Attachment_1-_SOW.pdf

Statement of Work

Hazard Fuel Reduction for the Ellicott Slough NWR

Technical Project of Contacts:

Keith Mayer, Prescribed Fire & Fuels Specialist (keith_mayer@fws.gov) (c) 209-587-0328

Diane Kodama, Refuge Manager (diane_kodama@fws.gov) (c) 510-377-5695

Project Start Date: Contract award Project End Date: 12/30/2024

Location. Ellicott Slough NWR is located outside of Watsonville, CA, in the Monterey Bay area of Santa Cruz County

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge 1100 Fiesta Way Watsonville, CA 95076

Figure 1. Location and Vicinity Map, Watsonville, California:

1. Background:

mailto:keith_mayer@fws.gov mailto:diane_kodama@fws.gov

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) includes unique habitats like San Andreas oak woodland, chaparral, willow thickets and seasonal ponds. These increasingly rare vegetation communities combine to create ideal habitats for the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum), California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and other species of conservation concern.

Ellicott Slough NWR is bordered by substantial public interface, residential housing, and agricultural infrastructure. Reducing exotic invasive species such as Jubata Grass (Cortaderia selloana and C. jubata) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) would assist future fire suppression activities. Opening roadways and trails for access and egress of fire and first responders would increase safety for both emergency personnel and the public.

The following are goals, objectives and strategies related to invasive species management and reducing wildlfire risk in the Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (USFWS 2010).

• Goal 4: Conserve and restore Refuge resources through prevention and control of invasive species.

• Objective 4.1 Within the adaptive vegetation management plan, complete and implement an adaptive invasive weed management plan that prioritizes, evaluates, and emphasizes early detection and rapid response efforts.

Strategies (listed under Goal 4, Objective 4.1):

Explore all feasible control techniques such as chemical, mechanical, grazing, and prescribed fire.

Control eucalyptus, jubatagrass, and pampasgrass through removal, using a variety of methods such as mechanical and chemical.

Implement the most economic, effective, and safe control methods for priority weed species, and monitor efficacy of control methods.

• Goal 5: Promote long-term viability of the Pajaro Valley Watershed through ecosystem-based management (including endangered and threatened species management across boundaries).

• Objective 5.2 Reduce wildfire risk at the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) to minimize risk to public safety and to the Refuge and surrounding resources.

Strategies (listed under Goal 5, Objective 5.2) Identify and map WUI areas, hazardous fuels (e.g. vegetation, structures) locations and sensitive Refuge habitat. Prioritize fuel removal based on this information.

Work with partners and neighbors to make boundaries fire resistant in accordance with local fire codes and endangered species permits (e.g., hazardous fuel reduction, fuel breaks).

Remove hazardous fuel loads through manual, grazing, mechanical, and prescribed burn methods.

The Refuge consists of several distinct tracts of land, or Units (Figure 2):

• Ellicott Unit (168 acres) off San Andreas Road.

• Calabasas Unit (31 acres) off Dunlap Lane and Larkin Valley Road

• Harkins Slough Unit (116 acres) off Harkins Slough Road.

2. Objectives: The primary objective of this project is to conduct hazard fuel reduction and improve fire access roads by managing vegetation within designated areas of the Refuge. This process will specifically target vegetation that presents wildfire potential and impedes access by emergency first responders and egress of adjacent property owners during wildfire.

• Remove invasive grasses by masticating and/or mowing and scraping, and

• Improve access and egress of existing roads and trails and improve fire clearance by mowing grasses and trimming trees and shrubs.

3. Project Specifications:

• Schedule: All work must be completed between the months of May through October, or as directed by the Refuge Manager due to endangered species concerns.

• Site Preparation: Coordinate with Refuge staff to identify specific areas for mechanical treatments based on fire risk assessments and ecological considerations.

• Operations: Perform treatments described in Exhibit A.

• Debris Management: Remove and properly dispose of cut trees and shrubs in compliance with environmental regulations and refuge policies.

• Reporting: Provide regular progress updates to Points of Contact.

4. Deliverables:

• Detailed work plan outlining methodologies, timelines, and safety protocols.

• Completion of all work described in Exhibit A.

5. Timeline: The project is expected to begin September 2024, and expected be completed by December 2024.

6. Safety and Environmental Considerations: Strict adherence to safety protocols and environmental regulations is mandatory throughout all phases of the project. Staff will be appropriately trained on the equipment used.

8. Budget: The total budget allocated for this project is not to exceed $35,000 inclusive of all costs associated with personnel, equipment, materials, and disposal.

9. Evaluation and Acceptance: Upon completion of the project, a joint evaluation will be conducted by Refuge staff and the contractor to assess the achievement of project objectives and deliverables. Final acceptance will be contingent upon meeting all contractual requirements and performance standards.

Exhibit A Ellicott Slough NWR Fire Pre-suppression Plan and Fuels Treatment Specifications, June

1. Specifications for all fire access roads

a. Mow grasses and small shrubs using tractor and rotary mower, flail mower, or drum masticator (or similar) within 30-feet of existing fire access road

b. Limb trees to 5-feet within 30 feet of existing access road

c. Mow middle of existing access road

d. Remove overhead branches from within 10 feet of existing access road

e. Remove, haul off, and dispose of properly all cut limbs

2. Ellicott Unit. Improve defensible space around fire access roads (may be two-track or gravel):

a. Peaceful Valley Drive East Fire Road

i. Improve (by managing vegetation, see below) existing to North (0.3 miles) and to South of Peaceful Valley Road (0.1 miles)

b. Peaceful Valley Drive West Fire Road

i. Improve existing to North (0.5 miles)

ii. Connect from Valley Drive South to Buena Vista Drive North Fire Road (0.4 miles) to include levee around pond (0.1 miles)

Figure 1. Improve fire access roads vegetation clearance (within orange outline).

3. Ellicott Unit. Mechanically treat by masticating or mowing 5 acres of invasive Jubata grass

Figure 2. Masticate or mow and scrape invasive Jubata grass (within green outline)

4. Ellicott Unit. Re-establish shaded fuel break from pond to behind KOA (3 acres)

a. From 50-feet off ditch or property line from behind KOA

b. Limb trees from 0 to 5-feet

c. Reduce ladder fuels and raise canopy base height to 5-feet

d. Cut and remove pine trees <6 inches DBH

e. Mow open grass area between KOA shaded fuel break and Peaceful Valley West Fire

Road (2 acres – visible but not indicated on map)

Figure 3. Rehabilitate shaded-fuel break (within orange outline).

5. Harkin Slough Unit. Improve fire access road from north entrance south to Harkins Slough Road to South (0.6 miles)

Figure 4. Improve fire access roads vegetation clearance (within orange outline).

6. Calabasas Unit. Improve fire access road from north to south

a. Mow existing access road (0.5 miles)

b. Mow grasses and shrubs adjacent to the access road to 10 feet from road edge, where slope allows (west side only)

c. Limb trees within 10 feet from road edge from 0 to 5 feet (west side only)

d. Include spur road to pond at SE corner of the property (0.1 miles)

i. Mow grasses and shrubs to 10 feet from road edge

ii. Limb trees from within 10 feet from road edge 0 to 5 feet

Figure 5. Improve fire access roads vegetation clearance (within orange outline).