Attachment_1_Statement_of_Work.pdf

Overstory thinning, Stehekin WA North Cascades NPS Complex Attachment 1: Statement of Work

PROJECT SUMMARY

The work to be performed under this contract is fuel reduction through selective forest thinning of eight (8) acres in North Cascades National Park Service Complex, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, Stehekin District, Stehekin, Washington. The Contractor shall furnish all needed labor, equipment, supplies, materials, permits, insurance, fees, alternate payment protection, lodging, and transportation (including barge services) to complete all phases of the forest fuel reduction project.

C.1. BACKGROUND AND LOCATION

C.1.1 BACKGROUND

The 2007 North Cascades Fire Management Plan includes Procedures for Performing Forest Fuel Reduction or Defensible Space Around Prehistoric and Historic Structures or Districts.

Structures at High Bridge and the Buckner Homestead fall into this category. The forests adjacent to these structures have a crown density higher than desired. The objective of this treatment is to open the forest canopy adjacent to these historic properties. This is a minimal first step in creating defensible space around these structures while maintaining historic character.

The Potential Road Obstruction (PRO) hazard tree work is part of the Forest Fuel Reduction/Firewood Management Plan that was initiated in 1995 to reduce fire hazard and restore forest stand structure and species composition in strategic Forest Fuel Reduction Areas of the Stehekin Valley. This project is to remove hazardous trees that could potentially obstruct the road system within the Stehekin Valley. The trees are located on gently sloping to steep terrain above or below the immediate vicinity of the road elevation. This optional item will treat up to 4 acres and include up to 12 trees that have been identified and clearly marked with paint.

Objectives for all three treatment areas include minimizing soil disturbance and mitigating the visual impacts of treatment activities. The wood that results from the fuel reduction operation will be made available as firewood permitted to local residents. The Contractor shall have no entitlement to the logs cut under this contract.

C.1.2 GENERAL LOCATION

Stehekin is a remote community located 50 miles from Chelan, Washington, at the north end of Lake Chelan. The Stehekin Valley is isolated; the roads do not connect with any highway system. Stehekin is accessible from Chelan only by boat, barge, or float airplane. The valley can also be accessed by several hiking trails. Within the Stehekin Valley, the project area may be reached within 1/4 miles on roads suitable for hauling heavy equipment. The winter turn-around is located at the Stehekin Valley Ranch. Lodging and meal services are limited in Stehekin and may only be available during the busy tourist season, June to September, and on a limited basis the remaining part of the year.

Information about Stehekin (including maps, ferry service, and lodging) is available at www.stehekin.com and www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/stehekin.htm.

Contractors are advised that barges run infrequently and, if needed, it is recommended that Contractors verify scheduled runs and costs, or cost of charter runs, with the barge companies before submitting a quote. Some tools and materials may be sent on the passenger ferry runs, however some restrictions apply. Mountain Barge Services provides barge services between Chelan and Stehekin (509/682-2493 or mountainbargeservices.com).

C.1.3 WORK AREAS

The High Bridge work area is in the Stehekin Valley approximately 11 miles up valley from the Stehekin Landing via the Stehekin Valley road. The Buckner Homestead project is located approximately 4 miles from the Stehekin Landing, and approximately 0.5 miles from the intersection of Rainbow Lane with the Stehekin Valley Road at the end of Rainbow Lane. The PRO optional work is located in Stehekin Valley approximately 7.1 miles up valley from the Stehekin Landing, which is approximately 4.1 miles upriver from the intersection of Company Creek Road with the Stehekin Valley Road. The elevations of the treatment areas are 1160 – 1590 feet above mean sea level.

The primary deck site, Buzzard Cabin deck site, and the Log Yard pile are all located near the NPS maintenance area. The Log Yard is approximately 1.6 miles from the Buckner Homestead,

7.0 miles from temporary deck site at High Bridge, and 4.7 miles from the downriver end of the PRO work area.

C.1.4 TREE DESCRIPTIONS

The Buckner and High Bridge trees are primarily Douglas-fir (PSME) and are 6-22" DBH (diameter at breast height) in size. The PRO trees are Ponderosa (PIPO) and Douglas-fir (PSME) that range from 20 – 45” DBH. See table below. Additional tree data with DBH and/or tree location data are in Attachment 3.

Tree locations and sizes

Location Size

(DBH)

Number of trees To be removed

High Bridge 7.1” – 15” 17 >15” 3

Total 20 Buckner Homestead 7.1” – 15” 5, 1 to Buzzard Cabin deck >15” 7, 5 to Buzzard Cabin deck Total 12 PRO Option A 7.1” – 15” 0 15” – 30” 3 ≥30” 1 Total 4 PRO Option B 7.1” – 15” 0 15” – 30” 1 ≥30” 4 Total 5 PRO Option C 7.1” – 15” 0 15” – 30” 2 ≥30” 1 Total 3

C.2. DEFINITION OF LINE ITEMS

The price schedule includes work in two areas (Items 1 through 4) and three options (Options A, B, and C).

Item Description

Plowing to access Buckner Homestead work area (include half the cost of plowing access to log yard and clearing deck sites)

Buckner Homestead work (falling, limbing, bucking, skidding, hauling, and decking), 12 trees

Plowing to access High Bridge work area (include half the cost of plowing access to log yard and clearing deck sites)

High Bridge area work (falling, limbing, bucking, skidding, hauling, and decking), 20 trees

Option A PRO (falling, limbing, bucking), 4 trees Option B PRO (falling, limbing, bucking), 5 trees Option C PRO (falling, limbing, bucking), 3 trees

General description, Items 1 – 4. Contractor shall:

i. Plow roads to remove snow and gain access to work sites.

ii. Fell and haul 32 trees in the Buckner and High Bridge areas.

iii. Seven trees at Buckner are flagged (with pink and blue flagging tape) and labeled “purlin” or “base”. Cut these seven (7) boles at Buckner to 36-ft to 40-ft lengths and haul them to the Buzzard Cabin deck at the Log Yard.

iv. Cut 25 boles from Buckner and High Bridge areas to 16-ft lengths, resulting in approximately 12 cords of wood, and haul them to the Log Yard Primary Deck.

See below for description of Options A, B, and C.

Buckner Homestead (Items 1 and 2)

1) Contractor shall fell and move the Buckner boles to the temporary landing areas as the highest priority contract activity when optimal snow conditions are present.

2) Plow the access route from the Spring Shed/Platform to the parking area across from the Buckner House and plow a deck area at the T that heads east to Rainbow Creek. The deck area needs to be big enough to hold 2 temporary log decks. One log deck will be for five boles that will eventually be transported to the Log Yard firewood Primary deck.

The second deck will hold seven boles that will eventually be transported to the Log Yard Buzzard Cabin Deck.

3) Fall selected trees on 2 acres; sever limbs and tops.

4) Perform horse or mechanized winter skidding operation to remove cut trees/logs, tops, and limbs from the treatment area to an adjacent temporary landing.

5) Buck pink-flagged boles into 16-foot lengths; haul logs from the temporary landing to the Primary firewood deck site using trucks; construct log decks; haul limbs and tops to the burn pile.

6) Buck pink- and blue-flagged boles to 20 to 26 feet (base logs) or 36 to 40 feet (purlin logs) depending on how they are labeled by NPS; stack boles at the Buzzard temporary landing. Cut remaining lengths that are shorter than 20 feet to 16-foot lengths, stack at the temporary landing, and haul to the Primary firewood deck site at the log yard. Haul limbs, bole sections shorter than 16’, and tops to the burn pile.

a. Seven trees in the Buckner project area are labeled as either base logs or purlin logs to be utilized for the Buzzard Cabin restoration project. The trees labeled as purlin should be cut to 40-foot lengths. Three trees are labeled as purlin. The 40-foot length should start where the log is 7 inches diameter and proceed toward the base of the log to the 40-foot length. If a second or third 40-foot log is available that is desired. If not, any available log 20 feet long or longer is desired.

b. The trees not designated as purlin logs should be cut to as many 40-foot lengths as available. Any log greater than 7 inches diameter at the small end and a minimum of 20 feet long should be kept as Buzzard Cabin Logs. All Buzzard Cabin Logs should be hauled to the Buzzard Cabin deck at the Log Yard. Any segments shorter than 20 feet should be added to the temporary deck that will be hauled to the Primary Deck.

7) After roads are melted out and dry: haul logs from the temporary landing to the primary deck site using trucks; construct log decks; haul limbs and tops to the burn pile.

8) Flush-cut tree stumps (refer to C.4.1.B.14 and C.4.1.D.15).

High Bridge (Items 3 and 4)

1) Plow the access route from the Ranch to High Bridge and plow the temporary deck area at High Bridge.

2) Fall selected trees on 2 acres; sever limbs and tops.

3) Perform horse or mechanized winter skidding operation to remove cut trees/logs, tops, and limbs from the treatment area to an adjacent temporary landing.

4) Buck boles into 16-foot lengths.

5) After road between the Ranch and High Bridge is melted out and dry: haul logs from the temporary landing to the primary deck site using trucks; construct log decks; haul limbs and tops to the burn pile.

6) Flush-cut tree stumps (refer to C.4.1.B.14 and C.4.1.D.15).

Options A, B, and C for Potential Road Obstruction (PRO) tree removal:

1) Plow the access route from the Ranch to the trees that are to be removed. Plowing to reach the PRO trees may or may not be in conjunction with High Bridge depending on timing of the projects.

2) Fell selected/marked trees on up to 4 acres; sever limbs and tops.

3) Buck boles to contour with the ground; clear all debris out of road corridor; pile limbs adjacent to the felled tree.

4) Flush-cut tree stumps (refer to C.4.1.B.14 and C.4.1.D.15).

C.3. WINTER GROUND-BASED LOGGING

C.3.1 WINTER HORSE AND TRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

Horse and mechanized skidding operations will occur only when winter conditions provide adequate protection for the soil resources. A snowpack, or a combination of snowpack and frozen ground sufficient to prevent compaction and displacement of the soil, must be present.

Indicators of insufficient protection include rutting, mixing of soil and snow, or visible displacement of the soil.

C.3.2 GUIDELINES FOR SNOWPACK PROTECTION OF SOIL

The undisturbed snowpack depth should be greater than 20 inches deep, although with light powdery snow greater depth may be necessary. Overnight temperatures should generally be less than 25 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime temperatures should generally not exceed 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Frozen ground may be used to complement the effects of a snowpack when the snowpack alone does not provide sufficient protection. With minimal snow (12 to 16 inches) the depth of frost should be at least 6 inches in the soil and daytime temperatures should be cold enough to maintain or deepen the frozen condition of traveled trails. With a deeper snowpack (16 to 20 inches) the depth of the frost can be less as long as the indicators of insufficient protection do not show a problem.

Example of winter skidding scenario:

Factors Condition

Snowpack 12 inches of medium to heavy snow Weather No snow in the immediate forecast. Temperatures are in the 20’s F.

day and in the mid-teens at night Ground/Soils The ground is frozen to a depth of 8 inches.

Monitoring The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) measures all of the factors that contribute to the prevention of soil compaction and disturbance. S/he monitors these factors during the operation and looks for indicators of insufficient soil protection. Regular documentation occurs to show the status of these factors over time during the operation.

Decision and Justification The COR informs the contractor that s/he may begin operation, but that they are relying heavily upon the combination of frozen ground and slash mat to continue operation. Factors that could change and require a suspension of operations include warming temperatures, the gradual thawing of the ground or less slash than anticipated.

C.4. DETAILED PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

C.4.1 SPECIFIC CONTRACTOR TASKS

C.4.1.A PLOWING – all areas

1. Contractor shall furnish equipment and labor to plow snow.

2. Contractor shall plow the access route from the Company Creek Maintenance Yard to the log dump site, primary deck location, and pile.

3. Contractor shall plow the log dump site and primary deck location site.

4. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to plow and clear these areas as needed during the performance period.

5. Refer to maps in Attachment 2.

High Bridge

1. Contractor shall plow the access route from the Stehekin Valley Ranch to the High Bridge project site.

2. Contractor shall ensure there is space available for the public utilizing skis and snowshoes to access the High Bridge area.

3. Contractor shall plow a temporary deck location and location for limbs and tops at the parking area/bus turn around across the Stehekin Valley Road from the High Bridge housing area. Deck area needs to be large enough to stack boles and limbs/tops from 20 trees.

Buckner Homestead

1. Contractor shall plow the access / haul route from the Spring Shed/Platform to the parking area in front of the Buckner House.

2. Contractor shall clear a temporary deck and location for limbs and tops at the T where Rainbow Lane turns west to access the Buckner House. The temporary deck location will be at the intersection where the two track heads east along the south end of the fenced in portion of the Buckner Orchard. Plowed area will be large enough for the boles of 13 trees plus associated tops and limbs.

Options - PRO Trees There is no specific plowing requirement to access these trees, except to note that it is the contractor’s responsibility to clear the access and hauling routes, log dump site, and decks. It is anticipated that this work may be performed in conjunction with tasks at nearby locations.

C.4.1.B TREE FELLING, LIMBING, BUCKING

1. Designated trees around the Buckner Homestead site and High Bridge 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 or infrastructure (corral) at each area. Trees designated for cutting have been marked by the NPS. The trees at High Bridge have a dot of gray paint at the base, in an area not immediately visible to the visiting public. The trees at Buckner have a dot of blue paint at the base, in an area not immediately visible to the visiting public; they are also flagged. A list of marked trees with location description is in Attachment 3.

2. Option Items - Potential Road Obstruction (PRO): Designated trees on 4 acres of the roadside are to be cut and felled. The treatment area starts just past the Ranch and runs upvalley approximately 1000 feet. Trees designated for cutting have been marked by the NPS with blue paint above and below the stump height.

3. If any felled tree damages any structure or infrastructure within the Buckner Homestead or High Bridge historic area DO NOT MOVE TREE, and IMMEDIATELY contact the inspector or COR. Inspector or COR will immediately contact the archaeologist for further instructions.

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

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

6. 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.

7. 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. Option item trees currently have blue dots at base and above stump level.

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

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

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

11. All trees designated to be cut shall be directionally felled away from historic structures and infrastructure at the Buckner Homestead and High Bridge, 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.

12. Reserve trees are trees that have not been designated for cutting. If the Contractor damages reserve trees, a penalty will be assessed. (refer to C.4.3.C.)

13. 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.

14. 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. The COR will check stumps for blue paint to verify that the tree(s) were designated for removal.

15. Bucking:

a. Buck designated boles at Buckner to 36’ to 40’ lengths as described in C.2.

b. Buck boles at Buckner and High Bridge not labeled for Buzzard Cabin to 16-foot lengths or shorter.

c. Buck boles of PRO trees to match the contour of the ground.

C.4.1.C SKIDDING

1. Horse or mechanical skidding techniques shall be used to remove the tree boles or logs from the location where they were initially cut to temporary landings along the road or in or adjacent to the gravel pit. This shall occur when the snowpack and/or slash mat provide sufficient protection for the soils.

2. Contractor shall furnish a team of horses and sled, or heavy machinery for skidding logs to the temporary landing;

3. If any structure or infrastructure within the Buckner Homestead or High Bridge historic area is damaged during skidding operations, IMMEDIATELY contact the inspector or COR. If damage is noticed while skidding, stop, leave tree in location of damage, and IMMEDIATELY contact inspector or COR. Inspector or COR will immediately contact the archaeologist for further instructions.

4. Logs are to be stacked in temporary landings at High Bridge, Buckner. The road and ski trail should be left open for winter recreation where possible.

C.4.1.D HAULING and DECKING

1. Logs, limbs, and tops shall be hauled by truck (tractor and trailer) from the temporary landing to the primary deck area after the road has dried out and the roadbed is firm.

2. Contractor may not utilize the roads as haul routes when the roadbed is not firm.

a. The Stehekin Valley Road roadbed is firm when it is dry.

b. The Company Creek Road roadbed is firm when completely frozen or dry.

c. The contractor shall not damage roads when hauling boles or limbs/tops; if damage occurs, contractor shall restore the road to previous conditions at no additional cost to NPS.

3. Logs, limbs, and tops shall be moved by ground-based equipment such as front-end loaders and dump trucks or self-loading log trucks provided by the Contractor.

4. Logs at the primary deck site shall be stacked into log decks at least 6 feet high but no more than 10 feet high.

5. Decks within the Primary deck area and Buzzard Cabin deck area shall be constructed so that material is parallel.

6. All decks at the Primary deck shall be supported by a minimum of two sill logs placed perpendicular to the decks.

7. The Buzzard Cabin deck shall be supported by a minimum of three sill logs placed perpendicular to the decks and evenly spaced to minimize the potential sag of the logs.

8. Primary decks shall be no more than 20’ wide.

9. Primary decks shall be not less than 3’ apart or more than 6’ apart.

10. Decks shall be compact and free from rocks, dirt and snow.

11. Decks at the temporary landing, Primary deck area, and Buzzard Cabin deck shall be placed no closer than 5 feet from live trees where there is no structural support to stabilize log deck.

12. All slash created at the High Bridge and Buckner Homestead project areas shall be hauled to the pile adjacent to the log yard.

13. Slash from the High Bridge project area may be staged at the parking area/bus turnaround until the Stehekin Valley Road from the Ranch to High Bridge is firm.

14. High Bridge and Buckner Homestead: Remove slash and log debris from the temporary landing sites at the completion of the project.

15. If not already completed, Contractor shall return to the work site in the spring when the ground is free of snow and “flush-cut” the tree stumps, cutting them 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. The COR will check stumps for blue paint to verify that the tree(s) were designated for removal.

16. Contractor will coordinate with COR prior to stacking logs into primary decks to ensure deck location is approved.

C.4.2. DEFINITION OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION TERMS

A. Buzzard Cabin deck – Log deck north of the primary deck at the log yard designated only for the logs that are 20’ to 40’ long.

B. Felling – Cutting a tree, completely severing it from its stump so that it lands on the ground.

C. 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.

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

E. 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.

F. Log Dump – Area in the vicinity of the Primary Deck where logs are initially “dumped” prior to stacking them in the Primary Deck Site. Log Dump may be any cleared space that the contractor can utilize to initiate stacking logs in the Primary Deck Site.

G. Log Yard Pile – Pile to the south of the Primary Deck Site H. Lopping – The removal of limbs and branches from trees and hardwood brush that have been felled.

I. PIPO – Ponderosa Pine, Pinus ponderosa J. Primary Deck Site – An area designated by the COR in the NPS maintenance yard.

K. PSME – Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii L. Reserve Tree - A tree that has not been designated for cutting.

M. Sill log – logs that are perpendicular to the deck, that support the deck. Sill logs keep the logs in the deck from being in contact with the ground. Sill logs should be spaced far enough apart to keep the deck stable.

N. Slash – The vegetative material from felled trees including tops, limbs, and wood chunks that result from the thinning activity.

O. Temporary Landing – an area near the work site where logs/wood can be stacked on the ground until they are hauled to the Primary Deck or pile near the NPS Company Creek Maintenance area.

P. Thinning – The removal of excess trees from a forest stand in order to accelerate growth on selected residual trees by reducing the competition for soil moisture, nutrients and sunlight.

Q. Tree height – Actual height of tree.

R. 6” top – Height of trees to 6-inch diameter top.

C.4.3. PROTECTION OF NPS RESOURCES

A. AIR, SOIL, AND WATER

1. Tractors and trucks may operate only on roads and on the landing and deck sites.

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. Equipment utilized as skidders are allowed in treatment area.

2. 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.

3. 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.

B. AVOIDANCE OF NOXIOUS WEEDS

1. To prevent the introduction of the seeds from noxious weeds into Stehekin Valley or onto NPS land, the Contractor shall wash all mechanized equipment thoroughly top to bottom before transport via barge. 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 whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure compliance with the terms of this provision and shall notify the NPS prior to moving each piece of mechanized equipment into Stehekin Valley. 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 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 Stehekin Valley. 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.

2. Horse feed shall be certified weed-free or originate in Stehekin Valley in a field free of noxious weeds. The horses will be maintained and corralled off-site when not being used in the operation.

C. RESERVE TREES

1. Contractor shall be required to exercise care in falling of trees, placement of decks and piles, and movement of slash or logs in order to protect reserve trees.

2. A damaged reserve tree will be considered as:

a. 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.

b. 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.

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

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

3. Contractor's Liability for damaged trees:

a. Reserve trees that are considered damaged and are subsequently marked by the

Contracting Officer Technical Representative shall be cut and decked by the Contractor.

b. 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.

c. 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

D. SAFETY

1. 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.

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

3. 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.)

4. Temporary road closures may be necessary.

5. 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 and medical services. They will be given permission to use the NPS radio frequencies for this purpose only.

E. STRUCTURES AND IMPROVEMENTS

1. 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.

2. 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. NPS archaeologist will need to oversee any repairs. The Government shall not incur any additional expenses.

F. 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.

C.5. DELIVERABLES AND REPORTS:

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

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

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

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

C.6. PERFORMANCE DATES:

A. PRE-WORK CONFERENCE

A pre-work conference will be held at a place and time mutually convenient for the contractor and government, likely in December.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

1. Phase 1: A Notice To Proceed with plowing will be issued at the conclusion of the pre-work meeting. The contractor will determine when and how often plowing is required to complete the contract.

2. Phase 2: A Notice To Proceed with tree felling, limbing and flush cutting stumps will be issued when the winter snow and soil conditions meet the prescription to minimize soil disturbance, as described above. Work shall begin within 5 working days of receipt of the Notice To Proceed and shall be completed within 60 working days, unless weather or soil conditions halt operations.

3. Phase 3: A Notice To Proceed with tree skidding, will be issued when the winter snowpack and frozen ground conditions provide sufficient soil protection, as described above. Work shall begin within one week of receipt of the Notice To Proceed, unless snowpack, weather, and soil conditions become less favorable. All work shall be completed within 60 working days, unless weather or soil conditions halt operations.

4. Phase 4- Two parts:

a. A Notice To Proceed with hauling logs, maintaining decks, and flush cutting stumps for Buckner Homestead and optional PRO Trees will be issued as soon as snow conditions allow. All work, including final cleanup of work areas, shall be completed no later than May 20, 2022.

b. A Notice To Proceed with hauling logs, maintaining decks, and flush cutting stumps for High Bridge will be issued as soon as the Stehekin Valley Road is dry and firm. All work, including final cleanup of work areas, shall be completed no later than May 20, 2022.

5. The NPS represents that at the time of issuance of a Notice To Proceed all conditions necessary for successful operations exist for that day and in the foreseeable future. However, Contractors shall make their own assessment of conditions prior to the start of any mobilization of equipment and personnel to the treatment area in the Stehekin Valley.