Hardin_Project_Package.pdf

Hardin Fuel Reduction Project

Mendocino National Forest

1. DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

Hardin Fuel Reduction Contract is located on the Grindstone Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest with units located in:

Township (North) Range (West) Section 22 9 24, 25

22 8 21, 22, 29, 30, The objectives of this project are to reduce dead and down fuel concentrations and residual precommercial sized trees in commercially logged timber units. Slash resulting from the logged units will be hand piled and covered with plastic outlined in Section 3, “Piling Specs”.

Secondarily, this contract also addresses overstocking and brush competition in young plantations. Material will be thinned down to a specified residual spacing.

The slash treatment area was logged in the summer of 2012. There is a significant amount of logging slash present that remains a fuel hazard and needs to be disposed of. Plantation thinning units are typically younger plantations and contain a large amount of manzanita.

Item 2 will be exercised by September 30, 2015, subject to funding availability.

2. PROJECT LOCATION(S):

Project boundaries are indicated by pink and white checkered flagging. Specific units can be located using the attached maps for each contract item.

3. SPECIFIC WORK REQUIREMENT:

Item 1:

The purpose of this treatment is to thin young conifer and mixed hardwood stands to improve moisture availability and reduce the potential for fire to destroy the stand.

Pile all dead and down material between 1 and 6 inches in diameter in Unit 3. Thin clumps of conifers to a spacing of 20-25 feet apart using the guidelines in Table 1. Other scattered precommercial sized trees (less than 10 inches DBH) shall also be cut if they are in poor health, form, or have low crown ratios (less than 50% live crown). No riparian vegetation shall be cut (maple, elderberry, etc.).

Conifers will be thinned to a leave tree spacing of 20-25 feet using the criteria outlined in Table

1. Hardwood trees will not be considered in the spacing requirements. Cut trees include conifers more than one foot in height and up to 10 inches DBH. Stumps shall be level and no greater than 4 inches in height, or 4 inches above natural obstacles. No riparian vegetation shall be cut (maple, elderberry, etc.)

Hardin Fuel Reduction Project, AG-9AC7-S-15-0099 1

Table 1. Thinning criteria for Items 1 – 14.

Species Size Comments

Leave trees (conifers) < 4" DBH Thin to 20' X 20' spacing

Leave trees (conifers) 4" - 8" DBH Thin to 25' X 25' spacing

Hardwoods All Retain all

Shrubs/Brush All Cut all

The order of species preference for conifer leave trees is as follows (high to low preference):

Sugar pine, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, incense cedar, white fir. When choosing the best leave tree, the most vigorous (tallest, fullest crown, free of disease and damage) should be chosen.

A variety of species should remain following treatment. Douglas-fir is the most prevelant species within the units, and will likely remain so following treatment. Any tree with a broken top within the cutting guidelines should be removed, especially if there are other suitable trees nearby.

Clusters of 3 trees 15 to 20 feet apart will be acceptable if they are adjacent to or within openings. Select dominant trees as leave trees whenever possible.

Dominants shall be left as leave trees which meet the following five criteria:

1. Crown class – dominant, with healthy crowns

2. Bole – straight and unforked

3. Health – shall be vigorous and healthy in appearance

4. Growth – leader length shall be equal to or greater than that on trees of the same size and growth class

5. Quality – the limbs shall not be excessively large

Snags shall not be cut unless they present an immediate hazard to operations in the project area. Cut snags shall be left in place on the ground.

All trees over 8 feet tall that are not cut shall be pruned of lower branches. Branches shall be pruned from the ground to a maximum of 4 feet high. Pruning shall be conducted in such a way that there is no damage to the main stem of the tree.

Item 2:

The purpose of this treatment is to thin young conifer and mixed hardwood stands to improve moisture availability and reduce the potential for fire to destroy the stand.

Conifers will be thinned to a leave tree spacing of 20-25 feet using the criteria outlined in Table 1 of Item 1. Hardwood trees will not be considered in the spacing requirements. Cut trees include conifers more than one foot in height and up to 10 inches DBH. Stumps shall be level and no greater than 4 inches in height, or 4 inches above natural obstacles. No riparian vegetation shall be cut (maple, elderberry, etc.).

The order of species preference for conifer leave trees is as follows (high to low preference):

Sugar pine, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, incense cedar, white fir. When choosing the best

Hardin Fuel Reduction Project, AG-9AC7-S-15-0099 2 leave tree, the most vigorous (tallest, fullest crown, free of disease and damage) should be chosen.

A variety of species should remain following treatment. Douglas-fir is the most prevelant species within the units, and will likely remain so following treatment. Any tree with a broken top within the cutting guidelines should be removed, especially if there are other suitable trees nearby.

Clusters of 3 trees 15 to 20 feet apart will be acceptable if they are adjacent to or within openings. Select dominant trees as leave trees whenever possible.

Dominants shall be left as leave trees which meet the following five criteria:

1. Crown class – dominant, with healthy crowns

2. Bole – straight and unforked

3. Health – shall be vigorous and healthy in appearance

4. Growth – leader length shall be equal to or greater than that on trees of the same size and growth class

5. Quality – the limbs shall not be excessively large

Snags shall not be cut unless they present an immediate hazard to operations in the project area. Cut snags shall be left in place on the ground.

All trees over 8 feet tall that are not cut shall be pruned of lower branches. Branches shall be pruned from the ground to a maximum of 4 feet high. Pruning shall be conducted in such a way that there is no damage to the main stem of the tree.

All Items: Piling Specifications All cut material over 1 inch in diamter must be piled (except for cut snags), unless terrain and tree spacing does not allow for proper pile location. In the event that piles become too close together some lopping and scattering of material may be allowed at the discretion of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Scattered slash shall not be more than 1 foot deep.

All piles shall be constructed by laying limbs, stems, cut boles, and other slash in the pile so as to be parallel with each other and up and down the slope to prevent material from rolling downhill during pile ignition. Each pile shall include an area of small sized slash near the bottom of the pile to provide kindling for prompt ignitions and to aid in combustion of larger slash.

Maximum pile size shall be 6 feet in diameter by 4 feet in height. All material will be cut to a length such that it can be placed in a pile without exceeding these maximum dimensions (see Attachment). There may be instances where larger piles are acceptable. For example, in a large opening, 50 feet in diameter, a pile could be 10 feet in diameter by 6 feet high. The Contractor shall contact the COR if suitable locations are found for approval to create these larger piles. In other areas, it may be beneficial to remove a leave tree if too much cut material is present and create a larger opening for a larger pile. The COR must also be contacted to give approval of such locations. Other suitable and preferred locations are on existing skid trails scattered throughout the units.

Piles shall be constructed at least 15 feet apart, unless the COR gives his/her consent.

All piles will be covered with 4ft X 4ft, 6 mil thick plastic to promote drying and ignitions.

Brush/slash must be piled on the plastic to ensure it stays in place.

Piles shall be placed so that flames from the pile will not impact leave trees. In all cases, piles

Hardin Fuel Reduction Project, AG-9AC7-S-15-0099 3 shall not be closer than 10 feet from leave trees and felled snags.

Piles shall not be closer than 20 feet from unit boundaries, edges of roads or trails, meadows, or private ground.

Piles shall be located a minimum of 5 feet away from stream channels, springs, or seeps. It was not possible to identify all of them within the project area, and will be dealt with as they are located. Pile locations will be negotiated when discoveries are made.

Slash shall not be piled or placed on logs, stumps larger than 2 feet in diameter, ditches, against trees, or left within 25 feet of roads. All open roads shall be kept free of thinning slash.

4. INSPECTION:

4.1 Measurable Performance Standard in Visual Inspection Procedures

• Quality and location of piles

• Spacing and quality of acceptable leave trees

• Tree selection by species and dominance

4.2 Acceptable Quality Level

The Government will conduct inspections to determine work quality. Determination of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these verification inspections and will be considered conclusive. An inspection will be made and the Contractor will be notified within 12 hours of any deficiencies, rework or additional work requirements. The Government will conduct inspections, on a pay item basis, in accordance with the following quality assurance surveillance plan. All piles found unacceptable, shall be re-worked by the Contractor.

A.) Piles can not be located on or against stumps, logs, or rocks larger than 2 foot in diameter.

B.) Piles must be placed in natural or created openings and away from leave trees to avoid scorching.

C.) Piles can not be placed on open roads or in road ditches.

D.) Piles can not be placed within 5 feet of channel bottoms.

E.) Piles can not be placed within 15 feet of any improvement such as road signs, Hardin Fuel Reduction Project, AG-9AC7-S-15-0099 4 fences etc.

F.) Piles shall be kept to a reasonable size and usually no larger than 4 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. Larger piles and their location are subject to COR approval.

G.) Piles shall contain a core of smaller woody material in the bottom of the pile that allows for easier ignition and burning.

H.) All piled material shall be horizontal and aligned parallel together tightly. Trimming of material may be required to achieve a compact, stable pile.

I.) 6 mil polyethylene plastic shall be placed in every pile in the upper half of the pile and be at least 4 feet by 4 feet in size.

Inspections will be documented by the inspector and copies provided to the Contractor after the inspection has occurred. In the event that work is performed that is contrary to the requirements in the task order the Government is not liable for costs incurred by the contractor during negligent performance that is without the fault or negligence of the Government.

PAYMENT WILL NOT BE MADE UNTIL DEFICIENCIES HAVE BEEN CORRECTED BY THE CONTRACTOR. RE- INSPECTIONS, AFTER REWORK, WILL BE MADE IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE FIRST INSPECTION. THE

CONTRACTOR SHALL PAY FOR INSPECTIONS NECESSITATED BY THE REWORK.

5. SITE PROTECTION:

No sites are designated for protection. If, during operations, a potential site is discovered, the COR shall be notified as soon as possible, and work in the area shall cease until the district archeologist is available to examine the site.

6. CONTRACT TIME:

The contract must be completed by December 31, 2015. Estimated contract start date is June 15, 2015 with contract time of 60 days.

7. SITE VISIT/PREWORK MEETING

Offerers are urged and expected to inspect the site where the work will be performed. An organized site visit will be scheduled for April 16, 2015 at 9:30 am. We will meet at the Mendocino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 825 N. Humboldt Ave, Willows, CA 95988.

Those wishing to attend may show up at the appointed place or contact Andrew Mishler at 530- 934-1257. RSVP is advised if you’d like to be notified in the event of meeting cancellation. No Government transportation will be provided.

8. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY:

Contractor must have the ability to measure the diameters of trees, using a reliable method (logger’s tape or other suitable method) in order to select cut or leave trees. All necessary equipment shall be provided by the Contractor including the plastic to cover the pile, nothing less than 6 mil shall be used.

Hardin Fuel Reduction Project, AG-9AC7-S-15-0099 5

Hardin Contract

FY2015

Unit Description Item 1: 256 Acres

Unit 1: 40 acres: This is a PCT unit that has not seen any treatment. This unit contains a lot of small Douglas Fir, Cedar, and Ponderosa Pine understory. Throughout the unit there is also manzanita and White thorn brush that can be thinned and piled. Two significant drainages are the units boundary. 40 piles per acre. Slope average is 30% Flagging: Pink and White Checkered

Unit 2: 29 Acres: This is a PCT unit that has not seen any treatment. This unit contains a lot of small Douglas Fir, Cedar, and Ponderosa Pine understory. Openings are scattered throughout this unit but we also have thick pockets of conifer that need to be thinned. Throughout the unit there is also manzanita and White thorn brush that can be thinned and piled. On the west side of the unit is an active drainage. 40 piles per acre. Average slope is 25% Flagging: Pink and White Checkered

Unit 3: 24 Acres: This unit has been commercial thinned in 2012 and has lots of fuel loading on the ground. The unit still has pockets of mixed conifer and brush that needs to be thinned as well. The unit is fairly open for opportunities to place piles. 40 piles per acre. Average slope is 35% Flagging: Pink and White Checkered

Unit 4: 38 Acres: This unit is primarily thick patches of manzanita brush with mixed conifer and hardwoods throughout the area. Most of the expected cut material in this unit will be Manzanita.

40 piles per acre. Slope average is 30% Flagging: Pink and White Checkered

Unit 5: 52 Acres: This unit contains a lot of manzanita in the understory with Ponderosa Pine, Doug fir as the primary over story. Throughout the unit hardwoods are present that need be retained. 40 piles per acre. 30-35% average slope.

Flagging: Pink and White Checkered

Unit 6: 27Acres: This unit has an even mixture of conifer and brush with hardwoods. In some areas there are opening of grass/glade areas that we do not want any piling to occur. Slope average range is 35% to 40% Flagging: Pink and White Checkered

Unit 7: 46 Acres: Openings are scattered throughout unit with oak established within the area.

Dense pockets of manzanita are present and need to be treated. Within this unit is near the eastern boundary is a Ponderosa Pine plantation. The average slope is 20%.

Flagging: Pink and White Checkered

Hardin Fuel Reduction Project, AG-9AC7-S-15-0099 6

Hardin Contract

Legend Hardin units Master

0 0.5 10.25 Miles

E

SLS 3/6/15

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3 Unit 4

Unit 5

Unit 6

Unit 7

FIRE PLAN FOR CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE CONTRACTS

03/06/2013

1. SCOPE:

The provisions set forth below outline the responsibility for fire prevention and suppression activities and establish a suppression plan for fires within the contract area. The contract area is delineated by map in the contract. The provisions set forth below also specify conditions under which contract activities will be curtailed or shut down.

2. RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Contractor

(1) Shall abide by the requirements of this Fire Plan.

(2) Shall take all steps necessary to prevent his/her employees, subcontractors and their employees from setting fires not required in completion of the contract, shall be responsible for preventing the escape of fires set directly or indirectly as a result of contract operations, and shall extinguish all such fires which may escape.

(3) Shall permit and assist in periodic testing and inspection of required fire equipment. Contractor shall certify compliance with specific fire precautionary measures in the fire plan, before beginning operations during Fire Precautionary Period and shall update such certification when operations change.

(4) Shall designate in the Fire Plan and furnish on Contract Area, during operating hours, a qualified fire supervisor authorized to act on behalf of Contractor in fire prevention and suppression matters.

B. Forest Service

The Forest Service may conduct one or more inspections for compliance with the Fire Plan. The number, timing, and scope of such inspections will be at the discretion of agency employees responsible for contract administration. Such inspections do not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for correcting violations of the fire plan or for fire safety in general, as outlined in paragraph 2.A above.

3. DEFINITIONS:

The following definitions shall apply:

Active Landing: A location the contractor may be skidding logs into, or performing other operations such as delimbing, log manufacturing, and chipping logs. Except for EV and E days, loading logs or stockpiling chips only, on a cleared landing, does not constitute an Active Landing.

Hot Saw: A harvesting system that employs a high-speed (>1100 rpm) rotating felling head, i.e., full rotation lateral tilt head.

Mechanical Operations: The process of felling, skidding, chipping, shredding, masticating, piling, log processing and/or yarding which requires the use of motorized power which includes, chainsaws, chippers, motorized carriages, masticators, stroke delimbers, skidders , dozers etc.

4. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

The Contractor shall comply with the following requirements during the fire precautionary period, as defined by unit administering contracts:

The Fire Precautionary Period is set by the State of California which is April 1 through December 1 of any year.

This contract requires, does not require, a Fire Box and associated Fire Tools according to CPRC Section 4428.

A. Fire Tools and Equipment: Contractor shall meet minimum requirements of Section 4428 of the California Public Resources Code (C.P.R.C.). Fire tools kept at each operating landing shall be sufficient to equip all employees in the felling, yarding, loading, chipping, and material processing operations associated with each landing. Fire equipment shall include two tractor headlights for each tractor dozer used in Contractor's Operations. Tractor headlights shall be attachable to each tractor and served by an adequate power source. All required fire tools shall be maintained in suitable and serviceable condition for fire fighting purposes.

Trucks, tractors, skidders, pickups and other similar mobile equipment shall be equipped with and carry at all times a size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 46 inches and a 2-1/2 pound axe or larger with an overall length of not less than 28 inches.

Where cable yarding is used, Contractor shall provide a size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 46 inches and a filled backpack can (4 or 5 gallon) with hand pump within 25 feet of each tail and corner block.

B. Fire Extinguishers: Contractor shall equip each internal combustion yarder, fuel truck, and loader with a fire extinguisher for oil and grease fires (4-A:60-B:C).

Skidders and tractors shall be equipped with a minimum 5-BC fire extinguisher.

All Fire Extinguishers shall be mounted, readily accessible, properly maintained and fully charged.

Contractor shall equip each mechanized harvesting machine with hydraulic systems, powered by an internal combustion engine (chipper, feller/buncher, harvester, forwarder, hot saws, stroke delimber, etc), except tractors and skidders, with at least two 4-A:60-B:C fire extinguishers or equivalent.

C. Spark Arresters and Mufflers: Contractor shall equip each operating tractor and any other internal combustion engine with a spark arrester, except for motor vehicles equipped with a maintained muffler as defined in C.P.R.C. Section 4442 or tractors with exhaust-operated turbochargers. Spark Arresters shall be a model tested and approved under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a as shown in the.

National Wildlife Coordinating Group Spark Arrester Guide, Volumes 1 and 2, and shall be maintained in good operating condition. Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate exhaust system meeting the requirements of the California Vehicle Code.

D. Power Saws: Each power saw shall be equipped with a spark arrester approved according to C.P.R.C. Section 4442 or 4443 and shall be maintained in effective working order. An Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved fire extinguisher containing a minimum 14 ounces of fire retardant shall be kept with each operating power saw. In addition, a size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 38 inches shall be kept with each gas can but not more than 300 feet from each power saw when used off cleared landing areas.

• This contract requires, does not require, Section 4E of the Fire Plan.

E. Tank Truck or Trailer: Contractor shall provide a water tank truck or trailer on or in proximity to Contract Area during Contractor's Operations hereunder during Fire Precautionary Period.

When Project Activity Level B or higher is in effect, a tank truck or trailer shall be on or immediately adjacent to each active landing, unless otherwise excepted when Hot Saws or Masticators are being used. See Section 6 for specific contract requirements.

The tank shall contain at least 300 gallons of water available for fire suppression. Ample power and hitch shall be readily available for promptly and safely moving tank over roads serving Contract Area.

Tank truck or trailer shall be equipped with the following:

(1) Pump, which at sea level, can deliver 23 gallons per minute at 175 pounds per square inch measured at the pump outlet. Pumps shall be tested on Contract Area using a 5/16 inch orifice in the Forester One Inch In-Line Gauge test kit. Pump shall meet or exceed the pressure value in the following table for nearest temperature and elevation:

T e m p

Sea

Level

Feet

10000

55 179 23 174 23 169 23 165 22 161 22 157 22 153 22 150 21 146 21 142 21 139 21 70 175 23 171 23 166 22 162 22 158 22 154 22 150 21 147 21 143 21 139 21 136 20 85 171 23 168 23 163 22 159 22 155 22 151 21 147 21 144 21 140 21 136 20 133 20

100 168 23 164 23 159 22 155 22 152 22 148 21 144 21 141 21 137 20 133 20 131 20 P

S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

P S I

G P M

The pump outlet shall be equipped with 1-1/2 inch National Standard Fire Hose thread. A bypass or pressure relief valve shall be provided for other than centrifugal pumps.

(2) 300 feet of 3/4-inch inside diameter rubber-covered high-pressure hose mounted on live reel attached to pump with no segments longer than approximately 50 feet, when measured to the extreme ends of the couplings. Hose shall have reusable compression wedge type 1-inch brass or lightweight couplings (aluminum or plastic). One end of hose shall be equipped with a coupling female section and the other end with a coupling male section. The hose shall, with the nozzle closed, be capable of withstanding 200 PSI pump pressure without leaking, distortions, slipping of couplings, or other failures.

(3) A shut-off combination nozzle that meets the following minimum performance standards when measured at 100 P.S.I. at the nozzle:

G.P.M. Horizontal Range Straight Stream 10 38 feet Fog Spray 6 - 20 N/A

(4) Sufficient fuel to run the pump at least 2 hours and necessary service accessories to facilitate efficient operation of the pump.

When Contractor is using Hot Saws or Masticators, an additional 250 feet of light weight hose, approved by the Forest Service, shall be immediately available for use and be capable of connecting to the 300 feet of hose and appurturances in (2) and (3) above.

This equipment and accessories shall be deliverable to a fire in the area of operations and is subject to the requirements for each specific activity level identified in Section 6.

F. Compressed Air Foam System: A Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) is a fire suppression system where compressed air is added to water and a foaming agent. By agreement, Contractor may substitute a CAFS or functional equivalent in lieu of the tank truck, trailer or fire extinguishers, provided it meets or exceeds the following specifications and requirements:

1. Variable foam expansion ratio – 10:1 to 20:1.

2. Units shall be kept fully charged with air; water and foam concentrate as recommended by the manufacturer and have the appropriate tools to service the system.

3. The unit shall contain enough energy to empty tank and clear hose prior to exhausting propellant.

4. The unit shall be capable of being completely recharged within 10 minutes.

5. When used on cable yarding landings, the unit shall be outfitted for immediate attachment to carriage and transported without damage to the unit.

Fire extinguishers required for Hot Saws, Masticators and similar equipment identified in Section 4 B.

above may be substituted with a 3 gallon CAFS.

Tank truck, trailer or equivalent may be substituted with a 30 Gallon CAFS with at least 550 feet of one inch hose and an adjustable nozzle with enough water, air and foam concentrate for at least one recharge.

This equipment and accessories shall also be deliverable to a fire in the area of operations and subject to the requirements for each specific activity level identified in Section 6.

5. GENERAL

A. State Law: In addition to the requirements in this Fire Plan, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable laws of the State of California. In particular, see California Public Resource Codes.

B. Permits Required: The Contractor must secure a special written permit from the District Ranger or designated representative before burning, welding or cutting metal or starting any warming fires. If contract requires Blasting and Storing of Explosives and Detonators, an Explosives Permit may be required pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code, Section 12101.

C. Blasting: Contractor shall use electric caps only unless otherwise agreed in writing. When blasting is necessary in slash areas, a Fire Patrolperson equipped with a size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 46 inches and a filled backpack can (4 or 5 gallon) with hand pump shall remain in the immediate area for an hour after blasting has been completed.

D. Smoking: Smoking shall not be permitted during fire season, except in a barren area or in an area cleared to mineral soil at least three feet in diameter. In areas closed to smoking, the CO may approve special areas to be used for smoking. The Contractor shall sign designated smoking areas. Contractor shall post signs regarding smoking and fire rules in conspicuous places for all employees to see.

Contractor's supervisory personnel shall require compliance with these rules. Under no circumstances shall smoking be permitted during fire season while employees are operating light or heavy equipment, or walking or working in grass and woodlands.

E. Storage and Parking Areas. Equipment service areas, parking areas, and gas and oil storage areas shall be cleared of all flammable material for a radius of at least 10 feet unless otherwise specified by local administrative unit. Small mobile or stationary internal combustion engine sites shall be cleared of flammable material for a slope distance of at least 10 feet from such engine. The COR shall approve such sites in writing.

F. Reporting Fires: As soon as feasible but no later than 15 minutes after initial discovery, Contractor shall notify Forest Service of any fires on Contract Area or along roads used by Contractor.

Contractor's employees shall report all fires as soon as possible to any of the following Forest Service facilities and/or personnel listed below, but not necessarily in the order shown:

Name Office Address Telephone Number

Dispatch Center MNF ECC 825 N Humboldt Ave Willows, CA 95988 530-934-1158

Nearest FS Station

Elk Creek Work Center

3286 County Road 308 Elk Creek, CA 95939 530-968-5329

COR Andrew Mishler 825 N Humboldt Ave Willows, CA 95988 530-966-5604

Inspector Shilo Springstead 825 N Humboldt Ave Willows, CA 95988 530-934-1135

District Ranger Eduardo Olmedo 825 N Humboldt Ave Willows, CA 95988 530-934-1250

When reporting a fire, provide the following information:

Your Name Call back telephone number Project Name

Location: Legal description (Township, Range, Section); and Descriptive location (Reference point)

Fire Information: Including Acres, Rate of Spread and Wind Conditions.

This contract requires, does not require, Section 5G of the Fire Plan.

G. Communications: Contractor shall furnish a serviceable telephone, radio-telephone or radio system connecting each operating side with Contractor's headquarters. When such headquarters is at a location which makes communication to it clearly impractical, Forest Service may accept a reasonable alternative location. The communication system shall provide prompt and reliable communications between Contractor's headquarters (or agreed to alternative) and Forest Service via commercial or Forest Service telephone.

This contract requires, does not require, Section 5H of the Fire Plan.

H. Fire Patrolperson: Contractor shall furnish a qualified fire patrolperson each operating day when Project Activity Level C or higher is in effect. When on duty, sole responsibility of patrolperson shall be to patrol the operation for prevention and detection of fires, take suppression action where necessary and notify the Forest Service as required. This Fire patrol is required on foot, unless otherwise agreed.

By agreement, one patrolperson may provide patrol on this and adjacent projects. No patrolperson shall be required on Specified Road construction jobs except during clearing operations unless otherwise specified.

The Contractor shall, prior to commencing work, furnish the following information relating to key personnel:

Title Name Telephone Number Fire Supervisor

Fire Patrolperson

I. Clearing of Fuels: Contractor shall clear away, and keep clear, fuels and logging debris as follows:

Welding equipment and stationary log loaders, yarders and other equipment listed in California State Law:

10 feet slope radius

Tail or corner haulback blocks: All running blocks shall be located in the center of an area cleared to mineral soil at least 15 feet in diameter.

Lines near, between or above blocks: Sufficient clearing to prevent line from rubbing on snags, down logs and other dead woody material.

6. EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

Contractor's Operations shall conform to the limitations or requirements in the Project Activity Level (PAL) table below. Project Activity Levels applicable to this project shall be the predicted activity levels for the Fire Danger Rating Area(s), or fire weather station(s) stated in the Contract Area Map Legend on Integrated Resource Service Contracts (IRSC’s), and other contracts where applicable.

Fire Danger Rating Area/Fire Weather Station for Project Zone 165 / Alder Springs

The Forest Service, in its sole discretion, may change the predicted activity level if the current fire suppression situation, weather and vegetation conditions warrant an adjustment. If practicable, Forest Service will determine the following day’s activity level by 6:00 PM. Contractor shall obtain the predicted Project Activity Level from the appropriate Ranger District Office before starting work each day.

Phone Number or Website to obtain Predicted Activity Levels: 530-934-1240

Forest Service may change the Project Activity Level Table to other values upon revision of the National Fire Danger Rating System. When Contractor is notified, the revised Project Activity Levels will supersede the levels in the Project Activity Level Table below.

PROJECT ACTIVITY LEVEL

Level Project Activity Minimum Requirements and Restrictions. Restrictions at each level are cumulative.

A Minimum requirements noted above in Sections 4 and 5.

B 1. Tank truck, trailer, or approved CAFS substitute shall be on or adjacent to the Active Landing.

C 1. When Hot Saws or Masticators are operating, a tank truck, trailer, or approved CAFS substitute shall be within ¼ mile of these operations. Effective communications shall exist between the operator and the Active Landing.

2. Immediately after Mechanical Operations cease, Fire patrol is required for two hours.

D 1. Immediately after Hot Saw or Masticator operations cease, Fire patrol is required for three hours.

2. No Dead Tree felling after 1:00 PM, except recently dead.

3 No burning, blasting, welding or cutting of metal after 1:00 PM, except by special permit.

Ev 1. The following activities may operate all day:

a) Loading and hauling logs decked at approved landings.

b) Loading and hauling chips stockpiled at approved landings.

c) Servicing equipment at approved sites.

d) Dust abatement, road maintenance (Chainsaw use prohibited), culvert installation within cleared area, chip sealing, paving, earth moving or rock aggregate stock pile loading and installation (does not include pit or quarry development).

e) Chainsaw and log processing operations associated with loading logs or other forest products at approved landings.

2. Hot Saws or Masticators may operate until 1:00 PM; provided that:

a) A tractor with a blade or other equipment capable of constructing fireline is on or adjacent to the active landing or within ¼ mile of the operating equipment. This piece of equipment shall have effective communication with the Hot Saw or Masticator.

b) Any additional restrictions specified by the Forest.

3. All other conventional Mechanical Operations are permitted until 1:00 PM.

4. Some operations may be permitted after 1:00 PM, on a case-by-case basis, under the terms of a PAL Ev Variance Agreement. Activities for which a Variance may be issued are:

• Rubber Tire Skidding

• Chipping on Landings

• Helicopter Yarding

• Fire Salvage

When approved by a Line Officer, a Variance Agreement can be implemented when the criteria specified in the agreement are met and mitigation measures are in place. This approval is good for ten

(10) days unless cancelled sooner or extended by the Contracting Officer for an additional ten (10) days.

Variance approval can be withdrawn at the sole discretion of the Forest Service. Variance approval is contingent on the 7-day fire weather forecast, fuel conditions, site characteristics, current fire situation, state of Contractor’s equipment for prevention and suppression readiness, type of operation and social and community considerations etc. (See attached Project Activity Level Variance Agreement).

Level Project Activity Minimum Requirements and Restrictions. Restrictions at each level are cumulative.

E The following activities may operate all day:

1. Loading and hauling logs decked at approved landings.

2. Loading and hauling chips stockpiled at approved landings.

3. Servicing Equipment at approved sites.

4. Dust abatement, road maintenance (chainsaw use prohibited) or loading stock piles and rock aggregate installation (does not include pit or quarry development).

5. Chainsaw operation associated with loading at approved landings.

All other activities are prohibited.

This Project utilizes “The Project Activity Level” (PAL), an industrial operation’s fire precaution system. The following Climatology Chart indicates the Historic Activity Levels for the Project Fire Danger Rating Area or Fire Weather Station utilized on this Project. This is only a historical average of the Activity Levels for the identified Fire Danger Rating Area or Weather Station.

A B C D Ev E Days Data Month Analyzed Check

April 18.3 6.1 5.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 252 30 May 14.5 6.6 7.0 1.9 1.0 0.0 402 31 June 5.5 8.1 12.3 3.2 0.8 0.0 943 30 July 0.8 3.4 16.7 6.8 3.3 0.0 1091 31 August 0.7 3.1 12.2 8.5 6.4 0.1 1093 31 September 2.3 3.4 9.9 7.0 7.1 0.4 1063 30 October 4.7 5.2 10.7 6.1 3.4 0.8 834 31 November 19.2 6.6 3.0 1.1 0.1 0.0 444 30

A B C D Ev E

Month April 61.1 20.2 17.1 1.6 0.0 0.0 252 100.0 May 46.8 21.4 22.6 6.0 3.2 0.0 402 100.0 June 18.3 26.9 41.1 10.8 2.7 0.1 943 100.0 July 2.7 10.8 54.0 21.8 10.6 0.1 1091 100.0 August 2.1 10.0 39.4 27.4 20.7 0.5 1093 100.0 September 7.5 11.4 33.0 23.2 23.6 1.2 1063 100.0 October 15.2 16.9 34.5 19.8 11.0 2.5 834 100.0 November 64.0 21.8 10.1 3.6 0.5 0.0 444 100.0

Project Activity Level Climatology

Expected Days per Month at each PAL Level

Percent of Days per Month at each PAL Level

Station/SIG/Unit: 165 Years Analized: 1970 - 2010

Region 5 Project Activity Level (PAL) Ev Variance Application/Agreement

Project Name: __________________________________________ Contract Number: _______________________________________ Contractor Name: _______________________________ Request #__, for period: __________________________________ Units/Subdivisions Affected: _______________________________

Location of operation:

Slope

Aspect

Elevation

Fuels on site

Fuels in surrounding area

7 Day PAL Outlook

Short range predictions (Red Flags)

Fuel Moistures

Response time of suppression resources

Potential for ignition

RAWS location

Current Fire Situation:

Draw down information

National Readiness Level

Contractual considerations:

Normal Operating Season

Frequency of recent contract fires in area

Type of operation Contractors past/current performance & equipment readiness

Other site specific mitigation or precaution (i.e. Contractors proposals)

Social & Community Considerations:

Proximity of high value resources

Sensitivity of location

Proposed Actions:

Description of Mitigation Measures:

Remarks:

Fire Management Officer Concurrence

Date

Line Officer Approval Date

I have considered the above request and determined the specified mitigation measures or actions must be implemented to continue operations in Project Activity Level Ev. Unless extended, the approval remains in effect for ten

(10) calendar days unless cancelled sooner or extended by the Forest Service for an additional ten (10) days. At the sole discretion of the Forest Service, this variance can be modified and/or cancelled at no cost to the government.

Contracting Officer Date

Contractor Representative Date

Hardin_Contract_ Master_units Map