B08_SOW_Bedell_Flat_Road_Side.pdf

BEDELL FLAT ROADSIDE FUELS TREATMENT

STATEMENT OF WORK

PURPOSE

The purpose of this task order is to secure the service of mechanical mastication/mowing on 200 acres of grass and shrubs within two designated treatment units for the purpose of hazard fuels reduction. The project will modify the structure, amount and continuity of flammable vegetation within the treatment area in order to reduce fire intensity.

LOCATION

Project is located north of Reno, Washoe County, Nevada, along the Bedell Flat RD (Vicinity Map).

PROJECT AREA DESCRIPTION

The project area consists of two zones on 200 acres of BLM administered public lands along maintained dirt roads. The first zone is a retreatment of grass and short brush; the second zone is a mowing/mastication of brush.

Vegetation in the area is typical of the western Great Basin and consists of a diverse mix of sagebrush, bitter brush, grasses and forbs, Slope is less than 20 percent. Percent cover of material to be treated is estimated to be less than 50 percent total cover.

Trash and other roadside debris may be present in the units.

The area receives moderate public use and aesthetics following treatment are important.

ACCESS

The nearest full support communities to the project are Reno and Sparks, NV. Average travel time from both communities to the project site is approximately 45 minutes. Access to the project site is on a periodically graded dirt road. The dirt roads in the area become muddy with moisture, and access may be difficult or impossible following rain or snow storms. The Government does not assume obligation to plow snow or conduct special maintenance to keep roads open and maintained.

The project can be accessed for different ways, but the main access routes are HWY395 N to Red Rock RD, to Birdsprings Rd that will access the project area from the West, or Pyramid HWY to Winnemucca Ranch RD from the South.

BOUNDRIES

The Government will provide digital files of the treatment unit boundaries to the contractor.

Unit boundaries will not be physically marked with flagging; the contractor will use a digital device to follow the unit boundaries provided. Any areas within the treatment units to be excluded from treatment will be delineated on treatment maps. Any flagging hung by the Contractor will be pulled and properly disposed of before the project is considered complete.

SCHEDULE/PROGRESS OF WORK

Period of performance is September 15, 2026, to February 28, 2027. Prior to start of and during the period of the contract, the Government may specify priority areas to be treated. The Contractor will maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion within the contract time.

At the pre-work conference, the Contractor will provide a work schedule which must be acceptable to the Government.

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT

1. Minimum of 110 horsepower.

2. Be rubber tired or rubber tracked.

3. Be equipped with a horizontal rotor mastication head or mowing deck capable of performing the work described in the treatment specifications.

4. Be free of fluid leaks and have hoses in good operating condition.

TREATMENT SPECIFICATIONS

General - The Contractor is expected to thin brush and grass through mechanical mastication or mowing on both sides of a road. The goal is to reduce the amount, density, and height of vegetation adjacent to the road in order to reduce potential fire intensity and flame length in the event of a wildfire.

Rocky or steep areas should be discussed with the COR and may be excluded if they cannot be treated safely. Small untreated islands where rocks or slope prevent treatment are acceptable.

Mastication heads will be directed away from roads as much as possible to minimize the placing of debris on roads.

Zones- This project area consists of two zones. The first 40 feet on both sides of the road was treated in 2000 and had a 100% fuels reduction; this unit will be retreated to mow all vegetation down to a height of approximately 1 foot to limit the exposure of bare soil. The second zone will be an additional 100 feet off of the initial 40 feet to mow or masticate 50% of the brush down to a height of approximately 1 foot.

Zone 1: The Initial Buffer (0 to 40 feet)

• Location: The first 40 feet directly adjacent to the road (on both sides).

• History: This is a re-treatment area that originally had 100% of its vegetation treated in the year 2000.

• Action Required: Retreat and mow the vegetation.

• Spec: 100% clearing/mowing down to approximately 1 foot (maintained to prevent exposing bare soil and causing erosion).

Zone 2: The Extended Buffer (40 to 140 feet)

• Location: Starts at the 40-foot mark and extends an additional 100 feet outward (on both sides), reaching a total distance of 140 feet from the road.

• Action Required: Thin and mow down the brush.

• Spec: 50% reduction in brush mowed down to approximately 1 foot (managed to avoid soil disturbance).

Summary Cross-Section (One Side of the Road)

Distance from Road Zone Type Spec

0 – 40 ft Zone 1 (Re-treatment) 100% removal / mowed to approx. 1 foot

40 – 140 ft Zone 2 (Extension) 50% brush reduction / mowed to approx. 1 foot

PUBLIC SAFETY

The contractor will provide and maintain a minimum of two warning signs that state something like “warning equipment working” and/or “warning flying debris”, that will be placed along the primary road on either side of operations.

FIRE PREVENTION/SUPPRESSION

Vegetation occurring on the Carson City District is highly flammable and consists of a diverse mix of pinyon, juniper, sagebrush, grasses and forbs. The risk of wildfire is year-round. Be extra careful when working on or around the dry grass. Check under vehicles when parking off road. Plan any activity that could cause a spark, in the morning, when the relative humidity is up, and the temperatures are cooler (grinding or welding). When clearing land, work from the outside edge to the center of the project site. Under dry and windy weather conditions the potential for a fire start is high.

The Contractor will (1) equip all diesel and/or gasoline operated engines with spark arresters that meet Forest Service standards set forth in the National Coordinating Group publication for Multiposition Small Engines, #430-4 (spark arresters are not required on equipment powered by exhaust driven turbo charged engines), (2) equip all machines powered by an internal combustion engine with at least one 10 lb. ABC rated fire extinguisher (minimum) or equivalent,

(3) remove all concentrations of wood dust and debris from the equipment daily, (4) have one 10

lb. ABC rated fire extinguisher, one shovel, and five gallons water readily available adjacent to grinding/welding operations.

The Contractor will, independently and in cooperation with the Government, take all reasonable action to prevent and suppress fires on the project. Independent initial action will be prompt and will include the use of all personnel and equipment available in the project area.

Emergency Reporting Requirements:

911 (initial call for all emergencies)

Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center: 775-883-5995

Information needed in reporting a wildland fire would include: Location: Geographical reference and if possible, Latitude/longitude coordinates. Description on what the fire is doing size, spread, color of smoke, etc.

The Government may require emergency measures, including the necessary shutting down of equipment or portions of operations during periods of high fire danger.

Wildfire Suppression Costs:

Under Title 43 CFR 9212 the holder of this permit may be held liable for any and all costs should a wildland fire occur caused by the activities associated with the construction, maintenance, or operation of this project. Fire trespass action might be initiated, and wildfire suppression costs may be collected from the holder of this permit.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

Soil Stability/Water Quality Protection - Contractor will cease operation when soil moisture levels result in significant soil compaction and/or rutting. Contractor's activities shall be executed in a manner which avoid sensitive riparian areas, wetlands, and drainages. Any rutting of the soil will be returned to the natural contour as part of the work process.

Weed Control - Contractor shall insure all equipment moved onto public land is free of soil, seeds, and vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Contractor shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure compliance and shall notify the Government prior to moving each piece of equipment onto public land. Notification will include identifying the location of the equipment’s most recent operations.

Cultural Resource Protection - Locations of known historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture, such as settler or Indian artifacts that need to be avoided by the Contractor will be identified on the ground by the Government. Discovery of such areas by either party during Contractor’s operations shall be promptly reported to the other party and operations will be suspended at that location until the significance or potential significance of the resource is determined.

Other Resource Protection Measures - Other resource protection measures may be imposed, as needed, by the COR based on project location, resources sensitivity and site conditions.