Crooked River Appendices 12209.doc

Crooked River Stewardship

Appendix A

Stewardship activities Performance of Stewardship activities shall be in accordance with the following Specifications and Special Contract Requirements.

Stewardship activities as shown in the Stewardship Activity Map shall be performed when authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer. Such authorization may be for all or a portion of the quantity shown. Upon written request, additional activities shall be authorized; however, the Contracting Officer shall not be obligated to authorize additional activities if three or more authorized activities remain uncompleted. The Contracting Officer shall not be obligated to authorize additional activities at any time if in his/her opinion it is estimated there is insufficient value of remaining designated timber to cover the value of additional activities. For each Stewardship Activity, the Contractor will be responsible for a ½ acre test plot, in which ½ acre of the specified Stewardship Activity is conducted and submitted for inspection, before completing the remaining acres.

Mandatory Item - Thin and Remove Thinning and removal of 3 inch D.B.H. to 7.9 inch D.B.H trees in all or portions of timber harvest units: 1(20ac), 3(5ac), 5(5ac), 8(5ac), 13(10ac), 18(5ac), 21(3ac) 31(17ac), 32(27ac), 39(26ac), 41(21ac), 48(130ac), 53(22ac), 55(15ac), 56(24ac), 60(33ac), 66(80ac), 69(13ac), 70(20ac), 75(4ac), 76(6ac), 120(34ac), 121(15ac), 131(29ac) & 139(8ac). Total acres: 577

A. SCOPE OF THIS ACTIVITY

This activity consists of pre-commercial tree thinning and removal of material and related work in compliance with the terms, specifications and provisions in this contract. Material will be removed from the unit where slopes are less than 35% and deposited at the log landings. This includes furnishing all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals.

B. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The work is located on the Council Ranger District of the Payette National Forest in Adams County, Idaho. The Stewardship Activity Map shows the location of these units. Exterior boundaries are marked in the field with orange paint on boundary trees.

C. SCHEDULING OF OPERATIONS.

Unless otherwise agreed, contractor shall complete required slash work on units within 90 calendar days of initiating work.

D. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Desired End Results:

The desired end result of the pre-commercial thinning, and removal is to thin, and remove material from the units to increase growth and reduce fire risk by reducing ladder fuels.

2. Obligations of the Contractor

Before work begins on this Stewardship Activity, the Contractor shall designate, in writing, the person, or persons who shall represent the Contractor during any absence from the project site. In the designation, the Contractor shall describe the areas of responsibility assigned to the representative. Designated representative(s) shall be fully conversant in the English language, and shall be able to fully communicate with all parties.

3. Definition of Terms

Activity slash – Boles and branches of cut trees created from work under this provision.

Average Spacing - The average distance between leave trees.

Bole - The main stem portion of a tree.

Buffer - A strip of uncut trees, commonly separating or bordering sensitive areas such as streams or riparian zones.

Co-dominant Crown Class - Trees that are not as tall as dominants, with crowns receiving overhead light. They may be confined laterally by dominants and usually make up the main canopy with the dominants.

Conifer - A cone-bearing tree with needles.

Crook - A defect in trees, consisting of an abrupt curvature or bend.

Crown - That portion of a tree that has green needles or leaves.

Crown Ratio – The ratio of the crown length to total tree height.

Cull Trees - For the purpose of this provision, cull trees are defined as:

1. Diseased Trees

(a) Any ponderosa pine that is a minimum of 4.5 feet tall and with a D.B.H. of 0.0 inches - 7.9 inches showing evidence of western gall rust in the bole of the tree (trees with branch infections only are acceptable leave trees where they are the best tree to leave).

(b) Any tree that is a minimum of 4.5 feet tall and with a D.B.H. of 0.0 inches - 7.9 inches showing evidence of dwarf mistletoe present on the tree.

2. Damaged Trees – any conifer tree that is a minimum of 4.5 feet tall and with a D.B.H. of 0.0 inches - 7.9 inches showing any of the following characteristics:

(a) Three or more tops in the live crown, or dead or broken out tops of the bole (double topped trees are acceptable leave trees only where they are the best tree to leave.

(b) Bent over or leaning more than 30 degrees from vertical.

(c) Bole damage where the bark is removed from more than 50 percent of the tree’s stem circumference for ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and western larch and more than 33 percent for grand fir, alpine fir, lodgepole pine, and Englemann spruce.

Cut-tree – Trees that are a minimum of 4.5 feet tall and with a D.B.H. of 0.0 inches - 7.9 inches, not chosen as a leave tree; trees designated for removal from the stand. Trees marked for boundaries (orange paint) shall not be cut.

D.B.H. - (Diameter at Breast Height) - Diameter of the bole measured at a point 4.5 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of a tree.

Damage - Includes any defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, fire and/or equipment; evidenced by such things as dead or broken tops or boles, crooks, cat-faces, and scars.

Dominant Crown Class - Trees that are somewhat above the general level of the canopy and are exposed to full sunlight from above and to a certain extent laterally.

Dripline – The line extending vertically from the exterior edge of a tree’s live crown to the ground.

Excess Trees - Uncut trees that do not meet specifications and should have been cut.

Excessive Damage - Damage caused by Contractor to leave trees in excess of contract specifications. Excessive damage will include damage to the bole of the tree where the wood is exposed, broken out tops, root damage as evidenced by lean or splitting of the bole, and any tree pushed out of the soil.

Existing slash - Debris created prior to work under this contract (both natural and as a result of previous activities).

Girdling - A cut through the bark and cambium tissue completely encircling the tree trunk for the purpose of killing the tree.

Hang-up Tree - Any tree with one end suspended more than 3 feet off the ground.

Intermediate Crown Class - Trees that are below the main canopy level, and receive direct sunlight only through holes in the canopy. All trees of this class are subject to strong lateral competition.

Leave Islands – Areas in which no treatment occurs.

Leave Tree - Any tree that is selected or required to be left standing as provided in the specifications. Conifers planned to become part of the forest canopy in the long term

Live Limb - A branch that exceeds 2.0 inches in length, with green needles growing from it.

Minor Damage - Crooks in the trunk, which are, offset less than 3 inches from the long axis and within 13 feet of the ground, no forks, broken top, or bark damage extending more than one-fourth of the circumference of the tree.

Missing Leave Trees - Those trees cut that should have been left.

Pruning - – The removal, close to the branch collar, of side branches (live or dead) from a tree.

Riparian Conservation Area (RCA) – An area adjacent to a stream, lake, or wet area that supports riparian vegetation, and/or influences the characteristics of the stream, lake, or wet area. Also referred to as a SMZ or Streamside Management Zone.

Riparian Vegetation – The vegetation bordering watercourses, lakes, bogs, and seeps.

Roads - The area between the outside edges of the fill-slope and back-slope.

Slash - Limbs and boles of down trees.

Snag - Any dead standing tree.

Spacing - The horizontal distance from the bole of one leave tree to the bole of another leave tree.

Sweep - Gentle curvature in the bole of a tree.

Thinning - The removal of trees to accelerate diameter growth on residual trees by reducing competition for moisture, nutrients, and sunlight.

Understory - The trees less than eight inches D.B.H., or less than seven inches D.B.H. for lodgepole pine.

Unit – An area of where contract work will be completed. Unit numbers and estimated sizes are listed in Contractor’s Stewardship Activity Table. Actual acres will be measured.

Windrow – brushwood, slash, etc., concentrated along a line, to clear the intervening ground.

4. Pre-Commercial Thinning and Removal Specifications

During all operations, care shall be taken to minimize damage to leave trees. Damage to leave trees by contractors operations shall be counted as a deficient tree.

a. Pre-Commercial Thinning Specifications

Only trees that are a minimum of three (3) inches D.B.H. and less than eight (8) inches D.B.H. shall be considered for cutting for all species except lodgepole pine. Lodgepole pine shall be considered for cutting only if it is less than seven (7) inches in diameter.

Trees designated for cutting:

· Cut all live standing grand fir.

· Cut all trees within the drip-line of trees 8 inches D.B.H. or greater.

· Cut all trees with less than 50% crown ratio.

· Cut all diseased or damaged trees.

· Cut the remaining trees to a spacing of 20 feet between boles, except clumps less than 8 inches D.B.H. growing 75 feet or greater from any tree 8 inches D.B.H. or greater.

· Favor to leave in order of preference: Ponderosa pine, Douglas-Fir, Western Larch, Englemann Spruce, Lodgepole pine.

Spacing on individual trees may be varied up to 25% to select the most desirable tree. There will be no variance in the distance for leave clumps.

Trees may be cut using a feller-buncher. Felling and removal shall be done concurrently with felling and removal of the Sawtimber. Trees selected to be cut shall be cut at or below four (4) inches above the ground level. If natural obstacles prevent cutting the bole at 4 inches, then the stump shall not exceed six (6) inches above the obstacle. All live limbs shall be removed from the stump. Stumps shall be cut horizontally.

All roads within these units shall be kept free of cut material.

b. Removal Specifications

Removal shall be done concurrently with removal of the Sawtimber. On slopes over 35% the sub-merchantable material will be lopped and left.

E. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

NOTE: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE AN INSPECTION SYSTEM THAT ASSURES WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THE SPECIFICATIONS, BEFORE REQUESTING A GOVERNMENT INSPECTION.

The Government will make periodic visual inspections of the entire unit to determine adherence to the specifications. If the visual inspection indicates unsatisfactory work, then a series of plots, as outlined below for pre-commercial thinning and lopping will be taken to determine the quality of the work performed. The Contractor or designated representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

Each unit as designated on the Stewardship Activity Map will be inspected as a separate unit for acceptance or Stewardship Credit. Each sub-item (pre-commercial thinning and lopping) will be inspected separately and the average percent quality of these two items will be used to determine overall unit quality.

1. Pre-Commercial Thinning Inspection

a. Inspection

The Government will make periodic visual inspections of the entire unit to determine adherence to the specifications. If the visual inspection indicates unsatisfactory work, then a series of plots, as outlined below, will be taken to determine the quality of the work performed. The Contractor or designated representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

The Government will inspect units reported completed for acceptance, as follows:

a. Each Unit, as designated on the attached maps and described in the Schedule of Items, will be visually inspected separately to determine adherence to the specifications. If the visual inspection indicates unsatisfactory work, then a series of plots, as outlined below, will be taken to determine the quality of work performed.

b. The inspector will mark a series of 1/20-acre (26.33 ft. horizontal plot radius) plots on the ground. Plot center will be located and marked on the ground. The number of plots to be taken will be based on the unit’s treatment size:

· Treatment areas less than 2 acres = 4 plots per acre with a minimum of 4 plots total.

· Treatment areas greater than 2 acres = 2 plots per acre with a minimum of 8 plots total and a maximum of 16 plots total.

c. Plots will be randomly distributed over the entire acreage within each pay item. When indicated on the Schedule, units will be combined for purposes of inspection and payment.

d. Each tree (including stumps) on each plot will be examined, and each tree will be classified as a Satisfactory Tree (tree meets specifications), a Category “A” Tree (tree does not meet specifications, and is not correctable), or a Category “B” Tree (tree does not meet specifications, and is correctable). See the following tables. Additionally, the following information will be collected:

1. Number of trees on plot.

2. Number of Satisfactory trees.

3. Number of Category “A” trees.

4. Number of Category “B” trees

SATISFACTORY TREES

INSPECTION CODE

CATEGORY "A" TREES

CATEGORY "B" TREES

b. Thinning Quality Calculation

The Government will use the above information to compute the tree thinning quality using the following formula:

Thinning quality (percent)=(#Satisfactory trees/#Trees on Plot) X 100

Percentage of thinning quality as calculated above will be rounded up to the nearest whole percent.

c. Rework and Reinspection After Rework

When inspection results are below 90 percent and Category “B” trees constitute a part of the deficiency, payment will not be made until the Category “B” trees have been corrected, unless the Contracting Officer determines Category “B” trees to be minor or an isolated situation that will not result in any material differences in the thinning quality. Inspections after rework will be made in the same manner as the first inspection but on different plot lines. The Contractor shall pay for inspections necessitated by the rework.

Reinspection of Thinning Upon Contractor Request. If the original inspection results are unacceptable to the contractor and a second inspection is requested without rework, the same inspection procedure will be used. However, the inspection pattern will be shifted. If the second inspection shows less than 5 percentage point improvement from the first inspection, the Contractor shall pay the cost of the second inspection, and the result of the first inspection will be used in determining payment. Requests for reinspection must be made in writing.

F. DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

Additional Deliveries or Performance Requirements

a. Performance Period. Task orders will include the performance period.

b. The Government will issue a Task Order as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for work. The count of contract time will start on the date specified in the Task Order.

c. It is estimated that adverse weather and/or road conditions may prevent access to the work sites or performance to specifications during the period November 1 to May 1

G. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Liquidated Damages

It is understood and agreed that when inspection determines Stewardship activities quality is below 90 percent and rework would not bring Stewardship activities quality above 90 percent, Contractor would not receive payment for pay item. Alternatively, if quality of Stewardship activities falls below 90 percent and is not corrected, the Government may terminate this contract in whole or in part under the Termination for Default Clause. In that event, the Contractor will be liable for fixed and agreed liquidated damages on all Stewardship activities acres where Stewardship activities quality is less than 90 percent.

2. Method of Payment.

Payment, less deductions will be made for completed pay items at the unit contract price wherever the average thinning and lopping quality is 90 percent or above, based on inspection as outlined above. Where inspection determines the average thinning and lopping quality is below 90 percent and rework would not bring average thinning and lopping quality above 90 percent, Contractor would not receive payment for pay item. Where average thinning and lopping quality is below 90 percent and rework would bring quality to or above 90 percent, Contractor would not be responsible for second inspection costs. However, if second inspection indicates percent is still below 90 percent, Contractor shall pay for the actual costs of reinspection.

3. Stewardship Credit After inspection of completed acreage, the Contracting Officer must calculate the Stewardship Credit amount.

The Stewardship Credit amount must be calculated by multiplying the number of acres times the Stewardship Activity Offer unit price per acre when the quality of the Stewardship activities is equal or greater than 90 percent. No Stewardship credits will be established if Stewardship activities quality is below 90 percent.

Stewardship Credit shall be made on a completed unit basis only, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Mandatory Item thinning, lop, AND SCATTER Thin and lop trees from a minimum 3.0 inches D.B.H to 7.9 inches D.B.H. in all or portions of timber harvest units: 1(10ac), 3(6ac), 18(15ac), 21(8ac), 27(10ac), 31(5ac), 32(64ac), 48(40ac), 53(10ac), 66(20ac), 69(12ac), 70(3ac), 75(2ac), 76(10 ac),120(12ac) & 131(9ac). Total acres: 236

This activity consists of pre-commercial tree thinning and lopping and related work in compliance with the terms, specifications and provisions in this contract. Lopping of thinned trees shall be on those areas where slopes are over 35%. Thinned and lopped trees on those areas will not be removed. This includes furnishing all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals.

B. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The work is located on the Council Ranger District of the Payette National Forest in Adams County, Idaho. The Stewardship Activity Map shows the location of these units. Exterior boundaries are marked in the field with orange paint on boundary trees.

C. SCHEDULING OF OPERATIONS.

Unless otherwise agreed, contractor shall complete required slash work on units within 90 calendar days of initiating work.

The desired end result of the pre-commercial thinning, lopping, and scattering is to thin the units to increase growth and reduce fire risk by reducing ladder fuels.

Before work begins on this Stewardship Activity, the Contractor shall designate, in writing, the person, or persons who shall represent the Contractor during any absence from the project site. In the designation, the Contractor shall describe the areas of responsibility assigned to the representative. Designated representative(s) shall be fully conversant in the English language, and shall be able to fully communicate with all parties.

4. Pre-Commercial Thinning and Lopping Specifications

During all operations, care shall be taken to minimize damage to leave trees. Damage to leave trees by contractors operations shall be counted as a deficient tree.

a. Pre-Commercial Thinning Specifications

Only trees that are a minimum of three (3) inches D.B.H. and less than eight (8) inches D.B.H. shall be considered for cutting.

Trees designated for cutting:

· Cut all live standing grand fir.

· Cut all trees within the drip-line of trees 8 inches D.B.H. or greater.

· Cut all trees with less than 50% crown ratio.

· Cut all diseased or damaged trees.

· Cut the remaining trees to a spacing of 20 feet between boles, except clumps less than 8 inches D.B.H. growing 75 feet or greater from any tree 8 inches D.B.H. or greater.

· Favor to leave in order of preference: Ponderosa pine, Douglas-Fir, Western Larch, Englemann Spruce, Lodgepole pine.

Spacing on individual trees may be varied up to 25% to select the most desirable tree. There will be no variance in the distance for leave clumps.

Trees selected as cut trees shall be cut at or below four (4) inches above the ground level. If natural obstacles prevent severing the bole at that point, stump height shall not exceed four (4) inches above the obstacle. All live limbs shall be removed from the stump. Stumps shall be cut horizontally.

Trees shall be directionally felled away from residual trees, improvements, RCA’s, meadows, or private property. Such directional felling shall not be required when in the faller’s judgment it is unsafe to do so, and the tree shall be left standing.

Material to be cut within 50 feet of the boundary of a unit shall be felled toward the center of the unit, where it is safe to do so. Any material that falls outside of the unit shall be returned to a minimum of 20 feet inside the boundary. All roads within these units shall be kept free of cut material. Cut vegetation shall be felled along the contour as much as possible for water runoff soil movement protection.

c. Lopping Specifications

Contractor shall lop the 3.0 inch D.B.H. to 7.9 inch D.B.H. thinned trees as shown on the Stewardship Activity Map.

All material will be lopped so that it does not extend up over 2 feet in height above the ground. Boles of lopped trees will be left in segments no longer than 6 feet. Slash will be scattered or pulled away from the boles of residual trees.

E. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

NOTE: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE AN INSPECTION SYSTEM THAT ASSURES WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THE SPECIFICATIONS, BEFORE REQUESTING A GOVERNMENT INSPECTION.

The Government will make periodic visual inspections of the entire unit to determine adherence to the specifications. If the visual inspection indicates unsatisfactory work, then a series of plots, as outlined below for pre-commercial thinning and lopping will be taken to determine the quality of the work performed. The Contractor or designated representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

Each unit as designated on the Stewardship Activity Map will be inspected as a separate unit for acceptance or Stewardship Credit. Each sub-item (pre-commercial thinning and lopping) will be inspected separately and the average percent quality of these two items will be used to determine overall unit quality.

1. Pre-Commercial Thinning Inspection

a. Inspection

The Government will make periodic visual inspections of the entire unit to determine adherence to the specifications. If the visual inspection indicates unsatisfactory work, then a series of plots, as outlined below, will be taken to determine the quality of the work performed. The Contractor or designated representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

The Government will inspect units reported completed for acceptance, as follows:

e. Each Unit, as designated on the attached maps and described in the Schedule of Items, will be visually inspected separately to determine adherence to the specifications. If the visual inspection indicates unsatisfactory work, then a series of plots, as outlined below, will be taken to determine the quality of work performed.

f. The inspector will mark a series of 1/20-acre (26.33 ft. horizontal plot radius) plots on the ground. Plot center will be located and marked on the ground. The number of plots to be taken will be based on the unit’s treatment size:

· Treatment areas less than 2 acres = 4 plots per acre with a minimum of 4 plots total.

· Treatment areas greater than 2 acres = 2 plots per acre with a minimum of 8 plots total and a maximum of 16 plots total.

g. Plots will be randomly distributed over the entire acreage within each pay item. When indicated on the Schedule, units will be combined for purposes of inspection and payment.

h. Each tree (including stumps) on each plot will be examined, and each tree will be classified as a Satisfactory Tree (tree meets specifications), a Category “A” Tree (tree does not meet specifications, and is not correctable), or a Category “B” Tree (tree does not meet specifications, and is correctable). See the following tables. Additionally, the following information will be collected:

1. Number of trees on plot.

2. Number of Satisfactory trees.

3. Number of Category “A” trees.

4. Number of Category “B” trees

SATISFACTORY TREES

INSPECTION CODE

CATEGORY "A" TREES

CATEGORY "B" TREES

b. Thinning Quality Calculation

The Government will use the above information to compute the tree thinning quality using the following formula:

Thinning quality (percent)=(#Satisfactory trees/#Trees on Plot) X 100

Percentage of thinning quality as calculated above will be rounded up to the nearest whole percent.

c. Rework and Reinspection After Rework

When inspection results are below 90 percent and Category “B” trees constitute a part of the deficiency, payment will not be made until the Category “B” trees have been corrected, unless the Contracting Officer determines Category “B” trees to be minor or an isolated situation that will not result in any material differences in the thinning quality. Inspections after rework will be made in the same manner as the first inspection but on different plot lines. The Contractor shall pay for inspections necessitated by the rework.

Reinspection of Thinning Upon Contractor Request. If the original inspection results are unacceptable to the contractor and a second inspection is requested without rework, the same inspection procedure will be used. However, the inspection pattern will be shifted. If the second inspection shows less than 5 percentage point improvement from the first inspection, the Contractor shall pay the cost of the second inspection, and the result of the first inspection will be used in determining payment. Requests for reinspection must be made in writing.

2. Lopping Inspection

a. Inspection

Acceptance for lopping shall be determined by an inspection of the units and shall be based on adherence to the specifications for lopping. Nonconformance with any of the specifications will classify the treatment as unsatisfactory.

b. Lopping Quality Calculation

The Government will use the above information to compute the lopping quality using the following formula:

Lopping quality (percent)=(# Satisfactory plots/# Plots inspected) X 100

Percentage of lopping quality as calculated above will be rounded up to the nearest whole percent.

c. Rework and Reinspection After Rework

When inspection results fall below 90 percent, payment will not be made until the lopping deficiency has been corrected. Reinspections after rework will be made in the same manner as the first inspection but on different plot lines. The contractor shall pay for inspections necessitated by the rework.

Reinspection of Lopping Upon Contractor Request. If the original inspection results are unacceptable to the contractor and a second inspection is requested without rework, the same inspection procedure will be used. However, the inspection pattern will be shifted. If the second inspection shows nonconformance with the specifications, the Contractor shall pay the cost of the second inspection, and the result of the first inspection will be used in determining payment. Requests for reinspection must be made in writing.

F. DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

Additional Deliveries or Performance Requirements

d. Performance Period. Task orders will include the performance period.

e. The Government will issue a Task Order as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for work. The count of contract time will start on the date specified in the Task Order.

f. It is estimated that adverse weather and/or road conditions may prevent access to the work sites or performance to specifications during the period November 1 to May 1

G. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Liquidated Damages

It is understood and agreed that when inspection determines Stewardship activities quality is below 90 percent and rework would not bring Stewardship activities quality above 90 percent, Contractor would not receive payment for pay item. Alternatively, if quality of Stewardship activities falls below 90 percent and is not corrected, the Government may terminate this contract in whole or in part under the Termination for Default Clause. In that event, the Contractor will be liable for fixed and agreed liquidated damages on all Stewardship activities acres where Stewardship activities quality is less than 90 percent.

2. Method of Payment.

Payment, less deductions will be made for completed pay items at the unit contract price wherever the average thinning and lopping quality is 90 percent or above, based on inspection as outlined above. Where inspection determines the average thinning and lopping quality is below 90 percent and rework would not bring average thinning and lopping quality above 90 percent, Contractor would not receive payment for pay item. Where average thinning and lopping quality is below 90 percent and rework would bring quality to or above 90 percent, Contractor would not be responsible for second inspection costs. However, if second inspection indicates percent is still below 90 percent, Contractor shall pay for the actual costs of reinspection.

3. Stewardship Credit After inspection of completed acreage, the Contracting Officer must calculate the Stewardship Credit amount.

The Stewardship Credit amount must be calculated by multiplying the number of acres times the Stewardship Activity Offer unit price per acre when the quality of the Stewardship activities is equal or greater than 90 percent. No Stewardship credits will be established if Stewardship activities quality is below 90 percent.

Stewardship Credit shall be made on a completed unit basis only, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

*Mandatory Item – Chip and Removal Chipping and removal of activity slash from the landings in units: 7, 8, 31, 32, 33, 36, 39, 41, 45, 48, 49, 53, 55, 59, 60, 66, 68, 69, 70, 75, 76 and 276

*Optional Item – Chip and Removal Chipping and removal of activity slash from the landings in units: 1, 3, 4, 5, 13, 18, 21, 27, 56, 120, 121, 131, 139 and 211

*The following activity description and inspection description apply to both activities listed above

The activity consist of chipping and removing from National Forest System land all slash created from the yarding and processing of all Included timber and other related work as required by the terms of this contract. In addition to the slash created from Included timber it will also include all slash resulting from the removal of the sub-merchantable material in designated units. This includes furnishing all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies and incidentals. Piles must be totally chipped except for material that will be left to meet the requirements described in provision K-F.3.4# - Obliteration of Temporary Roads, Skid Trails and Landings or as agreed to in writing from the COR.

B. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The Contract Area Map shows the location of the harvest units considered for this activity. Exterior boundaries are marked in the field with orange paint on the boundary trees.

Slash is all limbs and any bole material that is not merchantable from both the timber included in A2 and sub-merchantable trees that may be required to be removed.

C. SCHEDULING OF OPERATIONS.

Unless otherwise agreed, contractor shall complete the removal of slash from those units authorized by the Contracting Officer prior to termination of this contract except for the units described in provision RO-K-G.3.1.2#. Contract Operation Restrictions which requires slash removal within a specified time frame.

The desired end result of the chipping and removal of slash material is to decrease the slash piles and generate a market for small diameter material and chips and reduce adverse effects from burning slash.

Before work begins on this Stewardship Activity, the Contractor shall designate, in writing, the person, or persons who shall represent the Contractor during any absence from the project site. In the designation, the Contractor shall describe the areas of responsibility assigned to the representative. Designated representative(s) shall be fully conversant in the English language, and shall be able to fully communicate with all parties.

3. Definition of Terms

Activity slash – Boles and branches of cut trees of both Included Timber and sub-merchantable trees.

Sub-Merchantable trees – Trees that are of lessor size than is required to be cut in Provision A2.

Ton – 2000 pounds of material weight.

4. Chipping and Slash Removal Specifications

Contractor shall chip and remove material from the landing and remove from National Forest System lands. Material to be removed is slash from timber included in A2 and designated for cutting in K-C.3.5.1 and any slash from sub-merchantable trees that may be required to be removed. Contractor shall not intentionally break or cut pieces into smaller pieces in order to avoid removal.

Care shall be taken to minimize damage to leave trees. Damage to leave trees by contractors operations shall be counted as a deficient tree.

E. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

NOTE: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE AN INSPECTION SYSTEM THAT ASSURES WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THE SPECIFICATIONS, BEFORE REQUESTING A GOVERNMENT INSPECTION.

Each unit as designated on the Stewardship Activity Map will be inspected as a separate unit for acceptance or Stewardship Credit.

1. Inspection

A. Inspection and Acceptance - The Contracting Officer or his representative shall make periodic inspections. The Contractor or his representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

Ocular estimates of slash piles shall be made to determine if the required amount of slash is present.

2. Rework and Reinspection After Rework

If the work is unacceptable the Contractor will remove more slash. Stewardship credits will not be awarded unless the work is satisfactory

G. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Liquidated Damages

It is understood and agreed that when inspection determines this Stewardship Activity quality is below 90 percent and rework would not bring Stewardship Activity into compliance, Contractor would not receive payment for pay item. Alternatively, if quality of Stewardship Activity falls is not corrected, the Government may terminate this contract in whole or in part under the Termination for Default Clause. In that event, the Contractor will be liable for fixed and agreed liquidated damages on this Stewardship Activity acres where Stewardship Activity quality is not satisfactory.

2. Method of Payment.

Payment, less deductions will be made for completed pay items at the unit contract price wherever the residual activity slash material removal is 90 percent or above, based on inspection as outlined above. Where inspection determines the residual activity slash material removal quality is below 90 percent and rework would not bring the residual activity slash material removal quality above 90 percent, Contractor would not receive payment for pay item. Where the residual activity slash material removal quality is below 90 percent and rework would bring quality to or above 90 percent, Contractor would not be responsible for second inspection costs. However, if second inspection indicates percent is still below 90 percent, Contractor shall pay for the actual costs of reinspection.

3. Stewardship Credit After inspection of completed landing site, the Contracting Officer must calculate the Stewardship Credit amount.

The Stewardship Credit amount must be calculated by multiplying the number of tons removed times the Stewardship Activity Offer unit price per ton when the quality of the Stewardship Activity is acceptable. No Stewardship credits will be established if Stewardship Activity quality is not acceptable.

Stewardship Credit shall be made on a completed unit basis only, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Mandatory Item – Obliteration of Roads

Roads listed in the following table

Total miles 17.4

4.9 miles with wood straw

12.5 miles with Ag straw

A. SCOPE OF THIS ACTIVITY

This work consists of obliterating 17.4 miles of existing non-system roads, including decompaction to 16 inches, recontouring to natural slope profile, seeding, mulching with natural mulch, and equipment rental as needed, and other incidental work. This includes furnishing all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals.

This work consists of the reclamation of roadways by the removal of culverts; decompaction and recontouring of subgrade; ; restoration of stream channels; and seeding, revegetation, and mulching of all disturbed areas. In addition work includes diverting of live streams, pumping, bailing, draining, sheeting, bracing, and other miscellaneous items required for execution of the work.

B. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The work is located on the Council Ranger District of the Payette National Forest in Adams County, Idaho. The Stewardship Activity Map shows the location of the road obliteration considered for this activity.

C. SCHEDULING OF OPERATIONS.

Unless otherwise agreed, contractor shall complete seeding following or concurrently with road obliteration between September 15 and June 1.

The desired end result of the roadway obliteration is to restore to approximate original ground contours, and return the soil to productivity, and hydrologic function. Obliteration measures would increase the rate of vegetative recovery and improve infiltration to return hydrologic function of the soil.

Decompact road surfaces. Remove all pipes, bridges, and other structures and all fill material associated with them down to “natural ground” or as shown on the drawings.

Keep excavated material within the original construction limits. Finish slopes to provide gradual transitions in slope adjustments without noticeable breaks.

Effectively close access to area by recontouring or placement of slash.

2. Obligations of the Contractor

Before work begins on this Stewardship Activity, the Contractor shall designate, in writing, the person, or persons who shall represent the Contractor during any absence from the project site. In the designation, the Contractor shall describe the areas of responsibility assigned to the representative. Designated representative(s) shall be fully conversant in the English language, and shall be able to fully communicate with all parties.

3. Definition of Terms

Coarse Woody Debris (CWD) – Woody residue greater than 3-inch diameter on the small end and longer than 6 feet in length.

Riparian Conservation Area (RCA) – Portions of watersheds where riparian-dependent resources receive primary emphasis, and management activities are subject to specific goals, objectives, standards, and guidelines. RCAs include traditional riparian corridors, perennial and intermittent streams, wetlands, lakes, springs, reservoirs, and other areas where proper riparian functions and ecological processes are crucial to maintenance of the area’s water, sediment woody debris, nutrient delivery system, and associated biotic communities and habitat. RCA’s are referred to as RHCA’s in Appendix C.

Natural mulch – includes live vegetation transplants, topsoil, organic material, and coarse woody debris existing in the vicinity of the road.

Riparian Vegetation – The vegetation bordering watercourses, lakes, bogs, and seeps.

Roads - The area between the outside edges of the fill-slope and back-slope.

Variable Size Class - One half of CWD should be 15 inches or greater.

4. Road Obliteration Specifications

Obliteration shall be achieved by the following measures:

Loosen compacted soil down to 16 inches of the entire disturbance area created by the road through the use of a trackhoe excavator bucket to dig the full depth of the bucket. After required decompaction of the roadway the fill material shall be pulled up and placed on roadbed between the top of cut and original ground, forming a slope approximating natural contours or 20% as designated thereby creating an area prepared to receive vegetative transplants, plantings, and natural revegetation. No ditches, water traps, or berms shall remain. Finish to the lines shown on the plans blending to the surrounding terrain.

· Transplant live vegetative material from the road surface and adjacent areas into the treated road prism at a minimum rate of 10 plantings per 100 lineal feet. This will be accomplished with an excavator and the clump shall be of sufficient size to maintain all the root system and contain adequate soil to enhance favorable growth.

Preserve vegetation in road prism to be transplanted after compacted soil has been loosened. Transplanted material shall be conserved with root mass and surrounding soil to maintain and incorporate nutrients, soil microbes and other organisms. Vegetative material shall include native brush and sod. It is recommended the excavator operator utilize the bucket and thumb to plant vegetative material.

· For natural stream channels, removal of all fill and recontouring to the original contours is required. All drainage structures and appurtenances (culverts, downpipe, anchors, drop inlets, and trash racks, etc.) shall be removed. Removal and disposal of log drainage structures shall be considered incidental to this section and no additional payment will be made. Stream channel width and dimensions after drainage structures have been removed shall be the same as the undisturbed width and dimensions above or below the crossing. An approximately uniform grade shall be constructed from natural ground above the inlet to natural ground below the outlet to facilitate a free draining channel for the entire length unless otherwise noted on the worklists. Excavated material shall be incorporated in the adjacent areas while maintaining “natural slopes”. Stream diversion or dewatering is required while work is being done in the channel, unless otherwise designated by the COR. These may be done with pipes, open ditches, or check dams. The intent is to minimize erosion into the stream channel during construction. Live streams will require a minimum of two grade control structures. Wider crossings may require more, using a 20’ maximum spacing. These are usually constructed with rocks as shown on the plans. Logs may be substituted as long as shape and elevation can be maintained. Channel side slopes will be stabilized with slash and straw mulch. Transplant live vegetative material at the minimum rate specified above (10 per 100 linear feet).

Restore natural slope profile to cross drain channels. These are areas where springs or seeps in the cutslope are evident or noted. Remove the fill material below the slope but do not place the excavated material in seep or spring. Construct a channel to provide drainage onto natural ground as shown on the drawings.

· Apply coarse woody debris of various size classes over the treated road prism in such a manner as to provide cover and protection of the newly disturbed soil and to incorporate organic material at the site. This shall be achieved by covering the area with a variety of coarse wood size classes to reach a minimum of 30 to 50 % coverage of the treated road prism. Coarse woody material may come from adjacent areas or be hauled in for use. The ag straw shall be delivered in 50 pound bales.

· Seed according to the following seed mix: Apply turf establishment to finished slopes and ditches. Do not seed during windy weather or when the ground is excessively wet, frozen, snow covered, extremely dry, cloddy, hard pan, or is otherwise untillable.

Application Methods for Seed, Fertilizer, & Limestone

"Furnish the kinds of certified weed free seed and the amounts to be applied in terms of pure live seed as follows:

Quantity of Pure

1. _ Triticale___________ ___5.03_________________

2. __Bluebunch wheatgrass Secar ___2.8__________________

3. __Slender Wheatgrass Revenue ___2.42________________

4. __Sandberg Bluegrass ____ ___.49_________________

5. __Idaho Fescue Joseph CT___ ___.48_________________

6. _ Blue Flax Appar CT________ ___.37_________________

7. _ Hairy Vetch_______________ __ 5.45________________

8. __Yarrow, White

__.10__________________

Total _18.15____lb/acre________

· Mulching- Spread the ag straw and the wood straw to obtain the coverage shown on the drawing.

The number of bales was calculated using the following assumptions:

Apply ag-straw at an average rate of 1 bale per 100 feet of road. This is based on 50 pound bales, and it is where the average width of disturbed road prism is 25 feet wide. Where the disturbed road prism is wider or narrower than 25 feet, the contractor shall adjust the spacing between bales accordingly.

Apply the wood straw at an average rate of 1 bale per 94 feet of road. This is based on “large bales” and it is where the average width of disturbed road prism is 33 feet wide. Where the disturbed road prism is wider or narrower than 33 feet, the contractor shall adjust the spacing between bales accordingly.

Straw / hay bales shall be certified as “Weed Free”. The source field shall be inspected and certified by the county extension agent from the county that the straw/hay was grown. Each shipment onto the forest shall be accompanied by a certification that stating that is weed free. The contractor shall furnish the forest service with a statement of certification.

For the Crooked River roads contract, the ag straw shall be delivered in 50 pound bales.

For Crooked River roads contract, the wood straw shall be wood-strand erosion control mulch, an all- wood long-strand material composed of a blend of loose thin wood pieces, each with a high length-to-width ratio such that the pieces form a protective matrix when distributed on the soil. The wood straw shall be Wood Straw engineered erosion control mulch model LS64-100 as manufactured by Forest Concepts of Auburn, WA phone 1-877-838-4759, or approved equal. For Crooked River roads, the wood straw shall be delivered in “large bales” that are 30” by 40” by 42”-54” and have a target weight of 575 pounds with a range of 500 to 650 pounds.

E. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

NOTE: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE AN INSPECTION SYSTEM THAT ASSURES WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THE SPECIFICATIONS, BEFORE REQUESTING A GOVERNMENT INSPECTION.

1. Inspection

Inspection will include the following:

· Seed tags will be inspected by the Forest Service prior to application of seed.

· Final road obliteration will include visual inspections of the road to determine adherence to the specifications. If the visual inspection indicates unsatisfactory work, ocular estimates will be made of a 15 by 15 foot area of the road every 100 feet for the length of the road to determine if obliteration is adequate.

The Contractor or designated representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and…