Attachment_4_-_Quality_Control_Plan.pdf

Quality Control Plan Mechanical Grubbing Application

Refugio County, Texas

1. Scope The work consists of treating invasive woody species by mechanically grubbing on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easements located in Refugio County, Texas.

In order to control invasive species such as huisache, mesquite, china berry, and Chinese tallow, grubbing using a tracked excavator with a grubbing attachment will be utilized according to NRCS standards and specifications on approximately 681.3 acres. Treatment will involve grubbing to a depth of 14” below ground level. Trees must be uprooted below the bud zone, and extracted plants will be left in place and not stacked.

This specification shall cover the supply of all labor, materials, and equipment required for applying the control practice on various sites consisting of a total of 681.3 acres as shown on plan maps.

2. Application

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

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

• Trees must be uprooted below the bud zone, and left in place.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AG-SPEC-S-17-0039 Attachment 4