B08_Attachment_2_SOO.pdf

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 Description - Contractor shall furnish all necessary management, labor, supervision, equipment, materials, transportation, supplies, and incidental services to perform this requirement. The Beef Stewardship project is designed to provide an integrated approach to stand management on forest stands and juniper woodlands of varying sizes and densities. These activities have been combined into one contract to take advantage of the efficiencies of one larger operation that meets multiple objectives. Contract work will be performed over the course of ten years.

1.2 Objective - The objective of this project is to reach an end result that will:

• Reduce the risk of high intensity wild land fire to life, property, and natural resources on lands managed by the BLM Lakeview District.

• Improve forests and rangeland health and climate resiliency through stand density reduction, removal of encroaching western juniper, and reduction of hazardous fuel loads.

• Treat fuels by promoting utilization of biomass and unmerchantable material.

• Generate employment opportunities.

1.3 Location/Access - The project areas are located within the Lakeview District administrative boundaries of BLM. See attached vicinity map. Project area(s) are normally accessible by a standard pickup on forest roads. A four-wheel drive vehicle may be required. The Government assumes no liability to perform special road maintenance to keep roads open to the project areas.

Characteristics of the Klamath Falls Field Office Area:

• Primarily 4000-6000 ft. elevation, dry mixed conifer forests (white fir, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, incense cedar, sugar/white pine) west of Klamath Falls (SDI max 530). Shasta red fir exists above 5500 ft with some areas being especially dense (SDI max 755).

• Primarily juniper and ponderosa pine east of Klamath Falls. These areas can be very rocky.

• Seasonal shutdowns will restrict work between October and May depending on snow/moisture levels.

• Fire restrictions can limit working time per day or completely shutdown operations from June to

October.

1.4 Security of materials – The Contractor may leave their equipment at the work site. However, the

Government is not responsible for the equipment if it should be lost, stolen, or damaged.

1.5 Boundaries - Unit boundaries are marked with ribbon or designated on PDF maps or similar mapping software. The project maps show reserve areas, some of the physical and topographical features of the units, as well as delineated areas within the units which require special treatment.

1.6 Fire Precautions - See Section H.

1.7 Unique Features of Project Area - Any unique feature specific to each unit will be listed on task order unit maps. Mechanized equipment activities are normally allowed from May 15th to October 15th subject to weather conditions, fire restrictions, and nesting status of threatened and endangered species.

Exceptions will be allowed for some non-ground disturbing activities like seeding or if moisture levels remain below 20%. Seasonal restrictions are listed in the applicable Environmental Assessment (EA).

Restrictions and buffers not identified in an EA will be listed on project unit maps.

Winter yarding is allowed between October 15th and May 15th, when one of the following conditions is present:

(a) Snow depth in the cutting unit averages twenty (20) inches or more.

(b) The ground is frozen to a depth of six (6) inches or more

1.8 Soil Protection

1.8.1 Cumulative effects of detrimental soil conditions shall not exceed 20% of the total acreage within an activity area. Detrimental soils conditions include detrimental compaction, displacement, and creation of adverse cover conditions. Sites where the 20% is exceeded shall be mitigated through ripping, back blading, or seeding at the Contractor’s expense. Detrimental soil compaction is defined as an increase in soil bulk density of over 15%.

1.8.2 Some areas may require that detrimental soil displacement is kept below 15%. Such areas will be noted on the task order. The Contractor shall use work methods, including different equipment if necessary, to achieve this level of displacement.

1.8.3 Total skid trail area used by the contractor shall not exceed 15% of an activity area.

1.8.4 All mechanical operations shall be limited to periods when the soil moisture content is less than 20% or when conditions allow logging on snow or frozen ground. Soil moisture will be determined by the

COR/PI using a soil moisture tester.

2.0 DEFINITIONS

Bankfull - the level of a stream when the channel is filled to the level of the floodplain.

Bearing Tree – a tree used as a reference monument to locate a property corner.

Biomass - Any vegetative material that the Contractor removes that does not meet the Merchantable

Material Sawlog, firewood, or post definition below. Biomass material will be priced by weight and shall be measured by the green ton and with weight scale receipts.

Brush - vegetation consisting of shrub species with single or multi-stems originating at or near ground level and not normally reaching 20 feet in height. Examples include Canyon Live Oak, Vine Maple, Salmonberry, Hazel, Huckleberry, Thimbleberry, Manzanita, Ocean-spray, Ceanothus species, Silktassel, Sagebrush, Wild Rose, Ribes Species.

Clean chips- Wood chips of varying sizes created generally from bole wood and excluding needles and soil.

Conifer - An evergreen, cone-bearing tree, such as Douglas-fir, Western Red Cedar, Western White Pine, Incense Cedar, Western Hemlock, Ponderosa Pine, Sugar Pine, Grand Fir, White Fir, Noble Fir, Western

Juniper, and Pacific Yew.

Cord - A stack of fuelwood which measures 4 x 4 x 8 ft. or 128 ft3, including wood, bark, and empty space within the stack.

Damaged Trees - Any Contractor-caused alteration or injury to the tree or root system which may cause death, loss of vigor, or will negatively affect growth, including, but not limited to, severance of the main stem or terminal leader, delimbing, scraping, debarking, or uprooting.

Deck - A stack of logs or the action of stacking logs.

Designated Skid Trail - A trail flagged by the Contractor prior to cutting and approved by the COR/PI to operate designated equipment on.

Diameter Breast Height (DBH) - The diameter of a tree measured at breast height, 4.5 feet above the ground on the uphill side.

Firewood - Wood that does meet the Minimum Merchantable, Biomass, or Post definitions described herein and/or that is transported off the site in lengths less than 8 feet long and intended for use as fuelwood. This material shall be priced in cords with volumes determined by the Government.

Hazardous trees - standing live or dead trees, with evidence of insect infestation, deterioration, or physical damage to the root system, trunk, or stem. The degree and direction of lean is also an important factor when determining if a tree is a hazard.

Hog Fuel- Any type of wood product that can be burned for fuel at pulp mill facilities to generate electricity but can't be classified as chips, shavings, bark, or sawdust.

Landings - A loading point where logs are collected preparatory to further transportation, loaded on trucks and also any other location that became a destination for yarded woody material.

Large woody debris - Portion of a tree that has fallen, or been cut and left in the woods. Usually refers to pieces at least 20 inches in diamer.

Leave Tree – Any tree marked for retention and/or described in this contract to be reserved from cutting;

trees will be specified to be left in accordance with Section C. Additional leave trees may be specified on project maps.

Loading point - any landing or other area in which logs and biomass material are capable of being loaded for transportation out of the project area.

Lop - Trim by cutting off branches, twigs, or stems.

Manual Work – Work that does not require the use of heavy equipment. Most work is performed by hand; some bid items may require light use of chainsaws, ATV’s, or trucks.

Mechanical Work – Work will primarily require the use of heavy tracked or tired equipment.

Merchantable Timber (Sawlog) - The Minimum Material Specification is as follows (this may be adjusted on a per task order basis):

Schedule of Minimum Material Specifications

Species and Products Length Diameter

(inside bark at small end)

Net Scale

Logs of all species 8 feet 6 inches 33 1/3% of gross volume of any log segment

Objectionable Material – Objectionable material is defined as debris or any foreign matter.

Older junipers - Juniper that originated in the “pre-settlement” period, before 1870. It is assumed that these trees are growing on sites that they are adapted to, since they began growing there under “natural conditions” when natural processes (including lightning fires) determined vegetation patterns. Older junipers are usually found in rocky areas where vegetation is sparse and natural fire frequency is low.

Some typical characteristics of older juniper are:

• Crown is flat, rounded, broad at top, or irregular (as opposed to the more pointed tops of younger trees)

• Spike top

• Numerous dead branches

• Branches covered with coarse, bright yellow-green lichen (Letharia, or wolf lichen)

• Large diameter lower branches

• Large diameter trunk relative to height

• Trunk has spirally-twisted bark, deep furrows

• Hollow trunk

It is rare for an older juniper to have all of the above features, but more commonly will have at least three or four. Also, older junipers are not always the largest trees; on drier, rocky sites, they can be short, stubby, gnarly trees.

Post & Pole - Wood sized approximately six inches in diameter and seven feet long used as a fence post and/or poles and does not meet the Merchantable Material Sawlog definition. This material may be sold on a cord or ton basis (Item 32-33), as shown on the task order.

Preferred Species - The list of species in order of most desired to least desired in a given area. This information is provided with each task order.

Project Area - The area identified on the task order for treatment using any of the items in this contract.

Reserve Area - An area where no activity is permitted.

Reserve Trees - Generally those trees designated by the Government to be left uncut. Each task order will include a specific description of reserve trees for that project.

Slash – All woody material that has been cut, but not removed from the contract area during the primary removal operation. Typically includes brush, broken tops, limbs, cull logs, pieces of logs damaged reproduction, saplings, and poles which were caused as a result of felling and yarding operations. This includes old slash existing prior to timber sale entry.

Station-In reference to road construction/maintenance a station is equal to 100 feet.

Stump - The lower end of a tree with roots attached remaining in the ground after the tree has been cut.

Timber - standing trees which are capable of being measured in board feet and cubic feet.

Trespass Trees - Any reserve trees which have been cut and/or removed from the woods.

Yarding – the conveyance of logs or trees or portions thereof, by ground based, cable, balloon, or helicopter yarding systems from the area of falling or cutting to the landing or loading point for removal.

Yarding is generally accomplished using mechanical equipment.

3.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, labor, supervision, equipment with qualified operators, transportation, supplies (other than Government furnished property), and incidentals required to finish the project.

3.1 Crew Requirements (Manual and Mechanical Work)

3.1.1 Crews must be kept together at all times, working as a crew under a supervisor rather than as individuals in separate areas. Approval must be given by the COR/PI if there is to be a significant change in crew personnel or working schedule. State Safety regulations require that crew members shall not work alone and that accessibility to emergency transportation is to be provided by the Contractor at all times.

3.2 Supervisor Requirements (Manual and Mechanical Work)

3.2.1 The project supervisor(s) shall be named in writing at the pre-work conference. This person shall be capable of speaking and reading English with proficiency to have mutually effective communications with the Contracting Officer’s Representative and/or the Project Inspector (COR/PI). Any group of people without such an individual will not be considered a crew. One supervisor shall supervise no more than a maximum of nine crew members at any one time. The supervisor must actually perform in that capacity and at a minimum, effectively direct the crew by (1) making periodic inspections of the crew's work, (2) advising them as to deficient work, and (3) providing instructions for correcting such deficiencies. Any changes in supervisory designations must be submitted in writing to the COR/PI at least 24 hours prior to the change taking effect.

3.3 Equipment and Materials

Contractor will provide necessary equipment to perform tasks according to specifications.

3.3.1 The Contractor shall provide traffic control signs to provide for the safety of the general public along existing roadways in the project area.

3.3.2 The Contractor shall provide for erosion control which includes certified weed free straw, free from mold or other objectionable material.

3.4 Equipment

3.4.1 Harvest systems shall meet the following criteria:

• All log loading shall be done with boom type loaders.

• The location of the skid roads shall be clearly designated on the ground, spaced at approximately

150 foot intervals, and approved by the COR/PI, prior to felling of timber to be yarded over that skid road. Existing skid roads will be utilized where possible.

• At least one yarding tractor or wheel- type equipment shall be equipped with an integral arch and winch system capable of lining logs at least one hundred (100) feet

• Yarding equipment shall be operated only on skid roads approved by the COR/PI.

• All trees designated for cutting that cannot be felled with a mechanical harvester shall be felled to the lead of designated skid trails.

• All trees twenty (20) inches DBH and smaller designated for cutting shall be felled and pre-bunched within forty (40) feet of and to the lead of designated skid trails with a mechanical harvester. The mechanical harvester must be capable of cutting up to a twenty (20) inch DBH tree and have an arm capable of reaching at least twenty (20) feet laterally.

• Approval of landing locations and sizes shall be obtained from the Authorized Officer prior to landing construction or use.

• Landing size shall not exceed one-quarter (¼) acre unless otherwise approved by the Authorized

Officer.

• At least one yarding tractor or wheel- type equipment shall be equipped with an integral arch and winch system capable of lining logs at least one hundred (100) feet.

3.4.2 Due to resource concerns, any harvest system that causes excessive soil compaction from repeated passes over the same area will not be allowed.

3.5 Equipment Operator - Experienced and qualified operators in the operation and maintenance of all contractor furnished equipment is considered essential. The Government reserves the right to require the Contractor, in writing, to remove from the project any operator who, in the opinion of the COR/PI is found to be inexperienced or operates the equipment in an unsafe manner. The Contractor shall provide a replacement operator within 24 hours.

3.5.1 Operating Permits (All Items) – The Contractor shall apply for and acquire all permits required to accomplish the work. State law requires a permit to operate power driven machinery. The Contractor shall obtain a permit from the Oregon State Department of Forestry (ODF) prior to operation of power driven machinery. This requirement also applies to chainsaws and brush cutters. The Government will obtain DSL and COE permits.

3.6 Work/Camp Sites (All Items) - Obtain written authorization from the Field Office prior to camping on

BLM administered lands. Work camps can be established only in locations authorized by the COR/PI.

Authorized camps and work sites shall be maintained in a sanitary and orderly condition by clearing the site(s) of all debris, refuse and garbage before leaving the area.

4.0 MATERIALS FURNISHED by the GOVERNMENT

As task orders are issued, the Government will provide the following as appropriate:

4.1 Project maps showing features; i.e. boundaries, reserve areas, riparian areas, unique features, leave tree preference, and unit payment acreage based on horizontal distance.

4.2 The Government will furnish a Certified Log Scaler who is either employed by the Government, or is a

Third Party Scaler who has been approved by the Government to scale Government logs.

4.3 Product Removal Permits (load tags).

4.4 Native grass seed for use in erosion control.

4.5 Gate keys to gain access to project units.

5.0 COMMON TO MULTIPLE TASKS

5.1 Before beginning operations on the contract area for the first time or after a shutdown of seven or more days, the Contractor shall notify the COR/PI in writing of the date they plan to begin operations.

5.2 Prior to the commencement of operations, the Contractor shall obtain COR/PI written approval of a written operations plan commensurate with the terms and conditions of the contract which shall include measures needed to assure protection of the environment and watershed.

5.3 These criteria are common to all snag creation bid items.

From a pool of available standing green trees, the contractor will select trees, adhering to the criteria below, which will then be created into snags using either bid item 10, A, or B. The

Selection Criteria shown below shall be used in determining which trees are to be selected for snag creation. The Contractor shall leave all boundary trees marked with orange paint and/or poster tags and all orange marked trees within designated units, unless directed otherwise by the COR/PI.

CRITERIA FOR CREATING SNAGS

• Contractor shall select trees to become snags and mark each tree with white paint above DBH height (4.5 feet) and at stump height.

• When snags are created following cutting and skidding of trees all snags shall be created within 1 year of completed skidding operations.

• Tree species and size selection will be specified by the task order.

• No orange marked reserve trees shall be selected.

• Minimum diameter of twenty (20) inches measured at DBH (4.5 feet above ground level) unless otherwise specified by task order.

• Within all units, snags shall not be created within falling distance of power lines, structures, or roads that will remain open after harvest operations are completed.

• Snags can be individual or grouped. The Contractor shall create snags in a variety of spatial patterns, including aggregated groups and individual trees.

• Tops of all trees shall be severed and removed from the tree. Tops of trees must be skidded to a landing.All tree locations shall be mapped using GPS and locations will be provided to the

COR/PI.

5.4 These tasks are common to all mechanical cutting, brushing, and yarding operations.

5.4.1 Selection Criteria - The Contractor shall use the selection criteria shown below in determining which trees are designated for retention and which are designated for cutting.

• Retain all snags (dead trees) except those which are marked with green paint for cutting and removal.

• Each task order will specify the size and trees per acre to be cut and left and include individual stand details.

• All older juniper trees are reserved from cutting. A definition of older juniper trees is provided above in section C.2.0.

• Reserve all pine and Douglas-fir greater than 36” DBH.

• Where available, retain vigorous trees with desired form based on selection criteria described below.

Individual tree choice is to be made based on species, vigor, and size, in that order.

• Species: Where available, and unless other factors above preclude retention, retain the following preferred tree species in the designated order of preference. 1st - Sugar pine, 2nd-Ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir, 3rd- Incense cedar, 4th-White fir unless otherwise specified in task order.

• Vigor:

o Trees with a live crown ratio of 40% or greater. The live crown ratio is determined by dividing the height of the tree containing a live crown by the total height of the tree.

o Trees with mostly dark green needles with very little yellowing.

o Trees that are free from severe mistletoe, disease, wounds, insects, or poor form (dead or forked tops, sweeps, crooks, etc.).

• Size:

o Retained merchantable trees shall consist primarily of the dominant and co-dominant trees of the initial stand.

o In selecting between a Douglas-fir or Ponderosa pine of comparable form and vigor, or two trees of the same species and comparable vigor and form, retain the largest tree.

5.4.2 Modification Volume

5.4.3 If the need arises to cut, remove, and sell additional timber that was either reserved or not accounted for prior to operations, the following stipulations will be followed:

5.4.4 Additional timber that is obstructing needed skid roads, trees designated for cutting, cable yarding roads, hazardous to workers, needed for guyline, tailhold, and/or tieback trees, and severely damaged from the normal conduct of felling or yarding operations to meet all applicable State safety laws, codes or regulations. This timber must be cut or removed so that the contractor can continue active falling and yarding operations. The contractor will be authorized to cut and remove such additional timber provided, however, that:

5.4.5 Before cutting and removing any trees necessary to facilitate logging in units, the Contractor shall identify the location of the skid roads, landings, and danger trees on the ground in a manner approved by the COR/PI at the pre-work conference and documented in the Logging Plan. Said Contractor identification of trees to be cut and removed does not constitute authority to proceed with cutting and removal.

5.4.6 All skid roads upon which timber is identified by the contractor to be cut and removed in accordance with this special provision must be necessary for the safe and expeditious removal of timber sold under this contact and shall be limited to the minimum width necessary for yarding of logs with a minimum of damage to reserve trees, however, unless otherwise approved in writing by the COR/PI, the width of each skid road shall be limited to 14 feet.

5.4.7 The Contractor may immediately cut and remove additional timber to clear skid roads, landings, and danger trees when the trees have been marked with pink paint above and below stump height by the

COR/PI and thereby approved for cutting and removal by the COR/PI. The volume and value of the timber to be sold will be determined by the COR/PI in accordance with Bureau of Land Management prescribed procedures.

5.4.8 If a tree or snag is determined by the contractor to be an imminent threat to safety, the contractor may immediately fall the tree without prior approval. Once the tree has been felled, the contractor must immediately contact the COR/PI and notify them of the action. The tree will be left where it lays and the cut end of the tree and stump shall be marked with a large “X”, cut with a chainsaw, and the “X” will be painted with red paint. The felled tree can not be removed until the COR/PI physically inspects it.

5.4.9 The Contractor agrees that sale of this additional timber shall be accomplished by a unilateral modification of the contract executed by the Contracting Officer.

5.4.10 This authorization for the Contractor to cut and remove additional timber prior to the execution of a modification may be withdrawn by the Contracting Officer if the COR/PI determines that the Contractor has cut and removed any tree not previously marked and approved for cutting by the COR/PI.

5.4.11 If authorization is withdrawn, the Contracting Officer shall issue a written notice to the Contractor that the sale of additional timber under this special provision is no longer approved. In this case, the

Contractor shall inform the COR/PI at least one (1) working day prior to the need for cutting and removing any additional timber. The Contracting Officer may issue a written order to the Contractor to suspend, delay, or interrupt any or all contract work for the period of time deemed necessary and appropriate for the Government to safely measure and mark additional timber.

5.5 Falling Requirements

a. The location of the tractor skid roads shall be clearly designated on the ground, spaced at approximately 150 foot intervals, and approved by the COR/PI, prior to felling of timber to be yarded over that skid road.

b. All trees designated for cutting shall be felled and pre-bunched on designated skid trails with a mechanical harvester. The mechanical harvester shall be capable of cutting up to a 20 inch DBH tree and have an arm capable of reaching at least 20 feet laterally. In lieu of falling all trees with a mechanical harvester, hand felling may be allowed in specific areas by the COR/PI. All trees designated for cutting that cannot be felled with a mechanical harvester shall be hand felled to the lead of designated skid trails to prevent damage to residual trees during yarding.

c. All trees and snags designated for cutting as specified in C.5.4.1, Selection Criteria, shall be felled and whole tree yarded, except when excessive stand damage occurs as determined by the COR/PI. If excessive stand damage occurs, all logs shall be completely limbed, except the top log, and bucked into lengths determined by the COR/PI prior to being yarded.

d. Damage from mechanical cutting to reserved trees shall be as minimal as possible. Any merchantable reserve trees damaged from cutting shall not be removed unless authorized by the COR/PI. Damaged reserve trees (broken tops, damaged bark, excessive limb removal) may be approved by the COR/PI to be removed. If damage is determined to be excessive, the contractor may be charged up to triple stumpage. If excessive damage continues the operator will be shut down and the contract will be terminated.

e. The maximum height of a stump from a cut tree shall be no taller than 6 inches measured from the ground on the uphill side of the stump.

f. If extensive damage is occurring, as determined by the Authorized Officer, timber designated for cutting shall be felled and yarded in two (2) stages. Falling and yarding of designated timber shall be completed for each stage prior to the felling and yarding of the next stage. Timber in the second (and subsequent) stage shall be felled into and yarded through openings created by prior logging.

g.All trees mechanically cut shall remain whole tree. Tress shall not be processed until they reach a landing point h Contractor’s operations shall facilitate BLM’s safe and practical inspection of Contractor’s operations and BLM’s conduct of other official duties on Contract Area. Contractor has all responsibility for compliance with safety requirements for Contractor's employees, contractors and subcontractors. Unless otherwise specified in writing, when operations are in progress adjacent to or on roads and/or trails in the harvest unit area, Contractor shall furnish, install, and maintain all temporary traffic controls that provide the road or trail user with adequate warning of and protection from hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with its operations. Contractor shall prepare a Traffic Control Plan, which the Contractor has determined is compliant with state and local OSHA and Transportation standards no later than the pre-work meeting and prior to commencing operations. Traffic control devices shall be appropriate to current operating and/or weather conditions and shall be covered or removed when not needed., Flagmen and devices shall be as specified in state OSHA and Transportation standards for logging roads or the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways”

(MUTCD) published by the U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration.

Included in the Traffic Control Plan, Contractor shall note traffic control device locations on a Contractor produced copy of the contract Exhibit “A” Map.

5.6 Fungicide Application – Fungicide shall be applied to non-juniper stumps, as prescribed in this section, the stumps of all trees cut in the contract area having a diameter of fourteen (14) inches or larger in the following manner:

a. Each stump shall be treated immediately after cutting.

b. Treatment shall consist of application of fungicide to the sawn face of the stump.

c. The fungicide used shall be provided by the Contractor and approved by the COR/PI. The fungicide presently approved for use is Cellu-Treat made by the NISUS Corporation. The fungicide will contain an herbicide dye to help monitor application compliance. The COR/PI may take samples of the fungicide at anytime to assure compliance.

d. Dumping or cleaning of containers in streams or other bodies of water will not be permitted.

Containers must be removed from the area and disposed of in conformance with Federal and Oregon

State statutes.

e. Fungicide treatment shall be performed at the direction of the COR/PI and to their satisfaction.

5.7 Treatment of Slash – Upon Completion of Cutting and Yarding Operations

a. All logging slash shall be removed to a landing location and piled unless specified by the COR/PI.

b. The Contractor shall cut all sprung or otherwise severely damaged trees between 1 and 6 inches DBH.

c. Purchaser shall remove slash and debris from roadways and landings concurrently with yarding as directed by the Authorized Officer.

5.8 Operations under dry conditions (soil moisture <20%) are allowed (generally May 15-Oct. 15).

Operation outside of dry conditions is allowed when approved by the COR/PI, when one of the following conditions is present:

a. Soil moisture is less than 20%.

b. Snow depth in the cutting unit averages 20 inches or more.

c. The ground is frozen to a depth of 6 inches or more.

5.9 Watering- This work shall consist of watering rocked roads for dust abatement during active haul, or for other uses in accordance with these specifications.

Water, when needed for compaction or laying dust, shall be applied at the locations, in the amounts, and during the hours as directed by the COR. Amounts of water to be provided will be the minimum needed to properly execute the compaction requirements in conformance with these specifications, and for laying dust during work periods.

Water trucks used in this work shall be equipped with a distributing device of ample capacity and of such design as to ensure uniform application of water on the road bed.

Water required under these specifications shall be obtained at a location designated by the

COR Use of the water source is subject to applicable State water regulations.

6.0 SPECIFIC TASKS – MECHANICAL LOGGING ACTIVITIES

6.1 Item 1. Mechanical Cutting – Mixed Conifer

6.1.1 This bid item is typically used to balance the cost of cutting submerch and low value material. It is not applied to primarily larger, merchantable timber.

6.1.2 Cut all trees as designated by the task order. Designation can be by paint, description, or prescription.

See Selection Criteria - See C.5.4.1. In some cases a small area will be marked and cut to ensure that the contractor understands the specifications.

6.1.3 The COR/PI may identify additional individual reserve trees located in irregular clumps or patches.

6.1.4 Cut material (sawlogs, firewood, poles, or biomass) shall be piled to facilitate yarding or burning as specified on the task order. Any yarding of material shall comply with C.6.3 or C.6.4.

6.1.5 Upon completion of cutting and yarding, all slash shall be lopped and scattered to within 12 inches of the ground.

6.2 Item 2 Mechanical Cutting - Juniper

6.2.1 Cut all trees except those designated for retention as identified in the task order.

6.2.2 All live limbs shall be removed from any residual stumps to prevent any new growth from occurring from the stump.

6.2.3 The maximum height of a stump from a cut tree shall be no taller than 6 inches measured from the ground on the uphill side of the stump.

6.3 Items 3-4 , Yarding – One end Suspension

6.3.1 This is ground based, one end suspension, skidding to a landing. All material shall be whole tree yarded or yarded with the tops attached to approved landings. The Contractor shall obtain COR/PI approval of all landing locations and sizes prior to landing construction.

6.3.2 Landing size shall not exceed one quarter acre unless specified by the COR.

6.3.3 Yarding equipment shall be operated only on Government-approved skid roads. The location of the skid roads shall be clearly designated on the ground, spaced at a minimum of approximately 150 foot intervals. Skid trails shall be approved by the COR/PI prior to felling of trees to be yarded over that skid road. Existing skid trails shall be utilized where possible.

6.3.4 Contractor shall obtain written approval from the COR/PI prior to attaching any logging equipment to a reserve tree. Precautions shall be taken to protect the tree from damage.

6.3.5 All merchantable logs will be decked separately from non merchantable material immediately after processing.

6.3.6 Pile all slash located within one hundred (100) feet of landings and designated locations for placement of gross yarded material. Slash shall be piled with a grapple/shovel loader. Finished piles shall be tight and free of earth. No portion of any pile will be located under the crown of any live or other reserve trees. A four (4) foot wide, fuel free area shall be cleared around each pile. Unmerchantable logs at landings sixteen (16) inches in diameter and larger at the small end shall be used to block skid trails.

6.3.7 If directed by the COR/PI, upon completion of landing piling, the Contractor shall prepare the landing piles for burning by securely covering each pile with polyethylene plastic film a minimum of 6 millimeters thick and covering a 10 feet X 20 feet area. Pieces of burnable material shall be placed on top of the plastic to secure it from moving and to prevent it from blowing off during strong wind episodes. The Contractor is required to furnish the covering materials. The timing of this covering work shall be in accordance with instructions from the COR/PI. If the structure of the landing piles will not permit adequate consumption of piled debris by burning, the Contractor shall re-pile them at the direction of the COR/PI.

6.4 Item 5-6, Yarding – Full Suspension

6.4.1 All specifications for one-end suspension apply. See C.6.3

6.4.2 This is ground based, full suspension, skidding to a landing. All material (including limbs and tops) shall be fully suspended until it reaches a landing. This full suspension yarding technique is a rare occurrence and is not anticipated to be frequently used under this contract.

6.5 Item 7, Cutting/Yarding submerch material with merchantable stumpage

6.5.1 This bid item will be applied when the task order requires the cutting and removal of submerchantable material as specified by the task order within an area where merchantable material is being removed under Schedule B items 32-49. These trees shall be felled and yarded concurrently with other trees designated for cutting, unless specified by the COR/PI. The trees shall be whole-tree yarded to a location designated by the COR/PI.

6.5.2 This bid item is meant to compensate for additional costs associated with cutting and removing submerchantable material at the same time as merchantable material.

6.5.3 All relevant specifications in section C.6.1, C.6.2 and C.6.3, C.6.4 apply for this bid item.

6.6 Item 8, Cut/Yard/Process and Leave for Logs

6.6.1 Cut and yard material as described in C.6.1, C.6.2, C.6.3, and C.6.4. This bid item covers the cutting, yarding, processing, and decking of logs to be left at the landing and not hauled away. For this bid item, the operator is not processing and hauling the logs according to minimum contract specs and mill specs, rather the operator is processing the material to Task Order defined specs and then leaving the material in organized decks at the landing. An example could be a unit with unmerchantable salvage material that will be cut/yarded, processed/decked, and left at a landing for later firewood utilization by the public.

6.6.2 Limb bole material at the landing to a 3” minimum top or as specified in Task Order.

6.6.3 Logs must be piled uniformly as close to the roadside as possible, or as directed by the COR/PI, with the large end facing the road. Pile height cannot exceed 10’.

6.6.4 Limb material and boles less than 3” shall be piled separately according to specifications in C.6.3.7.

6.7 Item 9, Cut/Yard/Process and Leave for Biomass

6.7.1 Cut and yard material as described in C.6.1, C.6.2, C.6.3, and C.6.4. This bid item covers the cutting/yarding of material to be left at the landing and not hauled away. An example could be a unit with submerchantle or unmerchantable biomass material that will be cut/yarded/piled and left at a landing for later burning by the BLM.

6.7.2 Material shall be piled, compactly, and separated from all other piles according to specifications in

C.6.3.7.

6.7.3 Piles shall be free of soil and rocks. Piles shall be constructed using a grapple. Using a bladed piece of equipment to move slash is not allowed.

6.8 Item 10, Mechanical Snag Creation – Machine topping.

6.8.1 Selection Criteria – See C.5.3

6.8.2 Trees shall be topped using a capable felling machine (harvester, feller buncher, etc..) at a minimum of fifteen (15’) feet above ground level. No live limbs are required.

6.8.3 Top of all trees shall be severed and removed from the tree. Tops of trees are not reserved and shall be skidded to a landing.

6.9 Item 11, Mechanical Brushing (Mowing, Slashbusting)

6.9.1 This may consist of mowing brush fields, mechanically clearing around previously planted trees or thinning small diameter trees.

6.9.2 Mechanically mow all slash and brush. Brush mowing shall be accomplished with a wheeled or track machine with a powered mowing device. The resulting fuel bed shall be treated such that down woody debris are broken up and lowered to the litter layer without visible air spaces and within 12 inches of the ground. Brush fields as specified on each task order shall be mowed within six inches of the ground.

6.9.3 If the task order calls for mowing brush without thinning conifer trees, the Contractor shall not cause injury or removal of any conifer species existing on the units. This is not a thinning operation, and "leave trees" refers to all conifer species on the site.

6.9.4 If the task order calls for thinning conifer trees, the Contractor shall cut conifer trees based on the spacing and/or trees per acre required in the task order.

6.9.5 Cut brush lodged in leave trees shall be dislodged or removed.

6.9.6 Cut brush shall be lopped, slashed and scattered so that resulting debris are no more than 12 inches deep.

6.9.7 Cut brush falling outside the project area shall be moved completely into the project area. A five foot

"no cut" buffer along improved roads shall be maintained. No buffer shall be maintained along unimproved roads. A ten foot pullback is required along any unimproved roads. Cut brush shall not be left on any roadway for more than ten days.

6.9.8 All roads designated on the project map shall be kept free of cut brush concurrently with brushing.

(Roadside brushing should take place concurrently with unit slashbusting)

6.9.9 Leave islands of brush will be identified by the COR/PI and described either by acres or a percentage of the total acreage.

6.9.10 Contractor shall protect from injury or damage all marked trees that form the boundary of the project areas, and all bearing trees, corner posts and monuments within or adjacent to the project areas as shown on the task order maps.

6.10 Item 12, Mechanical Brush Pulling

6.10.1 This item concerns in-unit brush pulling and piling. Brush shall be removed by mechanically removing the whole plant from the soil. Roots, branches, and leaves shall all be removed to the extent possible.

6.10.2 Brush can be removed by using the following two methods:

A machine equipped with a subsoiling attachment such as a brush rake capable of uprooting the vegetation which can then be pushed into a pile.

A machine capable of grabbing the bole of the vegetation and pulling it out of the ground, then placing it in a pile.

6.10.3 No conifer and deciduous tree species shall be removed or damaged in the course of operations.

6.10.4 Piles shall not exceed 30 feet by 30 feet in dimension unless authorized by the COR/PI.

6.10.5 Slash shall not be piled using a blade. Finished piles shall be tight and free of earth. Dirt and rocks shall not be placed in the piles. Coarse wood shall not be piled.

6.10.6 Piles shall not be located within 20 feet of, or beneath the crown of a live tree unless a different distance is specified by the COR/PI on a specific bid item. A four (4) foot wide, fuel free area shall be cleared around each pile.

6.10.7 Securely cover each pile with polyethylene plastic film a minimum of 6 millimeters thick and covering a 10 feet X 10 feet area. Pieces of burnable material shall be placed on top of the plastic to secure it from moving and to prevent it from blowing off during strong wind episodes. Contractor is required to furnish the covering materials. The timing of this covering work shall be in accordance with instructions from the COR. If the structure of the landing piles will not permit adequate consumption of piled debris by burning, the Contractor shall re-pile them at the direction of the COR.

6.11 Items 13, Mechanical Cut and Pile

6.11.1 This item describes cutting trees and piling them in the unit rather than skidding them to a landing. Cut and pile all trees except those designated for retention as specified in the task order.

6.11.2 Retain all trees meeting the definition of older juniper.

6.11.3 If the trees are not designated for utilization, mechanically pile all cut trees into scattered piles. Piles shall not exceed 50 feet by 50 feet in dimension unless authorized by the COR/PI.

6.11.4 All live limbs shall be removed from any residual stumps to prevent any new growth from occurring from the stump.

6.11.5 The maximum height of a stump from a cut tree shall be no taller than 6 inches measured from the ground

6.11.6 Piles shall not be located within 20 feet of, or beneath the crown of a live tree unless a different distance is specified by the COR/PI on a specific bid item.

6.12 Item 14-15, Blow-Down Tree Removal

6.12.1 Remove and dispose of trees or limbs that have fallen on or directly adjacent to the roadway, and that are impeding traffic, impeding water flow in the ditch line, or impeding the line of sight. Trees or debris of any size that may create safety problems or diminish use of the road system shall be removed.

6.12.2 All materials removed remain the property of the government unless otherwise provided in the contract.

6.12.3 Merchantable logs designated for salvage, shall either be purchased and hauled offsite or be bucked to specified lengths and placed on BLM lands at approved decking areas. Volume of purchased logs will be determined by the BLM.

6.12.4 Limb and cut fallen timber when marked. Limb unmarked materials and cut into lengths as needed for handling.

6.12.5 Logs not meeting utilization standards shall be left outside of the roadway limits unless removal is otherwise required. Position these logs away from trees, positioned so they will not roll and are not on top of one another.

6.12.6 Cut unmarked materials and any remaining trunks from marked materials at the toe of the fill and 2 feet above the top of cut slope.

6.12.7 Do not leave woody debris and slash in ditches, drainage channels, traveled way, shoulders, or turnouts.

Accumulations of debris may be required to be hauled to previously approved waste areas. Scatter materials that are not required to be hauled down slope from the roadbed, and avoid drainage ways or accumulations at the base of conifer trees.

6.12.8 Bid item 13 trees will be marked by the contractor as directed by the COR, or will have already been marked by the government.

6.12.9 Bid item 14 bids will be calculated by the mile rather than each. Fallen trees could be cleared/removed by a piece of equipment traveling down a continuous stretch of road and discarding the trees or limbs that have fallen on or directly adjacent to the roadway, and that are impeding traffic, impeding water flow in the ditch line, or impeding the line of sight. Trees or debris of any size that may create safety problems or diminish use of the road system shall be removed.

6.13 Item 16, Individual Tree Cut and Remove

6.13.1 This item concerns the cutting and removal of individual trees that have been designated by the government for cutting and removal. An example could be individually flagged standing trees that are leaning over a roadway. Cut and remove designated material as specified in C.6.1, C.6.2, C.6.3, C.6.4.

Bid item would be paid per tree and includes the falling of the tree and the removal/hauling of the tree off-site. Contractor would be charged cost of tree volume as per Schedule B.

6.13.2 Blow-down trees may need to be removed from the road in order to provide access. Follow specs for

Item 14-15 in this case.

6.14 Item 17, Individual Tree Cut and Leave

6.14.1 This item concerns the cutting and leaving of individual trees that have been designated by the government for cutting. An example could be individually flagged standing trees that are leaning over a roadway. Cut designated material as specified in C.6.5, C.6.7 and C.7.9, C.7.10. Bid item would be paid per tree and includes the falling of the tree.

6.14.2 If the tree is felled near a road, all tree material will be removed from the road prism. Do not leave woody debris and slash in ditches, drainage channels, traveled way, shoulders, or turnouts. Place and scatter the removed materials down slope from the roadbed, and avoid drainage ways or accumulations at the base of conifer trees.

7.14.3 Blow-down trees may need to be removed from the road in order to provide access. Follow specs for

Item 14-15 in this case.

7.0 SPECIFIC TASKS – ROAD AND ROAD VEGETATION ACTIVITIES

7.1 Item 18, Blading Road Surface and Shoulders

7.1.1 The Contractor shall blade road surface of native or aggregate surfaces to facilitate traffic. Banks shall not be undercut. Back blading with tractors or similar equipment will be allowed only around landings and other areas when approved by the COR/PI. Provide proper drainage. Blading shall be on the road surface and includes shaping the crown or slope of the traveled way, turnouts, berms, shoulders and reshaping water bars and/or drainage dips in accordance with this specification. Water and/or

Compaction are required when shown on the road listing. Road shoulders are a part of this requirement when maintaining native and/or aggregate surfaces. The COR/PI may require surface course material that is graded/placed outside the traveled way to be recovered. See Standard Cross Section drawings in

Section C.

7.1.2 Where trash or debris is on the road surface, remove debris prior to blading so debris is not mixed into potholes or surfacing materials.

7.1.3 Blade and shape the existing traveled way and shoulders, including turnouts, unless otherwise ordered.

7.1.4 Blading shall produce a surface which is uniform, consistent to grade, and crowned or cross-sloped as indicated by the character of the existing surface, to at least 1/4 inch per 1 foot of width, but not more than 3/4 inch per 1 foot of width (2% to 6 %).

7.1.5 Thoroughly loosen surfacing material to no less than 2 inches depth or 1” below the bottom depth of potholes or washboards whichever is greater.

7.1.6 Scarification to facilitate cutting to below the bottom of potholes or corrugations will be considered incidental to blading. Do not scarify deep enough to cause contamination of the surfacing material.

Contaminated material created by the contractor shall be removed by the contractor and replaced with approved material at no additional cost to the government.

7.1.7 When water application is included; apply water during blading when sufficient moisture is not present to prevent segregation of surface materials.

7.1.8 Blading when excessive moisture is on the surface that causes runoff of materials and surface water is prohibited.

7.1.9 Shape existing native rock or aggregate surfaced drainage dips to divert surface runoff to existing outlet devices, ditches, and discharge location.

7.1.10 Establish a blading pattern, which provides a uniform driving surface, retains the surfacing on the roadbed, and provides a thorough mixing of the materials within the completed surface width. Remove any oversized material (greater than the largest surfacing material dimension) from the road surface or shoulders and place outside the roadbed. Oversized material may be scattered off the roadbed if there is free drainage and material does not contain road grade rock. If oversized material does not meet the above criteria to be left, the oversized material must be removed and transported to an approved waste area.

Shape and compact the traveled way and shoulders using one of the following methods:

Method A – Compact the aggregate by operating spreading and hauling equipment over the full width of each layer of aggregate.

Method B – Moisten or dry the aggregate to uniform moisture content suitable for compaction.

Operate rollers over the full width of each layer until visual displacement ceases, making no fewer than three complete passes. (A pass is defined as a single complete coverage of the surface).

Method C – Ensure that materials produced by pit-run and grid rolling are visually moist and compacted using operating compaction equipment over the full width of each layer until visual displacement ceases.

7.1.11 Roads will be measured on centerline miles to the…