C2023-085_Western_Destin_Dune_Vegetation_Specifications.pdf

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE

WESTERN DESTIN DUNE VEGETATION PROJECT

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY

These specifications include requirements for the furnishing of labor, materials, equipment and performing all operations in connection with dune vegetation, sand fencing, signage, and post and rope installation as indicated on the Construction Drawings (Drawings) and specified herein.

1.2 DEFINITIONS

Nomenclature: The scientific and common names of plants herein specified conform to the approved names given in Hortus Third (1976) by Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium.

Planting Unit: For the purposes of this project, the term “planting unit” refers to vegetative material of an individual, viable, nursery-grown plant installed within a single hole created on the beach or dune system.

Planting unit species and size vary in accordance with these Specifications and Contract Documents.

Engineer: The Owner’s representative responsible for construction observation.

1.3 SUBMITTALS

The following shall be submitted for Owner and Engineer approval:

Work Plan: As part of the bid package, the Contractor shall submit to the Engineer a detailed work plan for the dune vegetation, sand fence, signage, and post and rope installation. The plan shall include the construction schedule (including plant propagation through installation), propagation method, types of hydrating gel and fertilizer to be used (including the required manufacturers information), proposed materials, staging areas and access requirements, work force and equipment, and the qualifications of supervisor(s). The Contractor shall provide with the work plan documentation as to the source of the planting units to be installed, including collection permits and any other required permits or documentation.

Watering Plan: As part of the bid package, the Contractor shall furnish to the Engineer a plan for watering the plants and an itemized list of equipment that will be used during watering operations. The watering plan shall detail the proposed number of irrigation events, irrigation methodology, equipment, water source, labor, required time, notifications, and the physical condition(s) of the planting units that signal the need for maintenance irrigation. The plan shall also include details regarding the hydrating gel requirements and any additional soil amendments (fertilizer) that may be included during the irrigation.

Certificates of Compliance: Before delivery of planting materials, the Contractor shall submit to the

Engineer certificates of compliance and/or documentation certifying that the planting materials meet all of the requirements (plant source, plant size, plant age, plant grade, etc.) for this specification.

Notice of Commencement: The Contractor shall notify the Engineer at least 3 days before initiating the work, including mobilization, staging, and/or field work.

Notice for Inspection: The Contractor shall notify the Engineer at least 10 days before the scheduled 180-day inspection that the vegetation is ready for inspection. The Contractor shall meet and accompany the

Engineer onsite during the inspection.

Soil Amendments: The Contractor shall submit the required manufacturer’s information certifying that soil amendments meet the specifications.

PART 2 - EXECUTION

2.1 GENERAL

Schedule

The Contractor shall complete all construction activity (plant, sand fence, signage, and post and rope installation) and remove all equipment from the beach and work areas within 60 calendar days following the Notice to Proceed and prior to October 1, 2026. The Contractor shall coordinate with the County’s marine turtle monitor throughout nesting season (May 1 – October 31) in accordance with State and

Federal permits (See Section 7.3). The Contractor shall not commence work until receiving a written Notice to Proceed from the Owner or Engineer. Work is permitted seven (7) days a week during daylight hours only (sunrise to 1 hour after sunset).

Notification

The Contractor shall notify the Engineer at least 3 days prior to project mobilization, commencement of installation, project completion, inspections, and demobilization. The Contractor shall notify the Engineer at least 10 days before the scheduled 180-day vegetation inspection. The Contractor shall notify the

Engineer at least 48 hours prior to the suspension of work. The Contractor shall notify the Engineer immediately for any work stoppages resulting from environmental impacts (turtle nest impacts, fuel spills, etc.), permit violations, property owner disputes, safety violations, etc.

Work

The Contractor shall install the dune vegetation, sand fencing, signage, and post and rope in accordance with the Construction Drawings. The Contractor shall field-verify the specific locations of the work and obtain Engineer approval prior to installation of any work components. The Owner and Engineer reserve the right to suspend the work at any time when the location, layout, or limits established by the Contractor are not sufficient to define the work. The Contractor shall utilize the construction baseline and stationing shown in the Construction Drawings to define features of the work and document completed work areas.

Planting Layout

The Contractor shall lay out the locations of the proposed vegetation areas, for approval by the Engineer, prior to planting. At a minimum, the layout shall include markers (e.g., flagging or stakes) at the seaward and landward limits of the planting area, accesses (paths and dune walkovers), and endpoints of the work.

The markers shall be placed at 100-foot centers maximum and at reduced distances in non-uniform areas to clearly define the planting area. The Contractor will be responsible for tracking and removing all stakes and markers from the beach project area. The work shall be performed in a continuous manner from start to finish without interruption or variation.

2.2 WORK AREAS AND ACCESS

Planting Areas

The plant units shall be installed on the constructed dune crest and seaward dune face within the planting areas shown in the Drawings. The Contractor shall also provide bid estimates for installing plant units on the landward dune face and within the additional planting area.

Staging Areas

The Contractor shall utilize the staging areas shown in the Drawings. The Contractor shall maintain the staging areas in a neat and orderly fashion and minimize the area utilized for staging and/or equipment storage. The Contractor will be responsible for cleaning and restoring the staging areas to pre-construction conditions to the satisfaction of the Owner and Engineer prior to demobilization. The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage to the existing dunes, dune vegetation, private and public property, and staging, work, and access areas. The Contractor shall repair any damage resulting from the Contractor’s operations at no cost to the Owner or Engineer. The Contractor will not be permitted to stockpile equipment or materials on the beach except those required for immediate (same day) planting or installation. The

Contractor is responsible for the collection and removal of any debris and litter associated with the work.

The Work Plan submitted by the Contractor shall describe the proposed use (including equipment/materials to be stored, schedule, etc.) of the staging areas.

Beach Access

The Contractor shall utilize only the beach access corridors shown in the Drawings unless otherwise approved by the Owner and Engineer. The Contractor shall maintain all beach accesses in working order and shall not inhibit the general public from accessing the beach. The Contractor shall not enter or place planting units, sand fence, equipment, or materials on private properties outside of the project area defined in the Drawings. The Contractor shall minimize access and travel along the beach to avoid disturbance or impacts to the existing beach and dune system. Driving vehicles along any part of the dune or upland of the dune is prohibited. The Contractor shall repair any damage resulting from the Contractor’s operations at no cost to the Owner or Engineer.

Work Area

The Contractor’s active work area shall not exceed 500 linear feet in a shore-parallel direction.

PART 3 - PRODUCTS

3.1 PLANTING MATERIALS

Plant Source

The source of all planting units delivered under this bid item will be limited to seeds and propagated plants collected from the South Alabama and Florida Panhandle coasts. Source material collected from areas other than the South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle coasts (e.g., Florida east coast or Caribbean) will be rejected. The Contractor shall provide written documentation as to the source of the planting units in the bid package. Documentation shall include collection permits or contracts from the Florida

Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or other comparable documents. Bids submitted without this documentation will not be considered.

Plant Species

The Contractor shall plant the native dune species listed below in accordance with the specified percentages of total plants and within the areas shown in the Drawings. The Contractor shall meet the specified planting percentages over the approximate 1,500 to 2,000-feet long acceptance sections documented in the Construction Drawings. Section 3.1.C below includes specifications for the diversity species. The Contractor’s Work Plan shall include a detailed description of the proposed planting scheme.

1. Planting Zone I (Seaward Dune Face and Dune Crest):

a. Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata) – 80%

b. Panic Grass (Panicum amarum) – 10%

c. Diversity Species – 10%

2. Planting Zone II (Landward Dune Face):

a. Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata) – 70%

b. Panic Grass (Panicum amarum) – 10%

c. Diversity Species – 20%

3. Additional Planting Zone (Repairs to Access Area)

a. Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata) – 80%

b. Panic Grass (Panicum amarum) – 10%

c. Diversity Species – 10%

In addition to the 2-inch species described above, the Contractor shall install 11 container-grown Southern

Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) and 22 container-grown Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) within the

Additional Planting Zone at the locations identified in the Drawings. Shrubs shall not be counted toward the 2-inch species planting percentages specified.

Diversity Species

The Contractor shall provide and install a minimum of three additional native species according to the percentages specified above. The Contractor shall plant the diversity species intermittently among the sea oats, in even distributions, and within the areas of greatest survival and function according to standard industry practice. The diverse species provided shall be in even proportions. Diversity species may include

(but not be limited to):

Beach Elder (Iva imbricata)

Beach Morning Glory (Ipomaea imperati)

Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)

Sea Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum)

Coastal Blue Stem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Dune Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)

Coastal Sea Rocket (Cakile lanceolata)

The Contractor may recommend additional diversity species for approval by the Engineer. The Contractor shall submit appropriate documentation identifying the advantages of the proposed species and certifying the proposed species are suitable for the site.

3.2 PROPAGATION METHODS

Liners

For 2-inch species, all plant materials shall be grown in multi-well trays (liners). Root ball (container) volumes shall not be less than 2.2 cubic inches (C.I.).

Number of Seeds per Liner

The nursery shall determine, through germination experiments, the number of seeds placed in each liner such that viable planting units with at least two emergent stems for 2-inch planting units are produced.

Planting units with fewer than the specified number of stems will not be accepted. Prior to shipping, roots should fill the entire volume of the container, but the containers shall not be root bound. When the plants are pulled from the liner, the roots shall support the soil volume of the container with minimal soil loss. The

Engineer may require the Contractor to perform such demonstrations prior to planting.

Micropropagation

Planting units grown from approved sources via micropropagation techniques may be accepted. Plants produced from cuttings or the division of larger plants may be used if the material is derived from South

Alabama or Florida Panhandle sources and meets all of the specifications for seed-producing planting units. However, planting units derived from micropropagation techniques shall not exceed 25% of the total number of planting units delivered.

Inspections

The Contractor shall provide the Engineer and Owner with access to all nursery operations in the manner and time frame requested by the Owner or Engineer for the purpose of performing compliance inspections of the propagation and production methods being employed by the Contractor.

3.3 PLANT SIZE, AGE, AND CONDITION

Plant Size

For 2-inch planting units, Sea Oats and Panic Grasses shall be 8-16 inches in height, as measured from the top of the root ball to the apical meristem, and have a minimum of two healthy stems. 2-inch units shall have a root ball volume of at least 2.2 cubic inches. For the purposes of this specification, the plant material in a single liner represents one planting unit, regardless of the soil volume or number of viable stems. The

Engineer will reject any plants not meeting these size constraints.

Southern Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) shall be a minimum 3-gallon container specimen, 24 to 36 inches in height at time of installation. The root ball shall not be less than 0.75 gallons and shall not be root-bound at time of planting.

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) shall be a minimum 3-gallon container specimen, 12 to 24 inches in height with no fewer than 2 established fronds at time of installation. The root ball shall not be less than 0.75 gallons and shall not be root-bound at time of planting.

Plant Age

Planting units shall be 90- to 120-days old for 2-inch planting units, as measured from the approximate time of germination. The Engineer may reject planting units younger or older than these specifications.

The Contractor shall coordinate delivery to ensure planting units are installed within five (5) days of the plant being “pulled” at the nursery.

Plant Condition

All planting units provided by the Contractor shall be of the highest quality and shall have moist, vigorous root systems free of rot, disease, or discoloration at the time of delivery and installation. The Engineer will reject planting units not meeting these specifications. The Engineer will not consider rejected planting units as delivered to the site and will not be eligible for payment for production, delivery, or other costs. The

Contractor will be responsible for properly disposing of rejected planting units. The Contractor shall maintain the high-quality condition of the plants from the time the plants are “pulled” at the nursery through planting and continuing throughout the 180-day warranty period (Section 3.6).

The root ball shall be properly moistened to prevent desiccation. Prior to shipping, roots should fill the entire volume of the container, but should not be root bound. When pulled from the liner/tray, the roots shall support the soil volume of the container with minimal soil loss. All planting units shall be handled, packed, transported, and stored at the installation site in such a manner as to ensure protection against desiccation, thermal stress, disease, or physical damage. The Contractor shall make the planting units available at all times for inspection by the Engineer. The Engineer will reject planting units improperly handled, packed, transported, or stored.

Number of Planting Units Delivered

The Drawings specify the estimated number of planting units required for the work. Varying site conditions may require adjustments beyond or below the estimated quantities. The Contractor is required to provide sufficient plant quantities in order to perform the work in accordance with the Contract Documents. The

Engineer will determine the final number of planting units eligible for payment.

Planting units delivered to the work site shall be contained in consistent, accessible, and uniform packing materials such as waxed boxes. Each box delivered to a work site will be subject to planting unit inspection and counting. The Contractor will specify a standard number of within-specification planting units for the packaging (e.g., 500 per box) before the Engineer will accept the delivery of planting units to the work site.

The Engineer will reject boxes of planting units that contain fewer than the established standard number of within-specification planting units. If more than one box per delivery is found to contain fewer than the established standard planting unit count, the Engineer will reject all boxes of plants within that delivery.

Boxes of planting units found to contain more than the standard number of planting units will be considered to contain only the standard number of planting units per box. The Contractor shall coordinate delivery to ensure an excessive number of plant units and/or boxes are not staged at the construction site and all units are installed within five (5) days of the plants being “pulled” at the nursery.

3.4 PLANTING DEPTH AND SPACING

Planting Unit Depth

The Contractor shall install all planting units at a minimum depth of 6 inches, as measured from the top of the root ball to the sand surface. The Engineer will reject plants not installed at or below this depth. Planting units out of compliance with this specification and unnoticed by the Engineer will be planted solely at the

Contractor’s risk and will be subject to all of the survival criteria and warranty provisions detailed below in

Section 3.6 SUCCESS CRITERIA AND REPLANTING. In addition, the Owner may increase the retainage of the contract should the survival and warranty provisions of these specifications not be met.

Planting Unit Spacing

The planting areas shall be laid out in 500-foot wide (maximum) sections to ensure proper coverage and spacing. Planting units shall be planted in rows, with the most seaward row located along the lower limit of the planting zone marked on the Drawings. Successive rows located on the dune shall be 12 inches apart and planted parallel to the seaward row. Planting units in each row along the dune slope shall be planted on 12-inch centers. Planting units in each row shall be staggered mid-way (in the shore-parallel direction) between planting units in the adjacent rows. The Contractor may modify the spacing requirements (+/- 4 inches) for up to 25% of the plants to achieve a more natural look.

Planting units consisting of Southern Wax Myrtle and Saw Palmetto shall be installed in the areas specified in the Drawings. The Contractor may place the planting units throughout the areas specified and may modify the spacing of adjacent plantings (+/- 4 inches) to allow adequate space for the installation of the larger planting units.

Planting units out of compliance with this specification will be planted solely at the Contractor’s risk and will be subject to all of the survival criteria and warranty provisions detailed below in Section 3.6 SUCCESS

CRITERIA AND REPLANTING.

Installation

The Contractor shall install planting units by hand labor and tools (e.g., spades, shovels, hand-held augers, etc.). The Contractor shall install planting units to fully cover the planting areas shown in the Drawings.

Planting units shall be installed up to existing vegetation, existing structures (e.g., dune walkovers) or access paths.

Final Dressing

The Contractor shall smooth the planting area to remove any large depressions, mounds, or footprints from the finished grade surface. Filling around plants to provide sufficient burial will not be permitted.

3.5 SOIL AMENDMENTS

Hydrating Gel and Fertilizer

The Contractor shall utilize a hydrating gel such as Stockabsorb, Terra-sorb, or similar product with all planting units. The Contractor shall fully hydrate the gel according to the manufacturer’s specifications prior to use. Approximately one-half teaspoon of slow release (90-day) pelletized Osmocote fertilizer, or

Engineered-approved substitute, with an N:P:K ratio of 18-6-12, plus trace elements shall be added to the hydrating gel material for each planting unit. The amount of fertilizer added to 2-inch planting units shall depend on the plant species and manufacturer’s recommendations. The Contractor shall place a minimum of one-half cup of the hydrated gel/fertilizer mixture at the bottom of the hole beneath the root zone of each planting unit during installation. The plants shall be installed such that the root ball is in contact with the hydrated gel/fertilizer mixture. Dipping the rootball in the hydrating gel/fertilizer mixture prior to installation will not be permitted. The fertilizer shall conform to the applicable State of Florida fertilizer laws.

Fertilizer requirements may vary for the different plant species. The Contractor shall place fertilizer in accordance with standard industry practice for each varying species and size of plant, subject to the approval of the Owner and Engineer. The Contractor’s work plan shall detail the brand name and manufacturer of the proposed hydrating gel and fertilizer and proposed ratios for 2-inch planting units and mature planting units. The Contractor shall include the cost of the hydrating gel and fertilizer within the installed planting unit bid price.

Initial and Maintenance Irrigation

The Contractor will be allowed to “water in” (initially irrigate) and maintenance-irrigate all newly installed planting units such that the root zone of all newly installed planting units is thoroughly saturated. The irrigation must be performed in accordance with a Contractor-prepared and Engineer-approved irrigation schedule within the submitted watering plan. The watering plan shall detail the proposed number of irrigation events, irrigation methodology, the equipment, water source, labor, required time, notifications, and the physical condition(s) of the planting units, which signal the need for maintenance irrigation. The

Contractor shall notify the Engineer at least 72 hours prior to the application of initial or maintenance irrigation. The Contractor shall apply irrigation to the planting areas utilizing a non-destructive, non-scouring methodology. The Contractor will be responsible for all aspects of the irrigation, including but not limited to, compliance with all environmental permits, local beach access regulations, and any damages arising from initial or maintenance irrigation. The cost of the initial and/or maintenance irrigation shall be included within the installed planting unit bid price.

Irrigation Water

The Contractor will be responsible for obtaining and applying all irrigation water required. All water shall be fresh and free from injurious amount of oil, acid, alkali salts or other materials harmful to the growth of the plants. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable permits and ordinances. No temporary or piped irrigation systems will be allowed. The Contractor will be responsible for coordinating with local agencies if the use of local hydrants is proposed.

Maintenance Fertilization

The Contractor, if approved by the Engineer, may undertake maintenance fertilizer during the warranty period at their discretion. The Contractor shall notify the Engineer at least 72 hours prior to the application of maintenance fertilizer. The Contractor shall not apply maintenance fertilization within 60 days of the end of the 180-day warranty period. The Contractor shall include the cost of any maintenance fertilization in the unit cost schedule that accompanies the Contractor’s bid documents. The Contractor shall undertake maintenance fertilization, if employed, in a manner that complies with all environmental permits applicable to the project site.

Vehicle Access

In developing irrigation plans, the Contractor is advised that vehicle access to the beach and in the dune area is restricted and/or prohibited as outlined in Section 2.2.C and Section 7.6.

3.6 SUCCESS CRITERIA AND REPLANTING

Planting Unit Success Criteria

The Engineer will assess the success of the planting effort approximately 180 days after completion of the planting unit installation (for the entire project) using three criteria: whole-site survival rate, planting unit survival pattern, and planting unit root penetration. The Engineer will consider the planting effort a success and acceptable if all three of the described criteria (Criteria 1 – 3 below) are met at the 80% level. The

Engineer will assess these criteria across the approximately 1,500 to 2,000-feet acceptance sections documented in the Construction Drawings for the purpose of warranty and payment.

Whole-Site Survival Rate (Criteria 1)

A minimum survival rate of 80% of all planting units installed over the site as a whole shall be achieved.

The Engineer will consider plants as surviving if they show clearly vigorous rhizome and white, turgid roots, even in the absence of vital above ground growth.

Planting Unit Survival Pattern (Criteria 2)

A minimum of 80% of the planting width perpendicular to the shoreline shall be occupied by surviving planting units at all locations. This survival criterion is needed to minimize the risk of dune over wash during storm events. The Engineer may waive this success criterion in areas where plant survival has been adversely impacted by unexpected pedestrian traffic, erosion, overwash or inundation.

Planting Unit Root Penetration (Criteria 3)

A minimum of 24 out of 30 (80%) randomly selected plants within each acceptance section shall have achieved root penetration of nine inches or greater, as measured from the top of the root ball down. The

Contractor and Engineer, immediately following plant installation, shall tag the 30 randomly selected plants used to determine this measure of success. The Engineer may waive this success criterion if lesser root penetration is otherwise determined to be acceptable or if the lesser penetration was caused by factors outside the control of the Contractor (e.g., excessive natural rainfall).

Replanting of Units

If any of the above success criteria are not met, as determined by the Engineer, the Contractor shall replant the unsuccessful planting units with viable within-specification planting units of the same type originally installed. The Contractor will assume sole responsibility for the replanting of planting units and will complete the replanting at no cost to the Owner. All warranty and survival provisions and requirements will apply to replanted planting units. The Contractor will be responsible for properly disposing of all rejected planting units.

Initial Planting Unit Survival

The Engineer will reject and not consider eligible for payment all planting units that do not survive for a minimum of 10 days after installation. Within 5 days of notification by the Engineer that an area of initial planting units did not survive for 10 days, the Contractor shall install new, within-specification planting units in areas identified by the Engineer. The Contractor shall assume sole responsibility for installing the new replacement planting units at no cost to the Owner. The Engineer will consider the replacement planting units eligible for payment as “original” planting units only after they have survived a minimum of 10 days after installation. The Contractor will be responsible for properly disposing of all rejected planting units.

PART 4 - SAND FENCE and POST & ROPE INSTALLATION

4.1 MATERIALS

The Construction Drawings specify acceptable sand fencing, post and rope materials.

4.2 INSTALLATION

The Contractor shall install sand fence along the seaward toe of the constructed dune (seaward planting area limit), atop the flat back berm as shown in the Drawings. Prior to installation, the Contractor shall demonstrate the installation technique to be applied for installing the sand fencing, maintaining proper spacing and attaching the rope. The Contractor, at the discretion of the Engineer, may be allowed to vary sand fence length and/or spacing requirements in transition areas (e.g., areas adjacent to dune walkovers, accesses, etc.). Following sand fencing installation, the Contractor shall attach a single strand of rope to the seaward sand fencing post as shown in the Drawings to create a uniform barrier for the dune area.

The rope connection shall be threaded through a hole drilled 3 inches from the top of the post and looped around the post. The rope shall be stapled or nailed on the landward side to inhibit tampering. The

Contractor shall allow for uniform sag of approximately 12 inches in the rope between sand fence sections.

Where the sand fence terminates at an existing dune walkover, the rope shall be tied and secured to the walkover at an area and elevation to keep the rope elevation and length uniform. The rope shall be stapled or nailed to inhibit tampering or disconnection. Where the sand fence terminates at an existing pathway or beach access, the contractor shall install a post and rope system from the seaward toe of the dune to the landward toe of the dune. The Contractor shall install the posts and rope in accordance with the Drawings.

The posts for the post and rope pathways shall be minimum 3-inch diameter wood posts, no less than 7 feet in length, comprised of treated southern yellow pine, spruce or other wood of equal life and strength as may be approved by the Engineer. The Contractor shall maintain a minimum access width of 6 feet at all major pathways unless otherwise shown in the Drawings or directed by the Engineer. The Engineer reserves the right to modify or field-determine the number and location of beach accesses over the dune.

The Engineer will attempt to address the preferences of property owners with respect to access location and size through field adjustments.

4.3 WARRANTY

The contractor shall warrant the installed sand fence, posts and rope against deterioration and decay for twelve months following final acceptance. The Contractor will not be responsible for warranting materials damaged during extreme storm events.

PART 5 - SIGNAGE

5.1 SIGNAGE

Materials

The signage shall be constructed of 80-gage aluminum or better, shall have minimum dimensions of 12 inches x 12 inches, and shall have white reflective coating and black lettering capable of withstanding the harsh beach environment. The signs shall read “Please Keep Off Dunes– Dune Restoration in Progress” and “Dune Vegetation Protected – Florida Statute Ch. 161” in accordance with the Drawings. The

Contractor may propose alternative signage materials for approval by the Engineer. The Contractor must submit proper documentation for proposed materials and outline the advantages of such materials.

Signage posts shall be minimum 3-inch diameter wood posts, no less than 8 feet in length, comprised of treated southern yellow pine, spruce, or other wood of equal life and strength as may be approved by the

Engineer. The Contractor’s Work Plan shall include the proposed sign and post details (material type, size, text, etc.).

Installation

The Contractor shall install signage designating the newly vegetated dune areas in accordance with the

Construction Drawings. The Contractor shall install signage posts with a minimum 3-foot embedment into the existing grade. Embedment shall not exceed four feet and shall be uniform across the project area.

Signage shall be installed at the seaward dune toe immediately landward of the sand fencing and atop the dune crest immediately adjacent to existing dune walkovers and foot pathways as depicted in the

Drawings. Signage installed near the seaward dune toe shall be attached to the seaward face of the timber post and face the offshore direction (south) to be viewed from the beach looking landward. Signage installed near the dune crest adjacent to walkways and foot paths shall be place on both the seaward and landward side of the timber post and face both the offshore (south) and landward (north) directions.

Signage shall be attached to the timber posts with stainless steel bolts and nuts or tamper-proof stainless steel screws and plastic washers. The signs shall be placed at the general spacing depicted in the

Drawings and in close proximity to and in full view of the footpaths and dune walkovers.

Warranty

The Contractor shall warrant the installed signage against deterioration and decay for twelve months following final acceptance. The Contractor will not be responsible for warranting materials damaged during extreme storm events.

PART 6 - REPORTING

The Contractor shall prepare a daily progress report for submittal by fax or electronic mail to the Owner and Engineer. At least five (5) days prior to commencement of the work, the Contractor shall submit a sample progress report to the Engineer for review and approval. The daily progress report shall include, at a minimum:

1. Project name

2. Contractor’s name and contact information

3. Date of report

4. Weather conditions

5. Work performed (alongshore limits of work referencing baseline stationing)

6. Quantity of materials installed, staged, etc.

7. Problems/delays/issues

8. Instructions given/received

9. Deviations from the Drawings and/or Specifications

10. Certification statement by the Contractor with the Contractor’s signature verifying the reported information

PART 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

7.1 GENERAL

The Contractor shall conduct all work related activities in a manner so as to minimize or avoid disturbance to the existing beach and dune environment. The Contractor shall comply with all marine nesting turtle, beach mice, and shorebird protection requirements as specified in Florida Department of Environmental

Protection Permit No. 0286575-006-JN, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit No. SAJ-2008-00895

(MOD-TSH), and referenced documents. The Contractor and subcontractors are responsible for becoming intimately familiar with the permitting requirements and referenced documents and their potential impact on the proposed work. The regulations, requirements, and conditions of these regulatory authorizations are considered a part of the contract and shall be complied with by the Contractor and subcontractors.

The Contractor is responsible for informing its personnel and all subcontractor(s) of the permit requirements and the measures needed to maintain compliance with these requirements.

7.2 FUELING OPERATIONS

The Contractor will not be permitted to dispense fuel on the dune or sandy beach areas. The Contractor shall take all responsible precautions to prevent fuel spills or contamination of the ground with fuel. Should any fuel spills occur, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Owner, Engineer, and any other required parties and immediately recover the contaminated ground and dispose of it offsite at an approved facility.

7.3 DAILY TURTLE NEST SURVEYS

Beginning May 1, Okaloosa County shall conduct daily marine turtle nest surveys of the beach within the work area prior to 9:00 am (local time). The Contractor will be required to coordinate with the designated turtle monitoring personnel prior to commencing any vehicular activity on the beach to determine the location of any nests detected. The turtle monitor shall clearly mark, with stakes and flagging indicating a

3-foot (minimum) buffer radius, any nest discovered. The Contractor shall document and verify all daily communication with the turtle monitor in the daily report. If the Contractor finds an unmarked nest, the

Contractor shall prohibit any work within 10 feet of the nest and notify the Owner, Engineer, and turtle monitor immediately. Nests that interfere with the Contractor’s uncompleted work shall be left in place and the Contractor shall be relieved of installing any materials within 10 feet of the nest site.

7.4 IRRIGATION / FERTILIZER

The Contractor is not permitted to irrigate or fertilize within 10 feet or upslope of any marked nest.

7.5 LIGHTING

Lighting of the beach and/or work area is prohibited.

7.6 BEACH DRIVING

The Contractor is specifically advised that vehicle driving or parking on the beach is prohibited, excepting lightweight all-terrain vehicles with ground pressure of 10 psi or less. The Contractor shall obtain beach driving permits from the Owner for each vehicle used on the beach. Permits shall remain with each vehicle and be displayed in the driver’s side windshield. Vehicle access shall only be through access points designated on the Construction Drawings. The Contractor is advised the proposed work area is soft sand, and only appropriate vehicles shall be utilized in support of the work.

The Contractor will be responsible for filling or leveling any alteration of the beach topography (e.g., tire ruts, vehicle tracks, etc.) resulting from vehicular activity. The Contractor will not be permitted to store any equipment or materials on the beach. The Contractor shall store all equipment and materials not installed/used during the workday in the staging areas shown on the Drawings.

PART 8 - MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

8.1 PAYMENT

Payment shall be in accordance with the unit prices specified for the work and shall be based on the total number of installed and accepted units as described below and within these Specifications and the

Contract Documents. The Contractor may submit partial payment requests upon completing the approximate 1,500 to 2,000-feet acceptance sections shown in the Construction Drawings.

1. Dune Vegetation: Payment for the number of planting units installed and accepted.

2. Sand Fencing: Payment for the lineal feet of sand fencing installed and accepted. Sand fencing units will also include the rope placed along the seaward boundary of the fence.

3. Signage: Payment for the number of signs and sign post installed and accepted.

4. Post and Rope Access Enhancements: Payment for the lineal feet of post and rope installed and accepted.

5. Additional payment for items in excess of that indicated on the Drawings and requested by the Owner will be calculated at unit prices stated in the Contract.

6. Unit prices are to include labor, materials, tools, equipment, and incidentals for the installation of all work components as listed herein and on the Drawings.

7. No payment will be made for rejected items, items that do not comply with applicable sections of these Specifications, and those items that are defective or damaged during handling or placement.

8. No payment will be made for re-planting or other activities required to conform to the warranty and success criteria provisions stipulated within these Specifications.

PART 9 - PUBLIC SAFETY AND CONFLICTS

9.1 PUBLIC SAFETY

The contractor shall at all times protect the safety of the general public utilizing the beach and access areas, as well as recreating along the shoreline, within and adjacent to the proposed installation areas.

The contractor shall notify the Owner and Engineer immediately of any concerns or issues relating to potential conflicts between work activities and residents or the general public.

9.2 CONFLICTS

The Contractor is advised that construction work by other contractors may be occurring at the same time as plant installation. The Contractor shall direct all concerns or issues relating to potential work conflicts to the Owner and Engineer.

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