B08 140P1420Q0097 Attachment 2 Handbook for Road Construction Prime Contractors.pdf

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Glacier National Park West Glacier, Montana

Bear Safety, Site Sanitation, and other Requirements During Going-to-the-Sun Road Rehabilitation

A Handbook for Road Construction Prime Contractors

Welcome to Glacier National Park and the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation project. The successful rehabilitation of the road lies in part with ensuring that no human injuries, bear mortalities, or property damage occurs as a result of conflict with bears, and that bears do not become overly familiar with humans or conditioned to human sources of food.

This handbook contains information to help you and your crews:

Thank you for your help in keeping Glacier’s bears safe and wild!

Contents

Bear Management in Glacier National Park ....................................................page 2

Sanitation Requirements for Going-to-the-Sun Road Rehabilitation .............page 3

Working Safely in Bear Country .....................................................................page 7

Proper Handling of Potential Bear Attractants ............................................. page 15

Storage of Petroleum Products at Work Sites ................................................ page 17

Contractor Responsibilities toward Bear Attractant Storage Requirements .. page 20

Bear Management in Glacier National Park

The purpose of bear management in Glacier National Park is to ensure that grizzly bears and black bears are part of the Park’s natural environment for generations to come. Two important pieces of legislation form the foundation for the management of Glacier’s bears:

• The 1916 Organic Act, which created the National Park Service and directed the agency to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

listed species and prevent detrimental effects on these species.”

Bear management in the Park therefore seeks to preserve bear habitat, protect bears from human causes of mortality, and protect the safety of visitors. As described in the Park’s Bear Management Plan, the goals of bear management are to:

1. “Provide for the long-term survivability of the grizzly bear in Glacier National Park and the Northern Continental Divide Grizzly Bear Ecosystem.”

2. “Fulfill the mandate of Congress, as expressed in the Organic Act of 1916.”

The grizzly bear is a federally-listed “Threatened” species and the Park is required to “both proactively conserve listed species and prevent detrimental effects on these species.”

3. “Minimize the number of incidents involving bear/human confrontations.”

Two documents direct bear management in the Park and are available from the construction foreman upon request:

• Bear Management Plan is the long range document that sets the objectives for bear management in the Park.

• Bear Management Guidelines detail how to implement the plan and provide day-to-day operational direction.

Sanitation and other Requirements for the Going-to-the-Sun Road Rehabilitation

These requirements are designed to maintain a clean construction area and prevent bear-human conflicts. Work areas will be routinely monitored by Glacier

• Observe rules and regulations of Federal, State, and local health officials.

• The contractor, subcontractor, and all employees will be required to attend park orientation meetings presented by the National Park Service prior to beginning work. Notify the CO 14 days prior to beginning work so orientations can be scheduled. Construction personnel hired after the scheduled park orientation meeting will be given a bear training brochure describing proper sanitation and behavior in bear habitat.

• Keep the project sites clean of unnecessary construction debris at all times.

Provide bear resistant trash containers for construction debris, garbage, and trash. Dispose of all waste material outside park boundaries.

• Do not feed or harass wildlife within the park boundaries.

• Store and handle food, fuel, or other attractants in a manner that does not attract bears, i.e., no food, pet food, garbage, drinks, trash, or food and drink containers will be placed outside vehicles, buildings, or bear-resistant containers, or left in the open beds of trucks or trailers except during actual use. Contractor supplied garbage bins must be bear resistant and meet park requirements. Any mishandling of garbage, trash, food, and other potential bear attractants described above will result in the responsible person, or Contractor, receiving a citation subject to a fine.

Park Ranger representative must be notified immediately if this occurs.

• All vehicles and equipment will be inspected by the CO prior to their entry into the park for mud, weeds, and other unwanted substances. Steam clean all

not drain oil, hydraulic fluids, antifreeze, or other chemicals onto the ground within the park boundaries. Completely contain diesel fuel at the work site.

Clean up any spill immediately.

specifically for the containment and clean up of hazardous materials.

• Separate work areas, including material sources, by the use of a dike or other suitable barrier that prevents sediment, petroleum products, chemicals, or other liquid or solid material from entering the waters of the U.S. Use care in constructing and removing the barriers to avoid any discharge of material into, or the siltation of, the water. Remove and properly dispose of the sediment or other material collected by the barrier.

• At least seven days prior to construction, submit a Hazardous Spill Plan stating what actions will be taken in case of a spill. This plan will also incorporate preventive measures to be implemented, such as the location of refueling facilities, storage, and handling of hazardous materials, etc. Ensure that the plan is consistent with park spill mitigation procedures. Immediately notify the CO of all hazardous spills.

• Store chemicals, including fuels, away from water.

• A toilet will be provided at each end of traffic control work zones. Provide toilets that are accessible to the physically disabled. The toilets must have: a secure locking system, adequate natural lighting, adequate ventilation, non-skid floors, ground anchoring, and a stand-up urinal.

• Provide waste disposal and sanitize the portable toilets as ordered by the CO.

Transport vehicles must be certified for carrying the waste and meet all load restrictions. It is anticipated that maintenance will be required at least twice a day during peak visitor usage.

• Dispose of waste at the Westside Wastewater Treatment Facility or the recreational vehicle dump site at Rising Sun Campground. Dump only human waste and toilet paper. Dumping of cans, bottles or other material not normally associated with toilet use is prohibited. Record in a log book when the disposal occurred and how much waste was disposed. Provide daily copies to the CO.

• Remove toilets prior to winter shut down.

Working Safely in Bear Country

Black Bears and Grizzly Bears.

Learn to distinguish between black bears and grizzly bears. Color makes little difference as both species can be black, brown, cinnamon, blonde, or white.

Black bears:

Straight face profile

Taller ears

No distinctive shoulder hump

Rump higher than shoulder hump

Claws 1½” long

Grizzly bears:

Dished face profile

Short, rounded ears

Distinctive shoulder hump

Rump lower than shoulder hump

Claws 2-4” long

White-tipped hairs give fur grizzled appearance

Coloration may include lighter coloring at shoulders

To train yourself and test your ability in distinguishing between black and grizzly bears, visit the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Bear Identification Program at:

http://fwp.mt.gov/bearid/default.html

Encounters with bears.

Bears are intelligent and naturally curious but typically avoid people. This is healthy behavior for both bears and people. You can help bears survive by reinforcing their natural inclination to avoid people – do not approach bears or attempt to feed them, do not allow bears to remain in close proximity to people, and pay attention to the body language that bears use to communicate.

Pay attention to the body language that bears use to communicate.

• Woofing, teeth clacking, or jaw popping are generally warnings indicating that a bear is feeling stressed. The best response is to calmly increase the distance between yourself and the bear.

be imminent.

• A bear on its hind legs is usually attempting to get a better scent or look. This is not necessarily an aggressive posture.

Carry bear spray.

• Bear spray can be a highly effective defense against a charging bear, but should not be relied upon as your only response.

• Keep spray where it can be quickly accessed.

• Most sprays have a range of up to 30 feet, depending on wind conditions.

Check the label on your canister for recommended range.

• Try not to direct spray upwind.

• Know ahead of time how to prepare the spray canister for use – the trigger guard must be removed to deliver the spray, but must be left on when not in use in order to prevent accidental discharge.

• Use caution when handling spray for storage, transport, or training. Do not leave spray enclosed inside vehicles during hot days – canisters can explode at high temperatures.

• If you or a co-worker is accidentally sprayed, do not attempt to rinse the spray off with water – this will only spread the chemical to other areas of the body.

• Note the expiration date on the spray canister; expired spray may not be effective.

Learn about the different kinds of possible bear encounters and the recommended responses for each.

• Defensive situations involve a bear that somehow feels threatened by you, such as a female protecting her cubs, a bear defending a food source, or a bear that has been surprised. A defensive bear may charge or attack in an attempt to protect itself.

If you have an encounter with a defensive bear:

DO NOT RUN unless you are certain of reaching safety. Running may trigger a chase response.

Seek safety inside your vehicle if possible.

If you are unable to reach the safety of your vehicle, attempt to minimize yourself as a threat. The bear has probably perceived you as a threat to itself or its cubs.

Avoid direct aggressive posture or eye contact.

Slowly back away. If the bear approaches, stand your ground; if the bear stops, continue to move away.

Use calm, reassuring vocalizations.

Prepare to use bear spray; use spray against the bear if it charges you.

If a defensive bear physically contacts you:

Use bear spray against the bear. If bear spray is not available or is ineffective, then your best defense is to “play dead”.

Lie flat on your stomach.

Cover your neck and head with your hands.

Remain still and silent until bear has left the area. Remember: The bear has perceived you as a threat; the best defense is to appear as non threatening as possible.

• Non-Defensive situations can involve bears that are curious, human habituated, or predatory.

Curious bears may approach without aggressive intentions and may leave once their curiosity is satisfied; some initially curious bears may become aggressive or predatory.

Human habituated bears are accustomed to the presence of people and may unintentionally come in close proximity to people as they are foraging or passing through an area.

If a curious or habituated bear approaches you:

Do not run; running may trigger a chase response and turn a non aggressive bear into an aggressive bear.

Seek safety inside your vehicle if possible.

Honk the car horn, yell at the bear, and discourage the bear from approaching you or remaining in close proximity to you.

Be prepared to use bear spray if necessary.

If the bear does not leave the area, then you should remain in a safe location and contact a FHWA representative, Park Dispatch, or Park personnel.

Predatory situations involve a bear that perceives you as prey. Predatory bears may approach confidently and steadily with their attention focused intently upon you. This behavior is extremely rare.

If you have an encounter with a predatory bear:

DO NOT RUN unless you are certain of reaching safety. Running may trigger a chase response.

Seek safety inside your vehicle if possible.

If you are unable to reach the safety of your vehicle, behave as if you are “dominant” and that the bear has no business crowding your space.

Yell at the bear, wave your arms, jump up and down or throw rocks at it to discourage it from approaching.

Prepare bear spray; use spray against the bear.

If a predatory bear physically contacts you:

Fight back.

Spray the bear with bear spray.

and the Safety in Bear Country Society.

Causes and prevention of bear/human conflicts.

The leading cause of bear-human conflicts resulting in injury to bears or people, property damage, and dead bears is improperly stored food and garbage.

• Bears whose range includes developed areas are at risk of becoming human habituated and/or conditioned.

• A habituated bear is typically accustomed to frequenting developed areas, backcountry campgrounds, trails or roadsides, but has retained its natural foraging behavior. Habituated bears have not become overly familiar with humans, but are comfortable in the presence of humans.

• There is a loss of park integrity and wilderness value when bears are seen as “Dumpster Divers”, nuisances, scavengers, and problems bears.

• A conditioned bear is defined by any one or more of the following behaviors: has sought and

overly familiar with humans.

• The Park may employ aversive conditioning actions designed to teach habituated or conditioned bears to avoid humans and developed areas. These actions, which are only conducted by NPS personnel, may include hazing (shotgun cracker rounds, bean bags, rubber bullets,

garbage storage. Please refer to Sanitation

• GNP Law Enforcement Rangers will be notified if violations of Park food and garbage storage requirements occur. The attending Ranger may issue a written warning or a citation at his or her discretion. Violations that could provide a bear with a food reward are likely to result in a citation.

• Pay attention to all signs, both temporary and permanent, within the park. Temporary signs will often be used to post closures and warnings due to recent bear activity in an area.

There is a loss of park integrity and wilderness value when bears are seen as “Dumpster Divers”, nuisances, scavengers, and problems bears.

Bears are intelligent and naturally curious but typically avoid people.

Bears communicate, if you read the body language.

A habituated bear is typically accustomed to frequenting developed areas, backcountry campgrounds, trails or roadsides.

What do I do if a bear comes in or near our construction zone?

• If a grizzly bear comes near an active construction area and creates a potential bear/human conflict:

Suspend construction activities and contact the on-site FHWA inspector immediately if a grizzly bear is in or near an active construction area.

The FHWA inspector will contact Glacier Dispatch.

Bear Rangers will be dispatched to the scene to haze the bear out of the area or undertake other management actions.

• Be flexible. Construction activities in areas frequented by bears may need to be rescheduled or postponed.

• Please be respectful of park employees that are doing their jobs and trying to protect the public, the wildlife, and you.

• Promptly report illegal feeding of wildlife or any bear/human interactions to protect the future of that bear.

• Report bear sightings to a FHWA representative, Park Ranger or Biological Science Technician. This is for the protection of you and the bear, and is critical for our records.

• If visitors report bear sightings to you, please relay them to Park personnel.

Remember: A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear.

Do not let YOUR actions cause a bear or other animal to be destroyed.

Bear survival depends on cooperation, public participation, and YOU!

REPORT ALL BEAR ENCOUNTERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

• Obey speed limits to reduce vehicle related injuries of bears, and of other animals whose carcasses could attract bears to roads, further increasing the risk of injury.

Proper Handling of Potential Bear Attractants

What qualifies as a bear attractant?

Bears may be attracted to anything we might want to eat or drink.

• This includes beverages sealed in air-tight containers and water bottles.

• Keep in mind that grizzly bears have one of the most powerful noses of any animal on the planet.

• Used food wrappers and empty food and beverage containers may not provide bears with a food reward, but they are still potential bear attractants.

• Petroleum products and empty petroleum product containers may also be potential bear attractants.

How should water coolers and water bottles be stored?

• Water is not “food”, but could still be a “reward” for a bear that breaks into a water container.

• It is fine to have water bottles and water coolers outside and available to workers, as long as people are nearby and in attendance.

• Do not leave water bottles or water coolers unattended.

How should petroleum products be treated?

• Please refer to Petroleum Product Storage Requirements and Recommendations on page 17 of this handbook for detailed information on storage and handling of petroleum products.

• In general, petroleum products should be treated as potential bear attractants and attempts should be made to ensure that they are not left unattended and accessible to bears.

• While efforts should be made to secure petroleum products, petroleum should never be stored in a manner that endangers worker health or safety.

Keep in mind that bears are individuals and have different histories and levels of conditioning. Not all bears are going to be attracted to empty soda cans or candy bar wrappers; bears who are solely dependent on natural forage and have never obtained food from humans are, in fact, not likely to be attracted to these items.

But we never know when a bear may have received a food reward from a careless visitor or from sources outside the park. A bear that has obtained food from people will likely seek food from people again, and may well become attracted to things like empty soda cans and beverages sealed in airtight containers.

These kinds of attractants often lead bears to additional food rewards, thus perpetuating the problem.

Storage of Petroleum Products at Work Sites

Petroleum products, such as motor oil, grease guns, gasoline, and their containers do not provide bears with a food reward but are potential bear attractants. While there are no known incidents of bears seeking out or consuming petroleum products in GNP, there are cases of bears being attracted to and consuming petroleum products in localities near GNP. As with other attractants, petroleum products are likely to be more of an issue in areas where there are seriously food conditioned bears; wild bears with no history of food conditioning are less likely to be attracted to petroleum products. That petroleum is not a problem in GNP is likely due to a successful bear management program that has prevented or significantly minimized food conditioning among bears, and perhaps also to the low availability of petroleum products in GNP, compared to areas outside the park.

The potential for petroleum products to attract bears may increase with the ongoing rehabilitation of the GTSR and the anticipated increase in availability of petroleum products. Minimizing the accessibility of petroleum products to bears will further reduce the chances of bears being attracted to developed areas and work sites, and will help prevent costly equipment damage and fuel spills as a result of bears or other animals biting into petroleum containers, hoses, and the like.

The plan and environmental impact statement for the GTSR rehabilitation

following: “Specifications for storage and disposal of food, refuse, construction materials, petroleum products, human waste and other possible attractants would be incorporated into the construction contract to minimize the potential for impacts” (p. 72). The following storage recommendations have been developed as Best Practices for reducing the attractant potential of petroleum without compromising safety, efficiency, and common sense.

Petroleum Product Storage - Recommended Best Practices.

The following Best Practices for the storage of petroleum products have been developed as measures to be undertaken whenever possible to minimize their attractant potential:

1. Store petroleum products that are left unattended at job sites or staging areas

Acceptable containers include but are not limited to: storage trailers or tool sheds, truck-bed tool boxes, steel drums, generators, vehicle and heavy equipment fuel tanks.

During weekends or days off, secure service truck grease and fuel hoses in the same manner that they are stored when the truck is in transit.

2. Do not store liquid petroleum products in containers without lids, caps, or the like, such as buckets, tin cans, etc.

3. While in the park, do not dispose of empty petroleum product containers in non-bear proof trash receptacles.

4. If possible, store petroleum products that will be unattended during the workday in truck-bed tool boxes or other secure areas.

If secure storage is not available for petroleum products that will be unattended during the workday, then such items may be left in the open beds of trucks or trailers.

best left in the open beds of pick-up trucks or open trailers. It is not recommended that petroleum products of any kind be stored inside the passenger compartment of vehicles.

5. Gasoline, oil, and other petroleum products should not be left unattended outside of vehicles or on the ground where animals can access them, puncture the containers, and cause the contents to leak onto the ground.

Petroleum products left on the ground in reasonably close proximity to workers do not present a concern.

Contractor Responsibilities Toward Bear Attractant Storage Requirements

All bear attractants, including food, beverages, empty food and beverage containers, garbage, empty coolers, cookware, water coolers, water bottles, petroleum products, and other potential attractants must be stored in such a

Contractors are responsible for disseminating the information obtained during preconstruction orientation, including the guidelines contained in this handbook, to all sub-contractors and construction personnel immediately upon their arrival to the project. Contractors should give every crew member a copy of the

Violations of Park regulations for food and garbage storage will be dealt with as follows:

with a food reward are likely to result in a citation.

Notice of all written warnings and citations will be forwarded to the prime Contractor.

Conclusion

Glacier National Park is confident that bear-human conflicts can be avoided during the Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation project, and that bears need not become food conditioned or overly human habituated as a result of road work.

But your commitment to keeping work sites clean, your understanding of how to behave in bear country, and your participation in reporting grizzly bear activity is critical. Please ensure that you completely understand the information in this pamphlet, and do not hesitate to contact a Park Ranger or Biological Science Technician with questions.

Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a work environment that is safe for both bears and people and for doing your part to protect and preserve Glacier National Park’s resources.