Attachment_1_Appendix A.pdf

Appendix A

PROJECT PURPOSE

The purpose of this stewardship contract is to secure the removal of small saw timber and biomass to accomplish the reduction of fuel loads and fuel ladders in the treatment units. The products mentioned above will result from thinning of designated stands on the Dawn 800 Project. Contractor must remove commercial and pre-commercial trees by description to arrive at a specified spacing. Biomass material must be treated with one of the following methods:

a) Thinning and removal of biomass from 4.0 “ DSH up to 9.9” DBH

b) Mastication of all biomass material less than 9.9” DBH.

c) Mandatory mastication of brush and trees less than 9.9” DBH.

d) Contractor proposed treatment meeting stand objectives.

Decking or piling of biomass material or chips in landings is permitted for less than 20 calendar days in this contract. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE REQUIRED TO

PURCHASE AND REMOVE MERCHANTABLE MATERIAL (TREES GREATER

THAN 10” DBH AND BIOMASS MATERIAL) UNDER A FS-2400-3T TIMBER SALE

CONTRACT.

The contractor shall, develop a plan to accomplish the work specified in the contract, and organize & direct all of the equipment and personnel needed to fully accomplish the work. The contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to complete the work required.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project is located in the vicinity of Dawn Meadow on the High Sierra Ranger District; approximately 5 miles north of Shaver Lake, California. (See Maps Section J).

The project is comprised of 24 units totaling nearly 394 acres. These units have young commercial trees in some areas with substantial biomass volume to treat in the course of thinning the stands by description. The trees to remove are not marked in this item. Individual stand objectives are stated in table 2. Contractor must confirm stand objectives with the Contracting Officer prior to starting each unit. Volume estimates are stated in Appendix B.

Item #1 Dawn 800

Boundaries. A map is attached, showing the location of the unit boundaries. Exterior boundaries of all units are marked in the field with ORANGE boundary paint facing into the unit along the boundary.

Maps

. The size, shape, and location of the contract units were created using Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology. Positions of the features shown on the maps are approximate.

Access

. All items are accessible but will require minor road maintenance.

Restrictions on Work

. Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract. Nothing in this part shall be construed to take away any of the Government's rights under the Suspension of Work Clause (52.242-14). Restrictions are as follows:

1. In accordance with the fire plan.

2. When the Contracting Officer has determined that adverse weather will impact access, haul, or skidding and forwarding or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road, landing, or forwarder trail damage. Forest roads, landings, or skidder and forwarder trails shall not be used for access, haul, or skidding and forwarding if such use will result in the travelway being rutted to a depth of greater than or equal to two inches over more than 10% of the length of the road or landing (measured on a mile by mile basis). If damage to roads, landings, or skidder and forwarder trails occurs, it shall be mitigated.

3. Within the boundaries, the Government may exclude non-work areas such as:

rocky areas, wildlife areas, wet areas, streamside buffers, and other special areas. Non-work areas will be designated by the Contracting Officer. Payment will not be made for non-work areas greater than one half acre in size.

4. Location of areas needing special measures for protection of cultural sites, plants or animals are shown on individual unit maps and identified on the ground.

Visual surveys for California red-legged frogs will be made under and around all parked vehicles and machinery before equipment is moved when project activities occur outside of suitable habitat during the limited operating period.

This period is defined as the first Fall rain or between October 15th thru March 31st. If frogs are found, personnel shall avoid injuring, harassing, or harming individual frogs. Frogs found under or around equipment shall be removed by permitted personnel and placed in the nearest riparian habitat outside of the thinning activity area.

5. If protection measures prove inadequate, if other such areas are discovered, or if new species are listed or found during the term of the contract, the Forest Service may either cancel or unilaterally modify this contract to provide additional protection regardless of when such facts become known. Discovery of such areas by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party.

6. During periods of elevated bark beetle risk as determined by District Silviculturist.

DEFINITIONS

Additional Timber - Any sawlog size tree that is designated and agreed to by the Contracting Officer after contract award.

Best Management Practice (BMP) - An alternative structural or nonstructural practice approved by the California Regional Water Quality Board for the effective manual erosion control and management of surface runoff. BMP's are described in Chapter 30 of the Forest Service Manual (the BMP Handbook).

Biomass - Any portion of any tree, designated for cutting, which does not meet the utilization standards for Sawlog set forth in the contract, but has minimum stump height diameter of 4 inches and 6 feet minimum length. The anticipated product of this material is wood chip for fuel or mulch. This material includes non-sawlog quality products.

Bole - Stem portion of a tree.

Conifer - A cone-bearing tree with needles or leaf scales (e.g. pine, fir, cedar).

Chipping/Shredding – Cutting and redistributing thinning slash, standing trees less than 10” DBH and brush using a piece of equipment with a cutting head capable of chipping the specified material on slopes up to 35%.

Comparison Tree - A tree considered but not selected as a leave tree.

Cut Tree - A tree that is designated by the Forest Service for felling.

Damaged Trees - Any tree with one or more of the following injuries:

1. Any true fir that has any bark cut or removed to the cambium from more than 10% of the circumference of the bole.

2. Any other tree species that has bark cut or removed to the cambium from more than 30% of the circumference of the bole.

3. Any tree that has a broken or dead top above a live crown and showing declining vigor (chlorosis or flagging of individual branches).

4. Any tree that has had 25% or more of the live limbs or branches broken or removed by any operation.

5. Defects, which include sweeps in the bole or crooked boles.

DBH - Diameter at breast height; the diameter of a tree measured at a point 4.5 feet above the ground on the uphill side of the tree.

DSH - Diameter at stump height; the diameter measured at a point six inches above the ground on the uphill side of the tree or stump.

Excess Tree/Snag - A tree or snag that is left but should have been cut to meet spacing standards.

Hang-up Tree - A cut tree suspended above the ground by a leave tree or brush.

Hardwood - A tree with broad leaves rather than clusters of needles (i.e. oak, willow, etc.).

Leave Tree - Conifers planned to become part of the forest canopy in the long term. A leave tree is determined by both spacing and vigor of existing conifers. Any tree marked with yellow, or black paint shall not be cut. Trees marked with a combination of paint colors that include yellow, blue or black paint shall not be cut.

Limbed - Cutting of exposed limbs from products prior to skidding/forwarding from woods.

Lop and Scatter - Slash shall be scattered to reduce concentrations not to exceed the specified depth. Slash shall be scattered into openings away from trees.

Machine Pile - Slash shall be piled for disposal by Forest Service with machinery equipped with brush rake or other device approved by Forest Service. Piles shall reasonably compact, free of soil, located at least twice their height from outer edge of residual tree, and have a fire ring at least 6 feet or one blade wide (which ever is wider) to mineral soil constructed around the pile.

Sawlog - Any log length, of any tree painted for cutting, which meets the minimum specification for pieces required for removal as specified by the 2400-3T contract. The anticipated product of the Sawlog material is lumber.

Sample Mark – Area marked to display specifications of contract as reference

Slash - Vegetative debris generated by Contractor's Operations. In addition, material in chip or shredded form will be considered slash.

Snag - Any standing conifer tree without green leaves.

Species Mix – The proportion of a species to be selected as crop trees ( leave trees ).

Contractor shall leave 70 to 80 percent ponderosa pine and 20 to 30 percent other species. For each 10 trees select as crop trees ( leave trees ) the best 7 to 8 ponderosa pine will be selected and 2 to 3 other species should be selected based on other leave tree selection criteria.

Thinning - The cutting of trees in excess of those to be left for future stand needs.

Utilization - The removal of all felled and yarded material from National Forest land.

Forms of utilization include chips, logs, fuelwood, posts, etc.

Whole Tree Removal - Felling designated thinning material using a self-propelled mechanical harvester (processor) capable of operation on slopes up 35 percent, with an articulating boom having an operating radius of at least 20 feet for cutting trees, capable of lowering and placing trees up to 22.0 inches DBH, on the ground. Trees exceeding the processor's capability may be felled by conventional chainsaw methods.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

DETAILED REQUIREMENTS

The successful offeror's technical proposal will be incorporated as part of the resultant contract. It shall describe how the work shall be accomplished to comply with the Work Standards and Resource Protection Standards.

A proposed treatment plan and schedule shall be prepared by the Contractor and be reviewed and approved by the Contracting Officer before starting work. The proposed treatment plan should describe, in adequate detail, how the contractor intends to complete the work and meet the specifications in this contract. The proposal should include (at the minimum) equipment, manpower, schedule, proposed haul routes and resource protection plans.

WORK STANDARDS

Thinning:

This includes various activities to increase the health and vigor of residual trees and modify the quantity and/or arrangement of live and dead forest fuels. The methods to accomplish thinning may include the following: In both items, method 1, 2, or 3 may be used. However, in item 1b, only method 3 shall be used.

1. Whole tree logging; 10.0” DBH to 20.0” DBH

2. Biomass utilization of material from 4.0” DSH up to 9.9” DBH

3. Shredding/chipping of brush and small trees on site;

Individual Unit Thinning Specifications

TABLE 1

Stand

DawnS ale

GPS

Total Acres

Mech Thin

*(3)M astication

*(2) Spacing trees < 10"

DBH

(tr iangle)

*(1) Spacing trees > 10"

DBH

(tr iangles)

Trees Merch.

Trees

Designated for Removal by Descr iption

Non-Merch. Trees Designated for

Removal by Descr iption

Est Acres

Per Acre

Dawn 800 Units 329- 002 62 18.5

14 Yes 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118

10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

329-

64 13.5

13.5 Yes 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118

10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

329-

66 14.2

14.2 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118

10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

329-

7 20.0

20 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118

10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

11.0

11.0 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118 10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

9 26.2

21 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118

10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

10 9.6

9.6 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass na na

10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

2 10.2

10 na na Sawtimber Biomass

22 118

10.0 DBH

13 17.5 15 Yes na na Sawtimber Biomass

22 118

10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

329-

14 35.1 9 Yes 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118

10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

329-

63 20.0 14 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118

10.0 DBH

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

329-

34 38.4 28 Yes 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass na na

10.0 DBH

nd #

DawnS ale

GPS

Total Acres

Mech Thin

*(3)M astication

*(2) Spacing trees < 10"

DBH

(tr iangle)

*(1) Spacing trees > 10"

DBH

(tr iangles)

Trees Merch.

Trees

Designated for Removal by Descr iption

Non-Merch. Trees Designated for

Removal by Descr iption

Est Acres

Per Acre

36 7.5

7.5 na na Sawtimber Biomass

22 118 10.0 DBH +

43 16.4 15 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118 10.0 DBH +

46 4.5 3 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass na na 10.0 DBH +

4 43.6 28 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118 10.0 DBH +

1 6.3

6.3 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass na na 10.0 DBH +

52 4.1

4.1 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass

22 118 10.0 DBH +

54 8.9 3 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass na na 10.0 DBH +

3 12.5 2 na na Sawtimber Biomass

22 118 10.0 DBH +

5 4.1

4.1 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass na na 10.0 DBH +

6 9.0 10 na na Sawtimber Biomass

22 118 10.0 DBH +

42 16.9 9 na na Sawtimber Biomass

22 118 10.0 DBH +

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

333- 050 32 19.8 19.8 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass na na 10.0 DBH +

333-

33 5.7

5.7 18 180 Sawtimber Biomass na na 10.0 DBH +

4.0 DSH up to 9.9

DBH

TOTALS 393.9 296.8

*(1) Spacing for portions of stand with trees greater than 10” DBH space 22 x 22 feet based on equilateral triangles. Spacing from Black Oak leave trees shall be 1.5 times the spacing guide.

*(2) Spacing for portions of stands with trees less than 10” DBH space 18 x 18 feet based on equilateral triangles

*(3) Stands identified for mastication will have brush and small trees treated. Trees smaller than biomass material will be thinned to a spacing of 18 x 18 feet based on equilateral triangles with mastication if spacing for trees smaller than 4” are achieved with mechanical thinning.

SMZ’s are flagged on the ground and identified on the map.

• Class II streams. No equipment allowed within 75’ each side of stream.

• Class III streams. No equipment allowed within 50’ each side of stream.

• Class IV streams. No equipment allowed within 25’ each side of stream.

Class IV streams are not flagged but are identified on the map.

Selection of Leave Trees

The minimum size tree to be treated is 2" DBH or 4" DSH. In all diameter ranges from 4.0 inch DSH to 20.0 inch DBH the trees to be treated will not be marked. A sample marked area will serve as an example of contract description for spacing, species mix and crop tree selection. The trees that are to remain (leave trees) are to be chosen using the following criteria (designation by description).

Leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown, and straightest stems in dominant or co-dominant positions that are free of damage due to insects, disease, physical or mechanical causes. Mechanical removal of merchantable trees 10.0” DBH and greater must be completed first. The Contractor shall then select leave trees in the following priorities for the biomass portion of this contract:

Leave any residual crop tree larger than 20" in diameter at breast height unless marked or directed by the contracting officer. Leave non- hazard dead snag trees over 15" in diameter at breast height in stands. Snags are not to be included into the spacing guidelines

In areas where the selection of crop trees greater than 10” DBH results in an average tree spacing of 22’ X 22’ or less, all trees between 9.9” DBH and 4.0” DSH shall be considered as designated for removal and must be removed or chipped/shredded in the unit. In areas where remaining crop trees greater than 10” DBH results in an average tree spacing greater than 22’ X 22’ feet, select additional leave trees from healthy undamaged conifers under 10” DBH as necessary to achieve average spacing of 22’ X 22’. Excess trees between 9.9”DBH and 4.0”DSH shall be considered as designated for removal and must be removed or chipped/shredded in the unit. Spacing may be varied up to 25 percent to select the most desirable tree. However, spacing control, using original guides, shall be maintained whenever possible and shall not vary more than + or

– 10% of designated trees per acre. The number of trees per acre shall not be materially increased or decreased.

After removal of the excess merchantable trees, Contractor shall assess each acre treated to determine the proper spacing of crop trees for the final results.

For each acre with more than 50% merchantable crop trees, the average inter-tree spacing shall be 22’ X 22’. For each acre with less than 50% merchantable crop trees, the average inter-tree spacing shall be 18’ X 18’. (Refer to Table 1 for unit specifications) In stands of trees within the unit where the only leave trees are less than 12 feet tall

, the average spacing shall be 16 x 16 feet.

In all contract items, space conifers from black oak crop trees 1.5 times the spacing guide in Table 1. Black Oak crop trees should be generally free of rot and exhibiting vigorous crown characteristics. Vigorous crown characteristics for black oak include spreading crown, tight branch knots, and little to no rot in exposed or broken limbs.

Trees with the following types of damage will be treated as noted:

a. Conifer trees that are infected with dwarf mistletoe shall be removed unless the infection sites are within the lower one-half of the crown, the infections are not in the bole or less than 6 inches from the bole in the lower one half of the crown or if it is feasible to remove the disease by pruning.

b. Trees with crown damage may be left providing there are no signs of rot and the tree has established a new leader (top) with a minimum of two years growth visible.

c. Fir trees with any amount of bark missing below 18 feet above the ground shall be cut.

If no healthy undamaged tree exists at the required spacing interval, leave a tree with minor damage. If no such tree exists, all trees shall be cut.

Leave trees have the following additional characteristics:

a. Crown Class - must be either a vigorous dominant or co-dominant.

b. Crown Ratio - 30 percent or more of the total height must be live crown.

c. Hardwood trees over 15' high and 4" DBH are leave trees.

d. Sugar pine free of disease that meet spacing criteria and are in dominant or co-dominant position will be selected as leave trees.

Stands composed entirely of stagnated trees will be thinned to leave the undamaged trees with the fullest crowns.

Contractor shall leave trees in the appropriate spacing at a species mixture as follows: Black Oak should not exceed more than 1 out of every 10 trees. Incense Cedar should not exceed 1 out of every 10 trees. Ponderosa Pine should not be less than 7 out of every 10 trees. The order of precedence for leave tree selection among leave trees of equal size and vigor is:

Sugar Pine (Blister Rust Free) Douglas fir Black Oak Ponderosa pine or Jeffrey pine Incense cedar White Fir

All work including the felling and removal of the sawlogs or thinning of the biomass material is to be accomplished without damage to the residual stand.

Damage, Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches measured from the ground on the uphill side, or 4 inches above natural obstacles (boulders, wildlife logs, etc.). All limbs below the cutting point shall be severed flush with the stump

Stump heights

REMOVAL

For biomass utilization, thinned trees meeting the requirements for biomass material shall be removed from the units by whole tree yarding equipment, conventional falling, limbing, and skidding methods or by chipping/shredding the material in the unit.

General Requirements of All Removals

The Contractor shall not leave any Included Timber or biomass untreated on the ground for more than 20 days.

Leaning trees shall be directionally felled away from pockets of residual trees, protected improvements, SMZ's, meadows, or private property using normal felling practices, wedging, jacking or lining as needed. 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.

Products must be skidded along designated trails to landings designated by the Contracting Officer.

Crop trees on the inside of turns along designated skidtrails shall be protected from yarding damage by use of “rub” or turn pivot trees. Rub trees must be at least 10 feet tall and able to withstand lateral force of whole tree canopies during removal to landings. Rub trees shall be removed when all yarding is complete on that skidtrail.

Damage to more than 5% of crop trees near skid roads shall be assessed at triple stumpage rates.

Log landings or transfer points shall be limited to existing, landings, roads and designated turnouts.

Maximum Equipment width for use in the woods shall be less then 120 inches from outside of tire/tracks.

SLASH TREATMENT. Slash treatment includes:

1. Slash shall be lopped and scattered to a maximum depth of 12 inches.

Masticated mulch shall be spread to a depth not to exceed 6 inches. Bucking length is 6 feet. Slash shall be pulled 3 feet away from residual trees.

2. All damaged trees less than 9.9 inches DBH that are unnecessary for spacing are to be felled and treated as slash.

3. Any slash generated from landing operations shall be machine piled for burning.

In lieu of piling, Contractor may chip/shred slash for removal. Chipped material must be removed from the landing within 20 days.

4. Piles must be constructed in such a manner that results in 85% consumption of debris when burned. Machine piles shall be no more than twice as wide as the pile height and be 90% dirt free. Hand piles shall be roughly equal in height and width and appear as an haystack. All piles shall be no less than 6 feet in any dimension.

5. All burn piles shall be at least 50 feet horizontal distance from stream channels, power transmission lines, private property lines, and roads and shall be located so that burning will not damage standing trees, snags, or improvements.

Minimum spacing between piles shall be equivalent to one and one-half the diameter of the adjacent pile.

6. Use of mechanized equipment in treating slash within SMZ's and riparian buffer areas is prohibited. All treated slash falling within SMZ or riparian buffers shall be pulled out an appropriate distance for the stream classification and scattered for mechanical treatment. In sensitive areas inaccessible to machines, Contractor shall pile slash by hand for burning.

7. Contractor is required to remove all competing brush within specified treatment areas except in: streamcourses, meadows, road buffers, or other protected areas. Removal may be accomplished by mastication, piling, or biomass utilization. (Refer to Table 1 for unit specifications)

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Thinning Inspection Procedure

a) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during the contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

b) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

c) If any of the services do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contact requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by re-performance, the Government may; 1) require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements, and 2) reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

d) Definitions. "Services", as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of service.

e) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may; 1) by contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such device, or 2) terminate the contract for default.

Fixed 1/10 acre plots shall be conducted by Contractor or representative to determine compliance with spacing guidelines. Plots are to be taken frequently enough to ensure consistent thinning results (i.e. 1 plot/acre). Contractor shall review Table 1 for specifications prior to starting each unit. Plot sampling will include all trees within a 37.2

ft. radius. The number of crop trees counted in the plot multiplied by 10 must equal the desired trees per acre. Contractor shall locate plots to sample trees of appropriate size for the desired spacing.

The Contracting Officer will make periodic inspections by examining a series of plots. The Contractor or his representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

Plots shall be taken using the equalateral triangle method, and shall provide a sample of at least two percent of each item sampled.

Each plot will be examined to record findings on the items listed below:

(1) Number of leave trees that should have been left.

(2) Number of missing leave trees.

(3) Number of excess trees.

Upon inspection of all plots for an item, the quality of thinning shall be calculated as follows:

(No. of missing leave trees + no. of excess trees) 1.00 X 100 = Quality % (Number of Trees That Should Have Been Left)

Rework and Reinspection After Rework

When inspection results are below 90 percent and excess trees constitute any part of the deficiency, payment will not be made until the excess tree deficiency has been corrected. 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 percent variance 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.

Inspection of Slash Treatment

Acceptance will be determined by an inspection of the areas requiring treatment and will be based on adherence to the specifications.

Nonconformance with any of the specifications will classify the treatment as unsatisfactory and rework will be required to bring the treatment up to specification standards.