B08_Attachment_1_SOW.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

FLATHEAD INDIAN IRRIGATION PROJECT (FIIP)

AQUATIC VEGETATION AND ALGAE CONTROL SERVICES

1. BACKGROUND

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Flathead Indian Irrigation Project (FIIP) requires services for aquatic vegetation and algae control to maintain hydraulic capacity, ensure reliable water delivery, support safe and efficient irrigation system operations for approximately 1,300 miles of canals, laterals, and drains in the Saint Ignatius, Montana region.

2. OBJECTIVES

The Contractor shall perform work that supports the following objectives:

· Maintain canal and lateral conveyance capacity.

· Prevent aquatic vegetation from restricting water flow.

· Improve operational efficiency of FIIP water delivery systems.

· Reduce maintenance effort required by FIIP staff.

· Maintain access to canals, structures, and delivery systems for inspection and maintenance.

· Identify vegetation conditions that may impair water delivery or system operations.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, transportation, materials, herbicides, algaecides, and incidentals necessary to perform aquatic vegetation and algae control within FIIP water conveyance systems. Work includes identification of submersed vegetation and algae, application of FIIP‑approved aquatic herbicides, metered injection, drip and spot treatments, monitoring treatment effectiveness, retreatment as necessary, and documentation and mapping of all treatment activities.

All herbicides, adjuvants, dyes, and application materials shall be supplied by the Contractor, and all work must be performed in compliance with applicable Federal, Tribal, State of Montana, and local requirements, including EPA label requirements and all safety standards. The Contractor is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all required licenses, certifications, and permits and must provide copies to FIIP prior to starting work.

The only types of chemicals to be used include:

· Teton® Aquatic Herbicide & Algaecide EPA# 70506-175

· Argos® or Equivalent 9% Copper Herbicide & Algaecide EPA# 81927-53

· Copper sulfate pentahydrate (25% elemental copper, medium)

Safety The Contractor shall know, understand, and comply with all applicable OSHA requirements and all FIIP and Department of the Interior safety requirements applicable to the work.

The Contractor shall provide all personal protective equipment, spill response materials, tools, boats, pumps, metering devices, injection equipment, traffic control devices, communications equipment, and all other equipment necessary to safely perform the work.

The Contractor shall properly handle, transport, store, mix, and apply all herbicides, fuels, oils, and hazardous materials to prevent spills, releases, or damage to persons, property, crops, livestock, fish, wildlife, wetlands, or other resources.

In the event of any spill, release, misapplication, fish kill, crop injury, or other incident, the Contractor shall immediately notify FIIP and all other required agencies and shall be fully responsible for containment, cleanup, reporting, corrective action, and all associated costs.

The Contractor shall ensure safe handling, storage, transport, and application of herbicides and hazardous materials and must immediately report and respond to spills, misapplications, fish kills, or other adverse incidents.

4. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall employ properly licensed aquatic pesticide applicators authorized in the State of Montana and shall demonstrate experience performing aquatic vegetative control in irrigation systems or similar flowing water environments.

Minimum requirements include:

· Five years of aquatic herbicide and algaecide application experience.

· Experience with metered injection and drip systems.

· Experience treating algae, pondweed, and invasive species such as Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curlyleaf Pondweed.

· Current Montana aquatic pesticide applicator license.

Contractor equipment must include calibrated metering devices, flow‑adjustable pumps, and systems capable of achieving target concentrations under flows ranging from 1 CFS to 400 CFS.

Equipment capability shall include:

· Metered injection systems

· Flow-adjustable pumps and calibrated metering devices

· Equipment capable of maintaining target ppm concentrations

· Systems suitable for bridges, headworks, and canal applications

5. AREAS OF WORK

The Contractor shall provide services throughout FIIP at designated locations, which may include:

· Main canals

· Laterals

· Sub-laterals

· Drains and wasteways

· Checks, drops, siphons, and control structures

· Reservoirs, ponds, and regulating features

· Other water conveyance or storage features designated by FIIP FIIP will identify specific treatment sites, which may vary based on vegetation conditions, water operations, and other project priorities. FIIP does not guarantee the quantity or mileage of treatment required.

6. TARGET VEGETATION

The Contractor shall treat the following vegetation types:

· Filamentous algae (ex.: Lyngbia, Pithophora spp.).

· Nuisance submersed vegetation (e.g., sago pondweed, horned pondweed, Elodea).

· Invasive submersed vegetation (e.g., Eurasian Watermilfoil, Curlyleaf Pondweed).

· Other nuisance submersed aquatic vegetation identified by FIIP.

The Contractor shall promptly notify FIIP of any vegetation that restricts flow and provide treatment recommendations.

7. TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall determine recommended treatment locations and application methods, subject to FIIP approval. Treatment may include metered injection, drip application, spot treatments, or other approved aquatic methods appropriate to flow conditions. All treatment areas must be left clean, and all waste materials removed. The Contractor shall maintain daily communication with FIIP during treatment periods and report any issues affecting treatment success.

8. SCHEDULE AND COORDINATION

A pre‑application meeting with FIIP shall occur no later than 30 days prior to the start of the irrigation season (April 15) or before treatment begins.

The Contractor must submit the following 30 days prior to starting work:

1. Proposed work schedule

2. List of proposed herbicides and adjuvants

3. Labels and SDS for all proposed chemicals

4. Copies of applicator licenses and certifications

5. Spill prevention and response procedures

6. Proposed treatment log format

7. Map or list of anticipated treatment areas, if available

Treatment may occur pre‑season through post‑season as directed by FIIP.

Applications may be required:

· Pre-season

· Early irrigation season

· Mid-season

· Late season

· Post-season, where needed for maintenance or control objectives Exact timing shall be based on weed growth stage, water operations, access, weather, and FIIP priorities.

9. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall maintain the ability to respond to treatment needs between Contract award and September 15. All application parameters must comply with herbicide labels and FIIP approval. Where treatments occur in flowing water, the Contractor must use equipment capable of achieving required concentrations and exposure times. Work must result in noticeable vegetation reduction and improved hydraulic efficiency.

10. COMMUNICATION AND RESPONSE EXPECTATIONS

The Contractor shall coordinate daily with FIIP and adjust work based on operational requirements and flow conditions.

Treatment Response Time When FIIP identifies a treatment area requiring aquatic vegetation control, the CONTRACTOR shall:

• Acknowledge receipt of the request within one (1) business day.

• Provide a proposed treatment schedule within three (3) business days.

• Mobilize and initiate treatment within five (5) calendar days of FIIP authorization unless otherwise approved by FIIP.

Priority Response Areas For locations where aquatic vegetation is causing significant flow restrictions, operational concerns, or delivery impacts, FIIP may designate the area as a Priority Treatment Area.

For Priority Treatment Areas, the Contractor shall:

• Respond within 24 hours of notification.

• Mobilize treatment personnel and equipment within 72 hours unless conditions prevent safe application.

Vegetation Obstruction Reporting If the Contractor identifies vegetation that is restricting water delivery or canal capacity, the Contractor shall:

• Notify FIIP within 24 hours.

• Provide written recommendations for treatment methods or corrective actions within five (5) business days.

Access and Staging FIIP may designate staging areas, access roads, structure crossings, and work entry points for use by the Contractor.

The Contractor shall use only approved access routes and shall avoid damage to roads, ditches, headgates, fences, crops, utilities, and private or Tribal property.

The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage caused by its personnel, vehicles, or equipment and shall restore damaged areas to the satisfaction of FIIP.

FIIP Special Conditions The Contractor shall understand that FIIP is an operating irrigation project. Water delivery reliability is critical. Treatment work shall be planned and executed in a manner that minimizes disruption to project operations and water users.

The Contractor shall comply with all access restrictions, environmental protection measures, cultural resource protections, and project instructions issued by FIIP.

FIIP reserves the right to require immediate suspension of work at any location if FIIP determines that the work presents an operational, environmental, or safety concern.

11. FIELD DATA COLLECTION & REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall maintain complete records of all applications. At a minimum, each treatment record shall include:

· Date and time of application

· FIIP division/canal/lateral/drain/reservoir name

· Specific location or reach treated

· Target species

· Product name and EPA registration number

· Application rate and total quantity applied

· Adjuvants used

· Water condition and estimated flow, if applicable

· Weather conditions

· Applicator name and license number

· Observed treatment effectiveness and any non-target concerns The Contractor shall submit weekly progress reports to FIIP during the treatment season. Weekly reports shall identify completed work, reaches treated, chemicals applied, quantities used, observed results, issues encountered, and areas proposed for treatment during the following week.

The Contractor must submit a final report within 30 days after September 15 or completion of final treatment activity, detailing treatment activities, locations, chemicals used, estimated effectiveness, future recommendations, and any operational issues affecting aquatic vegetation management.

12. GIS AND MAPPING

The Contractor shall use FIIP‑provided GIS and KMZ data and submit updated spatial treatment maps weekly.

13. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Contractor shall control the application of all herbicides and algaecides so that no damage occurs to non-target vegetation, irrigated crops, pasture, stock water supplies, domestic water uses, fisheries, wetlands, or adjacent lands.

The Contractor shall consider weather, wind, water velocity, flow rate, turbidity, temperature, and other site conditions before and during application.

The Contractor shall coordinate with FIIP regarding canal operations, water deliveries, changes in flow, check structures, turnout use, maintenance activities, and access limitations that may affect treatment timing or effectiveness.

FIIP reserves the right to delay, suspend, modify, or cancel treatment activities at any location due to operational needs, environmental concerns, water user considerations, weather, or other project priorities.

14. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

The Contractor shall provide all required application equipment, including injection systems, pumps, tanks, hoses, vehicles, trailers, protective gear, and tools required for chemical handling and transport.

15. COMPLETION OF WORK

Work shall be considered complete when FIIP‑designated areas have been treated and all required documentation has been submitted to FIIP’s satisfaction.