ATTACHMENT_1_Statement_of_Work_docx.pdf

140P8322Q0014 Tree Felling, Limbing & Pruning Services Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO)

ATTAHCMENT 1

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Tree Felling, Limbing and Pruning Services for the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO)

1. Project Summary

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO) management objectives are to mandate the preservation, conservation and protection of the natural, scenic, hydrologic, floral, faunal and recreational values from threat to life and property from the failure of trees or vegetation within developed areas. The contractor will provide Tree Felling, Limbing and Pruning for Hazardous Trees identified by LARO.

2. Background Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area requested assistance from the Forest Health Protection (National Forest Service) to assess the health of vegetation at the vacation cabin sites (Rickey Point and Sherman Creek) on the north end of Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO) near Kettle Falls. The Forest Health Protection had begun in 2015 and again in 2021 to develop thinning criteria with the objectives of improving overall tree health, reducing the number of ponderosa pines susceptible to western pine beetles, retain large (>21”) trees, maintain the attractive setting for visitors, and remove trees around privately owned structures.

3. Location The Forest Health Plan area is located in the north district of LARO near Kettle Falls, WA at the Rickey Point and Sherman Creek Vacation Cabin lots. The Rickey Forest Health project is located on both sides of the Rickey Point Road; 4.8 miles south of the intersection of Hwy 25 and Hwy 395. The project starts about .4 miles down the Rickey Point Road. Refer to Attachment 2 for Tree Locations and Sizes and on pages 6, 7 and 8 of this document for property roads and site maps.

4. Definition of Technical Specification/Terms A. Felling – Cutting a tree, completely severing it from its stump so that it lands on the ground.

B. Flush cutting – The remaining tree stump is no more than 3 inch above ground when the contract is complete. Remove back-cut so stump is flush.

C. Crown – The portion of a conifer tree that has green needled branches.

D. DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) – Diameter of a tree trunk measured at a point 4 ½ feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

E. Reserve Tree - A tree that has not been designated for cutting.

5. Tree Descriptions Trees to be removed are primarily Ponderosa Pines and are 8-21" DBH (diameter at breast height) in size. There is one Aspen at 6” tall and one Red Alder at 21” tall. See Attachment 2 for tree sizes.

6. Scope of Work

6.1 Tree Felling and Limbing

a. Designated trees around the Rickey Point and Sherman Homes site are to be cut and felled. The boundaries of the treatment area are shown on attached maps. All trees to be cut are within 200 feet of structures at each area. Trees designated for cutting have been

140P8322Q0014 Tree Felling, Limbing & Pruning Services Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO) marked by the NPS with orange flashing. A table of marked trees with location description is on page 1-2.

b. If any felled tree damages any structure or infrastructure within the areas DO NOT

MOVE TREE, and IMMEDIATELY contact the inspector or COR. Inspector or COR will immediately contact the archaeologist/cabin owner for further instructions.

c. Contractor is responsible for felling all marked trees at sites. Due to structure and infrastructure location adjacent to marked trees, the contractor may climb and top them prior to felling to prevent damaging resources.

d. Contractor shall furnish trained fallers, chainsaws and related felling supplies, protective equipment for the sawyers, fuel, and supervision.

e. Contractor shall be responsible for contacting utility companies prior to beginning any operations that could damage adjacent power lines and shall comply with their requirements.

f. No undesignated trees shall be cut without prior approval of the NPS Contracting

Officer’s Representative (COR). The COR will indicate that a tree has been approved for removal by marking it above and below the stump height with blue paint. Trees will have blue dots at stump height and above by October 15.

g. Trees damaged by Contractor’s operations may be required to be cut when notice is given by the NPS Contracting Officer.

h. Contractor can leave a maximum tree stump of 20 inches above the ground level during the winter snow operations.

i. The designated trees shall be completely severed from their stumps.

j. All trees designated to be cut shall be directionally felled away from structures, roads open to the public, utility rights-of-way (power lines, hydro-pipes), established trails, fence lines, improvements, riparian zones and reserve trees. If trees cannot be directionally felled away from actively utilized roads, contractor must provide traffic control until hazard is mitigated.

k. Reserve trees are trees that have not been designated for cutting. If the Contractor damages reserve trees, a penalty will be assessed. (refer to paragraph 9).

l. The Contractor shall immediately inform the COR of any tree designated for cutting that, in the opinion of the Contractor, cannot be felled without causing damage to adjacent trees. The COR, at their own discretion, may waive Contractor’s liability for damage.

m. If conditions are favorable, contractor can “flush-cut” stumps at any time during the contract. “Flush–cut” stumps are cut below the lowest live limb and not more than 3 inches above the ground level. Stump heights shall be measured on the uphill side of the stump. The cut stumps 12 inches or greater in diameter shall be left near the cut site.

140P8322Q0014 Tree Felling, Limbing & Pruning Services Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO)

n. The contractor shall be requested to possess all sawyer licenses, certificates of training and permits required by the State of Washington. Evidence of this documentation shall be presented to the COR at the pre-work conference.

6.2 Pruning

a. Pruning will consist of crown cleaning /deadwood pruning which includes the removal of all dead, dying, diseased or broken branches 4” in diameter or larger throughout the tree.

b. Pruning will also include the removal of crossing / rubbing, weak branches that may compromise the structural integrity of the tree.

c. All portions of the trunk and any tree limbs or branches over 8” inches in diameter must be lowered to the ground by crane or ropes and may not be dropped. The Contractor will be responsible for any damage to the turf, roads or structures caused by dropping parts of the tree.

d. The following methods of pruning are NOT acceptable therefore, the contractor is responsible to ensure that these methods are never performed: topping, stubbing, de-horning, and pollarding. Equipment that may damage the tree bark or cambium layer should not be used on or in the tree. Unless removing the tree altogether, the Contractor is not permitted to use climbing spikes or spurs to climb any live tree scheduled for pruning.

7. Protection of NPS Resources AIR, SOIL, AND WATER

a. Tractors and trucks may operate only on roads. Undesignated equipment shall not be permitted to operate in the treatment area. No equipment shall be permitted to operate across meadows, stream channels, or other non-work areas.

b. If any soil berms are created on or around temporary landing, they shall be leveled and redistributed evenly over the landing site following completion of hauling operations.

c. All refueling, maintenance, and repairs of heavy equipment shall be done at the NPS maintenance area or other areas approved by the COR. An OSHA spill kit is required. All oil, hydraulic fluids, etc., shall be transported to state approved disposal sites. In no case shall such materials be disposed of on National Park Service land.

8. AVOIDANCE OF NOXIOUS WEEDS

To prevent the introduction of the seeds from noxious weeds into NPS land, the Contractor shall wash all mechanized equipment thoroughly top to bottom before transport. This includes the removal of all soil, seeds, vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds.

Diffuse or spotted knapweed, cheat grass and rush skeletonweed are the primary noxious weeds of concern.

a. The Contractor shall employ and ensure their cleaning methods are necessary to to comply with the terms of this provision and shall notify the NPS prior to moving each piece of mechanized equipment into LARO. Cleaning of equipment shall not occur on NPS land. Notification will include identifying the location of the equipment’s most recent operation. The NPS will inspect each piece of equipment prior to its being placed into service. If a piece of equipment fails the inspection, the Contractor will be

140P8322Q0014 Tree Felling, Limbing & Pruning Services Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO) responsible to perform whatever methods are necessary to pass upon re-inspection and will bear all costs.

b. The Contractor shall certify in writing, compliance with the terms of this clause prior to placement on a barge for arrival in Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. For the purposes of this provision, “equipment” means all ground-based contract machinery, including log trucks, chip vans, pickup trucks, cars or other vehicles used to transport personnel.

9. RESERVE TREES

a. Contractor shall be required to exercise care in falling of trees and movement of slash or logs in order to protect reserve trees.

b. A damaged reserve tree will be considered as:

-A reserve tree that has been pushed over or uprooted by equipment felled trees or by slash material that causes the reserve tree to lean more than 10 degrees from the vertical.

-A reserve tree that has been girdled so that the bark is removed and wood is exposed on ¼ or more of the circumference of the bole.

-A reserve tree has a broken top as a result of the Contractor’s operations.

-A reserve tree with lateral root damage; with roots either cut or exposed.

c. Contractor's Liability for damaged trees:

-Reserve trees that are considered damaged and are subsequently marked by the Contracting Officer Technical Representative shall be cut by the Contractor.

-The Contractor shall be liable to the Government for costs and damages incurred as a result of damaged trees resulting from the Contractor’s operations, except as otherwise stated in the specifications.

-Any reserve tree that is cut in error shall be charged to the Contractor.

d. Damages for cut-in-error and damaged trees will be charged to the Contractor at the following rate(s):

1. Ponderosa Pine Trees 48” tall to 11.9” DBH: $400

2. Ponderosa Pine Trees 12” DBH and over: $600

3. Tree species other than Ponderosa Pine: 48” tall to 11.9” DBH: $150

4. Tree species other than Ponderosa Pine: 12” DBH and over: $300

10. SAFETY

a. A Safety Plan or Accident Prevention Program is necessary because this work is hazardous. It needs to identify safety concerns and/or potential hazards along with corresponding safety measures such as personal protective equipment and special procedures.

The plan must be submitted to and approved by the COR prior to issuance of a Notice to Proceed.

b. The Contractor and Government will report all accidents in accordance with OSHA and Worker’s Compensations Act.

c. All work will be regulated by the Industrial Fire Precaution Levels. The Contractor is responsible for adhering to this Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) standard and for providing adequate fire protection and prevention measures. (For specific information, contact WDNR-Southeast at 1-800-562-6010.)

d. Temporary road closures may be necessary.

e. The COR or designated inspector will have a portable radio at all times for contact with NPS offices and personnel. The Contractor or their project supervisor must also have a radio on site at all times for emergencies involving employee injuries and the need for evacuation

140P8322Q0014 Tree Felling, Limbing & Pruning Services Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO) and medical services. They will be given permission to use the NPS radio frequencies for this purpose only.

11. STRUCTURES AND IMPROVEMENTS

a. All roads and spurs damaged by the Contractor’s operations shall be returned to the same condition as they were at the time of starting work. This may include, but is not limited to, blading of road(s), installation of water bars and removing slash from trails as directed by the Contracting Officer.

b. The Contractor shall be held liable and are responsible for any damages caused by their personnel and equipment to any existing structures or other improvements. Repairs to these structures and improvements shall be at the Contractor’s expense. The Government shall not incur any additional expenses.

12. SPECIAL RESOURCES

If any cultural or archaeological sites or any threatened or endangered plant species are discovered during operation of this contract, work shall be suspended in the immediate vicinity of the site. This work suspension shall remain in effect until the Government completes a reconnaissance survey. The NPS may unilaterally modify or cancel this contract to protect an area regardless of when discovered or identified.

13. Deliverables and Reports:

These items must be received and approved by the COR prior to issuance of a Notice to Proceed.

a. Certification that the equipment has been cleaned and inspected for noxious weed protection.

b. Certification that the tractor and truck operator have the required licenses.

c. All required permits, insurance, and payment protections.

d. The on-site supervisor is responsible for collecting the following daily data: confirmation of which trees were felled.

14. Performance Dates:

Work shall be performed when there is no danger of wildfire. Adhering to period of performance dates would minimize additional infestation of IPS, a bark beetle that is attracted to freshly cut timber particularly in the spring and summer. If felling were to occur prior to adequate snow cover in place to avoid ground disturbance, rubber tired machinery would be required. If operations occur when there are 20" of moderate to heavy snow and 8" of frozen ground, tracked equipment may be used. Culturally sensitive sites will be avoided if project occurs with no snow cover.

15. Supplies and Equipment The Contractor shall furnish all needed labor, equipment, supplies, materials, permits, insurance, fees, alternate payment protection, lodging, and transportation

16. Quality control The NPS will perform some site inspections to determine the effectiveness of the work that is being performed.

140P8322Q0014 Tree Felling, Limbing & Pruning Services Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO)

Figure 1.

140P8322Q0014 Tree Felling, Limbing & Pruning Services Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO)

140P8322Q0014 Tree Felling, Limbing & Pruning Services Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO)