C04b Attachment 1 Statement of Work CSE Protocols 1284LM26Q0099.docx

2026 Flathead NF Common Stand Exam Protocols Big Spruce, Rad Mart, and Quill Pig Project Areas Intensive Plot Exam Levels 1000, 3000, and 3020, with Growth Sample Trees and Down Woody Material

Contents

2026 Flathead NF Common Stand Exam Project Overview The 2026 Flathead National Forest task order for Common Stand Exam data collection is for 300 plots over 39 stands.

The Big Spruce project area is located on the Glacier View Ranger District, Flathead National Forest, north of Kalispell, Montana. This project will utilize the following protocols for both a Quick Plot Exam Level 1000, and an Intensive Exam Level 3000 with Growth Sample Trees. Vegetation Composition, Down Woody Material, and Surface Cover data will not be collected.

The Rad Mart project area is located on the Tally Lake Ranger District, Flathead National Forest, west of Kalispell, Montana. This project will utilize the following protocols for an Intensive Exam Level 3000 with Growth Sample Trees. Vegetation Composition, Down Woody Material, and Surface Cover data will not be collected.

The Quill Pig project area is located on the Swan Lake Ranger District, Flathead National Forest, south of Kalispell, Montana. This project will utilize the following protocols for an Intensive Exam Level 3020 with Growth Sample Trees and Down Woody Material. Vegetation Composition, and Surface Cover data will not be collected.

Number of Plots Each stand will have a predetermined number and location of plots. Maps depicting stands and plot locations have been provided in the call order attachments. Feature classes of stands and plots, and an excel table/list of plot locations will be provided at the pre-work meeting along with the CSE Template file, or earlier at the contractor’s request.

Common Stand Exam Protocol These stand exam protocols are a modified CSE Intensive Plot Exam and Quick Plot Exam as defined in the Region 1 Common Stand Exam and Inventory and Monitoring Field Guide. If an item is not discussed in this document, record it exactly as specified for an Intensive Exam in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide, if it is required. Attribute tolerances are found in Appendix T in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide under the Intensive Exam Level specifications for intensive plot attributes. A R1 CSE Template file will be provided for this project.

Big Spruce - Quick Plot Exam Level Section 9: Setting Form - Quick Plot Exam Level, Big Spruce project area Table 9.1 lists the required attribute values for the Setting Form, as per R1 CSE Protocols for a R1 Quick Plot Common Stand Exam.

Table 9.1 - Setting Form attributes *Indicates defaults to be set in Exams Template file.

2.12* 9.13

(Default in Exams template file.)

· Tree Form: 1, Quick plot exam

· Veg Comp Form: 0, Not collected

· DWM Form: 0, Not collected

· Surface Cover Form: 0, Not collected

2.14* 9.14

2.19 9.19

2.21 9.21

2.24 9.24

2.25 9.25

2.29* 9.29

Record remarks about stand conditions not already described elsewhere (do not record remarks already recorded on other forms).

Record damage seen within the stand that was not recorded on Tree or Plot forms.

If a Setting Damage Category is recorded, record a corresponding damage agent code.

If a Setting Damage Category is recorded, record a corresponding damage severity code.

Section 3: Sample Design Form

The sample selection method type for this project will utilize both BAF (Basal Area Factor), variable-radius plots, as well as FRQ (Fixed Area) plots. Large tree data shall be collected on a variable-radius plot using a BAF appropriate for the stand density. Small tree data shall be collected on a 1/300th acre fixed area plot. Figure 3.1 shows an example tree form sample design using a 40 BAF expansion factor for the large tree plot. The depicted sample design format will be provided as the default sample design in the CSE template file. The examiner must edit the BAF expansion factor within the exams file as needed to reflect the actual BAF used.

In every stand, choose a basal area factor from the American Scale Relaskop appropriate to get an average of 4 – 8 live large trees on each plot. (10, 20, 25, 28, or 40 BAF are generally appropriate on the Flathead National Forest, though any common BAF available on an American Scale Relaskop that yields the appropriate number of live large trees may be used.) After selecting the appropriate BAF factor for the stand, go into the Setting Data/Sample Design Form and change the BAF factor if the default sample design for the Tree Form does not reflect the BAF that is used to sample the stand. Once a BAF has been selected, it must remain the same for all plots sampled within the same stand (setting).

Figure 3.1 Tree Form Sample Design Format example:

Note: This example uses a BAF of 40. Other BAFs may be appropriate for different stand densities, but must be edited in the exams file to reflect the actual BAF used.

Section 4: Plot Data Form Table 4.1 lists the required attributes to collect in the Plot Data Form. Other attributes may be collected to meet information needs.

Table 4.1 - Plot Data Form required attributes

Section 10: Tree Data Form, Quick Plot Exam Level Table 5.1 lists the required attributes to collect in the Tree Data Form. Other attributes may be collected to meet information needs.

Table 5.1 - Tree Data Form required attributes

· Quick Plot Exam – record site trees individually; other trees may be recorded in groups as determined by the information needs of the exam.

For trees ≤ 3.0-inches DBH:

· Group trees by species and height class (see below).

· Use a single data line for each sample tree group; record the actual number of trees within the group for TREE COUNT.

· For all other fields recorded for the sample tree group, such as DBH (Item 5.9), HEIGHT (Item 5.10), CROWN RATIO (Item 5.16), etc., record the average for the group.

Height Class Range (for sample tree groups)

<0.5 feet

1.0 - 4.0 feet

5.0 - 12.0 feet

13.0 - 19.0 feet

20.0+ feet

Damage Category

Only required for the following Damage Categories (live and recently dead trees):

· Damage Category 11, Bark Beetles

· Damage Category 22, Stem Decay

· Damage Category 99, Broken and Missing Tops

· Additional damages that may affect stand characteristics.

· Record “AE1”

· Record the length (in inches) of the core for which rings were counted Record additional notes that may explain or describe another variable, including notes regarding estimated or abnormal DBH measurements.

Section 6: Veg Composition and Ground Surface Cover Forms, Not used Veg Composition and Ground Surface Cover data will not be collected.

Section 7: Down-woody Materials Form, Required within the Quill Pig project area Down-woody Materials data will not be collected.

Big Spruce, Rad Mart, & Quill Pig - Intensive Plot Exam Level Section 2: Setting Form, Intensive Plot Exam Level Section 2:

Table 2.1 lists the required attribute values for the Setting Form, as per R1 CSE Protocols for a R1 Intensive Common Stand Exam.

Table 2.1 - Setting Form attributes *Indicates defaults to be set in Exams Template file.

3020 (Quill Pig)

(Default in Exams template file.)

· Tree Form: 3, Intensive exam

· Veg Comp Form: 0, Not collected

· DWM Form: 0, Not collected/2, collected

· Surface Cover Form: 0, Not collected

Record remarks about stand conditions not already described elsewhere (do not record remarks already recorded on other forms).

Record damage seen within the stand that was not recorded on Tree or Plot forms.

If a Setting Damage Category is recorded, record a corresponding damage agent code.

If a Setting Damage Category is recorded, record a corresponding damage severity code.

Section 3: Sample Design Form The sample selection method type for this project will utilize both BAF (Basal Area Factor), variable-radius plots, as well as FRQ (Fixed Area) plots. Large tree data shall be collected on a variable-radius plot using a BAF appropriate for the stand density. Small tree data shall be collected on a 1/300th acre fixed area plot. Figure 3.1 shows an example tree form sample design using a 40 BAF expansion factor for the large tree plot. The depicted sample design format will be provided as the default sample design in the CSE template file. The examiner must edit the BAF expansion factor within the exams file as needed to reflect the actual BAF used.

In every stand, choose a basal area factor from the American Scale Relaskop appropriate to get an average of 4 – 8 live large trees on each plot. (10, 20, 25, 28, or 40 BAF are generally appropriate on the Flathead National Forest, though any common BAF available on an American Scale Relaskop that yields the appropriate number of live large trees may be used.) After selecting the appropriate BAF factor for the stand, go into the Setting Data/Sample Design Form and change the BAF factor if the default sample design for the Tree Form does not reflect the BAF that is used to sample the stand. Once a BAF has been selected, it must remain the same for all plots sampled within the same stand (setting).

The following Tree Form Sample Design Format shall be used:

Large Tree Plot – BAF variable-radius plot for all trees >= 5” DBH

· All trees (live and dead) >= 5.00” DBH are tallied individually.

· Use a BAF from the American Scale Relaskop appropriate to measure 4 – 8 live trees per plot.

(10, 20, 25, 28, and 40 are common on the Flathead National Forest) Small Tree Plot – 1/300th acre fixed plot for trees < 5” DBH

· Dead trees from 3.00 to 4.99” DBH are tallied individually.

· Dead trees < 3.00” DBH are not tallied.

· Live trees from 1.00’ height to 4.99” DBH are tallied individually until GST requirements are met. (See Section 5.5 for GST size classes.)

· Once GST requirements are met, live trees < 5” DBH are grouped as described in Section 5.7 of the Tree Data Form.

· A height measurement is required for all tree groups less than 4.5’ tall.

Figure 3.1 Tree Form Sample Design Format example:

Note: This example uses a BAF of 40. Other BAFs may be appropriate for different stand densities, but must be edited in the exams file to reflect the actual BAF used.

Section 4: Plot Data Form Table 4.1 lists the required attributes to collect in the Plot Data Form. Other attributes may be collected to meet information needs.

Table 4.1 - Plot Data Form required attributes

Section 5: Tree Data Form, Intensive Exam Level Table 5.1 lists the required attributes to collect in the Tree Data Form. Other attributes may be collected to meet information needs.

Table 5.1 - Tree Data Form required attributes

5.22

Damage Category

Only required for the following Damage Categories (live and recently dead trees):

· Damage Category 11, Bark Beetles

· Damage Category 22, Stem Decay

· Damage Category 99, Broken and Missing Tops

· Additional damages that may affect stand characteristics.

· Record “AE1”

· Record the length (in inches) of the core for which rings were counted Record additional notes that may explain or describe another variable, including notes regarding estimated or abnormal DBH measurements.

5.5 Growth Sample Trees (GST), Required

GST Selection Guidelines:

On each plot, moving clockwise from azimuth 001 to 360 degrees, designate the first live, standing sample tree of each species in each of the following size classes as a GST:

Table 5.5.1 - Diameter and Height Classes for GST Selection

5 – 12 feet

>= 13 feet

First Tree 3.0 – 4.9”

First Tree 5.0 – 8.9”

First Tree 9.0 – 14.9”

First Tree >= 15.0”

Largest Tree >= 15.0”

For each Growth Sample Tree:

· Record code “G” in the GST attribute field

· Record tree height, age, and radial or height growth If the first GST of a given species in a given diameter class obviously has very extensive rot that may affect the ability to obtain an intact core for determining tree age, and there is another relatively sound tree of that species and diameter class, that is also within +/- 2” diameter of the rotten GST, and appears from its overall form to be of the same age class, it may be substituted as the GST to get a better age estimate. (However, field crews must be extremely cautious to avoid any bias in their GST sample. Be aware that sometimes the cause of the rot may be a disturbance, and that trees with rot may be of an older age class. If you suspect this is the case, do not select an alternate GST, but do the best you can with the first GST and estimate total age if necessary as outlined in Appendix O of the Region 1 CSE Field Guide.)

5.7 Tree Count

Record the number of trees represented by each line of tree data.

For trees >= 5” DBH:

· All trees (live and dead) >= 5.00” DBH are recorded individually.

For trees < 5” DBH:

· Dead trees from 3.00 to 4.99” DBH are recorded individually.

· Dead trees < 3.00” DBH are not recorded.

· Live trees from 1.00’ height to 4.99” DBH are recorded individually until GST requirements are met. (See Section 5.5 for GST size classes.)

· Once GST requirements are met, live trees < 5” DBH are grouped as described below in Table 5.7.1.

Table 5.7.1. - Height Classes for Grouping Trees < 5” DBH:

Height Class Range (for sample tree groups)

1 – 4 feet

5 – 12 feet

13 – 19 feet

20+ feet

If trees are clustered closely around a particular height break, and trees within the cluster are within 1 or 2 feet of that height break, it is permissible to consider these as one group and assign an average height for that group. (e.g. Most trees are between 12’ and 14’ tall; rather than split into two groups, this can be counted as one group, and assign the average diameter and height that fits best.)

For all other required fields for the sample tree group (DBH, Height, Crown Ratio, Crown Class, etc.), record the average value for the group.

5.15 Tree Age, Required for all GST

Record Tree Age for all Growth Sample Trees (GST).

For trees >= 3” DBH:

· Determine Breast Height Age from an increment bore taken directly below the point of diameter measurement (DBH) and at a right angle to the bole.

· Record age as actual ring count at breast height.

· To reduce bias, bore on the side of the tree facing plot center (when possible). If boring the plot center face would involve drilling into extensive rot, it is permissible to move around the bole of the tree to obtain a breast height core that avoids the worst of the rot, and thus provides a more accurate age.

For trees < 3” DBH:

· Determine Total Age by counting branch whorls that represent annual height increments.

· Total Age may also be determined from an increment bore taken at the root collar.

· Record age as total age of tree.

Age estimates are only to be used for rotten or hollow trees. Age estimates are not acceptable due to improper maintenance of increment borers. If Tree Age cannot be determined for a GST due to extensive heartrot, and there is another relatively sound tree of that species and diameter class, that is also within +/- 2” diameter of the rotten GST and appears from its overall form to be of the same age class, it may be substituted as the GST to get a better age estimate. (However, field crews must be extremely cautious to avoid any bias in their GST sample. Be aware that sometimes the cause of the rot may be a disturbance, and that trees with rot may be of an older age class. If you suspect this is the case, do not select an alternate GST. Do the best you can with the first GST, and estimate total age if necessary as outlined in Appendix O of the Region 1 CSE Field Guide.)

If estimating age due to rot or hollow center, record “AE1” in Field 5.26 Tree Remarks, followed by the length (in inches) of the core for which rings were counted. To estimate the breast height age, use the method for age estimates in Appendix O of the Region 1 CSE Field Guide.

Section 6: Veg Composition and Ground Surface Cover Forms, Not used Veg Composition and Ground Surface Cover data will not be collected.

Section 7: Down-woody Materials Form, Required within the Quill Pig project area Down-woody Materials data will only be collected within the Quill Pig project area.

The following settings within the Quill Pig project area are the only two settings where down woody material is required within this call order.

· 01100128020178

· 01100128020179

Down Woody Material Examination Level Down-Woody Materials

Collected according to Brown’s Protocols. See DWM protocols in Section 7.

• All components of Brown’s are collected

• Sample Design Selection Method = ‘TRN’

• Reports compute tons per acre

• Data is available in FVS input files and in R1 Stand Exam Summary Database

Down-Woody Form Required Fields (Brown’s Protocols):

For all exams requiring Brown’s Transect information, Exam Level 2, the minimum required fields for Region 1 are listed below. These fields yield data that allow fuel loading to be calculated. Refer to individual items for additional definitions and field procedures.

The Contractor shall collect down woody data in accordance with the technical specifications and methods outlined in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide, Section 7: Down-woody Materials Form – All Exam Levels and Appendix S, Down Woody Materials in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 1 and 2. Required attributes shall be recorded in the down woody field form.

Downed-woody materials include dead twigs, branches, stems, boles of trees, and brush that have fallen and lie on or above the ground. If a down-woody inventory is taken, information must be collected on all of the plots in the setting.

The tolerance listed for items in this section is "No Errors" unless otherwise noted.

Brown’s Protocol (Sample Design and Transect Layout, DWM Exam Level 2) Brown’s Protocol is a planar intercept method which counts intersections of woody pieces with vertical sampling planes. The sampling plane lengths (transects) can be varied by users to obtain the desired sampling precision. See R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix S of this field guide for additional information on sampling plane lengths and accuracy.

Figure 7.1 Example Brown’s Sample Design

Based on the sample design above, this transect layout would contain 100 feet of transect for sampling DWM pieces at least 3.0 inches in diameter, 20 feet of transect for sampling DWM pieces from 1.0-2.9 inches in diameter, and 12 feet of transect for sampling DWM pieces from 0.1-2.9 inches in diameter.

See the following figure for an example of how this transect could be laid out on the ground. In this example, two 50-foot horizontal distance transects would be installed radiating from the plot center. In this example there is only one 12-foot transect for DWM pieces 0.1-0.24 inches in diameter, one 12-foot transect for DWM pieces 0.25-0.99 in diameter and one 20-foot transect for DWM pieces 1.0-2.99 inches in diameter.

Transects installed on slopes >10% must be corrected for slope. See R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix J for information on how to correct for slope.

Tolerances Data attribute tolerance limits are indicated in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide and in Appendix T of the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendices (Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibits 1 and 2), unless otherwise specified in specific protocols.

Field Verification of Collected Data - Preload Check Field collected data can be ran through the Preload Check in Exams Mobile. The Preload check does not need to be connected to a network so you can run Preload Check in the field as often as you want, even at the end of every plot, to make sure that all tree records are covered by the appropriate subpopulations. For more information on the Preload Check, see Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 4.

Literature Cited Region 1 Common Stand Exam and Inventory and Monitoring Field Guide. Region 1 Vegetation, Classification, Mapping, Inventory, and Analysis Report #15-02. 2015. http://fsweb.r1.fs.fed.us/forest/inv/cse_exams/guides.shtml image3.png image1.png image2.emf