Attachment 1 - NPCNF Fall Planting Performance Work Statement.pdf

Performance Work Statement Nez Perce/Clearwater National Forest - North Zone

8/23/2023

SCOPE OF CONTRACT: It is the objective of this contract to obtain high quality tree planting services to ensure maximum tree survival and achieve prompt reforestation of the sites. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished), and incidentals necessary to perform planting services on the designated areas.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The project consists of hand tree planting on the North Fork and the Palouse Ranger Districts of the Nez Perce Clearwater National Forests. The location of the work sites, method of site preparation, size of units, tree species, stock type and other information pertinent to each planting unit will be furnished on Detailed Unit Information Charts and Project Maps.

Most units can be accessed by 4-wheel drive vehicles with tire chains. At times vehicle access may be limited or restricted to protect resources. Walking may be required to access some planting units. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will determine whether or not vehicle access shall be permitted depending on weather and road conditions at the time of planting.

It is anticipated that conditions may permit spring planting operations to commence prior to the time the roads become accessible for vehicle travel. Therefore, the Government will provide snow removal and road maintenance as necessary to provide access to the majority of the planting units.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS

(1) Container grown trees. The Government will deliver trees in shipping containers, packed in plastic bags with plugs extracted. The length of the container plugs will be 6 to 9 inches long with the tops of the trees ranging from 4 to 15 inches. At least 90 % of the trees will meet these specifications.

(2) Reflective tarps,

(3) Delivery of Government-furnished property. The contractor shall place written orders for trees and other Government property at least 24 hours in advance for container tree orders. The Government property will be delivered to the tree delivery points. The tree delivery points will be the planting unit or the beginning of the walk-in.

(4) Return and disposal of Government-Furnished Property. The Contractor shall return all unused trees to the tree delivery point at the completion of a unit or the end of the day. The Contractor shall pick up all trash and refuse from the tree planting operation and place in a designated container at the tree delivery point.

Fall Tree Planting

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Fall Tree Planting 12363N23Q4322

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PLANTING EQUIPMENT

The Contractor shall provide planting tools, bags, and other necessary tools to perform planting and quality control. Hodads shall have a minimum blade length of 14 inches and width of 4 inches. Length is measured from tip to bottom of handle bracket. Planting bags shall be a minimum of 15 inches deep, free of defects and light in color. insulated planting bag liners may be required, as determined by the COR, CARE AND PROTECTION OF TREES

The care and protection of trees during the periods of transportation, handling and planting is extremely important. Care shall be taken to adhere to the following requirements any time trees are in the Contractor's possession.

Noncompliance with these requirements may be grounds for termination of the contract.

(a) Trees shall be protected from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, bending, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, or contact with injurious substances.

(b) Shipping containers containing trees shall be opened only in full shade and shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Shipping containers shall not be tossed or dropped. Punctured or torn shipping containers or liners shall be promptly resealed. Shipping containers shall be separated to provide free air movement. Trees may be placed on racks or inside boxes which will support the weight and prevent crushing.

(c) Trees shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting.

(d) Trees are to be planted or prepared without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of injury or drying is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the COR.

(e) Trees that are frozen shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall be thawed in accordance with direction from the COR.

(f) Trees in planting bags shall only have tops exposed.

(g) Trees shall not be removed from planting bag until immediately before planting.

They shall be gently removed one at a time to prevent injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole.

(h) Trees carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried and removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occur. Trees placed in bags will be planted and not returned to storage.

(i) Extracted container trees furnished in plastic bags: Trees furnished in the original nursery boxes shall be planted the day of delivery. When weather or unsuitable planting conditions prevent the contractor from planting the trees within the specified time, the Contractor shall return the trees to the designated delivery point

SPACING AND SPOT SELECTION

(a) Spacing requirements. Trees shall be planted in spots distributed over the area at the intervals prescribed in the Detailed Unit Information Charts, provided that for individual trees the spacing may be varied as much as 50 percent in any direction to attain the best plantable spot. However, spacing control shall be resumed using the original guides, and the number of trees per acre shall not be materially increased or decreased by the method of selecting planting spots. No tree shall be planted closer than 50 percent of the spacing requirement to another planted tree or an acceptable established tree. An acceptable established tree is any existing conifer of good form, color, free of significant damage, and a species and size specified in the Detailed Unit Information Charts.

(b) Planting spot selection. Planting spot selection requirements vary in the type and amount of protection necessary for tree survival. This contract requires micro siting, as follows:

(1) Stationary material first, transportable shade second. A tree planted next to stationary material when it is available. If stationary material does not exist in the spacing allowance, shade is transported to the tree. Transportable shade is natural material such as wood debris that can be moved to the planting spot to shade the tree from the sun. Suitable transportable shade material must be at least 3 inches in diameter and be within ½ of the spacing distance of the planted tree.

(c) Temporary roads, cut/fill slopes, and fire lines. All temporary roads, skid trails and cut/fill slopes shall be planted where compaction, soil availability and general plantability permits unless directed otherwise by the COR.

PLANTING PREPARATION

(a) Clearing. Before preparing the planting hole, all debris down to the soil surface in a spot equal to or larger than the minimum diameter and maximum depth specified in the Detailed Unit Information Chart shall be removed by the contractor. Debris to be removed includes duff, litter, dry soil, rotten or charred wood, moss, loose rock, ashes, snow, and surface frost.

Branches and limbs shall not be included in the measurement for maximum depth measurement.

If the clearing of branches and limbs can be done with a reasonable effort, without setting aside the scalping tool, the spot shall be considered plantable.

(b) Scalping. When live vegetation including roots is present, the contractor shall remove the vegetation to the depth specified below the soil surface in a spot equal to or larger than the diameter specified. The minimum diameter and maximum depth to be scalped is specified in the Detailed Unit Information Chart. Woody vegetation measured at ground level smaller than the diameter specified in the Detailed Unit Information Chart shall be removed.

PREPARING THE PLANTING HOLE

Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared area, except as required to meet animal protection and shade requirements and shall be oriented at an angle between perpendicular to the slope and vertical.

An open hole wide and deep enough to fully accommodate the roots of the trees to be planted is required. Slit planting, the opening of a hole without breaking it out on three sides, will not be permitted.

The Contractor shall find plantable spots and open holes in difficult as well as easily plantable ground.

TREE PLACEMENT

Containerized trees. The plugs shall be planted in the center of the hole with roots aligned with the axis of the planting hole. Trees shall be planted with about 1 inch of soil placed on top of the plug, to seal the plug with the surrounding surface. Tree branches or foliage shall be free of soil.

The Contractor shall take care to keep the plug growing media intact, but in those instances where the media falls away from the roots the tree shall be planted in accordance with (a) above.

The roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, spiraled, bunched, jammed, or compressed into the planting hole.

FILLING AND FIRMING

The original soil from the hole shall be filled in and firmed around the tree roots or plug.

Material foreign to the hole such as dry soil, ash, organic matter, and rock shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed in a manner so no loose soil or air pockets remain and the tree is firmly secured in the ground. The Contractor shall not wedge or jam the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the tree shall be done in a manner to assure no damage is done to the tree or root system. The soil shall be firmed around the tree such that the tree is not in an excessive depression that may collapse on the tree nor is the stem or foliage of the tree in contact with a dirt bank. After planting, the tree stem shall be erect/orientated between the vertical and perpendicular limits of the planting hole and free to grow. The tree shall not be weighted down with mud or debris.

MIXTURE OF SPECIES

The species to be planted will be indicated on the Detailed Unit Information Charts. The species mix and distribution will be specified by the Government for each subitem. The Contractor shall maintain a uniform mixture of species throughout the unit unless otherwise directed by the COR.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

1. Quality Control Plan.

(a) Quality Control Plan - The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan. The plan must demonstrate how the Contractor shall ensure that quality of performance meets the objectives and requirements of the contract.

(b) Contractor Quality Control Inspection - The Contractor shall ensure themselves that performance meets contract specifications, in accordance with FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items; paragraph (a) prior to requesting the Government to inspect for payment or acceptance. The Contracting Officer may observe the Contractor’s inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

The Contractor shall provide quality control for all planting operations, including tree care and handling. The Contractor is also responsible for the quality of planting on site and is expected to conduct their own prompt inspections to ensure proper planting procedures are being followed. Government inspections are for payment determination only and are not intended to be used as a quality control by the Contractor. Any delay in Government inspections will not cause the Government to be responsible for the Contractors planting quality.

Planting shall be performed in an organized systematic manner. Planting with scattered crews within or between units will not be permitted except as necessitated by on-the-ground conditions and only when authorized by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor's onsite representative shall be fully conversant in the English language.

2. Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

(a) Inspection The Government’s quality assurance inspections will determine compliance with specifications and provide the basis for computing the rate of payment. Inspections will consist of visual observations and sample plots to determine compliance with the specifications. The plots will be located throughout the planting areas to obtain a representative sample of the work.

Each contract subitem will be inspected separately and inspection results will not be averaged with those of other contract subitems.

Determination of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these inspections, which will be considered conclusive, except as otherwise provided in the contract. The Contractor or his representative may observe inspections while they are underway.

Ongoing operations will be inspected to assure compliance with the requirements for Care and Protection of Trees. Trees that are handled in an unsatisfactory manner will be declared "wasted trees".

Planted trees on representative sample plots will be examined to determine above and below ground conformance with the technical specifications and the results of this examination will be documented on Planting Inspection Sheet. The Inspector will mark on the ground a series of plots sufficient in number to yield a minimum 1% sample of the subitem with not less than five sample plots. This sample will be used for payment purposes.

(b) Rework Any unit which is planted at less than 93 percent planting quality will be considered unacceptable and may be rejected. For these areas the Government may (i) accept the work at a reduced price, (ii) require the area to be reworked at no additional expense to the Government, or (iii) reject the work in its entirety. If the planting quality is unacceptable, the Contractor's right to proceed is subject to immediate termination for default. Contractor's requests to rework an area will be permitted only if planting stock is available and the existing deficiencies can be corrected. Any inspection needed due to the Contractor reworking an area shall be at the Contractor’s expense.

(c) Reinspection If the original quality assurance inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, a reexamination may be requested. The request must be submitted within 5 calendar days after receipt of the initial inspection results, be in writing and contain documentation that supports the probability that an error exists. If the reinspection is granted by the Government, the same inspection procedure will be used but new plots will be selected that do not overlap previously inspected plots. Results of the reinspection will be used to determine planting quality.

The cost of reinspection shall be at the Contractor’s expense if the reinspection results in an equal or lower quality percentage.

(d)Minimum Quality Level If quality of planting in any unit falls below 80 percent, the Government may or may not allow the unit to be reworked. If the quality is not corrected and/or rework is not permitted, then the Government may terminate this contract in whole or in part under the Termination for Default clause in the contract.

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate which will assure completion within the contract time. The minimum acceptable rate of progress will be calculated by dividing the total units of work by contract time specified. In the event the Contractor is delayed and falls more than two calendar days behind the progress rate required above, the Contractor's right to proceed is subject to immediate termination. If more than one area is available, the Government will prescribe the planting sequence.

Estimated start date for the fall planting projects is September 20th of each year. Estimated start date for the spring planting projects is April 1st of each year.

Contract time will be determined for each Item in each year of the contract, depending on the number of acres to be planted, as follows:

A Notice to Proceed will be issued as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for planting and survival of the trees on one or more of the areas. Contract time will start on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed.

Whenever it is determined that the temperature, humidity, soil moisture, winds, or a combination of these and other physical conditions become unsuitable for tree survival, the Contractor will move to another area prescribed by the Contracting Officer. When no other area is available, the work will cease. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to maintain contact sufficient to determine when conditions again permit planting. Contract time will be increased only by those days when units are not available for planting.

Work Schedule Constraints Only 1 crew will be permitted to work on a District at any one time. The Contractor maybe required to provide 2 crews to work on different Districts at the same time to complete the planting projects. Either Saturday or Sunday will be designated as a non-planting day off each week. The mandatory day off WILL be counted as a day of contract time.

Work Plan The Contractor will submit a work plan to describe how work will be completed on this contract. The plan will address number of crews, crew size, work schedule and production rate that will be achieved to meet the performance requirements. The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and the Contracting Officer may accept the updated work plan.

METHOD OF PAYMENT

(a) Payment, less deduction for wasted trees, will be based on the following:

(1) Wherever the quality of planting equals or exceeds 93%, based on the Government's quality assurance inspections, the work will be considered acceptable, and payment will be made at the contract price. For Items paid at a per M tree rate, payment will be made for actual number of trees planted based on Government tree issue records. For Items paid at a per acre rate, the planting category for payment will be determined by actual trees per acre planted.

(2) When the quality of work is less than 93%, based on the Government's quality assurance inspection, but is 80 percent or over, the work will be considered unacceptable, but payment will be made for the value of the services provided. However, payment will be made after assessment of a 1 percent deduction in the unit price for each 1 percent the planting quality is below 100 percent. This payment shall only be made after the Government determines that no further rework shall be required nor allowed.

(3) Whenever the quality of planting is below 80 percent, based on the Government's quality assurance inspections, the work will be considered unacceptable.

Payment for work performed will be made only after the assessment of liquidated damages as provided in this contract and will be at the rate of contract price times the planting quality percentage.

(b) Calculations for wasted trees shall be made as follows:

(1) Items Priced by the Acre: From the Plots

No. of Wasted Trees on Plots

Wasted Tree Charge = No. of Plots Taken: Plot Size: Acres in Subitem:

Charge Rate per Tree:

(2)Items Priced by the MTR: From the Plots

No. of Wasted Trees on Plots (col. 8)

Wasted Tree Charge = T o t a l No. of Trees on Plots (col. 7) x Total No. Trees Planted in Unit x T r e e Charge Rate per

(2) Wasted Trees Found by Inspectors During Planting Operations

Found Wasted Tree Charge = Number of Wasted Trees X Charge Rate Per Tree

When planted or dropped wasted trees are found, and they are considered minor in nature, the Contracting Officer may waive the wasted tree charge. In no case will a waiver be given if the total of the Inspection Form column 7, "Planted Trees," exceeds the total of column 6, "Maximum Number Allowable Trees," for any pay item.

(c) The Contractor shall be charged for Government-furnished property that is not returned, or returned in a non-usable condition, at the following rates:

Bareroot trees @ $0.42 each Container trees @ $ 0.70 each Reflective tarp @ $158.00 each

Field Sanitation In accordance with US Department of Labor Fact Sheet No. ESA 97-28 “Field Sanitation Standards” (Ref. 29CFR 1928.110), employers must provide:

► Potable drinking water, suitably cool and in sufficient amounts, dispensed in single-use cups or by fountains, located so as to be readily accessible to employees.

► Facilities maintained in accordance with public health sanitation practices include upkeep of water quality through daily change or more often if necessary.

► Notification to each employee of the location of the water and allowance of reasonable opportunities during the workday to use them. The employer also must inform the employee of the relevant health hazards in the field and the practices necessary to minimize them.

Employees cannot be made to bear the costs incurred by the employer for providing required facilities.

Camping and Worksite Conditions

Camping and Worksite Plan shall be consistent with requirements set forth in this section, Section I, the camping permit if required, and supplementary requirements in Section J. The Contractor shall be aware of and abide by the rules of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest applicable to forest visitors.

The Contractor shall obtain a camping permit from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest prior to camping on Forest Service land. Final payment shall be withheld until the authorized camping area has been cleaned up to the requirements of the Camping Permit.

If the Contractor does not obtain a camping permit but requires his/her employees to obtain the camping permit, the Contractor remains responsible for campsite cleanup and his/her employees conduct while camping on National Forest land.

Contractor Information: The Contractor shall abide by the OSHA’s Field Sanitation Standard, Fact Sheet No. OSHA 92-25, which applies to any agricultural establishment hiring 11 or more workers for hand labor.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Definition. An EMS provides a systematic approach for continually improving environmental performance and identifies the major environmental aspects and associated impacts that occur on a National Forest or Grassland. There are controls in place to manage these impacts, such as NEPA analysis, best management practices (BMPs), and resource monitoring. The EMS simply documents and ensures that these controls are in place and working as intended. EMS is an ongoing process that formalizes the Forest Service’s commitment to adaptive management and continual improvement of the environment.

Environmental Objectives:

1. Invasive Weeds – Reduce invasive weed introduction or spread through improved and more effective control and management.

2. Vegetation Management – 1) Restore or maintain vegetation health including the improvement or maintenance of resilient, native wildlife habitat and 2) Reduce fuels in a pattern and location to decrease fire intensity in the proximity of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) or Community Wildfire Protection Plan areas.

3. Travel Management – 1) Reduce the existing road systems’ contributed sediment and impairment of water quality and aquatic habitats and 2) Improve security for grizzly bears or elk through the designation of roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use.

4. Fleet Management/Petroleum Consumption – 1) Reduce petroleum consumption 2% annually, and 2) Use the most fuel efficient vehicle for the job, and 3) Use carpooling and ridesharing, and 4) Maintain vehicles for fuel efficiency.

Fire Control

Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor-Caused Fires. The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest Service, shall immediately extinguish, without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations.

The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

Other Fires. For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor or his employees, the Contractor when requested by the Contracting Officer shall place his employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Payment for such services will be made by the Government at not less than the current rate for fire-fighting services established by the Forest Service in the area concerned.

Any employees and equipment furnished will be relieved from firefighting as soon as the Forest Service finds that it is practicable to employ other labor and equipment adequate for the protection of the area.

An equitable adjustment in contract time may be made for this period.

Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan. At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to his operation under the contract.

Fire Tools. The Contractor will provide for each employee in the contract area at least one approved hand tool of a type appropriate in the contract area, such as shovel, Pulaski, or ax.

Tools required and furnished below shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement.

Where additional tools, beyond those required below, are to be provided, the Contractor shall seal such tools in one or more boxes painted red and marked "Tools for Fire Only." All tools required herein shall be kept sharp and in good serviceable condition and maintained at locations to be designated by the Forest Service.

Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

a. One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4 BC or higher

b. One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.

c. One - axe, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one Pulaski.

d. One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

Spark Arrestors - Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrestor or spar arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a are: (a) small multi-position engines, such as chainsaws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester. Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

Power saws - For each power saw used in connection with this contract, the following will be provided:

(a) One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal. Shovel must be immediately available for use.

(b) One - Fire extinguisher, containing not less than 8 ounces of extinguisher fluid, or a dry chemical powder-type of not less than 1-pound capacity. The extinguisher must be immediately accessible to the saw operator at all times.

Any fueling or refueling of a power saw or auger shall only be done in an area which has first been cleared or is free of all material capable of carrying fire; power saw or auger shall be moved at least 10 feet from place of fueling before starting.

Blasting. Fuse or prima cord shall not be used unless authorized in writing by the COR with special precautions stated.

Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material will be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation is cleared away within a radius of 25 feet. Fire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

Debris Burning and Warming Fires - Burning permits will be required for all debris burning fires.

Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

Precautions for Stoves - Stovepipes on all temporary buildings, trailers, and tents using wood burning stoves, will be equipped with roof jacks and serviceable spark arresters of mesh with openings no larger than 5/8 inch.

All stovepipes, inside and out, will not be closer than 2 feet from any wood or other flammable material or 1 foot if the combustible material is protected by a metal or asbestos shield.

Welding - Welding or use of cutting torches will be permitted only in areas that have been cleared or are free of all material capable of carrying fire. Flammable debris and vegetation must be removed from within a minimum of 10 feet radius of all welding and cutting torch operations. A shovel and a 5-gallon standard backpack water container (filled) with handpump attached, shall be immediately available for use in the event of a fire start.

Fire Plan - Prior to initiating work on the contract area, during the closed fire season period, a fire prevention and suppression plan will usually be prepared. The Contractor and the Forest Service will jointly prepare this plan. Such plan shall include a detailed list of men and equipment at the Contractor's disposal for implementing the plan. The fire plan shall also specify additional measures and/or special requirements, such as Hoot Owl restrictions, necessary during periods of critical fire weather conditions.

When Hoot Owl restrictions are invoked, the Forest Service may curtail or shut down all or portions of a contractor’s operations. The following requirements may be imposed:

(a) All high fire risk operations could be terminated at 1300 local time. All burning could be stopped, including debris burning fires.

(b) Patrolman may be required for a period of 2 hours after high fire risk operations and 1 hour after end of work shift. The Contractor shall provide the patrolman unless the contract is for equipment rental, in which case the Government will provide the patrolman.

Pump and Trailer - Not required.

Burning - Before starting any open burning, the Contractor shall comply with the following:

(a) Submit a burning plan, subject to approval by the Contracting Officer, designed to minimize the impact on air quality and to lessen any fire damage.

(b) Obtain a burning permit from the District Ranger.

(c) Use weather forecasts as far as possible in scheduling burning for more favorable dispersal of smoke.

(d) Fuel shall be reasonably free of dirt and piled to facilitate rapid and complete combustion.

Piles shall be tended during burning operations to maintain combustion and to eliminate unnecessary smudges. Piles shall be patrolled during off-work hours to avoid wildfires.

(e) Unless fire season controls dictate otherwise, burning shall be scheduled, as far as practicable, for the most favorable conditions during the burning period.

(f) Under certain atmospheric conditions, smoke accumulations may become excessive and, in these cases, the Regional Forester may, at his discretion, prohibit all open burning for definite periods within specific areas of the National Forest