ATTACHMENT C - Restoration Specifications Manual.pdf

Restoration Specifications │City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department 2024 | 1

Restoration Specifications Manual City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department

ATTACHMENT C

Restoration Specifications │City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department 2024 | 2

Contents Goal

Natural Areas Mission Use Definitions Sources Safety

Regulations Communication Safety Plan

Clearing and Grubbing Description Construction Requirements Method of Measurement Basis of Payment

Revegetation Site Preparation Hydrologic:

Soil Analysis:

Non-native plant species:

Method of Measurement Basis of Payment

Topsoil Management and Soil Amendments Preparation Topsoil Handling Imported Topsoil Wetland Topsoil Soil Amendments

Topsoil Management Method of Measurement Basis of Payment

Soil Preparation Seeding

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Method of Measurement Basis of Payment

Planting Trees Perennial Plants Willow Cuttings

Harvest Storage Installation

Brush Layer Cuttings Watering Maintenance Establishment and Replacement

Watering in Irrigated Areas Watering in Non-Irrigated Areas

Method of Measurement Basis of Payment

Erosion and Sedimentation Control Weed Management

Method of Measurement Basis of Payment

Irrigation Temporary Irrigation Permanent Irrigation

References

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Goal The goal of this manual is to provide guidance to the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas (FCNAD), its partners, and contractors during ground-disturbing projects to ensure successful revegetation, maintain or increase biodiversity, and improve ecological function. These outcomes align with the Natural Areas mission.

Natural Areas Mission To conserve and enhance lands with natural resource, agricultural, and scenic values, while providing meaningful education and appropriate recreation opportunities.

Figure 1. Cottonwood seedlings emerge at the Environmental Learning Center Flow Restoration Project along the Cache la Poudre River post-restoration.

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Use Users are required to implement the FCNAD Restoration Specifications in conjunction with the City of Fort Collins Erosion Control standards included in the Fort Collins Stormwater Criteria Manual and the Contractor Safety Program Policy, General Conditions included in existing City contracts, as well as any applicable county, state, and federal requirements. The Specifications build on the Erosion Control standards by providing an additional level of detail to ensure projects are set up for success. In the event of conflicting regulations, the City of Fort Collins municipal code, state regulations, and federal regulations supersede these specifications.

Figure 2. Restoration technicians from AloTerra and FCNAD wear personal protective equipment (hard hats, eye protection, gloves, and steel-toed wading boots) at a City restoration site to stay safe.

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Definitions Contractor-The individual or entity with which Owner has contracted for performance of the Work.

Owner-The individual or entity with which Contractor has contracted regarding the Work, and which has agreed to pay Contractor for the performance of the Work, pursuant to the terms of the Contract.

Engineer-The individual or entity named as such in the Agreement.

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Sources The FCNAD Restoration Specifications draw heavily on regional specifications including the latest version of the CDOT Division 200 specs, Mile High Flood District Criteria Manual Volume 2 Chapter 13, and City of Longmont Restoration Specifications. The City is grateful to these entities for allowing the adoption of their resource into References are included.

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Safety Regulations

The Contractor and its subcontractors will follow the City of Fort Collins (CFC) Contractor Safety requirements, as well as state, county, and federal safety regulations. The CFC requirements can be found in the Contractor Safety Program Policy authorized by the Director of Workforce Safety and Risk Management.

Communication

Prior to construction, the Contractor and the Owner will meet with City of Fort Collins Safety and Risk Management staff to complete a site walk to discuss safety concerns at site, contents of Safety Plan, and any other relevant safety topics.

Safety Plan

The Contractor will provide a site-specific safety plan for all work on Natural Areas lands. Prior to beginning any work and receiving a Notice to Proceed, the Contractor is required to provide a Safety Plan. Contractor will not be eligible to receive payments until the Safety Plan has been submitted and approved by Owner. The safety plan will include but not be limited to emergency evacuation meeting point with map, emergency contact information for Owner and Site Superintendent, personal protective equipment, accident and near miss reporting process, schedule for daily safety briefing and hazard awareness, closest urgent care, construction limits map, as well as site spill prevention and response plan if applicable.

https://www.fcgov.com/risk/

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Clearing and Grubbing Description

This work consists of clearing, grubbing, removing, and disposing of vegetation, woody material, and debris within the limits of the project area, right of way, easement areas, borrow pits, and other areas shown in the Contract or required by the work. Trees, vegetation, areas with social, biological, or ecological significance, infrastructure, and any other object designated to remain will be preserved free from injury or defacement.

Construction Requirements

The Owner will designate all trees, shrubs, plants, and other objects to remain. Every object or area that is designated to remain or be avoided and is damaged will be repaired or replaced as directed at the Contractor’s expense. Prior to removing any trees, the Contractor will work with City staff to determine any tree replacement/mitigation needs and create a plan for addressing these.

The Contractor will mark each tree to be removed. The Owner will be notified for inspection and approval of these marked trees. No trees or shrubs will be removed without prior approval by the Owner. Trees removed without prior approval of the Owner will be replaced at the Contractor’s expense. Replacement trees will be of the total equal caliper (deciduous) or height (evergreen), and type of tree removed. Where possible, invasive tree species such as Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) and crack willow (Salix x fragilis) will be removed within the construction footprint unless otherwise indicated by City staff. If crack willow trees are designated for removal, they will be removed from site after cutting and mulched unless otherwise directed by the Owner. A written description of work methods and time schedules will be submitted and approved in writing by the Owner prior to work commencing.

Clearing and grubbing will extend to the toe of fill or the top of cut slopes, unless otherwise designated. All surface objects, trees, stumps, roots, and other protruding obstructions not designated to remain will be cleared and grubbed. In areas to be rounded at the tops of backslopes, stumps will be removed to at least 2 feet below the surface of the final slope line.

Except in areas to be excavated, all holes resulting from the removal of obstructions will be backfilled with suitable material and compacted.

No material or debris will be disposed of within the project limits without the written permission of the Owner. Material or debris that is disposed of within the project limits will be buried to a depth of at least 2 feet and the surface will be reshaped to match the adjacent ground line. The Contractor will make all arrangements to obtain written permission from property owners for disposal locations outside the limits and view of the project. Copies of this written agreement will be furnished to the Owner before the disposal area is used.

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All cleared merchantable timber will be removed from the project and will become the property of the Contractor unless otherwise directed by City staff. In some cases, trees may be re-used on site as part of restoration project. Branches on trees or shrubs will be removed as directed.

Branches of trees extending over the roadbed will be trimmed to give a clear height of 20 feet above the roadbed surface. All trimming will be done per good tree surgery practices.

The Contractor will clear and grub the areas within the excavation or embankment grading limits and will include the removal from the ground of brush, roots, sod, grass, residue of agricultural crops, sawdust, and other vegetable matter. Once the items have been removed, they are property of the Contractor and will be disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Method of Measurement

Measurement will be by one of the following methods:

Area Basis. The work to be paid for will be the number of acres acceptably cleared and grubbed, including scalping, within the limits shown on the plans or staked by the Engineer.

Lump Sum Basis. When the Contract contains a clearing and grubbing lump sum item, no measurement will be made.

Basis of Payment

The accepted quantities of clearing and grubbing will be paid for at the contract unit prices as follows:

Area Basis. The quantities will be paid for at the contract unit price bid per acre for each pay item that appears in the bid schedule.

Lump Sum Basis. When the bid schedule contains a lump sum item, the lump sum price will be paid and will be full compensation for clearing and grubbing the entire project.

Payment will be made under:

Pay Item Pay Unit

Clearing Acre, Lump Sum

Grubbing Acre, Lump Sum

Clearing and Grubbing Acre, Lump Sum

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Exclusions. When the bid schedule does not contain an estimated quantity or a lump sum item for clearing and grubbing, the work will not be paid for separately but will be included in the work.

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Revegetation Site Preparation Prior to revegetation work on the site, and at the discretion of the Owner, a hydrologic evaluation will be conducted for the site. Depending on the project, this may be performed by the Owner, the Contractor, or Subcontractors. The party responsible will perform an initial evaluation of hydrologic, soil, and non-native plant species.

Hydrologic: The party responsible will conduct hydrologic evaluations and establish a site map labeling the habitat zones using the categories in the graphic below.

If site includes riparian and wetland features, groundwater wells may be necessary to understand hydrology prior to site work and revegetation. This will be determined at the discretion of City staff.

Soil Analysis: The party responsible will determine the soil series and ecological site description at the site using the USDA Web Soil Survey tool. The party responsible will work

Restoration Specifications │City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department 2024 | 13 with City staff to complete soil testing at the site to determine if any treatments or amendments might be necessary for successful revegetation.

Non-native plant species: Prior to construction, the party responsible will map any existing Colorado List A, B, or C weed species on site and create a plan for treating weeds before (if possible), during, and after construction.

Method of Measurement

A hydrologic map will be provided showing hydrologic zones, water features, and any groundwater wells.

A soil map will be provided from the USDA Soil Mapper showing soil series within the project site. Ecological site descriptions from the Mapper will be provided as an attachment to the map.

A weed map showing any existing List A, B, and C weed species will be provided.

Basis of Payment

A lump sum payment will be made for each map.

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Topsoil Management and Soil Amendments This section provides guidance for the following activities:

• salvaging topsoil

• stockpiling topsoil

See Appendix E in the City of Fort Collins Erosion Control Measures for further requirements on stockpile management.

Definitions:

Excessively Wet Soil. Soil is considered excessively wet when a handful of soil squeezed together forms a ball and when poked with a finger does not fall apart easily or when squeezed together water droplets appear.

Litter and Duff Layer. The organic surface layer of topsoil composed of plant material, twigs, leaves, and needles, (litter) and mostly decayed plant material (duff).

Subsoil. Subsoil is the layer of soil under the topsoil layer of the soil profile. Like topsoil, it is composed of a variable mixture of small particles such as sand, silt, and clay but lacks organic matter and soil organisms.

Subsoil Preparation. Deep scarification, ripping, using specialized equipment, usually performed on compacted subsoils before replacing topsoil with the purpose of increasing pore space and improving soil structure for plant growth and infiltration of stormwater.

Topsoil (Engineered). Topsoil produced by uniformly blending onsite sand, silt, and clay, with organic soil amendments. Engineered topsoil will consist of soil amendments and one or more of the following approved materials: subsoil, overburden, or material generated from rock.

Topsoil (Imported). Naturally occurring or commercially produced topsoil obtained from a source outside the project’s LDA.

Topsoil (Onsite). Existing, native topsoil, collected from within the Limits of Disturbance (LDA) that consists of the upper 6-inch layer of easily crumbled soil, or at the depths and locations shown on the plans.

Topsoil Stockpile. Topsoil placed in piles or moved into uncompacted berms for temporary storage during construction.

Topsoil (Wetland). Existing, native topsoil that is within delineated wetlands and includes any existing vegetation and plant matter, including roots, rhizomes, and seeds.

https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/img/site_specific/uploads/fcscm-appendix-e.pdf?1549566344

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Preparation

Prior to any soil disturbance, the Contractor will contact the Utility Notification Center of Colorado (UNCC) at 1-800-922-1987 or 811 at least two working days prior to beginning excavation or grading to have all registered utilities located, including sewer, water, irrigation, gas, electric, phone, and other pipelines or conduits or equipment. The Contractor is responsible for protecting all utilities during construction and coordinating with the appropriate utility company for any utility crossing. The Engineer will complete subsurface utility engineering if required by the project. If any damage occurs to utilities, the cost of repairs will be made by the Contractor.

Topsoil Handling

If removing topsoil is necessary in the project, the Contractor will collect topsoil consisting of the upper 6-inch layer of soil or at the depths and locations specified in the plan set. This topsoil will remain on site unless otherwise directed by the Owner.

Topsoil will be collected when moist but not muddy or completely dry. Water will be used as a dust palliative if topsoil is to be collected when excessively dry.

Earthwork on the project and finished grades will leave an allowance for the replacement of topsoil to a specified depth.

Wetland, riparian, and upland topsoil will be stored separately to the degree possible. If the project requires importing topsoil, that material will be stored separately from any native soil.

Imported Topsoil

If imported topsoil is required, the Contractor will identify a potential source and notify the Owner of the location of the source and the estimated amount required. Pending approval from the Owner, the Contractor will collect and submit for analysis representative soil samples from imported topsoil, submit them to a soil testing lab, and provide those results to City staff. The Contractor will provide one representative sample per acre, or one per 1,000 cubic yards, to an approved soil testing laboratory. If the soil samples meet the standards below and are approved by the Owner, the imported topsoil may be delivered. The City reserves the right to inspect the site where topsoil is sourced prior to delivery.

Imported topsoil will be free of:

• Subsoils (no B or C horizons)

• Coarse sand and gravel

• Stiff clay, hard clods, or hardpan soils

• Trash, litter, or refuse

• List A, B, or C noxious weeds

• Cobble material two inches or greater in diameter

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Imported topsoil will meet the properties shown in the table. It will be taken from a well-drained arable site unless otherwise specified. The imported material will not be frozen or in a muddy state.

Table 1. Required properties of imported topsoil.

Property Range pH (s.u) 5.6 to 8.3

Electrical Conductivity (EC) (mmhos/cm or ds/m)

< 2

SAR (s.u.) < 10

Soluble salts (ppm) < 2

OM % 1 to 3

N (NO3-n, ppm) > 20

Potassium 60 to 120

Phosphorus > 13.0

Wetland Topsoil

Wetland topsoil material will be excavated from areas designated on the Drawings or as approved by the Owner and Project Engineer to a minimum depth of 18 inches, or as otherwise designated, and placed within 48 hours in the wetland relocation site.

The Contractor will screen cobbles and rocks larger than 2 inches, trash, woody debris, or any other material preventing the preparation of a smooth seed bed. Costs associated with screening wetland topsoil shall be incidental to the cost of Wetland Topsoil.

The Contractor will prepare the wetland relocation site to elevations specified in the Drawings or as approved by Engineer and Owner prior to excavating the wetlands topsoil. If Engineer determines that this is not possible, then Contractor will stockpile wetland topsoil material in an approved area, to remain undisturbed until the relocation site has been prepared.

All wetland topsoil stockpiles will be protected from sediment transport by surface roughening, watering, and perimeter silt fencing.

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Storage time within the stockpile will be as short as possible. Stockpiles should not be left for longer than six months.

Wetland stockpiles will be protected in such a manner to preserve the wetland seed bank.

Wetland topsoil material will be placed over the prepared relocation areas to a depth of 18 inches, or as otherwise designated.

Soil Amendments

Soil amendments such as compost, soil conditioners, fertilizer, or inoculants will only be applied as determined by soil test and as approved by the Owner. Use of fertilizer will comply with state and federal use regulations. Compost will contain a minimum of 30% organic matter by dry weight, a pH range of 6.0 to pH 8.4, and EC limit of 2.0 mmhos/cm maximum. The Contractor will provide soil test results of the compost to the Owner for approval prior to delivery.

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Topsoil Management Once topsoil has been stripped, the Contractor will store it onsite unless otherwise directed by The Owner. Topsoil, salvaged amended topsoil, wetland topsoil, and subsoil will be stockpiled in separate locations. Soil will be stockpiled at the shallowest depth possible and be kept free from the establishment of weeds. Stockpiled topsoil will be kept away from the path of heavy equipment traffic and protected from wind and erosion to the extent practicable.

If upland topsoil stockpiles are unused for more than 7 days, cover with a material that prevents erosion, fugitive dust, weed establishment or germination of seed. If using sheet material, place with at least a 12-inch overlap of all seams. Install and maintain cover to prevent water from infiltrating below the material and to prevent wind from lifting material. Sheet material must provide for air exchange to soil.

Wetland topsoil stockpiles must be kept saturated. Saturate in a manner that prevents erosion of stockpile. If existing grades are to be maintained, topsoil can remain undisturbed.

After subgrade elevations are established, replace topsoil to the depth available or six (6) inch minimum. Where sufficient topsoil is not available on-site, additional imported topsoil will be utilized to allow for a six (6) inch minimum depth of topsoil in all landscape areas. Establish swales and drainage as required per Drawings. Imported topsoil will comply with this section.

If riprap installation is part of the project design, the Contractor will use native site soils to backfill riprap voids to top of riprap by spreading a full six (6) inches of topsoil over backfill unless otherwise noted in the plan set.

Management of topsoil shall be considered incidental to the topsoil and topsoil stockpile pay items and shall not be paid for separately.

Method of Measurement

Topsoil salvaged from the project site and placed in stockpiles will be measured in the stockpile in cubic yards by the method of average end areas or volume determined from topographic survey via drone flight and paid for as Stockpile Topsoil. Averaged End Areas calculation is defined as:

Volume=(A1+A2) / 2) * L

Whereas: Area 1: Cross-sectional area at the first end. Area 2: Cross-sectional area at the second end. Length: Distance between the two cross-sections.

Topsoil salvaged from the site, taken from stockpiles or from approved pits, hauled and placed directly upon completed cut and fill slopes will be measured at its source in cubic yards and paid for as Topsoil.

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Topsoil generated from the site and placed in windrows will be measured at its source in cubic yards and paid for as Stockpile Topsoil. When it is subsequently placed upon the completed cut and fill slopes, the same quantity will be paid for as Topsoil, except that adjustment in quantity will be made if the total windrowed quantity is not utilized.

Wetland topsoil material excavated from areas identified on the plans within the right of way and placed in stockpiles will be measured in the stockpile by the method of average end areas or drone topographic survey and paid for as Stockpile Wetland Topsoil.

Wetland topsoil material excavated from areas identified on the plans or from stockpiles, hauled and placed directly on a relocated site will be measured at its source in cubic yards and paid for as Wetland Topsoil.

Topsoil secured from the Contractor's source will be measured in place by measuring random depths of topsoil and computing the volume by multiplying the area times the average depth.

Basis of Payment

The quantities measured above will be paid for at the contract unit price per cubic yard for stockpile topsoil, topsoil, stockpile wetland topsoil, and wetland topsoil that appear in the bid schedule.

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Soil Preparation Slopes flatter than 2:1, will be tilled into an even and loose seed bed to a depth of four inches.

Slopes 2:1 or steeper will be left in a roughened condition. Slopes will be free of clods, sticks, stones, debris, concrete, and asphalt in excess of four inches in any dimension and brought to the desired line and grade.

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Seeding The Contractor will submit a seed mix, rate, and seeding method to the Owner for review and approval at least two weeks prior to planned seeding date. A mechanical seed drill or hand broadcasting may be used depending on the steepness of the slopes and the size of the site and will be subject to final approval by The Owner. Seeding will be done from late November to early March unless otherwise approved by The Owner.

Once the seed mix and seeding method are approved, native seeding will be conducted within 24 hours of tilling and seed bed preparation. If areas larger than seven inches between mechanically drilled rows have been left unseeded, additional seeding will be required at the Contractor’s expense.

Hand broadcast seeding will be raked in and covered with soil to a depth of at least ¼ inch.

Hand broadcast seeding will only be conducted in small areas not accessible to seed drilling equipment and may require two or more times the amount of seed vs. drilling method.

Method of Measurement

Seeding quantities will be designated in the plan set and contract. The Contractor will provide the Owner with an invoice or seed tags showing proof of seed species and quantities that were ordered and delivered.

Basis of Payment

The quantities of seeding will be paid for at the contract unit price specified in the bid schedule.

In most cases, this will be on a per acre basis. Soil preparation shall be considered incidental to the work and shall not be measured and paid for separately.

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Planting Planting work consists of providing and planting trees, shrubs, plant cuttings, forbs, grasses, sedges, rushes, or any other plant material referred to as “plant”. Plants installed will be of the species and variety designated in the Contract, and in healthy condition with well-developed roots and stems. Each plant material container will be labeled to differentiate it among all the plant materials at the site.

If necessary, the Contractor will obtain any relevant inspection certificates needed for plant materials to comply with state, federal, or local laws. The Contractor will provide the name of the nursery stock supplier to the Owner prior to purchasing plant material. All plants will be free from plant diseases and insect pests. When possible, the Owner will be present to assist in the selection of plant material at the nursery. The minimum acceptable sizes of plants will conform to the measurements specified in the Contract.

If desired plants are not available locally, the Contractor may substitute acceptable plants of a different genus, species, or variety at the adjusted price stated in written approval.

The Owner will reject any nursery stock not meeting the Contract in any of the three following locations and times:

• At the named supplier’s location. The Owner will notify the Contractor when nursery stock will be inspected at the supplier’s location.

• On the project site at the time of delivery before planting.

• At the time of installation. Final acceptance of all plant material will be made at the time of installation on the project site.

Trees

Deciduous plants, evergreens, and conifers will be balled and burlapped, or in containers used in standard nursery practice. Balling and burlapping will conform to the recommended specifications in the American Standard for Nursery Stock. The ball of the plant will be natural, not made, and the plant will be handled by the ball at all times. No balled or burlapped plant will be accepted if the ball is broken or the trunk is loose in the ball.

Perennial Plants

Perennial plants will be supplied with the size of containers designated in the Contract; no bare root material will be allowed. The original plant stock for the plants will be from Colorado unless otherwise approved by the Owner. Perennial plants will have been growing at least one growing season in the nursery. Perennials will not be shipped while in a dormant condition. Perennials will be a minimum of six inches in height when applicable to the species. After planting, wetland perennial plants will be watered in place thoroughly until soil is saturated every day for a period of at least one month or until conditions allow cutting back on watering. The Contractor is

Restoration Specifications │City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department 2024 | 23 responsible for replacing plants lost due to improper watering when the Contractor is responsible for irrigation and within the warranty period.

Willow Cuttings

Harvest Willow cuttings will be ½ to 1.25 inches in diameter and 24-36 inches in length. Some projects may require different sizing of willows based on the direction from the Owner. Cuttings will be made with a clean diagonal cut at the base of the willow. The Contractor will never remove more than 30% of the overall willow canopy cover if harvesting on City property. Cuttings will be prepared for planting by clipping the termina bud (unless a tree-like form is desired) with a horizontal cut and removing all lateral branches along the stem as close to the stem as possible.

The Contractor will use caution and avoid damaging the stem. All cuttings will be bundled and tagged by species, date, and collection site. Bundles will be kept cool, moist, and shaded during transport and storage.

Storage Prior to planting, the Contractor will soak willows in water for 5-14 days to assist in root formation, with at least half of the length of the cuttings submerged in water.

Installation The Contractor will install willow stakes in areas that experience regular flooding, occasional overbank flows, or contain a high water table with inundated soils. Willow stakes will be planted by the Contractor so that 50-80% of the cutting is buried and at least four to six inches remains above ground. The bottom 6-8 inches of the cutting will be installed below the expected dry-season water table. The Contractor will tamp soil around cutting to ensure stem to soil contact without air pockets to prevent willow mortality. Depending on timing of project, the Contractor will work with the Owner to ensure willows are planting in the optimal windows of late winter/spring before bud break or fall after willows enter dormancy. If willow cuttings dry out during storage or are damaged beyond use, the Contractor will replace them at no cost to the City.

Brush Layer Cuttings

Brush layering is a revegetation technique that uses cuttings from trees and shrubs like willows, alders, and cottonwoods to stabilize slopes and streambanks and protect against erosion. Using a rock bar or other tool, the Contractor will dig holes at least 20 inches deep will be made in the stream bank or other areas. A cutting will be placed in each hole perpendicular to the stream bank. If in riprap, the hole will be backfilled with soil to within three inches of the riprap surface.

The top three inches of the void will be filled with gravel from the stream bank or streambed and compacted slightly. The remaining exposed length will be cut off 2 to 3 inches above the ground line. The placement of these cuttings will be in areas shown on the plans that remain damp or are seasonally inundated, as directed. Brush layer cuttings will be planted at a density of one cutting per square yard on streambank or other designated areas that have been regraded, Restoration Specifications │City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department 2024 | 24 riprapped, or disturbed. The strip that is most successful for brush layer cutting establishment is only several yards wide and approximately, plus or minus, two feet from the ordinary high-water line. Water will be applied to the brush layer cuttings planted

Watering

Plants in need of irrigation will be installed so that the irrigation system operates and supplies the designated amount of water. All plants will be watered within 15 minutes of planting.

Maintenance

From the time of installation, during construction, and throughout the establishment period, the Contractor will maintain all plant material and seeded areas in a healthy and vigorous growing condition and ensure the successful establishment of vegetation. This includes performing establishment, irrigation maintenance, hand watering, winter watering, replacement work, and landscape maintenance work as described below.

The beginning of the establishment period begins upon receipt of the written Notice of Substantial Landscape Completion from the Owner. Substantial Landscape Completion occurs when all plant materials in the Contract have been planted and all seeding, sodding, soil preparation, erosion control, and mulching is complete. If the Notice of Substantial Landscape Completion is issued during the spring planting season, the establishment period begins immediately and lasts for a period of 12 months. If the Notice of Substantial Landscape Completion is issued at any other time, the Landscape Establishment period begins at the start of the next spring planting season and lasts for a period of 12 months.

Establishment and Replacement

After all planting on the project is complete, a plant inspection will be held including the Contractor and Owner, along with any other relevant landscape architects, botanists, or vegetation specialists from the City, to determine acceptability of plant material. During the inspection, an inventory of rejected material will be made, and corrective and necessary cleanup measures will be determined.

Dead, dying, or rejected material will be removed each month during the Landscape Establishment period as directed. Plant replacement will be performed during the spring planting seasons at the beginning and end of the Landscape Establishment Period. Plant replacement stock will be planted per the Contract and is subject to all requirements specified for the original material. Plant replacement will be at the Contractor’s expense. During the establishment period the Contractor will perform landscape maintenance as described.

Before the Notice of Substantial Landscape Completion, the Contractor will submit a detailed maintenance plan unless otherwise directed by the Owner. The plan will include a schedule for vegetation maintenance estimating number of personnel and hours required, irrigation schedule, type of work to be performed, equipment and supplies to be used, inspection/monitoring schedule, and responsible contact for emergency work. The irrigation schedule will contain

Restoration Specifications │City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department 2024 | 25 start-up, watering, programming, operation, and fall winterization of the system. Herbicide applications and irrigation procedures will follow the specifications listed in the Weed Management section of these specifications. The Contractor will keep a log of maintenance activities including locations and time spent. The Contractor will provide logs upon request from the Owner. The Contractor will water, cultivate, prune, maintain, and repair or replace plant material during the establishment period.

Watering in Irrigated Areas Trees planted at all locations on the project will be watered once per month at the rate of 30 gallons per tree for months November through April until the establishment period ends unless otherwise specified by the Owner.

Shrubs planted at all locations on the project will be watered once per month at a rate of 10 gallons per shrub for the months of November through April until the establishment period ends unless otherwise specified by the Owner.

Watering in Non-Irrigated Areas Trees planted will be watered twice per month by the Contractor at the rate of 30 gallons per tree per watering for the months May through October, and once per month at the rate of 30 gallons per tree for the months November through April of the 12-month period following planting.

Shrubs planted in upland areas will be watered twice per month by the Contractor at the rate of 10 gallons per shrub per watering for the months May through October and will be watered once per month at the rate of 10 gallons per shrub for the months November through April of the 12-month period following planting.

The contract performance bond will guarantee replacement work during the plant establishment period.

If all other work is completed on a project, no contract time will be charged during the plant establishment period.

Method of Measurement

The quantity of planting to be measured will be the number of plants, types, and sizes designated in the Contract that are actually planted and accepted. Willow cuttings and brush layer cuttings will be measured by each and will be reflective of the actual number planted or installed in place and accepted.

Maintenance will not be measured but will be paid for on a lump sum basis.

Basis of Payment

The accepted quantities of planting and brush layer cuttings will be paid for at the contract unit price for each of the items listed below that appear in the bid schedule.

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Payment for the total cost of the item will be made at the completion of planting.

Cost of the performance bond will be included in the cost of the plant items.

Pay Item and Pay Unit

Item Quantity

Tree Each

Shrub Each

Perennial Each

Willow Cuttings Lump Sum

Brush Layer Cuttings Lump Sum

Maintenance Lump Sum

Water will not be measured and paid for separately but will be included in the work. Payment will be full compensation for all work necessary to complete the item. The landscape maintenance work will be done under a separate PO from the rest of the Contractor’s work, allowing for other POs to be closed out and retainage settled.

Landscape maintenance performed during construction will not be measured and paid for separately but will be included in the work. Landscape establishment, except for landscape maintenance, will not be paid for separately but will be included in the work.

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Erosion and Sedimentation Control All erosion control methods used in the project will follow the City of Fort Collins Stormwater Criteria Manual Specifically Chapters 2 and 3, adopted December 2018 with Ordinance 159, 2018. If the Manual is updated, the Contractor and the Owner will follow the most recent version.

Please be advised that any work disturbing over one acre will require a COR900000 General Construction Stormwater Discharge Permit issued by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Any Land disturbing activities greater than 10,000 square feet will require an erosion control plan and needs to be inspected in accordance with the City of Fort Collins’ MS4 permit.

Please contact erosion@fcgov.com to submit plans for revies or request erosion/ MS4 Compliance inspections.

Figure 3. Erosion control fabric made of coconut fiber is stretched along the banks of the Poudre River at Gateway Natural Area to assist in revegetation following a water line replacement.

https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/development-forms-guidelines-regulations/erosion https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/development-forms-guidelines-regulations/erosion mailto:erosion@fcgov.com

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Weed Management The Contractor will create a weed management plan with the Owner to prevent the establishment and spread of noxious weeds or other invasive non-native plant species deemed important to control by the Owner. All List A, B, and C noxious weeds will be treated during the project work.

All herbicides will be applied by commercial pesticide applicators licensed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture as qualified applicators. The Contractor will furnish documentation of such licensing before herbicide application. Herbicide mixing and application will be done per instructions on the registered product label. The Contractor will provide the Owner with such label information before mixing and application.

The Contractor will notify the Owner at least 48 hours before each herbicide application and will indicate the time and location application will begin to ensure adequate time to notify public and create closures if necessary. Application will not be allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays unless otherwise approved by the Owner.

Herbicides will not be applied when weather conditions, including windy conditions, are unsuitable for such work. Herbicides will not be applied when soil is extremely dry.

Herbicide application method will be such that plant growth outside the designated treatment areas will not be damaged. All damage caused by improper herbicide application will be repaired at the Contractor's expense.

Herbicides will not be used in areas that are to be topsoil sources unless otherwise approved by the Owner.

Method of Measurement

The quantity of herbicide treatment to be measured will be the actual number of acres treated or the actual number of hours the Contractor spends monitoring for noxious weeds and applying the herbicide as approved by the Owner. Areas designated to receive herbicide treatment will be measured once for each designated application. Reapplication of herbicide required due to inappropriate timing of the original application will not be measured or paid for.

Basis of Payment

The accepted quantities of herbicide treatment will be paid for at the contract unit price per acre or per hour.

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Irrigation Temporary Irrigation

Permanent Irrigation

[point to Contractor installing this according to plan sheets and City specs]

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References Colorado Department of Transportation. 2022. Division 200 Specifications.

City of Longmont. 2023. Restoration Specifications.

Colorado Riparian Association. 2008. A Guide for Harvesting, Storing, and Planting Dormant Willow Cuttings. Authors: Lezberg, A. and J. Giordanengo.

References