Attachment_0002__SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Removal of Understory and Invasive Vegetation by Goats

I. General

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is looking to sustainably remove understory and invasive vegetation by the use of goats to maintain, enhance, and restore se lect features of the 1863 landscape while also improving the interpretative value of the park. The use of livestock is historically accurate to how the understory would have been treated during the interpre tive time period and provides se lective treatment for fie ld forest composition. The method of removal is a supported climate change adaption strategy that reduces environment vulnerabilities by applying a non-herbicide , low impact (no ground disturbance/heavy machinery) alternative to reduce invasive plants on cultural and natural landscapes. This climate change adaption strategy was recommended during the City of Chattanooga's climate change workshop and is supported by local partners and resource specialists. This low-impact removal strategy will allow for implementation of necessary functional site improvements whilst preserving the overall historic landscape character.

II. Scope

CHCH has written the project to target areas with invasive species and that have high interpre tation value , while avoiding sensitive vegetation. The targeted areas will NOT be within the vegetation plots identified on park property as of concern. This project will also NOT include any intended ground disturbance. Please see the APE map, which identifies target areas that are located at least 50ft away from existing vegetation plots. All plots will be surveyed by natural resource specialist(s) to execute avoidance and minimization measures prior to executing work.

Targeted species include: Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense),Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Air potato (Dioscorea oppositifolia), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Thorny-olive (Elaeganus pungens), English ivy (Hedera helix), Winter creeper (Euonymus fortunei), Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), January jasmine (Lonicera fragrantissima), Amur bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa), Kudzu (Pueraria montana), Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.), Himilayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), and Japanese spiraea (Spiraea japonica).

III. Reasoning

The project aims to control invasive species and clear understory from historic viewsheds and will provide an improved habitat for native species. The goats will simulate the effects of fire on the battlefie ld causing no adverse effects to the environment while decreasing the need and use of heavy machinery to manually remove invasive vegetation on the battle fie ld. This routine treatment will allow for the park to maintain, enhance, and restore se lect features of the 1863 landscape while also improving the interpre tative value of the park by using goats. The use of livestock is historically accurate to how the understory would have been treated during the interpre tive time period and provides se lective treatment for fie ld forest composition.

IV. Government Furnished Property

No government furnished property will be used by the contracted employees. All supplies needed will be supplied and used by the contractor.

V. Security

The goats will be contained and monitored while on park property by the contractor. A temporary fencing enclosure will be established to contain the goats, but the fencing will NOT require any ground disturbance. Goats will be removed from park property at the end of each workday and brought back to the park in the morning by the contractor.

VI. Safety

The goats will be contained and monitored while on park property by the contractor. A temporary fencing enclosure will be established to contain the goats, but the fencing will NOT require any ground disturbance. Goats will be removed from park property at the end of each workday and brought back to the park in the morning by the contractor.

VII. Place of Performance

The goats will be placed on the North end of Lookout Mountain and along the Tour Route of Chickamauga Battlefie ld in Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. These areas identified by park staff and regional integrated invasive plant management team are areas of concern for invasive plant overgrowth, as well as areas in need of understory clearing to accurate ly represent the historical landscape of the battlefie ld before , during, and after the Civil War. Targeted areas and recommendations follow the park's Cultural Landscape Report and are shown in the attached maps below.

VIII. Period of Performance

The use of goats will be used from April 24 until September 30. This will allow for herbicide treatment to be conducted into the early winter and late fall to eradicate the invasive vegetation presently on site .

IX. Technical Coordinator

The primary individual or the final product/service: Chief of Resource Management (TBD)

X. Estimates

Estimates have varied from $800 - $2,000 per acre .