B08_Attachment_1_PWS.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

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PROJECT TITLE: DAVIS MILL FUELS REDUCTION, THINNING, AND HAZARD TREE REMOVAL

Contents PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement ............... Pg 02 PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work .......................................................... Pg 02 PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s) .............................................................. Pg 04 PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks ......................................................................... Pg 04 PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule .......................................... Pg 05 PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services ..... Pg 05 PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters ................................... Pg 05 PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions ....................................... Pg 08

EXHIBIT 1: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP) ......................................................................... Pg 09

EXHIBIT 2: TREE AND RESIDUE REMOVAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS (PRS) ...................................Pg 12

EXHIBIT 3: PROJECT AREA MAPS ....................................................................................................................................Pg 23

EXHIBIT 4: BARK BEETLE IDENTIFICATION PUBLICATION ....................................................................................Pg 24

EXHIBIT 5: FUEL LOADING PHOTO SERIES (WHOLE FUELS) ...................................................................................Pg 32

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PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mother Lode Field Office requires hazard tree mitigation, Forest Health Thinning, and Fuels reduction associated slash treatment work near Nevada City, CA.

PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work The project is located on approximately 32.7 acres (not including reserve areas) of BLM lands in Todd Valley, Forest Hill, CA. Within the Project Area, a large portion of Ponderosa pines in both the overstory and understory have been killed or are dying by beetle mortality.

Specific Hazardous tree mitigation in Unit Id 1 will require specialized removal as to not damage an historic landmark. All dead and dying trees will be felled and placed at locations designated by the Bureau of Land Management. Material may optionally be removed for biomass or wood products. There would be no subsidization of hauling. Stands would be thinned according to silvicultural prescription, small trees and brush would be masticated, cut and/or crushed to specified fuel depth standards. Incidental damaged oak may be utilized for commercial firewood by agreement or piled for public use at BLM designated location. Incidental lopping and scattering would be permitted in accordance with (IAW) all Specifications in this PWS. Lopping and scattering of fuels within drainages, areas of specific protection or inaccessible areas would be scattered to less 4 inches within 100 feet of critical infrastructure and less than 18 inches outside thereof.

Place of Performance:

BLM public lands managed by the Mother Lode Field Office in Nevada City, CA in Nevada County (Township 17 North, Range 9 East, Section 32, Mount Diablo Meridian); see Technical Exhibit 3 for maps of the Project Area.

The Project Area is accessible by a 2WD motor vehicle and lowboy. Portions of the Project Area are gated and accessed through a paved adjacent road, native surface roads and a private road. Contractor shall not park as to impede traffic or home access and equipment shall not be unloaded or walked onto private paved surfaces. Damage to private paved areas or drainage structures would be the responsibility of the contractor.

From the USDS Forest Service Tahoe National Forest Supervisors Office (631 Coyote Street) in Nevada City, CA, traveling north on Coyote Street north of Hwy 49 for 1 mile. Turn right onto N. Bloomfield Rd/ N. Bloomfield-Graniteville Road and travel for 2.1 miles.

Gate and a small parking area on the left at Lat/Long 39.2898100, -120.9874149.

Contract maps and/or shapefiles are available upon request. Map will be georeferenced for use with Avenza or other similar software.

Work on this contract will require the Contractor to have global positioning system (GPS) capabilities to identify treatment areas and/or project boundaries. Treatment boundaries shall be walked and flagged and prior to work starting.

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Period of Performance:

The Period of Performance shall be for (1) Base Year of 12 months from the date of award. The Contractor will be expected to provide to the BLM a written work progress plan in their quote that details their work force, equipment, and schedule to provide for completion of the work within the contract performance time.

Mastication, Cutting or welding may not occur during BLM seasonal fire restrictions without a signed variance. Skidding or loading will be coordinated with the BLM Staff when fire restriction goes into place. The Contractor must work with the BLM Mother Lode Fire staff to determine variance suitability based on environmental conditions and seasonal fire danger. Fire restrictions are generally in place between May and October; exact dates are subject to change based on environmental conditions and resource availability.

Work performed between February 2 – September 14 (inclusive) will necessitate migratory bird surveys be performed by a qualified wildlife biologist every 14 days. Portions of the place of performance may be temporarily flagged for avoidance per the results of migratory bird surveys.

The use of heavy equipment is not permitted during periods of saturated soil conditions in the wet weather period. The wet weather period generally occurs between October 15 – May 31. Operations involving heavy equipment may occur throughout the wet weather period provided that saturated soil conditions do not exist. See Technical Exhibit 2 of this Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Intermittent and Perennial streams will be flagged for avoidance and allow for hand treatment only. False drainages may be crossed at designated locations. False drainages designated for hand or mechanical treatment would utilize equipment reach and suspension of materials to reduce soil disturbances. Material would be felled outward of drainage as feasible. Material not removable to equipment may be left in place.

The place of performance in this contract contains gentle topography, with areas not generally exceeding 35% slope. See Technical Exhibit 2 of this PWS for information regarding reserve areas.

Staging areas will be provided to Contractors (further details will be provided upon award).

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PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s) The objective of this work is to safely fell standing dead and dying trees, BLM designated live trees by description or otherwise marked trees and process materials at a BLM designated disposal sites, IAW all Specifications in this PWS. Excess fuels not within disposal sites and not grabbable by machinery within 200 feet of residences or private roads will either be chipped or masticated to a fuel depth less than 4 (four) inches in depth.

PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks

Task 1: Contractor shall directionally fell and remove all hazardous, dead and dying trees within all project units. Work specifically in Unit Id. 1 shall be accomplished on a tree by tree basis and felling operations shall not damage the Davis Mill structure.

Task 2: Contractor shall fell and yard all dead and dying trees, trees with broken tops, trees marked with blue tracer paint and thin remaining live conifers less than 30 inches in diameter to 80 basal area per acre. Contractor shall cut and deck utilizable timber to commercial lengths and place at BLM designated landing staging areas accessible for removal. Hardwoods shall independently have a minimum spacing of 30 feet of the best crown available. Diameter limit for hardwoods is 16 inches dbh. Conifers less than 16 inch dbh shall be removed if within 30 feet of retained larger conifer or hardwood. Hand felled trees on steep or sensitive sites shall remove by end lining material. Tree removal on BLM lands within the Project Area IAW shall all conform to Specifications in this PWS.

Task 3: Effectively block main skid road, haul roads and roads or trails. Ensure existing gate on Unit Id. 1 is functional at end of contract.

Water barring shall conform to California Forest Practice Rules standards.

Task 4: The Contractor shall remove to BLM designated landing/ disposal site, any material which would result in surface fuel bed depths greater than 4 (four) inches in depth. Tree tops shall be masticated, chipped throughout the unit and/or loped and scattered at the designated landing/ disposal sites. Follow all specifications in this PWS.

OPTIONAL: Biomass removal to offsite facility may be utilized for Special Forest Products upon agreement with BLM. Contractor shall provide a separate bid on optional biomass removal which will be dependent on available funds.

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PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule All tasks ordered shall be fully completed within 12 months of the base award date.

All tasks ordered shall be executed within a specific time frame agreed upon in writing by both the Contractor and the COR prior to work beginning.

All tasks ordered must be delivered on BLM lands within the Project Area as depicted in the enclosed maps.

Delivery of ordered tasks will be documented via regular inspections by the COR. Road conditions will be documented prior to implementation and upon project completion (before move-out). See the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.

PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government-furnished.

PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

Regular Work Hours:

The performance period established for this contract is based upon all work being conducted between 7:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays. If the Contractor desires to carry on work outside regular hours, including weekends and government holidays, a request must be submitted to the Contracting Officer in sufficient time to allow satisfactory arrangements to be made for access to the work site.

Communications:

“Time” for communications received after 3:00pm, after 12:00 pm locally on Fridays, or after 12:00 pm local prior to a holiday will not start until the next business day. All times are local Pacific Standard Time.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

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New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day President’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Juneteenth

Fire Danger Season:

If the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention, with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR, and with approved variance(s) to seasonal fire restrictions, as appropriate.

Safety:

The Contractor shall not require, or allow any employee, engaged in the performance of this Contract to work under conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to his/her health or safety, as determined under safety and health standards promulgated by the Secretary of Labor under Section 107 of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327 et seq.) as amended and other Federal, State, and applicable local government safety standards. Department of Labor Code of Federal Regulations Title 29 and other Federal, State, and local government safety standards will apply in its entirety to the Contractor. Examples of applicable safety standards are OSHA 29 CFR 1910, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, California Title 19, "Public Safety", California Title 8, "General Industry Safety Orders", and 41 CFR, Subpart B, "Public Contracts, General Safety and Health Standards."

The Contractor shall also use the “BLM SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS” (The Yellow Book) for reference. Should the Contractor fail to comply with any of these standards and regulations, the Contractor shall be found to have defaulted on the terms of the contract.

Contingency Plan:

Sudden or unusual events could result in a negative impact to the delivery/performance of these requirements. As an aid to properly plan for such events, the Contractor shall prepare and submit for approval a Contingency Plan for the Place of Performance for these requirements. The Contractor will outline in detail the method(s) that the Contractor shall use in meeting Contract requirements in the following circumstances:

• a natural disaster occurs which impacts upon the Contractor's ability to perform

• a labor strike occurs which impacts upon the Contractor's ability to perform

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• a hazardous materials spill which impacts the Contractor’s ability to perform, or which may affect public safety

• an incident which causes major damage which impacts the Contractor's ability to perform

• other unforeseen circumstances In all cases, the Contractor will assume that government cannot provide supplemental forces and continues to need the same or additional performance under the Contract, which the Contractor must meet. This Contingency Plan shall be submitted as a part of the Contractor proposal.

Emergency Response:

Response to emergency service calls outside of the normal business hours shall not exceed four (4) hours regardless of the time during the day or night, weekends or holidays. Response to emergency service during normal business hours shall not exceed two (2) hours.

Response is defined as having all personnel and equipment required to correct an emergency at the site of the emergency or at a pre-approved staging area, ready, willing, and able to perform the emergency work. The Contractor will provide a draft emergency response plan prior to Contract start date.

Emergency Services:

On occasion, services may be required to support an activation or exercise of contingency plans outside the normal business hours described above. The Contractor's responsibilities for emergency support will be in accordance with the contingency plan.

Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Response:The Contractor will conform to all Federal, State, and local regulations in the use and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous waste. The Contractor will provide the appropriate response to any emergency involving hazardous materials at any of the facilities covered by this Contract. The Contractor will provide proof/certification of its personnel qualified to work with hazardous materials and wastes to BLM. The Contractor will notify BLM immediately upon discovering a release of hazardous waste into the environment.

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PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

Standard Definitions:

Contracting Officer (CO) The Secretary of the Interior or designated authorized representative who is the only agent capable of signing a federal award or obligating funds.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) The Contracting Officer’s designated representative as indicated in a delegation of authority letter.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) Surveillance of Contractor performance to determine performance requirements are met.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) (see Technical Exhibit below) The PRS identifies the key performance indicators of the Contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure Contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Technical Exhibits:

EX 1: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) EX 2: Tree and Residue Removal Specifications and Standards (PRS) EX 3: Project Area Maps EX 4: Bark Beetle Identification Publication

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TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

Table 1. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

Work Tasks to be Performed

Acceptable Quality Level Method of Surveillance Consequences, Remedies, and/or Deduction(s)

Tasks 1, 2, 3, 4

All tree removal specifications and standards in Technical Exhibit 2 are adhered to.

The COR or another Government Representative will inspect the work site in person at least twice per month.

For 1 unsatisfactory inspection, the COR will document this and inform the Contractor what must be improved.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

Tasks 1, 2, 3, 4, and Optional work

All publicly accessible roads would be free of excessive debris at the end of each workday.

The COR or another Government Representative will inspect the work site in person at least twice per month.

For 1 unsatisfactory inspection, the COR will document this and inform the Contractor what must be improved.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that CLIN For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

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Work Tasks to be Performed

Acceptable Quality Level Method of Surveillance Consequences, Remedies, and/or Deduction(s)

Tasks 1, 2, 3, 4, and Optional work

All damage to permanent roads resulting from implementation of the project will be repaired by the Contractor.

The COR or another Government Representative will inspect roads with the Contractor prior to implementation. Photos of pre-work conditions will be taken by the BLM and shared with the Contractor. Both parties will inspect road conditions upon project completion (before move-out).

For 1 unsatisfactory inspection, the COR will document this and inform the Contractor what must be improved.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that CLIN For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

Tasks 1, 2, 3, 4 For residual small diameter (<3 inches in diameter) slash left within the Project Area, surface fuel bed depth would not exceed 4” when measured at any point in the fuel bed.

The COR or another Government Representative will inspect the work site in person at least twice per month.

For 1 unsatisfactory inspection, the COR will document this and inform the Contractor what must be improved.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that CLIN For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

Tasks 2 Residual healthy stand density shall be thinned from below to no greater than 80 basal area per acre by description or otherwise marked for cutting and removal with blue cut tree paint.

The COR or another Government Representative will inspect the

Contractor what must be improved.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that CLIN For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

Tasks 1, 2 and

Material which would result in average fuel bed depths and/or fuel loading greater than that outlined above, would be

The COR or another Government Representative will inspect the work site in person at least twice per month.

For 1 unsatisfactory inspection, the COR

Contractor what must be improved.

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Work Tasks to be Performed

Acceptable Quality Level Method of Surveillance Consequences, Remedies, and/or Deduction(s) removed to a BLM designated landing/ disposal site within the Project Area. Slash, processed or unprocessed, would be moved to BLM designated landing/disposal site within the Project Area.

Material would be move whole whenever possible and processed at BLM designated location unless utilization is agreed upon between the contractor and BLM.

Biomass removal offsite would be by agreement between the contractor and BLM. Material shall be spread on BLM designated skid routes to reduce soil disturbance.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that CLIN For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

Task 1 Hazardous tree removal that are dead, dying, or as designated in blue paint by BLM Forester shall be felled and shall not damage the Davis Mill Structure located in Unit Id. 1.

The COR or another Government Representative will inspect the

Contractor what must be improved.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that CLIN For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

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TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2: TREE AND RESIDUE REMOVAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS

(PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY)

TREE REMOVAL SPECIFICATIONS

Specifically, the project involves the implementation of the following prescription such that no dead or dying trees, or excessive residues, remain in the Project Area.

Table 2. Tree and Residue Removal Specifications and Standards (Performance Requirements Summary) Species Falling Residues All softwood tree species

Fall (manually or mechanically) all hazardous, dead, and dying conifers and all conifers marked with blue paint, regardless of size or species.

Thin live conifers by thinning from below (small diameter first up to 30 inches dbh) to 80 basal area per acre.

Felling and skidding operations would avoid damaging residual trees.

All tree felling and operations shall not damage the Davis Mill Structure.

All trees damaged or broken by felling operations would need material moved to landing designated by the BLM.

Dead and dying conifers are those with visibly fading crowns (red, brown, and/or gray needles); trees

Treat and broadcast residues from all limbs, tops, and boles. For mechanically treated material, average fuel bed depths would not exceed 4”.

If a combination of mechanical treatment and lop and scatter is proposed, total slash residues would not exceed 4” in depth (average). The Contractor shall utilize equipment capable of mechanically treating material.

Lopped and scattered material would be masticated or chipped to prevent undesirable vertical arrangement of residues.

The preferred average piece length of all treated and broadcast material is no greater than 12”.

All material may be hauled from the Project Area to a wood processing facility or similar destination upon agreement with the contractor and BLM.

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Species Falling Residues with no green needles; trees with evidence of successful bark beetle attack (i.e., exit holes on bole, pitch tubes, flaking bark, dead/broken tops); and/or snags in the beginning to advanced stages of decay.

See Technical Exhibit 4 for additional information.

All hardwood tree species

Fall any dead and dying hardwood and thin live hardwoods less than 16 inches dbh to 30 foot spacing or marked for removal (blue paint) within the Project Area.

Treat and broadcast residues from all limbs, tops, and boles. For mechanically treated material, average fuel bed depths would not exceed 4”.

If a combination of mechanical treatment and lop and scatter is proposed, total slash residues would not exceed 4” in depth (average). The Contractor shall utilize equipment capable of mechanically treating material.

Material not accessible by mechanical methods may be lopped and scattered, material would be cut below knee height to prevent undesirable vertical arrangement of residues.

The preferred average piece length of trees less than 10 inches dbh is no greater than 12” in length.

Material may be hauled from the Project Area to a wood processing facility or similar destination upon agreement with contractor and BLM.

All species Lop and Scatter Where inaccessible by mechanical or hand removal, hand fell conifers and hardwoods up to 16 inches dbh with a 30 foot spacing of leave trees.

Hazardous and/or dead and dying trees of any size shall be felled towards mechanically accessible areas to be end lined or pulled out for removal.

Logs greater than 8 inches in diameter would lop branches. Logs and slash deemed unreachable by mechanized means that are less than 8 inches dbh would be cut to less than 12 inches in length. All material would be left no greater than 12 inches in depth. Riparian vegetative species such as alder and dogwood shall not be cut.

Brush Cut and remove, crush or masticate A majority of brush shall be crushed, removed to designated disposal site or masticated. Residual fuels shall be no greater than 4 inches in depth.

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Species Falling Residues Down Wood All existing and activity generated down wood shall either be masticated or removed to BLM designated landing/ disposal Area.

Logs greater than 8 inches dbh that have fell or were felled prior to this contract will be removed to BLM designated landing/disposal site.

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Living, healthy conifers will be retained up to 80 basal area per acre. Living, healthy hardwoods will be retained, unless designated by description or blue paint for removal. Cut and remove all Insense-cedar 16 inches and diameter or less regardless of basal area density or spacing guidelines. Damage to all leave trees would be minimized to the maximum extent possible. Cut trees lodged in or covering a leave tree shall be dislodged or removed before treatment of any kind (i.e., mechanical treatment, skidding, etc.). Excess damage to residual conifers and/or hardwoods shall be avoided. Mechanically damaged conifers shall be removed due to continued insect and disease infections present. Avoid excess damage to stands from mechanical operations.

All residues (i.e., slash) must either be masticated, treated and moved to designated landings within the Project Area and/or may be removed from the project area by agreement between the contractor and the BLM from the Project Area IAW the Specifications in this PWS. Residues include any cut vegetation – tops, limbs, and boles – including vegetation cut prior to the execution of this contract, in addition to existing natural woody debris. Woody debris includes that which is not in contact with the ground (e.g., suspended/propped up by limbs). Most residues broadcast within the Project Area would be mechanically treated; incidental lopping and scattering of material will be permitted IAW all Specifications in this PWS. Residual fuels within the Project Area shall not exceed a total average depth of 4”. The total average depth of 4” applies to mechanically treated material or the combination of mechanically treated material and whole fuels if combined treatments are utilized. Lopped and scattered fuels would be cut below knee height to prevent undesirable vertical arrangement of slash.

The Project Area is relatively flat; the entirety of the Project Area is accessible by ground-based equipment. Trees may be felled manually and/or mechanically in areas not designated as reserve areas. Trees may be whole tree yarded to landings to facilitate mechanical treatment of limbs and tops. Where possible, the Contractor will avoid damage to residual trees. “Rub trees” may be designated as needed to avoid dispersing impacts from whole tree yarding throughout the stand.

The Contractor may be asked to remove and treat “rub trees” IAW the Specifications in this PWS once skidding is completed.

Reserve areas will be flagged prior to implementation. No treatment is allowed within reserve areas that will be flagged prior to treatment by BLM. No heavy equipment use is permitted within reserve areas. Trees that must be felled for safety reasons with reserve areas shall be coordinated with BLM designated representative and will only be directionally felled by hand.

Trees occurring near the boundaries of the reserve areas would be felled away from the reserve areas. Trees occurring near an ephemeral or intermittent stream would be felled away from the centerline of the stream. Residues may be broadcast within reserve areas outside of the ephemeral or intermittent stream cut bank or center line.

The Project Area is publicly accessible for pre-site visits from several turnouts along North Bloomfield Road.

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MECHANICAL SLASH TREATMENT SPECIFICATIONS

1) Activity generated residues must be removed to designated landings that the equipment allows. Treated residues would follow specifications in Project Area IAW Tables 1 and 2 above.

2) Lopping and scattering of material will be permitted IAW all Specifications in this PWS.

3) The Contractor shall not broadcast or leave material at the base of leave trees or within 25 feet of the Davis Mill structure.

GENERAL HEAVY EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

The following specifications pertain to all contractors, regardless of treatment proposal

1) Non-specialized equipment will generally be limited to slopes less than 35%. Slopes greater than 35% are minimal within the Project Area.

2) Mechanized equipment will not be permitted within 25 feet of ephemeral and 50 intermittent streams. Stream buffers will be designated with flagging prior to implementation.

3) Equipment, Storage, and Parking Areas

a) Equipment service areas, parking areas, and gas and oil storage areas shall be cleared of all inflammable material for a radius of at least 50 feet.

b) Small mobile or stationary engine sites shall be cleared of inflammable material for a radius of at least 15 feet from such engine.

c) Areas of the type described above must be approved in writing by the COR.

d) Equipment will be stored, fueled, and serviced outside of designated riparian areas. Gas and lubricants should be stored outside of riparian areas.

e) Equipment, including vehicles and chainsaws, shall be cleaned prior to first entry of the site to ensure non-native species and pathogens are not transported into the area. Cleaning shall be defined as the removal of all dirt, grease, plant parts and other material that may carry noxious weed seeds. Equipment will be visually inspected by the COR or Government Representative prior to use. Any equipment that is removed from the site should be cleaned prior to re-entry. Vehicles do not need to be cleaned prior to each entry if no off-road driving has taken place off-site.

4) Welding

a) Contractor shall confine welding activity to cleared areas having a minimum radius of 25 feet measured from place of welding and have a firefighting trailer with water tank and pump at the site of welding.

5) Hazmat, Oil Filters, and Glass Bottles / Jugs

a) Contractor shall remove from BLM land all oily rags and used oil filters.

b) Contractor shall prohibit use of glass bottles / jugs on all contract operations.

c) Contractor shall ensure that all equipment is in good condition and free from leaks.

d) Contractor must ensure that each piece of equipment has necessary materials for spill cleanup.

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e) Any spill must be cleaned up promptly and reported to the COR.

STAGING AREA SPECIFICATIONS

1) Staging or landing areas within the Project Area will be designated and/or agreed upon by the

BLM. The existing staging areas may each be expanded to accommodate the work.

Additional staging/landing areas not to exceed one acre in size may be created as needed and per approval by the COR or Government Representative. New and existing staging areas must be located outside riparian zones and away from private residences and critical infrastructure.

2) All material temporarily piled or decked at areas other than BLM designated landings or as described in Task 2 must be moved to approve landings or removed from the project area if agreed upon by contractor and BLM prior to contract close-out.

LOADING AND HAULING SPECIFICATIONS

1) The Contractor may haul processed or unprocessed material to a wood processing facility or similar destination. A lump sum contract may be negotiated to facilitate removal from the Project Area.

2) All removal operations shall be restricted BLM approved staging area. The existing staging areas and may be expanded IAW the Specifications in this PWS.

3) Removal operations shall not result in the blocking of public traffic along any publicly accessible road for more than 30 minutes.

4) The Contractor is authorized to use County and select roads at estimated locations as shown on the maps in Technical Exhibit 3 for removal of processed or unprocessed Government timber. Any road requiring improvement or renovation shall be maintained by the Contractor until receiving written acceptance of the improvement or renovation from the COR or Government Representative.

5) If the Contractor elects to use any additional private roads for the removal of Government timber or other material under the terms of this contract, they shall provide written approval for use of the private roads.

6) During operations, the Contractor is required to water native surface and rocked roads for dust abatement during dry seasons. The Contractor shall acquire legal access to a water source to be used for this purpose. Main skid trails would minimize dust or apply slash to reduce dust during operations.

GENERAL STANDARDS

1) Mastication, Cutting or welding may not occur during BLM seasonal fire restrictions without a signed variance. Skidding or loading will be coordinated with the BLM Staff when fire restriction goes into place. Fire restrictions are generally in place between May and October;

PWS Page 18 exact dates are subject to change based on environmental conditions and resource availability. Due to these restrictions, operations will occur during the wet weather period and must follow specified wet weather restrictions. Operations, including those involving the use of heavy equipment, generally may continue if soil and operational conditions are not causing sediment mobilization or as determined necessary by the COR. Erosion control measures may be required if operations are creating bare soil or diverting water such that sediment may be mobilized. See Wet Weather Standards below. Best practices will be used to minimize soil disturbance and sediment transport. Examples of best practices include but are not limited to slash packing ahead of tracked equipment.

2) Work performed between February 2 – September 14 (inclusive) will necessitate migratory bird surveys be performed by a qualified wildlife biologist every 14 days. Portions of the place of performance may be temporarily flagged for avoidance per the results of migratory bird surveys.

3) State Law: The Contractor shall comply with all applicable laws of the State of California. In particular, see California Public Resource Codes.

4) Permits Required: The Contractor must secure a special written permit from the Field Office Manager or designated representative before engaging in any of the activities listed below.

a) Camp, Lunch and Warming Fires.

5) Smoking and Fire Rules: Smoking shall not be permitted during fire season, except in a barren area or in an area cleared to mineral soil at least three feet in diameter. In areas closed to smoking, the CO may approve special areas to be used for smoking. These areas shall be signed by the Contractor.

a) Contractor shall post signs regarding smoking and fire rules in conspicuous places for all employees to see. Contractor's supervisory personnel shall require compliance with these rules.

b) Under no circumstances shall smoking be permitted during fire season while employees are operating light or heavy equipment or walking or working in grass and wood lands.

6) Spills: Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all equipment is in good condition and free from leaks. Contractor must ensure that each piece of equipment has necessary materials for spill cleanup. Any spill must be cleaned up promptly and reported to the COR.

7) Reporting Fires: As soon as feasible after initial control action is taken, Contractor shall notify The Bureau of Land Management of any fires along roads used by Contractor.

8) Communications: Contractor shall furnish a serviceable telephone, radio/telephone, or radio system connecting each operation with Contractor's headquarters. A radio-equipped fire patrol person vehicle will satisfy this requirement if in operation during the time required.

When such headquarters is at a location which makes communication to it clearly impractical, the BLM will accept a reasonable alternative location. The communication system shall provide prompt and reliable communications between Contractor's headquarters (or above stated alternative) and BLM. The communications system shall be operable during Contractor's operation in the fire precautionary period and at the time fire patrol person service is required.

9) Indemnification: Contractor agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, defend and protect the BLM, its officers, directors, agents and employees from and against any and all claims

PWS Page 19 losses, damages, demands, liabilities, suits, costs, expenses (including attorney’s fees), penalties, judgements or obligations whatsoever for or in connection with injury (including death) or damage to any person or loss or damage of property to whomsoever belonging or pecuniary or monetary loss resulting from, arising out of or in any way related to activity conducted by or the omission of Contractor, including but not limited to Contractor’s development, construction, occupation, use operation, maintenance, and/or removal of the property, premises, of facilities, regardless of how the injury or damage was caused or suffered, unless the injury or damage resulted from the sole negligence or the intentional and willful misconduct of the BLM, its officers, directors, agents or employees.

10) Mapping/Designation: Project Area boundaries are not flagged. The Contractor is required to use project maps to stay within Project Area boundaries. All reserve areas will be flagged prior to project implementation with a yet to be determined color scheme. The attached maps depict all exterior project boundaries, stream courses, and reserve areas.

11) Contractor invoices shall be accompanied by maps of up-to-date progress to facilitate Project Area inspection by the COR or a Government Representative.

12) Camping: No camping is permitted within the Project Area.

FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS

1) SCOPE

The provisions set forth below outline the channels of responsibility for fire prevention and suppression activities and establish an attack procedure for fires within the contract area. The contract area is delineated by the project map in the contract. The provisions set forth below also specify conditions under which contract activities will be curtailed or shut down.

2) RESPONSIBILITIES

a) Contractor

i) Shall abide by the requirements of this Fire Plan.

ii) Shall take all steps necessary to prevent his/her employees, subcontractors and their employees from setting fires not required in completion of the contract, shall be responsible for preventing the escape of fires set directly or indirectly as a result of contract operations, and shall extinguish all such fires which may escape.

b) Bureau of Land Management

i) Fire Management Officer/ Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Designated

Representative

(1) will inspect the contract to assure compliance with the requirements of the Fire

Plan.

(2) Will notify CO in event of Contractor's noncompliance with the Fire Plan.

(3) Will notify Contractor to correct any discrepancies with regard to the requirements of this Fire Plan.

(4) Will notify Contractor to cease operations if fire weather and/or forest fuel conditions warrant.

3) TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

a) The Contractor shall comply with the following requirements:

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i) Shall equip all diesel and/or gasoline-operated engines, both stationary and mobile, and all flues used in any contract and camp operations with spark arresters that meet Forest Service standards set forth in the National Coordinating Group publication for Multiposition Small Engines, #430-4, or General Purpose and Locomotive, #430-2.

Spark arresters are not required on equipment powered by exhaust-driven turbo-charged engines or motor vehicles, equipped with a maintained muffler as defined in California Public Resources Code (CPRC), Section 4442 and 4443.

ii) Shall furnish and have available for emergency use on each piece of equipment used in conjunction with performance of the work as listed below, hand tools and/or equipment as follows (CPRC 4427 and 4431) or at the discretion of the COR:

(1) One shovel, one axe (or Pulaski) and a fully charged fire extinguisher U.L. rated at 4 B:C or more on each truck, personnel vehicle, tractor, grader, and other heavy equipment.

iii) All tools and equipment required in (1) and (2) above shall be in good workable condition and shall meet the following principal Forest Service specifications for fire tools:

(1) Shovels shall be size "O" or larger and be not less than 46 inches in overall length.

(2) Axes (or Pulaski’) shall have 2-1/2 pound or larger heads and be not less than 28 inches in overall length.

WET WEATHER STANDARDS

1) All skidding and/or hauling (including processed and unprocessed timber, heavy equipment, etc.), construction, reconstruction, and maintenance operations on non-paved roads shall cease when precipitation is sufficient to generate overland flow off the road surface in hydrologically connected road segments. Use of the road shall not resume until such overland flow has abated and the road surface within hydrologically connected road segments do not exhibit saturated soil conditions. This rule shall not prohibit vehicles from exiting the Project Area.

2) The wet weather period is defined as occurring between October 15 and May 31, inclusive.

3) On roads that do not meet the permanent standard (see Item 5), once hauling operations have ceased during the wet weather period due to Item 1, above, they shall not resume until September 15, or the road meets the permanent standard.

4) Hauling operations during the wet weather period, in addition to complying with Item 1, above, shall cease when any of the following conditions exist:

a) When previously hydrologically disconnected road segments become hydrologically connected road segments.

b) When there is standing water within hydrologically connected road segments.

c) When equipment operation causes rutting to the extent that the ruts direct runoff from the road to discharge into a waterway; or

d) When equipment operation results in the transportation of sediment from hydrologically disconnected road segments to hydrologically connected road segments in amounts that result in a visible increase in turbidity in receiving waters.

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5) When hauling operations during the wet weather period have ceased due to Item 4, above, they shall not resume until:

a) All hydrologically connected road segments have been isolated; and

b) Maintenance has corrected the condition under Item 4, which resulted in cessation of hauling, and the road meets the permanent standard.

6) When skidding and/or hauling operations during the wet weather period have ceased due to

Item 4 above and skidding and/or hauling will not be resumed, then the road shall be returned to the upgraded standard as soon as practicable. If repairing damage requires heavy equipment, such that the effort will cause greater harm than good, then BLM shall treat the site with feasible effective erosion control measures as an interim measure.

7) During the wet weather period, all roads may be used by light vehicles (defined as vehicles with pay load ratings of 1 ton, or less, or smaller vehicles such as quadra-tracks or motorcycles). If such use results in road-related damage within hydrologically connected road segments to the road surface, drainage facilities, water breaks, or water crossings, the damage will be repaired using hand tools prior to the end of the workday during which the initial damage occurred. Damage shall not be to such an extent that heavy equipment will be required for repairs.

8) To prevent or minimize significant adverse effects to aquatic resources, emergency access is allowed to correct emergency, road-related problems in the form of blocked culverts, imminent road fill failure, or other erosion problems, and emergency human life situations.

9) Work sites, including roads and staging areas, will be winterized at project completion.

Winterization includes: 1) grading exposed road and landing surfaces to allow water to freely drain across them without concentrating, ponding or rilling, 2) installing rolling dips/drains to drain steeper sections of road necessary to convey concentrated water across exposed road and landing surfaces, 3) clearing clogged drainage ditches or culverts, (4) using existing slash, waddles, or installing silt fences —or other erosion control devices — where needed to prevent concentration of flow and to prevent sediment from reaching stream channels or water source, and 5) spreading native brush and/or weed-free straw over bare soil to prevent surface erosion.

Table 3. Water bar spacing by gradient and erosion class Gradient (Percent)

Water Bar Spacing* Per Erosion Class† High (Feet) Moderate (Feet) Low (Feet)

2–5% 200 300 400 6–10% 150 200 300 11–15% 100 150 200 16–20% 75 100 150 21–35% 50 75 100 36+% 50 50 50

* Spacing is determined by slope distance and is the maximum allowed for the grade.

† The erosion classes include the following rock types:

High: Granite, sandstone, andesite porphyry, glacial or alluvial deposits, soft matrix conglomerate, volcanic ash, and pyroclastics

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Moderate: Basalt, andesite, quartzite, hard matrix conglomerate, and rhyolite Low: Metasediments, metavolcanics, and hard shale

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TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3: PROJECT AREA MAPS

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TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 4: BARK BEETLE IDENTIFICATION PUBLICATION

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