C. NRCSSpecPackageValleyView.pdf

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Valleyview Farm - Learned

Town of North Stonington – New London County Environmental Quality Incentive Program

Package Includes:

NRCS Construction Plan NRCS Specifications

-Material Specifications -Construction Specifications

Technical assistance provided by the Natural Resource Conservation Service

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Table of Contents

Construction Inspection Plan

Construction Specifications 2 – Clearing and Grubbing*

Construction Specification 6 - Seeding, Sprigging, and Mulching*

Construction Specifications 5 – Pollution Control*

Construction Specification 8 – Mobilization and Demobilization*

Construction Specification 21 - Excavation* Construction Specification 23 - Earthfill*

Construction Specification 27 - Topsoiling*

Construction Specification 32 – Concrete Structure*

Construction Specification 34 – Steel Reinforcement*

Construction Specification 45 – Plastic Pipe*

Construction Specification 83 – Timber Fabrication and Installation*

Construction Specification 61 - Rock Riprap*

Construction Specification 95 - Geotextile*

Material Specification 521 – Aggregates for Drainfill and Filters*

Material Specification 522 - Aggregates for Portland Cement Concrete*

Material Specification 523 – Rock Riprap*

Material Specification 531 – Portland Cement Concrete*

Material Specification 533 – Chemical Admixtures for Concrete*

Material Specification 534 - Concrete Curing Compound*

Material Specification 539 – Steel Reinforcement (for concrete)*

Material Specification 547 – Plastic Pipe*

Material Specification 548 – Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe*

Material Specification 582 – Galvanizing*

Material Specification 584 - Structural Timber and Lumber*

Material Specification 585 - Wood Preservatives and Treatment*

Material Specification 592— Geotextile*

*Construction and Material Specifications are referenced from the Natural Resource Conservation Service

(NRCS) National Engineering Handbook (NEH), PART 642, “Specifications for Construction Contracts”.

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Construction Inspection Plan

Purpose:

The purpose of this Construction Inspection Plan is to ensure that the customer receives a quality product that will meet NRCS Standards. In order to ensure the construction of the structure is completed according to the designs, the client must be involved in the construction process and interact closely with NRCS personnel.

1) Customer Responsibilities:

a) The customer will familiarize themselves with the design to ensure they understand what is to be completed within the scope of the project.

b) At certain points during the project the customer will call the NRCS indicated on the Key Steps List below. The NRCS will be notified within the number of days or hours indicated below to allow for inspection on the integral parts of the construction.

c) Should the customer have questions or concerns about the design or the construction of the project they will immediately notify the NRCS. This includes problems that arise during construction that are not on the Key Steps List.

d) If during construction, bones, artifacts, or other cultural resources are uncovered, construction must be halted immediately and the NRCS contacted.

2) The NRCS Responsibilities:

a) The NRCS engineer will ensure someone onsite during all key steps of construction.

b) Should problems be encountered during construction the NRCS engineer will respond to questions within 24 hours. If a site visit is required to solve the issue, the NRCS engineer or his designated representative will be on site within 24 hours barring scheduling conflicts.

c) The NRCS engineer or his designated representative will complete a final inspection prior to the contractor leaving the site.

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3) Contractor’s Responsibilities:

a) The contractor will familiarize themselves with the design to ensure they understand what is to be completed within the scope of the project.

b) At certain points during the project the contractor will call the NRCS or will request that the customer call the NRCS as indicated on the Key Steps List below.

c) Should the contractor have questions or concerns about the design or the construction of the project they will immediately notify the customer.

d) If during construction, bones, artifacts, or other cultural resources are uncovered, construction must be halted immediately and the NRCS contacted.

Key Steps List

NRCS Inspector – Chris Dodge (860)412-5261- Cell 860-428 - 6365

Office hours: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm M-F

Step Notification Time Line Completed

1) Preconstruction meeting with

NRCS, customer, and contractor

Agreed upon time before construction

2) Layout and staking 48 hrs. prior to contractor planned start

3) Site preparation Upon completion __________

4) Excavation Upon completion __________

5) Earthfill 48 hrs. prior to installation if in person inspection is required

6) Installation of Structure 48 hrs. prior to start __________

7) Placement of Reinforcement bars 48 hrs. prior to each pour __________

8) Concrete Placement 48 hrs. prior to each pour __________

9) Installation of drain fill and footer drains

48 hrs. prior to installation __________

10) Finish grading, seeding and site cleanup

Upon completion __________

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Title 210 – National Engineering Handbook

(210-642-H, 2nd Ed., Feb 2022) 521-1

Part 642 – Specifications

Chapter 3 – National Standard Material Specifications

Material Specification 521—Aggregates for Drainfill and Filters

A. Scope

This specification covers the quality of mineral aggregates for the construction of drainfill and filters.

B. Quality

(1) Drainfill and filter aggregates shall be sand, gravel, or crushed stone or mixtures thereof.

Aggregates shall be composed of clean, hard, durable, mineral particles free from organic matter, clay balls, soft particles, or other substances that would interfere with the free-draining properties of the aggregates.

(2) Coarse aggregate may be crushed limestone or other material that has limestone particles included. Aggregates from crushed limestone shall be thoroughly washed and screened to remove limestone dust, limestone fines, and fine soil particles. Limestone shall not be used for fine aggregates except in combination with other material, such that not more than 5 percent of the portion finer than the No. 4 sieve shall be limestone.

(3) Aggregates shall be tested for soundness according to ASTM C88 and shall have a weighted average loss in 5 cycles of not more than 12 percent when sodium sulfate is used or 18 percent when magnesium sulfate is used.

C. Grading

Drainfill and filter aggregates shall conform to the specified grading limits after being placed or after being compacted when compaction is specified. Grading shall be determined by ASTM C136. The percentage of material finer than the No. 200 sieve shall be determined by the method in ASTM C117.

D. Storing and Handling

Drainfill and filter aggregates shall be stored and handled by methods that prevent segregation of particle sizes or contamination by mixing with other material.

210 H 642 CS 2 (June 2024) 1

Construction Specification 2 — Clearing and Grubbing Title 210 – Engineering Part 642 – Specifications for Construction Contracts Subpart B – National Construction Specifications June 2024

A. Scope

1. The work consists of clearing and grubbing and disposal of trees, snags, logs, brush, stumps, shrubs, and rubbish from the designated areas.

B. Protection of Existing Vegetation

1. Protect trees and other vegetation designated to remain undisturbed from damage throughout the duration of the construction period. Any damages resulting from the contractor’s operations or neglect must be repaired by the contractor.

2. Earthfill, stockpiling of materials, vehicular parking, and excessive foot or vehicular traffic must not be allowed within the drip line of vegetation designated to remain in place. Vegetation damaged by any of these or similar actions must be replaced with viable vegetation of the same species, similar condition, and like size unless otherwise approved by the contracting officer.

3. Any cuts, skins, scrapes, or bruises to the bark of the vegetation must be carefully trimmed, and local nursery-accepted procedures must be used to seal damaged bark.

4. Any limbs or branches 0.5 inch or larger in diameter that are broken, severed, or otherwise seriously damaged during construction must be cut off at the base of the damaged limb or branch, flush with the adjacent limb or tree trunk. All roots 1 inch or larger in diameter that are cut, broken, or otherwise severed during construction operations must have the ends smoothly cut perpendicular to the root. Roots exposed during excavation or other operations must be covered with moist earth or backfilled as soon as possible to prevent the roots from drying out.

C. Marking

1. The limits of the areas to be cleared and grubbed will be marked by stakes, flags, tree markings, or other suitable methods. Trees to be left standing and uninjured will be designated by special markings placed on the trunk about 6 feet above the ground surface.

D. Clearing and Grubbing

1. Clear all trees not marked for preservation and all snags, logs, brush, stumps, shrubs, rubbish, and similar materials from within the limits of the designated areas. Unless otherwise specified, all stumps, roots, and root clusters that have a diameter of 1 inch or larger must be grubbed out to a depth of at least 2 feet below

210 H 642 CS 2 (June 2024) 2 the subgrade for concrete structures and 1 foot below the ground surface at embankment sites and other designated areas.

E. Disposal

1. Dispose of all materials cleared and grubbed from the designated areas at locations shown on the drawings or in a manner specified in Section G. The contractor is responsible for complying with all local rules and regulations and the payment of any fees that may result from disposal at locations away from the project site.

F. Measurement and Payment

1. Method 1.

a. For items of work for which specific unit prices are established in the contract, the cleared and grubbed area is measured to the nearest 0.1 acre. Payment for clearing and grubbing is made for the total area within the designated limits at the contract unit price. Such payment will constitute full compensation for all labor, equipment, tools, and other items necessary and incidental to the completion of the work.

2. Method 2.

a. For items of work for which specific unit prices are established in the contract, the length of the cleared and grubbed area is measured to the nearest full station (100 feet) along the line designated on the drawing or identified in the specifications. Payment for clearing and grubbing is made for the total length within the designated limits at the contract unit price. Such payment will constitute full compensation for all labor, equipment, tools, and other items necessary and incidental to the completion of the work.

3. Method 3.

a. For items of work for which specific unit prices are established in the contract, each tree, stump, and snag having a diameter of 4 inches or larger and each log having a diameter of 4 inches or larger and a length of 10 feet are measured before removal. The size of each tree and snag is determined by measuring its trunk at breast height above the natural ground surface. The size of each log is determined by measuring the butt and measuring its length from butt to tip. The size of each stump is measured at the top. Diameter is determined by dividing the measured circumference by 3.14.

b. Payment for clearing and grubbing each tree, stump, and snag having a diameter of 4 inches or larger and each log having a diameter of 4 inches or larger and a length of 10 feet or larger is made at the contract unit price for its size designation as determined by figure 2-1.

210 H 642 CS 2 (June 2024) 3

Figure 2-1 Size Designation for Tree Removal Measured Diameter

(in) Size Designation

(in) 4 to 8 6

8 to 12 10 12 to 24 18 24 to 36 30 36 to 60 48 Over 60 60

c. The sum of such payments constitutes full compensation for clearing and grubbing (including the clearing and grubbing of smaller trees, stumps, snags, logs, brush, shrubs, and roots), applicable permits and associated fees, and rubbish removal. Such payment constitutes full compensation for all labor, equipment, tools, and other items necessary and incidental to the completion of the work.

4. Method 4. For items of work for which specific lump-sum prices are established in the contract, payment for clearing and grubbing is made at the contract lump-sum price. Such payment constitutes full compensation for all labor, equipment, tools, and other items necessary and incidental to the completion of the work

5. All Methods. The following provisions apply to all methods of measurement and payment. Compensation for any item of work described in the contract but not listed in the bid schedule will be included in the payment for the item of work to which it is made subsidiary. Such items and the items to which they are made subsidiary are identified in Section G.

G. Items of Work and Construction Details

210 H 642 CS 2 (June 2024) 4

Appendix A Instructions for Use

CS 2 — Clearing and Grubbing A. Applicability

1. Construction Specification 2 is applicable to the clearing and grubbing of woody vegetation and the removal of trash and rubbish at construction sites.

B. Material Specifications

1. No material specifications complement Construction Specification 2.

C. Included Items

1. Items to be included in contract specifications and drawings are as follows:

a. When the areas to be cleared and grubbed, including areas of rubbish removal, is definable on the project layout map or other construction plan view, the limits must be shown and clearly defined.

b. When the areas to be cleared and grubbed is not definable on the drawings (which may occur for many channel improvement projects), the extent of clearing and grubbing required must be described by notes and by designation of right-of-way boundaries and station limits.

c. When replacement plants are required because of damage caused by the contractor, the specific size, number, and species need to be specified in Section G. Example: “Any tree removed that was designated to remain or is irreparably damaged shall be replaced with two 15-gallon valley oak (Quercus lobata) as directed by the contracting officer.”

d. When the measurement and payment are identified to be in accordance with method 2 in Section F, the survey lines along which the cleared and grubbed areas length is to be measured must be designated. The lateral extent and station reaches of the areas to be cleared and grubbed must be clearly defined.

e. Areas in which disposal of refuse or waste material is not allowed or areas where disposal is restricted must be clearly defined or shown on the drawings.

f. Special requirements for grubbing depth, if required.

g. Required depth of earth cover over buried materials, if applicable.

h. Required surface grading over buried materials, if applicable. Existing natural flow patterns onto the construction site or from the site onto other properties must be a consideration in the final grading.

i. Restrictions on the use of explosives, if any.

j. Restrictions on the burning of combustible materials as a disposal procedure, if any.

k. Special requirements for control of erosion, water pollution, and air pollution, if applicable. Requirements for this specification must be compatible with all requirements outlined in Construction Specification 5, Pollution Control, when included as part of the contract.

l. Methods of measurement and payment if the standard specification includes more than one method.

210 H 642 CS 2 (June 2024) 5

D. Methods

1. Section F, Measurement and Payment

a. Method 1. Intended for use when the areas to be cleared and grubbed is extensive and can be defined in units of area on the ground and on the drawings. Section F should specify horizontal or surface measurements to be used to determine area cleared and grubbed. A reservoir area is a typical example of this type of site.

b. Method 2. Intended for use when the areas to be cleared and grubbed is long and narrow. Section F should specify horizontal or surface measurements to be used to determine length of clearing and grubbing. A channel right-of-way is a typical example of this type of site.

c. Method 3. Intended for use when the areas to be cleared and grubbed is extensive, but the vegetation consists mainly of scattered trees, stumps, or snags that can be measured individually.

d. Method 4. Intended for use when the areas to be cleared and grubbed cannot be measured practically and when it is reasonable to expect that variations in the estimated quantity of work to be performed will not occur after the contract is awarded. For method 4, the procedures that will be used to determine the amount of work satisfactorily completed for progress payment must be identified in Section G. Options may include:

(1) An onsite agreed-to estimate of the percent of work satisfactorily completed at time of cutoff.

(2) Requiring the contractor to provide measurements of all areas and identify those that have been satisfactorily cleared and grubbed and use a percentage of the total bid item.

(3) Other suitable and fair methods, one of which could be related to construction schedule.

(4) When all but one method is deleted for use in a contract specification, delete from the last paragraph, “All Methods. The following provisions apply to all methods of measurement and payment.” Left-justify the remaining text.

E. Items of Work and Construction Details

1. Prepare and outline job-specific Section G, Items of Work and Construction

Details, in accordance with these instructions.

210 H 642 CS 5 (June 2024) 1

Construction Specification 5 — Pollution Control

Part 642 – Specifications for Construction Contracts

1. The work consists of installing measures or performing work to control erosion and minimize the production of sediment and other pollutants to water and air from construction activities.

2. The following BioPreferred® product categories are applicable to this specification:

a. Mulch and compost materials

b. Erosion control materials

c. Fertilizers

d. Dust suppressants

e. Agricultural spray adjuvants

B. Material

1. Silt fence conform to the requirement of Materials Specification 592, Geotextile.

All other material furnished meet the requirements of the material specifications listed in Section G of this specification.

2. Erosion and Sediment Control Measures and Works. The measures and works includes, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Staging of Earthwork Activities. Scheduling the excavation and moving of soil materials to minimize the size of areas disturbed and unprotected from erosion for the shortest reasonable time.

b. Seeding. Seeding to protect disturbed areas occur as soon as reasonably possible following completion of that earthwork activity.

c. Mulching. Mulching to provide temporary protection of the soil surface from erosion.

d. Diversions. Diversions to divert water from work areas and to collect water from work areas for treatment and safe disposition. These are temporary and must be removed and the area restored to its near-original condition when the diversions are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

e. Stream Crossings. Culverts or bridges where equipment must cross streams.

These are temporary must and be removed and the area restored to its near-original condition when the crossings are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

f. Sediment Basins. Sediment basins for collecting, settling, and eliminating sediment from eroding areas that impact properties and streams below the

210 H 642 CS 5 (June 2024) 2 construction sites. These basins are temporary and must be removed and the area restored to its original condition when they are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

g. Sediment Filters. Straw bale filters or geotextile sediment fences for trapping sediment from areas with limited runoff. Sediment filters must be properly anchored to prevent erosion under or around them. Silt fences must be installed and maintained in accordance with ASTM D6462. These filters are temporary and must be removed and the area restored to its original condition when they are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

h. Waterways. Waterways for the safe disposal of runoff from fields, diversions, and other structures or measures. These works are temporary and must be removed and the area restored to its original condition when they are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

i. Other. Additional protection measures as specified in Section G of this specification or required by the federal, state, or local government.

C. Chemical Pollution

1. The contractor must provide watertight tanks or barrels or construct a sump sealed with plastic sheets to collect and temporarily contain chemical pollutants, such as drained lubricating or transmission fluids, grease, soaps, concrete mixer wash water, or asphalt, produced as a by-product from the construction activities.

Dispose of pollutants in accordance with appropriate state and federal regulations.

At the completion of the construction work, remove tanks, barrels, and sumps and restore the area to its original condition as specified in Section H of this specification. Sump removal must be conducted without causing pollution.

2. Sanitary facilities, such as chemical toilets, and septic tanks must not be located next to live streams, wells, or springs. They must be located at a distance sufficient to prevent contamination of any water source. At the completion of construction activities, facilities must be disposed of without causing pollution as specified in Section H of this specification.

D. Air Pollution

1. The burning of brush or slash and the disposal of other materials must adhere to state and local regulations.

2. Fire prevention measures must be taken to prevent the start or spreading of wildfires that may result from project activities. Firebreaks or guards must be constructed and maintained at locations shown on the drawings.

3. All public access or haul roads used by the contractor during construction of the project must be sprinkled or otherwise treated to fully suppress dust. All dust control methods must ensure safe construction operations at all times. If chemical dust suppressants are applied, the material must be a commercially available product specifically designed for dust suppression, and the application must follow the manufacturer’s requirements and recommendations. A copy of the product data sheet and manufacturer’s recommended application procedures must be provided to the engineer 5 working days before the first application.

210 H 642 CS 5 (June 2024) 3

E. Maintenance, Removal, and Restoration

1. All pollution-control measures and temporary works must be adequately maintained in a functional condition for the duration of the construction period.

Remove all temporary measures and restore the site to near-original condition.

F. Measurement and Payment

1. Method 1. For items of work for which specific unit prices are established in the contract, each item is measured to the nearest unit applicable. Payment for each item is made at the contract unit price for that item. For water or chemical suppressant items used for dust control for which items of work are established in Section H of this specification, measurement for payment will not include water or chemical suppressants that are used inappropriately or excessively. Such payment will constitute full compensation for the completion of the work.

2. Method 2. For items of work for which lump-sum prices are established in the contract, payment is made as the work proceeds and is supported by invoices presented by the contractor that reflect actual costs. If the total of all progress payments is less than the lump-sum contract price for this item, the balance remaining for this item will be included in the final contract payment. Payment of the lump-sum contract price will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

3. Method 3. For items of work for which lump-sum prices are established in the contract, payment will be prorated and provided in equal amounts on each monthly progress payment estimate. The number of months used for prorating must be the number estimated to complete the work as outlined in the contractor’s approved construction schedule. The final month’s prorate amount will be provided with the final contract payment. Payment as described will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

4. All Methods. The following provisions apply to all methods of measurement and payment. Compensation for any item of work described in the contract but not listed in the bid schedule is included in the payment for the item of work to which it is made subsidiary. Such items, and the items to which they are made subsidiary, are identified in Section H of this specification.

210 H 642 CS 5 (June 2024) 4

Instructions for Use

Construction Specification 5 — Pollution Control

A. Applicability

1. This specification is applicable to the control or reduction of pollution from all construction activities.

B. Material Specifications

1. Material specification 592 complements Construction Specification 5. Any material specifications required are specified in Section H of this specification.

C. Included Items

1. Items to be included in contract specifications and drawings are as follows:

a. The area to be controlled and the limits to be treated. These are shown on the drawings, described in the construction specifications, or both.

b. If areas to be treated are not easily definable on the site map, such as some channel projects, fully describe the extent of treatment by notes, designated by stations, or right-of-way limits.

c. Restrictions or special requirements limiting the selection of best management practices for control or treatment.

d. Special requirements designating the sequence of construction operations.

These requirements might require temporary or prolonged shutdown of some or all construction operations.

e. Alternate methods of control, if applicable.

f. Any restrictions on amount of area disturbed before treatment is started.

g. Any restriction on timing of installation, operation, or removal of any of the controls or treatments. Stabilization and structural practices, such as diversions, stream crossings, sediment basins, sediment filters, and waterways, are typically specified as temporary and to be removed. If any of these practices are to remain in place, specify in Section H, along with any maintenance or changes required before final acceptance.

h. Special pollution-control requirements, such as sectional excavation or placement of materials, burying operations, waste area reclamation, blasting, clearing, dredging, or other unique construction procedures or operations.

i. Water and chemicals for dust control, covered in Section E. Payment for water for dust control may be included as an item of work under this specification or Construction Specification 10, Water for Construction. The intent is to be covered in Section H of this specification.

j. Any other special requirements pertaining to this specification, including reference to applicable state and local laws and regulations.

k. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) requirements.

Environmental Protection Agency or state requirements must be followed as applicable.

l. Method of measurement and payment.

210 H 642 CS 5 (June 2024) 5

D. Construction Methods to be Applied in Contracts to Control Pollution

1. The following list does not include all possible erosion and pollution-control methods. All personnel concerned with planning, design, and construction should study the site carefully and specify needed practices required to control erosion, sediment, and air pollution. Pollution-control specifications are to be coordinated with the SWPPP requirements developed to meet the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System program.

a. Structures

(1) Limit clearing and grubbing before actual need. Protect vegetation where possible.

(2) Install terraces, diversions, or level spreaders, including stable outlets:

(a) Above and below borrow areas

(b) Above earth emergency spillways

(c) Above storage areas

(3) Control access and haul roads.

(a) Contour roads and grade surfaces away from slopes and toward controlled outlets.

(b) Dust control with water or chemicals.

(c) Erosion control by installing turnouts and culverts and by stabilizing road ditches.

(d) Vegetate disturbed areas.

(e) Surface roughening or pitting.

(4) Shape and control borrow areas. Reduce area and duration of exposed areas.

(5) Install debris basins, brush dams, straw bale barriers, and geotextile fences.

(6) Locate, shape, size, and protect bypass channel.

(a) Use coffer dams.

(b) Pump extra water across construction area.

(7) Sectional construction.

(8) Timely install all structural and stabilization practices.

(9) Control work sequence.

(10) Complete as you go.

(11) Schedule winter or seasonal shutdowns to minimize pollution-control problems.

(12) Use good housekeeping practices, to prevent water or air pollution at the work site at all times.

(13) Seed for temporary or permanent protection. Provide topsoil as appropriate.

(14) Prevent wildfires. Burn only per regulations.

(15) Prevent pollution by chemicals and lubricants.

(16) Mulch unprotected areas.

b. Channels

(1) Preserve natural vegetation where possible. Remove blocks if possible.

210 H 642 CS 5 (June 2024) 6

(2) Leave old channel to function as long as possible. Perform new channel excavation as an initial construction activity.

(3) Where possible, do not open new channel to flows until vegetation is established. Sequence work.

(4) Seed or sod slopes immediately after construction. Provide topsoil as necessary.

(5) Mulch or mat slopes immediately after disturbance.

(6) Spray mulch, seed, fertilizer, and asphalt or polyvinyl resin.

(7) Begin excavation downstream and work upstream.

(8) Use temporary grade control structures.

(9) Limit clearing, clearing and grubbing, and snagging.

(10) Limit disturbance of channel banks to one side. Delay and complete other side after the initial side is vegetated.

(11) Perform channel construction in segments, completing each segment before starting the next.

(12) Control storm water inlets into channel.

(13) Install pipe inlets, grade control structures, and other such structures at the time of construction.

(14) Install sediment traps in channel and provide for their cleanout and maintenance.

E. Methods

1. Section F, Measurement and Payment

a. Method 1. Provides measurement and payment by the unit of work performed. Clarify the use of water and chemical suppressants inappropriately and excessively in Section G.

b. Method 2. Provides for payment on the lump-sum basis with progress payments determined from invoices provided by the contractor.

c. Method 3. Provides for payment on the lump-sum basis with measurement on a prorated and equal basis for each monthly payment.

d. When specifications are prepared using electronic procedures and all methods but one are deleted for use in the contract specification, delete from the last paragraph, “All Methods. The following provisions apply to all methods of measurement and payment.” Left-justify the remaining text.

F. Items of Work and Construction Details

1. Prepare and outline job-specific Items of Work and Construction Details in accordance with these instructions

210 H 642 CS 6 (June 2024) 1

Construction Specification 6 — Seeding, Sprigging, and Mulching

Title 210 - Engineering Part 642 – Specifications for Construction Contracts

1. The work consists of preparing the area for treatment; furnishing and placing seed, sprigs, mulch, fertilizer, inoculant, lime, and other soil amendments; and anchoring mulch in designated areas as specified.

2. The following BioPreferred® product categories are applicable to this specification:

a. Mulch and compost materials

b. Erosion control materials

c. Fertilizers

d. Agricultural spray adjuvants

B. Material

1. Seed.

a. All seed must conform to the current rules and regulations of the state where it is being used and must be from the latest crop available. It must meet or exceed the standard for purity and germination listed in Section G.

b. Seed must be labeled in accordance with the state laws and the U.S.

Department of Agriculture rules and regulations under the Federal Seed Act in effect on the date of invitations for bids. Bag tag figures are evidence of purity and germination. No seed will be accepted with a test date of more than 9 months before the delivery date to the site.

c. Seed that has become wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged in transit or storage will not be accepted. The percent of noxious weed seed allowable must be as defined in the current state laws relating to agricultural seeds. Each type of seed must be delivered in separate sealed containers and fully tagged unless an exception is granted in writing by the contracting officer.

2. Fertilizer. Unless otherwise specified, the fertilizer must be a commercial-grade fertilizer. It must meet the standard for grade and quality specified by state law.

Where fertilizer is furnished from bulk storage, the contractor must furnish a supplier’s certification of analysis and weight. When required by the contract, a representative sample of the fertilizer must be furnished to the contracting officer for chemical analysis.

210 H 642 CS 6 (June 2024) 2

3. Inoculants. The inoculant for treating legume seeds must be a pure culture of nitrogen-fixing bacteria prepared specifically for the species and must not be used later than the date indicated on the container or as otherwise specified. A mixing medium, as recommended by the manufacturer, must be used to bond the inoculant to the seed. Two times the amount of the inoculant recommended by the manufacturer must be used (unless seed is applied using a hydraulic seeder; then four times the amount must be used). Seed must be sown within 24 hours of treatment and must not remain in the hydraulic seeder longer than 4 hours.

4. Lime and Other Soil Amendments. Lime must consist of standard ground agriculture limestone or approved equivalent. Standard ground agriculture limestone is defined as ground limestone meeting current requirements of the state’s Department of Agriculture. Other soil amendments must meet quality criteria and application requirements specified in Section G.

5. Mulch Tackifiers. Asphalt emulsion tackifiers must conform to the requirements of ASTM D977, Specification for Emulsified Asphalt. The emulsified asphalt may be rapid setting, medium setting, or slow setting. Non-asphaltic tackifiers required because of environmental considerations must be as specified in Section G.

6. Straw Mulch Material. Straw mulch must consist of wheat, barley, oat or rye straw, hay, grass cut from native grasses, or other plants as specified in Section G.

The mulch material must be air-dried reasonably light in color and must not be musty, moldy, caked, or otherwise of low quality. The use of mulch that contains noxious weeds is not permitted. The contractor must provide a method satisfactory to the contracting officer for determining weight of mulch furnished.

7. Other Mulch Materials. Mulching materials, such as wood cellulose fiber mulch, mulch tackifiers, synthetic fiber mulch, netting, and mesh may be required for specialized locations and conditions. These materials, when specified, must be accompanied by the manufacturer’s recommendations for methods of application.

C. Seeding Mixtures, Sod, Sprigs, and Dates of Planting

1. The application rate per acre for seed mixtures, sprigs, or sod and the date of seeding or planting must be as shown on the plans or as specified in Section G.

D. Seedbed Preparation and Treatment

1. Dress areas to be treated to a smooth, firm surface. On sites where equipment can operate on slopes safely, adequately loosen and smooth the seedbed (4 to 6 inches deep). Depending on soil and moisture conditions, disking, cultipacking, or both, may be necessary to properly prepare a seedbed. Where equipment cannot operate safely, prepare the seedbed by methods like scarifying, providing a roughened soil surface by hand so that broadcast seed will remain in place.

2. If seeding is to be accomplished immediately following construction operations, seedbed preparation may not be required except on a compacted, polished, or freshly cut soil surface.

210 H 642 CS 6 (June 2024) 3

3. Rocks larger than 6 inches in diameter, trash, weeds, and other debris that will interfere with seeding or maintenance operations must be removed or disposed of as specified in Section G.

4. Discontinue seedbed preparation when soil moisture conditions are not suitable for the preparation of a satisfactory seedbed as determined by the responsible engineer.

E. Seeding, Sprigging, Fertilizing, Mulching, and Stabilizing

1. Perform all seeding or sprigging operations in such a manner that the seed or sprigs are applied in the specified quantities uniformly in the designated areas.

The method and rate of seed application must be as specified in Section G. Unless otherwise specified, seeding or sprigging must be accomplished within 2 days after final grading is completed and approved.

2. Apply fertilizer, lime, and other soil amendments as specified in Section G. When specified, the fertilizer and soil amendments must be thoroughly incorporated into the soil immediately following surface application.

3. The rate, amount, and kind of mulching or mesh must be as specified in Section G. Apply mulches uniformly to the designated areas. They must be applied to areas seeded not later than 2 working days after seeding has been performed.

Stabilize straw mulch material within 24 hours of application using a mulch crimper or equivalent anchoring tool or by a suitable tackifier. When the mulch crimper or equivalent anchoring tool is used, it must have straight blades and be the type manufactured expressly for and capable of firmly punching the mulch into the soil. Where the equipment can be safely operated, it must be operated on the contour. Use hand methods where equipment cannot safely operate to perform the work required.

4. Apply the tackifier uniformly over the mulch material at the specified rate or inject it into the mulch material as it is being applied. Stabilizing materials like mesh or netting must be applied smoothly but loosely on the designated areas.

The edges of these materials must be buried or securely anchored using spikes or staples as specified in Section G.

5. The contractor must maintain the mesh or netting areas until all work under the contract has been completed and accepted. Maintenance must consist of the repair of areas damaged by water erosion, wind, fire, or other causes. Such areas must be repaired to reestablish the intended condition and to the design lines and grades required by the contract. The areas must be re-fertilized, reseeded, and re-mulched before the new application of the mesh or netting.

F. Measurement and Payment

1. Method 1. For items of work for which specific unit prices are established in the contract, each area treated is measured as specified in Section G and area is calculated to the nearest 0.1 acre. Payment for treatment is made at the contract unit price for the designated treatment, which will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

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a. When specified as an item of work, mesh or netting is measured to the nearest square yard of surface area covered and accepted. Payment is made at the contract unit price and will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

2. Method 2. For items of work for which specific lump-sum prices are established in the contract, the quantity of work will not be measured for payment. Payment for this item is made at the contract lump-sum price for the item and will constitute full compensation for the completion of the work.

3. Method 3. For items of work for which lump-sum prices are established in the contract, payment is made as the work proceeds. Progress payments will be determined as specified in Section G. Payment of the lump-sum contract price will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

4. All Methods. The following provisions apply to all methods of measurement and payment. Compensation for any item of work described in the contract but not listed in the bid schedule is included in the payment for the item of work to which it is made subsidiary. Such items and the items to which they are made subsidiary are identified in Section G.

210 H 642 CS 6 (June 2024) 5

Instructions for Use

CS 6 — Seeding, Sprigging, and Mulching

A. Applicability

1. Construction Specification 6 is applicable to vegetating or mulching all designated areas requiring protective cover following completion of construction operations.

B. Material Specifications

1. Material requirements are included in this specification.

C. Included Items

1. Items to be included in contract specifications and drawings are as follows:

a. Complete plans of the designated areas to be treated, including locations of disposal sites for oversize rocks and other debris.

b. Name of plant or mixture, including scientific name, common name, and acceptable cultivars.

c. Purity, germination, hard seed, and weed seed requirements for seed or mixture. Certified (e.g., Blue Tag) seeds may be specified.

d. Fertilizer, lime, and other soil amendment requirements, if applicable.

e. Inoculant requirements, if needed.

f. Types of mulch, straw, hay, or native hay and mulching methods, when required.

g. Dates for seeding, sprigging, fertilizing, and mulching operations.

h. Rates for seeding, sprigging, fertilizing, and mulching operations, expressed in pounds pure live seed per acre.

i. Method of application of seed, sprigs, fertilizer, and mulch.

j. Method of anchoring mesh or netting.

k. Supplemental irrigation to support vegetation establishment, frequency, volume per application, and duration of irrigation. Overirrigation and soil saturation must be avoided for some soils.

D. Methods

1. Section F, Measurement and Payment

a. Method 1. Measurements used to determine the size of the area treated should specify horizontal or surface-measured values in Section G. Constructed fill or cut slopes steeper than 3 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical should consider surface measurements to calculate areas for payment purposes.

b. Methods 2 and 3. The procedures that will be used to determine the amount of work satisfactorily completed for progress payment should be identified in Section G. Options may include:

(1) An onsite agreed-to estimate of the percent of work satisfactorily complete at time of progress payment preparation.

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(2) Requiring the contractor to provide invoices (method 3) to support his incurred costs to satisfactorily complete work at time of progress payment.

(3) Other suitable and fair methods, one of which could be related to the construction schedule.

2. When all methods but one are deleted for use in a contract specification, delete from the last paragraph “All Methods. The following provisions apply to all methods of measurement and payment.” Left-justify the remaining text.

E. Items of Work and Construction Details

1. Starting at the top of page 4, prepare and outline job-specific Items of Work and

Construction Details in accordance with these instructions.

210 H 642 CS 8 (June 2024) 1

Construction Specification 8 — Mobilization and Demobilization

Title 210 – Engineering Part 642 – Specifications for Construction Contracts

1. The work consists of the mobilization and demobilization of the contractor’s forces and equipment necessary for performing the work required under the contract. It does not include mobilization and demobilization for specific items of work for which payment is provided elsewhere in the contract. Mobilization will not be considered as work in fulfilling the contract requirements for commencement of work.

B. Equipment and Material

1. Mobilization includes all activities and associated costs for transportation of contractor’s personnel, equipment, and operating supplies to the site;

establishment of offices, buildings, and other necessary general facilities for the contractor’s operations at the site; premiums paid for performance and payment bonds including coinsurance and reinsurance agreements as applicable; and other items specified in Section D of this specification.

2. Demobilization includes all activities and costs for transportation of personnel, equipment, and supplies not required or included in the contract from the site, including the disassembly, removal, and site cleanup of offices, buildings, and other facilities assembled on the site specifically for this contract.

3. This work includes mobilization and demobilization required by the contract at the time of award. If additional mobilization and demobilization activities and costs are required during the performance of the contract as a result of changed, deleted, or added items of work for which the contractor is entitled to an adjustment in contract price, compensation for such costs will be included in the price adjustment for the item or items of work changed or added.

C. Payment

1. Payment will be made as the work proceeds after presentation of paid invoices or documentation of direct costs by the contractor showing specific mobilization and demobilization costs and supporting evidence of the charges of suppliers, subcontractors, and others. When the total of such payments is less than the lump-sum contract price, the balance remaining will be included in the final contract payment. Payment of the lump sum contract price for mobilization and demobilization will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

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2. Payment will not be made under this item for the purchase costs of materials having a residual value, the purchase costs of materials to be incorporated in the project, or the purchase costs of operating supplies.

D. Items of Work and Construction Details

210 H 642 CS 8 (June 2024) 3

Instructions for Use

CS 8 — Mobilization and Demobilization

A. Applicability

1. Construction Specification 8 is applicable to any construction contract that includes a bid item for general mobilization and demobilization of the contractor’s personnel and equipment. It is not intended to cover mobilization and demobilization of special equipment for specific items of work such as grouting equipment, pile-driving equipment, or rock-drilling equipment, for which payment for mobilization and demobilization is included and provided by specific bid items elsewhere in the contract.

B. Material Specification

1. No material specifications complement Construction Specification 8.

C. Included Items

1. Items to be included in contract specifications and drawings are as follows:

a. Special requirements pertaining to mobilization and demobilization, if any.

b. Any particular work for which payment will or will not be made under the mobilization and demobilization item if not adequately described by the specification.

c. In Section D of this specification, whether mobilization of contractor’s equipment and personnel between sites is included or not in Section C, Payment. This applies when more than one site (work limits not continuous) are included in the contract.

D. Items of Work and Construction Details

1. Prepare and outline job-specific Items of Work and Construction Details in accordance with these instructions.

210 H 642 CS 21 (June 2024) 1

Construction Specification 21 — Excavation

Part 642 – Specifications for Construction Contracts

1. The work consists of the excavation required by the drawings and specifications, as well as the disposal of the excavated materials.

B. Classification

1. Excavation is classified as common excavation, rock excavation, or unclassified excavation in accordance with the following definitions.

2. Common excavation is defined as the excavation of all materials that (1) can be excavated, transported, and unloaded using heavy ripping equipment and wheel tractor-scrapers with pusher tractors or (2) can be excavated and dumped into place or loaded onto hauling equipment by excavators having a rated capacity of 1 cubic yard or larger and equipped with attachments (shovel, bucket, backhoe, dragline, or clam shell) appropriate to the material type, character, and nature of the materials.

3. Rock excavation is defined as the excavation of all hard, compacted, or cemented materials that require blasting or the use of ripping and excavating equipment larger than defined for common excavation. The excavation and removal of isolated boulders or rock fragments larger than 1 cubic yard encountered in materials otherwise conforming to the definition of common excavation must be classified as rock excavation. The presence of isolated boulders or rock fragments larger than 1 cubic yard is not in itself sufficient cause to change the classification of the surrounding material.

a. For the purpose of these classifications, the following definitions apply:

(1) Heavy ripping equipment is a rear-mounted, heavy-duty, single-tooth, ripping attachment mounted on a track-type tractor having a power rating of at least 250-flywheel horsepower, unless otherwise specified in Section J.

(2) A wheel tractor-scraper is a self-loading (not elevating) and unloading scraper having a struck-bowl capacity of at least 12 cubic yards.

(3) A pusher tractor is a track-type tractor having a power rating of at least 250-flywheel horsepower equipped with appropriate attachments.

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4. Unclassified excavation is defined as the excavation of all materials encountered, including rock materials, regardless of their nature or the manner in which they are removed.

C. Blasting

1. The transportation, handling, storage, and use of dynamite and other explosives must be directed and supervised by someone of proven…