect disturbed areas shall occur as soon as reasonably possible following completion of that earthwork activity. AND Spec 6. Items of work and construction details: A. Subsidiary Item, Seeding, Sprigging, and Mulching: (1) This item shall consist of furnishing all materials, labor and equipment, seedbed preparation, and installing seed, fertilizer and mulch on all areas disturbed by construction activities within the work limits.

1. What is considered a disturbed area?

Disturbed areas are areas where there is minimal vegetation due to construction activities.

2. Are all 505.1 acres of restoration considered disturbed?

No.

3. Do these disturbed areas receive the temporary seed mix?

Disturbed areas within the work limits will be seeded according to Construction Spec 6 - Seeding, Sprigging, and Mulching 7. Items of work and construction details (3) seed types and rates for areas to be permanently seeded. If the area is seeded during the no seeding period in (2), the temporary seed in (4) shall be used until the permanent seed can be planted after October 25.

4. Do all 412.4 acres of Southern Hardwood Swamp and 21.7 acres of Mesic Southern Forest need seeded with the temporary seed mix or the grass seed mix outlined in Spec 7(A)(3)?

The Southern Hardwood Swamp and Mesic Southern Forest areas are not to be seeded as part of the tree/shrub prep and establishment. The site preparation for these areas is mowing and herbicide application, not tillage. Disturbed areas within the work limits will be seeded according to Spec. 6.

Per Spec 6. Items of work and construction details: A. Subsidiary Item, Seeding, Sprigging, and Mulching: (8) All disturbed areas shall be mulched within 24 hours after seeding, unless otherwise directed by the COR.

5. Do all of the 505.1 acres of the restoration site get mulched since they will be disturbed during restoration?

Only areas that are seeded need to be mulched per Spec 6.

Per Spec 10. Items of work and construction details: D. Bid Item 11, Microtopography: (2) The microtopography shall be completed by October 31, 2013.

6. How is the Rich Tamarack Swamp and Southern Wet Meadow preparation (mowing, biomass removal, spraying, deep tillage, secondary tillage, secondary spraying) to occur if it is to be graded to create microtopography? What is the proposed restoration sequence?

The microtopography in the Rich Tamarack Swamp/Southern Wet Meadow areas will need to be done after the Secondary Tillage & Soil Leveling/Finishing

Per Spec 6. Items of work and construction details: A. Subsidiary Item, Seeding, Sprigging, and Mulching: (18) Following the Secondary Tillage (2rd treatment) & Soil Leveling/Finishing as specified for the areas on the construction drawings labeled as Rich Tamarack

7. Not a complete sentence. What does this mean?

This sentence will be removed from Spec 6. This sentence was moved to Spec 490 Tree/Shrub Preparation 5.Items of Work and Construction Details A.Bid Item 8, Tree/Shrub Preparation (4) (f) Secondary Tillage & Soil Leveling/Finishing - After Soil Leveling/Finishing treatment, broadcast 2 bushels per acre of oats and cultipack.

8. When is microtopography grading to occur as it appears to be in conflict with the seeding requirements (mowing, biomass removal, spraying, deep tillage, secondary tillage, secondary spraying) outlined in Construction Specification 490 - Tree/Shrub Site Preparation: 5. Items of Work and Construction Details: A. Bid Item 8, Tree/Shrub Site Preparation: (4).

See answer for question 6.

9. In the specs for excavating it discusses having to temporary and permanently seed and fertilize all areas that are disturbed by excavation. It also discusses having to straw mulch all those areas. I understand that it is practical for the rock chutes and shallow water wildlife areas, but am questioning the practicality of doing 6,000 microtopography spoil piles. Since the microtopography is part of the excavating process, can you confirm that all approx. 6,000 micro 'pushouts' on the 300 acres needs to be seeded, fertilized and mulched?

All disturbed areas must be seeded, fertilized and mulched per the specifications. Please see Spec 6 Seeding, Sprigging and Mulching. 7. Items of Work. A. Subsidiary Item (9).

Additional Information from Questions and Answers from the Site Showing, July 11, 2013

7. How much of the fence and trees need to be removed from the ingress/egress at the Stockbridge site?

A. Approximately the last 100 ft of fence encroaches the width of the ingress/egress and needs to be removed. There are some trees that are along the east side of the ingress/egress that need to be removed and others could be trimmed.

Clarification – All of the fence will be removed as shown on sheet 8 of the construction drawings. At this time, NRCS is working with the local telephone company regarding the removal of telephone boxes. The contractor will be responsible for working with NRCS and the telephone company to remove telephone boxes that are within the ingress/egress. All trees along the fence will be removed, approximately 20 single and multistem clump trees. Approximately 2 trees along the west side of the ingress/egress will be trimmed. The neighbor east of the ingress/egress has indicated that he may be willing to allow trees to be felled onto his field after he removes the soy beans in that area this fall as long as the disturbed area is repaired when work is done. Any agreements for work done outside the work limits would be the responsibility of the contractor.