C04_12363N26Q4181Corral_G-Z_Appendix A_TechSpecs.pdf

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Corral G-Z Stewardship IRSC, Region 6, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bly Ranger District, Bly , Oregon
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12363N26Q4181
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Summary: Corral G to Z Stewardship IRSC – Technical Specifications

This document is Appendix A of a federal contract solicitation containing technical specifications for forest stewardship service work on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bly Ranger District. The project encompasses approximately 9,970 acres across two main project areas (Corral and Grizzly) and seeks to restore forest health while mitigating catastrophic wildfire risk through timber harvest, thinning, fuels reduction, and ecosystem restoration activities.

The contract includes eight mandatory work items and fourteen optional items totaling an estimated 15,065 gross acres. Mandatory items include: Corral Cut and Remove Included Timber (3,875 acres), Corral Cut, Skid, and Deck operations on control features (722 acres) and timber units (1,584 acres), Grizzly Project Area Implementation Plan development (6,095 acres), cultural site documentation (38 sites), boundary flagging and GPS work (1,595,585 linear feet estimated), detailed logging plan preparation, and timber cruising with pre-cruise (20 plots) and final cruise components. Optional items cover additional thinning, plantations work (859 acres), natural stands treatment (723 acres), old growth management (152 acres), hand-piling for ecosystem restoration (777 acres), transmission line treatments (820 acres estimated), and implementation monitoring (9,970 acres). Work specifications emphasize species retention preferences (ponderosa pine, incense-cedar prioritized over white fir, lodgepole pine), prescribed spacing requirements (ranging from 20x20 to 40x40 feet depending on treatment type), stump height limitations (6 inches maximum), and adherence to Designation by Prescription (DxP) methodology. Minimum Acceptable Quality Levels are established at 90 percent for most service work and 100 percent for boundary and cultural site work. Payment is calculated based on quality inspection results with 90+ percent quality receiving 105 percent adjustment factor, 85-90 percent quality receiving actual percentage payment, and below 85 percent deemed unacceptable with no payment. The government furnishes boundary tags, cruise cards, and marking paint, while the contractor provides GPS equipment meeting 40-foot accuracy tolerance standards. Contract completion deadlines are tied to sequential delivery of planning documents, with Forest Service review periods of 21-30 business days established for major deliverables.

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Corral G to Z Stewardship IRSC Fremont-Winema National Forest Page 1 of 25 Bly Ranger District

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The objectives of this project are 1) to restore forest health and vigor by reverting stand density and species composition to their historical range of variability, while also 2) mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildfire by reducing hazardous fuels. These objectives will be accomplished through the following:

1. Timber sale prep work, including flagging, tagging, and painting boundaries, and timber cruising.

2. Timber sale planning, including implementation plan and logging plan development.

3. Quality control monitoring for adherence to DxP prescriptions and virtual boundaries.

4. Commercial harvest and removal of Included Timber in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer stands.

5. Whole Tree Yarding.

6. Cut, skid and deck of sub-merchantable trees in plantations, fuel breaks, and natural stands.

7. Fell encroaching conifers in woodland, shrubland and meadow areas.

8. Release cuts in whitebark pine stands.

SECTION II – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with FAR clause 52.245-1 Government Property incorporated by reference in the contract.

1. Sale Area Boundary Tags.

2. R6 Cruise Cards.

3. Tree Marking Paint with registered tracer and material safety data sheet (see Attachment 1 – Forest

Product Accountability Action Plan for accountability and handling standards)

SECTION III – WORK ITEMS

Mandatory Item 1: Cut and Remove Included Timber:

Subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 (3,875 Acres)

Cut and remove from the Contract Area sawtimber trees that meet the minimum tree specifications as identified in Appendix B from within mandatory units as shown on CAM. All specifications of Appendix B apply to product removal. Appendix C Road Maintenance requirements are commensurate with use.

Mandatory Item 2: Corral - Cut, Skid, and Deck - Control Features (722 Acres)

Subdivisions A1-A13

End results: Reduce fuel loading and change spatial arrangement of fuels to create green fuel breaks.

Increased representation of fire-resistant species through selective removal of fire-intolerant species.

Project description: Thin submerchantable trees and remove ladder fuels within control features. Control Features are measured either 500 feet off the road on each side, or, where not associated with a road, 1000’

Page 2 of 25 Bly Ranger District in total width. All control features are shown on the Contract Area Map.

Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them:

1) Retain all hardwoods, five-needled pines, mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), orange-marked trees, and ponderosa pine and incense-cedar ≥26” DSH.

2) Fell all snags within 1.5 tree lengths of a road generally, or within 2 tree lengths of a road on uphill slopes, except those which Contractor determines cannot be felled safely. Retain all other snags unless felling is required for operational safety. Leave felled snags >20” DBH in the unit, but remove all other felled snags to landing piles.

3) Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

4) Remove all white fir and lodgepole pine >2” DBH within 30’ of a healthy, mature ponderosa pine.

5) Remove all ponderosa pine 2-8.9” DBH and all incense-cedar 2-6.9” DBH within 30’ of a healthy, mature ponderosa pine.

6) In areas with residual merchantable trees, remove all white fir and lodgepole pine between 2-6.9”

DBH, and thin ponderosa pine and incense-cedar between 2-6.9” DBH to a variable spacing ranging from 30 x 30 to 40 x 40 feet, with an average spacing of 35 x 35 feet.

7) In areas with no residual merchantable trees, thin sub-merchantable trees to a variable spacing ranging from 20 x 20 to 30 x 30 feet, with an average spacing of 25 x 25 feet.

Cut trees shall be completely severed from the stump after felling. Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches above ground level, or four (4) inches above natural obstacles, such as large rocks.

Tree selection criteria:

a) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir, lodgepole pine.

b) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the largest, healthiest tree.

Slash Treatment Specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees that are less than A.2 specifications to approved landing locations. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length.

Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements in Appendix B for pile location, size and arrangement.

Within the Control Features, there are pre-existing slash piles from previous timber removals. Move the slash from these old piles to new landing piles constructed as part of operations for Corral G-Z IRSC.

Mandatory Item 3: Corral - Cut, Skid, and Deck – Timber Units (1,584 acres) Subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

End results: Reduction of ladder fuels and understory density in order to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire. Shift in understory species composition towards historical conditions by reducing competition between fire-intolerant species and fire-adapted species.

Project description:

Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them. These items apply only to trees below minimum merchantable specs (see Section A.2, Appendix B):

1) Retain all hardwoods, five-needled pines, mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), orange-marked trees, and ponderosa pine and incense-cedar ≥26” DSH.

2) Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

3) Remove all white fir and lodgepole pine 2-6.9” DBH within 10 ft. of a road.

Page 3 of 25 Bly Ranger District

4) Remove all white fir and lodgepole pine 2-6.9” DBH within 1.5 driplines of a healthy, merchantable leave tree.

5) Remove all white fir and lodgepole pine 2-6.9” DBH within 15’ of a healthy, sub-merchantable ponderosa pine (<9” DBH) and incense-cedar (<7” DBH).

6) Thin remaining 2-6.9” DBH white fir and lodgepole pine to a minimum spacing of 20’ x 20’.

7) Within 10 feet of a road, thin 2-8.9” DBH ponderosa pine and 2-6.9” DBH incense-cedar to a minimum spacing of 20’ x 20’.

Tree selection objectives:

a) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense- cedar, white fir, lodgepole pine.

b) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the largest, healthiest tree.

Cut trees shall be completely severed from the stump after felling. Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches above ground level, or four (4) inches above natural obstacles, such as large rocks.

Slash Treatment Specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees that are less than A.2 specifications to approved landing locations. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements for pile location, size and arrangement in Appendix B.

Mandatory Item 4: Grizzly - Project Area Implementation Plan (6,095* Gross Acres):

Design Timber Units and Service Treatment Plan.

Initial recon of the project area shall identify and distinguish Treatment Areas following the objectives of Attachment 2 – Design Features. Designation by Prescription (DxP) is the required designation method, as described in Attachment 4 – Prescriptions. Unit layout must not conflict with any of the requirements in Attachment 5 – Project Design Criteria.

Contractor and Forest Service shall establish and agree to check-in procedures at the post-award conference meeting. At minimum, bi-weekly progress updates, meetings, and/or providing draft treatment unit plans/maps for FS inspection shall be required. FS acceptance of draft submittals may be incorporated into final plans without further inspection by FS if no alterations are made.

The Contractor will be provided with shapefiles including, but not limited to, potential treatment areas, percent slope, land management categories, and designated no-treat areas.

The Project Area Implementation Plan shall include the following:

1) Timber Unit Design:

a) Contractor will be provided with shapefiles containing 6,095 acres of potential timber treatment units and must develop these into a final unit pool through ground-verification. Shapefiles for all units must be provided to Forest Service.

b) Timber units must be designed following the objectives and design features provided in Attachment 2, the Silvicultural Prescriptions provided in Attachment 4, and the Project Design Criteria in Attachment 5.

c) Timber Unit Design must include unit boundaries, stand type, areas of resource concern, and inoperable areas within units.

2) Service Treatment Plan:

Page 4 of 25 Bly Ranger District

a) Contractor will be provided with shapefiles containing potential service work areas and must develop these into a final unit pool by ground-verification.

b) Service treatment plan and maps shall identify type of treatment, unit boundaries, areas of resource concern, and inoperable areas within units. Shapefiles for all units must be provided to Forest Service.

c) Service Treatments are classified as one of the following:

i) Transmission Line Treatments: Small-tree thinning

ii) Transmission Line Treatments: Large-tree thinning (where merchantable timber cannot be removed from Contract Area.)

iii) Cut, Skid, and Deck – Control Features

iv) Cut, Skid, and Deck – Timber Units

v) Cut, Skid, and Deck – Natural Stands

vi) Small and Large Tree Thinning – Whitebark Pine Restoration

vii) Small Tree Thinning - Old Growth

viii) Conifer Removal – Aspen

d) Any large-tree thinning units in the Transmission Line Treatment area from which timber can be skidded and roadside decked should be included in the timber unit design outlined above rather than the service treatment plan.

e) The units for Transmission Line Treatments, Cut, Skid, and Deck – Control Features and Cut, Skid, and Deck – Natural Stands may not exceed a maximum size of 250 acres each.

f) Service work units must follow the objectives and design features provided in Attachment 2 - Design Features and correspond to the project descriptions listed within this Appendix.

g) Areas which could benefit from service work but which are not within the potential service work shapefiles provided may be added to the treatment plan with Forest Service approval.

3) Project Maps

a) -Create map of the Project Area. The Contractor shall generate the map digitally and it shall be geo-referenced. All attribute information and data shown on maps shall be supplied to the Forest Service in the form of feature classes and/or a geodatabase for use in ArcGIS Pro.

b) Feature classes and/or a geodatabase shall include the following attributes:

-Unit number -Acres -Primary Treatment Type -Secondary Treatment Type -Current estimated TPA (for CSD units) -Landing piles or in-unit piles (for Transmission Line service units) -Notes: E.g. species composition, areas of resource concern, etc.

c) Maps shall:

-Delineate the multiple treatment types and units (see Attachment 2 – Design Features).

-Identify units by prescription and unit number.

-Include summary table with unit treatment type and acres.

-Include linear measurement of painted boundaries as per Attachment 1 – Forest Product Accountability Action Plan.

-Use different symbology for painted, virtual, and discernible boundaries (see Attachment 1 for more information about boundary types).

-Include restriction and retention areas as outlined in Attachment 5 – Project Design Criteria (stream protection buffers, wildlife retentions, etc.)

Page 5 of 25 Bly Ranger District

Timing and Deliverables to Contractor from Forest Service

1. Project Maps:

a. Prior to issuing the Notice to Proceed for Mandatory Items 6 – 8, Contractor and Forest Service shall mutually agree on the proposed treatment units. Draft Treatment Unit Plans that have been submitted early, inspected, and accepted by the Forest Service may receive Notice to Proceed to start layout prior to full acceptance of Item 4.

b. Contractor shall provide the Forest Service with deliverables derived for this Item. The Forest

Service shall review for concurrence, and deliver back to contractor within 30 business days not including federal holidays, for use on subsequent items identified below.

c. Mandatory Item 4 shall be completed prior to Mandatory Items 6, 7, and 8. Mandatory Item 4 may be completed concurrently with Mandatory Item 4.

Mandatory Item 5: Grizzly - Locate, Flag, and GPS Known Cultural Sites (38 sites)

Delineate boundaries of Known Cultural Sites within Timber Removal and Service Only treatment units.

1. Locate and Flag Known Cultural Sites:

a) A map of Known Cultural Sites within project area will be provided to the contractor.

b) The Contractor shall locate Known Cultural Sites and flag boundaries around the site following the standards in Attachment 1 – Forest Product Accountability Action Plan.

2. GPS Known Cultural Sites

a) Contractor will GPS location of Known Cultural Sites as well as GPS location of flagged boundaries around Known Cultural Sites.

b) A UTM coordinate shall be taken from the cultural site datum and isolate location using Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment capable of being downloaded and post-processed or real time correction. A minimum of 30 points shall be collected at the datum using a maximum PDOP of 8 or an insurance of sub-5-foot accuracy.

• Provide both the raw and post-processed GPS data files as well as shapefiles.

c) Contractor will be provided with a map for use in Mandatory Item 4 using shapefiles of flagged boundaries around Known Cultural Sites.

Mandatory Item 6: Grizzly - Flag, Tag, Paint, and GPS Boundaries (1,595,585* feet) *estimated quantity

1. Layout of Timber Removal Units:

Delineate and lay out boundaries to be tagged and painted. Delineate and layout units based on treatment types, prescription requirements and work activities following specific NEPA design criteria as outlined in Project Area Implementation Plan. The maximum size of timber removal units will not exceed 500 acres. Use instructions from Attachment 1 - Forest Product Accountability Action Plan for layout. This attachment has specific information on which boundaries require flagged/tagged/painted/GPS vs. virtual boundaries. Contractor is to maximize use of virtual boundaries relative to the direction in this attachment.

Boundaries that must be flagged, tagged, painted, and GPS’d include but are not limited to:

a) Known cultural sites as identified in Mandatory Item 5. A map will be available to the selected contractor for avoidance and inclusion in layout.

b) Boundaries adjacent to private property.

c) Shared boundaries between Timber Treatment Areas.

Page 6 of 25 Bly Ranger District

2. GPS Flagged, Tagged, and Painted boundaries:

a) Contractor will GPS Flagged, Tagged, and Painted boundaries. Devices for use GPS’ing shall meet requirements for accuracy outlined in “Chapter 50 – Area Determination” in Attachment 6 – Forest Service Handbook And Manual: Cruise And Area Determination

b) Contractor shall provide both the raw and post-processed GPS data files as well as shapefiles.

1. Identification of Treatments and Delineation:

a. Item 4 will determine net quantities for item 6. Contractor will only be paid for actual quantities performed. If additional quantities are needed to complete Item 6, a bi-lateral modification will occur to add additional quantities.

b. Inspections may occur for Item 6 concurrently with performance. Contractor and Forest Service will agree on inspection plan. Final inspection and acceptance by the Forest Service will be no longer than 21 business days ( excluding federal holidays) after final completion.

Mandatory Item 7: Grizzly - Detailed Logging Plan Within 14 business days (not including federal holidays) of acceptance of Item 4 - Project Implementation Plan, the Forest Service will send the Contractor a final Project Area Map sale area including final unit boundaries and wildlife retention areas. Using this map, the Contractor shall design a detailed logging plan for each Timber Removal treatment unit:

a) Logging plan shall be completed on Attachment 3 – Logging Plan Summary for treatment units requiring product removal.

b) Logging plan shall identify all product removal work to be performed including, but not limited to:

i. Maps showing haul routes to nearest appraisal point, temporary road locations with distances, new and existing temporary road locations, general skid trail patterns, any forest resources of concern to be protected.

ii. Document providing: Temporary Road length and average grade for temporary roads. For each Timber Removal treatment unit identify average slope to landings, estimated number of landings, average skid distance including adverse, and favorable skidding, and identify any forest resources of concern to be protected.

c) Logging plan shall be used as the basis for entries into the Roads Package and Timber Appraisal.

1. Final inspection and acceptance by the Forest Service will be no longer than 21 business days ( excluding federal holidays) after final completion.

Mandatory Item 8: Grizzly - Cruise

(a) Pre-cruise: Contractor shall perform a pre-cruise, collecting data at 20 point (PNT) plots in the sale subdivisions. Plot cards must be submitted to the Forest Service, and data from this cruise will be used to determine the total number of plots needed in the Final Cruise.

A map of pre-cruise plots shall be provided to the Contractor by the Forest Service within 7 business days (excluding federal holidays) of acceptance of Item 7 - Logging Plan. Contractor shall record data on species, DBH, height, defect, and log grade for all live trees within each plot, using a basal area factor (BAF) of 10 for sampling.

Contractor shall also record slope and coordinates for each plot.

Since the data from the pre-cruise plots may also be used in developing the final cruise report, the pre-cruise shall

Page 7 of 25 Bly Ranger District follow the same minimum requirements listed in the section below for the final cruise.

(b) Final cruise: Contractor will be provided with a cruise plan by the Forest Service within 7 business days (excluding federal holidays) of acceptance of the pre-cruise plot cards. The cruise plan will include a map of final cruise plots as well as full instructions. Contractor shall record data on species, DBH, height, and defect for all live trees within each plot. Contractor shall also record slope and coordinates for each plot.

At a minimum, the final cruise shall meet the following requirements:

1. Cruise procedures:

Cruiser will follow procedures outlined in cruise plan and take measurements in accordance with the information outlined in Attachment 6 – Forest Service Handbook And Manual: Cruise And Area Determination.

2. Monumentation:

Plot and sample monumentation will follow specifications as outlined in Attachment 1 - Fremont- Winema Timber Product Accountability Action Plan.

3. Cruiser Training and Certification Standards:

• The knowledge and training requirements for cruisers are:

I. Proficiency in timber cruising fundamentals, including as a minimum:

a. Tree measurement (diameters and heights).

b. Species identification.

c. Defect recognition and determination.

d. Quality determination.

e. Use of timber cruising tools.

f. Map reading and compass use.

g. Traverses.

h. Elementary use of aerial photography.

II. A working knowledge of the cruise systems III. Demonstrated ability to interpret and follow the timber cruise plan and cruise data recording instructions.

IV. Upon request from Contractor, cruisers may complete a one-day Forest Service training. The FS will give at a minimum one week notice before this takes place.

Training topics may include cruising DxP prescriptions, species, measurements, defects, and grading information representative of what the cruiser normally encounters

4. Data Recording:

• Cruise data shall be recorded on R6 cruise cards, supplied by the Forest Service.

5. Volume, Value, and Sampling Error Reporting:

• After acceptance of cruise data from the Contractor, the Forest Service will input and process cruise data using either the National Cruise Program (NATCRS) or the regional computer

Page 8 of 25 Bly Ranger District programs established by the Regional Forester for calculating and reporting the results of timber cruises.

• Following processing, the Forest Service will notify the Contractor if the cruise meets Maximum Sampling Errors for the Sale-as-a-Whole (less than 30%) and strata error (less than 40% error).

I. When the original cruise exceeds the desired sampling error and a small number of additional samples are needed to reduce the error to an acceptable level, the Contractor will return to a pre-determined number of count plots and collect tree measurements at each. Corrective action and additional samples will be agreed to by Forest Service.

When Final Cruise for each Timber Treatment Area has been completed and accepted, the FS will complete an independent Timber Sale Appraisal using the R6 TEA appraisal system following the Forest Service Handbook direction, to determine the Advertised Timber Rate and Bid Premiums to be collected according to the “Timber Appraisal and Bid Premium” notes section in the solicitation. Maps, plans, and quantities accepted from Item 4, 5, 6, 7, and the final cruise volumes determined from Item 8(b) WILL be used for appraisal data entries to calculate logging costs.

There shall be mutual agreement between both parties to modify gross tons of sawtimber and set the contract timber rate with a bi-lateral modification to execute Optional Work Items. If an agreement of the appraised Minimum Acceptable Offer timber rate cannot be made within 14 business days from the date the appraised timber rate is shared, Grizzly Commercial Thin Units, optional service work and road maintenance associated with Grizzly Project Area will not be executed, and a bi-lateral modification will not occur.

Included in the bi-lateral modification will be any revisions related Grizzly project areas in Appendix A, Appendix B Timber Specifications in its entirety associated with timber removal and Appendix C in its entirety associated with road maintenance.

Optional Item 9: Corral - Cut, Skid, and Deck - Control Features (1,296 Acres)

Subdivisions B1-B24

End results: Reduce fuel loading and change spatial arrangement of fuels to create green fuel breaks. Increased representation of fire-resistant species through selective removal of fire-intolerant species.

Project description: Thin submerchantable trees and remove ladder fuels within control features. Control Features are measured either 500 feet off the road on each side, or, where not associated with a road, 1000’ in total width. All control features are shown on the Contract Area Map.

Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them:

1) Retain all hardwoods, five-needled pines, mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), orange-marked trees, and ponderosa pine and incense-cedar ≥26” DSH.

2) Fell all snags within 1.5 tree lengths of a road generally, or within 2 tree lengths of a road on uphill slopes, except those which Contractor determines cannot be felled safely. Retain all other snags unless felling is required for operational safety. Leave felled snags >20” DBH in the unit, but remove all other felled snags to landing piles.

3) Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

4) Remove all white fir and lodgepole pine >2” DBH within 30’ of a healthy, mature ponderosa pine.

5) Remove all ponderosa pine 2-8.9” DBH and all incense-cedar 2-6.9” DBH within 30’ of a healthy, mature ponderosa pine.

Page 9 of 25 Bly Ranger District

6) In areas with residual merchantable trees, remove all white fir and lodgepole pine between 2-6.9” DBH, and thin ponderosa pine and incense-cedar between 2-6.9” DBH to a variable spacing ranging from 30 x 30 to 40 x 40 feet, with an average spacing of 35 x 35 feet.

Cut trees shall be completely severed from the stump after felling. Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches above ground level, or four (4) inches above natural obstacles, such as large rocks.

Tree selection criteria:

a) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir, lodgepole pine.

b) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the largest, healthiest tree.

Slash Treatment Specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees that are less than A.2 specifications to approved landing locations. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements for pile location, size and arrangement in Appendix B.

Within the Control Features, there are pre-existing slash piles from previous timber removals. Move the slash from these old piles to new landing piles constructed as part of operations for Corral G-Z IRSC.

Optional Item 10: Corral - Cut, Skid, and Deck – Plantations (859 Acres)

Subdivisions C1-C32

Note: Subdivisions C1-C32 may contain sawtimber Subject to Agreement. Sawtimber Subject to Agreement is solicited as an unestimated quantity. Removal may be negotiated after award and added through bi-lateral modification at the awarded contract timber rate for Corral Project Area.

End results: Plantations will have their average spacing increased, improving health and growth of residual trees and reducing ladder fuels.

Project description: Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them:

1. Retain all mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), orange-marked trees, hardwoods, and ponderosa pine greater than or equal to 26” DSH. Because this is the first objective in this list, no other objective can override this requirement.

2. Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

3. Remove all lodgepole pine and white fir >2” DBH within 1.5 driplines of healthy ponderosa pine, or within

10 ft. of a road.

4. Thin ponderosa pine to average of 21 x 21 feet (96 TPA), with an acceptable range from 15 x 15 to 25 x 25 feet.

Tree selection objectives:

a) Select leave trees based on (1) health, (2) crown class, (3) stem form, (4) live crown ratio, and (5) diameter class, in that order. Favor leave trees that are healthy, dominant/co-dominant, lack sweeps or forks, have ≥40% live crown, and meet A.2 log specs, where possible. Prioritize retaining high-quality crop trees over maintaining exact spacing.

b) Species preference is ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir, and lodgepole pine.

Page 10 of 25 Bly Ranger District

Slash Treatment Specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees that are less than A.2 specifications to approved landing locations. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements for pile location, size and arrangement in Appendix B.

Optional Item 11: Corral - Cut, Skid, and Deck – Natural Stands (723 Acres) Subdivisions D1-D6

End Results: Reduce competition, stand density, and ladder-fuels to increase forest stand health and resistance to catastrophic high-severity fire.

Project Description: Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them:

1. Retain all mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), orange-marked trees, hardwoods, five-needled pine, and ponderosa pine and incense-cedar greater than or equal to 26” DSH. Because this is the first objective in this list, no other objective can override this requirement.

2. Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

3. Remove all conifers greater than or equal to 2” DBH, up to minimum merchantable specs, from within 1.5 driplines of a healthy, mature ponderosa pine (see C2.355# in Appendix B for how to identify mature ponderosa pine).

4. Where live overstory trees are present, thin conifers greater than or equal to 2” DBH, up to minimum merchantable specs, to a variable spacing ranging from 25 X 25 to 35 X 35 feet, with an average spacing of 30 x 30 feet.

5. Where no live overstory trees are present, thin conifers greater than or equal to 2” DBH, up to minimum merchantable specs, to a variable spacing ranging from 15 X 15 to 25 X 25 feet, with an average spacing of 20 x 20 feet.

a) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir, lodgepole pine.

b) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the largest, healthiest tree.

c) A clump of 10-20 trees shall be left every 3 acres to increase variability in spatial arrangement of residual trees.

Retention patches shall be spaced more than 1.5 driplines from mature overstory trees. Leave trees shall be the largest, healthiest trees in the area.

Slash treatment specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees to approved landing locations. Contractor will remove all material over three inches diameter, and three feet in length. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three

(3) inches diameter, and three (3) feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements, on pile size and arrangement.

Optional Item 12: Corral - Small Tree Thinning - Old Growth (152 acres) Subdivision E1

End result: Risk of catastrophic wildfire in old growth stands will be reduced by removing ladder fuels and reducing stand density.

Project Description: Reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire in old growth stands through small-tree thinning and ladder fuel reduction.

1) Retain all hardwood trees, five-needled pine, and mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B).

Page 11 of 25 Bly Ranger District

2) Leave 15-20% of unit area as untreated retention patches ranging in size from 0.25 to 5 acres. Incorporate danger snags into these retention areas wherever possible.

3) Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

4) Cut all conifers between 2” DBH and A.2. specifications which are within the dripline of a large (>21” DBH) tree.

5) Thin conifers between 2” DBH and minimum merchantable specs to a variable spacing ranging from 20 X

20 to 40 X 40 feet, with an average spacing of 30x30 feet.

Tree selection objectives:

a) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense cedar, white fir, and lodgepole pine.

b) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the healthiest tree.

c) Wider spacing shall be used where the species composition of sub-merchantable trees is dominated by white fir and lodgepole pine. Tighter spacing shall be used in natural openings or areas with a high prevalence of ponderosa pine and incense-cedar.

Slash treatment specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees to approved landing locations. Contractor will remove all material over three inches diameter, and three feet in length. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three

(3) inches diameter, and three (3) feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements, on pile size and arrangement.

Optional Item 13: Corral - Hand-piling: Woodland, Shrubland, and Meadow Restoration (777 Acres)

Subdivisions F1-F23

End Result: Species composition will be shifted towards the historical range of variability, favoring native grasses, hardwoods, and shrubs over conifers like western juniper and ponderosa pine. Removal of encroaching conifers will restore the natural hydrology and ecology of these ecosystems.

Project description: Hand-fall and hand-pile encroaching conifers within units. Only hand methods are allowed in these units to reduce damage to sensitive soils. Cut trees shall be completely severed from the stump after felling.

Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches above ground level, or four (4) inches above natural obstacles, such as large rock.

Within Hand-piling units as shown on contract area map, perform these in order; subsequent items do not override any item preceding it:

1) Retain all mature trees, five-needled pine, hardwoods, orange-marked trees, and trees ≥26” DSH.

2) Hand fall and pile all western juniper, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, and white fir >2” DBH.

Slash Treatment Specifications:

i. Hand pile all slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length, resulting from hand-thinning.

ii. Unless otherwise agreed, slash piles shall be located at least 25 feet from the crown, or drip line of any dead or live tree or equal distance between standing dead or live trees, whichever is greater.

iii. Avoid piling slash on biological soil crusts wherever possible.

iv. Piles will be a minimum of five (5) feet in height and five (5) feet in diameter where possible. Piles shall be as free of dirt and rocks as practicable.

v. All material extending beyond the general contour of the piled slash shall be trimmed off and added to the pile.

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Optional Item 14: Grizzly - Cut and Remove Included Timber (3,000* acres) *estimated quantity Cut and remove from the Contract Area sawtimber trees within harvest units in Grizzly Project Area, which were accepted in the Project Area Implementation Plan in Mandatory Item 4, that meet the minimum tree specifications as identified in Appendix B and shown on CAM. All specifications of Appendix B apply to product removal.

Appendix C Road Maintenance requirements are commensurate with use.

Optional Item 15: Grizzly - Transmission Line Treatments (820* Acres) *estimated quantity End Results: Reduced wildfire risk in the vicinity of transmission lines in order to safeguard the supply of electricity to rural communities.

Project Description: Reduce fuel loading, remove ladder fuels, and promote fire-resistant trees in stands adjacent to transmission lines through a combination of commercial and non-commercial thinning. Small-tree thinning will be the sole treatment on 650 acres, while both large- and small-tree thinning will occur on 170 acres.

Large-tree thinning – Cut and deck/pile where sawtimber size trees meeting Appendix B A.2 specifications cannot be removed from the Contract Area.

Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them:

1) Retain all hardwoods, five-needled pine, mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), ponderosa pine and incense-cedar ≥26” DSH, and orange-marked trees.

2) Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

3) Within 30 feet of healthy ponderosa pine >9” DBH and five-needled pine >7” DBH, cut all lodgepole pine and white fir >2” DBH.

4) Within 50 feet of an aspen clump, thin to 30 square feet per acre basal area, with an acceptable range of 20-

40 sq. ft./acre. Five-needled pine and ponderosa pine ≥ 26” DSH count towards residual BA within these buffers.

5) Where current conditions are at ≤ 20 square feet per acre basal area of ≥ 26” DSH ponderosa pine, thin stand to a target basal area of 50 square feet per acre with an acceptable range of 30-70 square feet per acre, not counting ≥ 26” DSH ponderosa pine towards target basal area. Where current conditions are at ≥ 30 square feet per acre BA of ≥ 26” DSH ponderosa pine, thin stand to a target basal area of 30 square feet per acre with an acceptable range of 20-50 square feet per acre, not counting ≥ 26” DSH ponderosa pine towards target basal area. Because this is the last objective in this list, previous objectives can override this requirement.

Small-tree thinning

1) Retain all hardwoods and five-needled pine.

2) Cut all western juniper >2” DBH.

3) Cut all sub-merchantable trees within the dripline of a healthy, mature ponderosa pine (see

C2.355# in Appendix B for definition and identification of a mature ponderosa pine).

4) In areas with residual merchantable trees, cut all white fir and lodgepole pine less than A.2 log removal specifications, and thin ponderosa pine and incense-cedar trees to a variable spacing ranging from 30 by 30 to 40 by 40 feet, with an average spacing of 35 by 35 feet.

5) In areas with no residual merchantable trees, thin sub merchantable trees to a variable spacing ranging from 20 by 20 to 30 by 30 feet, with an average spacing of 25 by 25 feet.

6) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir,

7) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the largest, healthiest tree.

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Slash Treatment Specifications: In units where removal of trees is possible, whole-tree yard cut trees that are less than A.2 specifications to approved landing locations. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements for pile location, size and arrangement in Appendix B.

Where trees cannot be removed from the Contract Area, cut and pile trees and slash within the unit. Pile all cut trees and slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements for pile location, size and arrangement in Appendix B.

Optional Item 16: Grizzly - Cut, Skid, and Deck - Control Features (1,613* Acres) *estimated quantity End results: Reduce fuel loading and change spatial arrangement of fuels to create green fuel breaks. Increased representation of fire-resistant species through selective removal of fire-intolerant species.

Project description: Thin submerchantable trees and remove ladder fuels within control features. Control Features are measured either 500 feet off the road on each side, or, where not associated with a road, 1000’ in total width. All control features are shown on the Contract Area Map.

Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them:

1) Retain all hardwoods, five-needled pines, mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), orange-marked trees, and ponderosa pine and incense-cedar ≥26” DSH.

2) Fell all snags within 1.5 tree lengths of a road generally, or within 2 tree lengths of a road on uphill slopes, except those which Contractor determines cannot be felled safely. Retain all other snags unless felling is required for operational safety. Leave felled snags >20” DBH in the unit, but remove all other felled snags to landing piles.

3) Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

4) Remove all white fir and lodgepole pine >2” DBH within 30’ of a healthy, mature ponderosa pine.

5) Remove all ponderosa pine 2-8.9” DBH and all incense-cedar 2-6.9” DBH within 30’ of a healthy, mature ponderosa pine.

6) In areas with residual merchantable trees, remove all white fir and lodgepole pine between 2-6.9”

DBH, and thin ponderosa pine and incense-cedar between 2-6.9” DBH to a variable spacing ranging from 30 x 30 to 40 x 40 feet, with an average spacing of 35 x 35 feet.

Cut trees shall be completely severed from the stump after felling. Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches

Tree selection criteria:

a) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir, lodgepole pine.

b) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the largest, healthiest tree.

Slash Treatment Specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees that are less than A.2 specifications to approved landing locations. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements for pile location, size and arrangement in Appendix B.

Within the Control Features, there are pre-existing slash piles from previous timber removals. Move the slash from these old piles to new landing piles constructed as part of operations for Corral G-Z IRSC.

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Optional Item 17: Grizzly - Cut, Skid, and Deck – Timber Units (2,500* Acres) *estimated quantity End results: Reduction of ladder fuels and understory density in order to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Shift in understory species composition towards historical conditions by reducing competition between fire-intolerant species and fire-adapted species.

Project description:

Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them. These items apply only to trees below minimum merchantable specs (see Section A.2, Appendix B):

1) Retain all hardwoods, five-needled pines, mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), orange-marked trees, and ponderosa pine and incense-cedar ≥26” DSH.

2) Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

3) Remove all white fir and lodgepole pine 2-6.9” DBH within 10 ft. of a road.

4) Remove all white fir and lodgepole pine 2-6.9” DBH within 1.5 driplines of a healthy, merchantable leave tree.

5) Remove all white fir and lodgepole pine 2-6.9” DBH within 15’ of a healthy, sub-merchantable ponderosa pine (<9” DBH) and incense-cedar (<7” DBH).

6) Thin remaining 2-6.9” DBH white fir and lodgepole pine to a minimum spacing of 20’ x 20’.

7) Within 10 feet of a road, thin 2-8.9” DBH ponderosa pine and 2-6.9” DBH incense-cedar to a minimum spacing of 20’ x 20’.

a) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense- cedar, white fir,

b) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the largest, healthiest tree.

Cut trees shall be completely severed from the stump after felling. Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches

Slash Treatment Specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees that are less than A.2 specifications to approved landing locations. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements for pile location, size and arrangement in Appendix B.

Optional Item 18: Grizzly - Cut, Skid, and Deck - Natural Stands (397* Acres) *estimated quantity End Results: Reduce competition, stand density, and ladder-fuels to increase forest stand health and resistance to catastrophic high-severity fire.

Project Description:

1. Retain all mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), orange-marked trees, hardwoods, five-needled pine, and ponderosa pine and incense-cedar greater than or equal to 26” DSH. Because this is the first objective in this list, no other objective can override this requirement.

2. Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

3. Remove all conifers greater than or equal to 2” DBH, up to minimum merchantable specs, from within 1.5 driplines of a healthy, mature ponderosa pine (see C2.355# in Appendix B for how to identify mature ponderosa pine).

4. Where live overstory trees are present, thin conifers greater than or equal to 2” DBH, up to minimum merchantable specs, to a variable spacing ranging from 25 X 25 to 35 X 35 feet, with an average spacing of 30 x 30 feet.

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5. Where no live overstory trees are present, thin conifers greater than or equal to 2” DBH, up to minimum merchantable specs, to a variable spacing ranging from 15 X 15 to 25 X 25 feet, with an average spacing of 20 x 20 feet.

a) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir, lodgepole pine.

b) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the largest, healthiest tree.

c) A clump of 10-20 trees shall be left every 3 acres to increase variability in spatial arrangement of residual trees.

Retention patches shall be spaced more than 1.5 driplines from mature overstory trees. Leave trees shall be the largest, healthiest trees in the area.

Slash treatment specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees to approved landing locations. Contractor will remove all material over three inches diameter, and three feet in length. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three

(3) inches diameter, and three (3) feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements, on pile size and arrangement.

Optional Item 19: Grizzly - Small- and Large-Tree Thinning - Whitebark Pine Restoration (56* Acres) *estimated quantity End result: Growing conditions for whitebark pine in mixed conifer stands will be improved by removing competing vegetation to increase access to light, water, and nutrients for whitebark pine

Project description: Reduce fuel loading to protect whitebark pine from wildfire and reduce competing vegetation to promote its growth and health. Fuels reduction will be accomplished through a combination of large-tree thinning, cut-skid-deck, and downed wood removal.

Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them:

1) Retain all five-needled pine, orange-marked trees, hardwoods, and mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B).

2) Cut all lodgepole pine and white fir >2” DBH within 30 feet of a five-needled pine.

3) Thin residual merchantable trees to an average basal area of 60 ft2/ac, with a range of 50-70 ft2/ac.

4) Thin all trees greater than or equal to 2” DBH, up to A.2. specifications, to a variable spacing of 20 x 20 to

40 x 40 feet, with an average spacing of 30x30 feet.

Tree selection objectives:

1) Prioritize the largest, healthiest trees as leave trees.

2) Species preference for leave trees: ponderosa pine, white fir, lodgepole pine.

3) Don’t leave trees with one-sided crowns. When multiple trees in a clump have developed one-sided crowns, either leave or take all of them.

Slash Treatment Specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees that are less than A.2 specifications to approved landing locations. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three inches diameter and three feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements for pile location, size and arrangement in Appendix B.

Skid pre-existing downed wood to landings and process it into firewood. Leave 15-20 8’ logs per acre with minimum diameter 8”. A single log that is longer than 8’ can count as multiple leave logs; do not cut logs into smaller segments. Leave all downed wood which has >50% contact with the ground along its lower surface, as well as all logs that are partially buried or decomposed. Leave all large (>20” DBH) downed wood on site.

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Optional Item 20: Grizzly - Small Tree Thinning - Old Growth (415* acres) *estimated quantity End result: Risk of catastrophic wildfire in old growth stands will be reduced by removing ladder fuels and reducing stand density.

Project Description: Reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire in old growth stands through small-tree thinning and ladder fuel reduction.

Perform these in order; subsequent objectives do not override any before them:

1) Retain all hardwoods, five-needled pine, and mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B).

2) Leave 15-20% of unit area as untreated retention patches ranging in size from 0.25 to 5 acres. Incorporate danger snags into these retention areas wherever possible.

3) Remove all western juniper >2” DBH.

4) Cut all conifers between 2” DBH and minimum merchantable specifications which are within the dripline of a large (>21” DBH) tree.

5) Thin conifers between 2” DBH and minimum merchantable specifications to a variable spacing ranging from 20 X 20 to 40 X 40 feet, with an average spacing of 30 x 30 feet.

Tree selection objectives:

a) Species preference for retention in descending order: ponderosa pine, incense cedar, white fir, and lodgepole pine.

b) If all leave trees are the same species, preference shall be given to the healthiest tree.

c) Wider spacing shall be used where the species composition of sub-merchantable trees is dominated by white fir and lodgepole pine. Tighter spacing shall be used in natural openings or areas with a high prevalence of ponderosa pine and incense-cedar.

Slash treatment specifications: Whole-tree yard cut trees to approved landing locations. Contractor will remove all material over three inches diameter, and three feet in length. Machine pile all cut trees and slash at least three

(3) inches diameter, and three (3) feet in length. Refer to provision C6.74# - Slash Treatment Requirements, on pile size and arrangement.

Optional Item 21: Grizzly - Conifer Removal - Aspen (215* Acres) *estimated quantity End Results: Stand density will be reduced and species composition will be shifted in accordance with the historical range of variation for aspen woodlands.

Project Description:

1. Retain all hardwood trees and brush, all five-needled pine, all ponderosa pine and incense-cedar 12” or greater in DBH, lodgepole pine ≥26” DSH, all mature trees (see C2.355# in Appendix B), all dead trees (unless they pose a safety hazard), and all orange-marked trees.

2. Cut all ponderosa pine and incense-cedar less than 12" in DBH and greater than one (1) foot in height.

3. Cut all lodgepole pine less than 26" in DSH and greater than one (1) foot in height.

4. Cut all juniper and white fir >2” DBH.

Conifer removal specifications: Hand-felling and hand-piling shall be used to reduce impacts on soils. Felling shall be done in a manner that does not damage leave trees. Trees must be felled away from all roads, streams, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, and land corners. All limbs must be removed from the boles of cut trees. Material that meets minimum merchantable specs (see Section A.2, Appendix B) may be skidded out of units where potential soil impacts are deemed to be negligible, as agreed to by Forest Service.

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Slash treatment specifications: Material to be piled consists of all slash generated by cutting operations between three (3) inches and eight (8) inches in diameter at the small end. Piles shall be located at least 25' from green trees so that later burning will not damage green trees and seedlings. Piles shall be at least four (4) feet high and four (4) feet diameter. Piles shall be located at least 50 feet away from perennial streams. Piles shall be located a minimum of five (5) feet from another pile, road edges, subdivision boundaries, fences, monuments, markers, improvements, and snags and downed wood >20" DBH.

Optional Item 22: DxP Prescription and Virtual Boundary Implementation Monitoring (9,970* Acres) *estimated quantity End Results: The contractor shall implement a quality control monitoring system that significantly reduces…

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