Statement_of_Objectives.pdf

20 JUN 2016

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

MANAGEMENT WETLANDS (BFMVOS807916) AND ENDANGERED WATERBIRDS (BFMVOS550316)

at

BELLOWS AIR FORCE STATION (BAFS)

20 JUNE 2016

1. OBJECTIVES. The purpose of the project is to out-plant the habitat in a portion of Pu‘ewai Wetlands at Bellows Air Force Station (BAFS) with Hawaiian native shrubs and groundcovers that will provide ecologically healthy (biodiverse) wetland habitat to support Hawaiian native wetland birds with foraging, roosting and breeding habitat. The steps to achieve this include removal of non-native invasive plants and then to out-plant the site with native Hawaiian plants. The wetland habitat restoration is in accordance with the goals and objectives of 1) the Bellows Air Force Station (BAFS) Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP); and 2) a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biological Opinion (BO) to achieve Endangered Species Act requirements for species-at-risk and species of concern. The BO includes requirements to manage habitats for endangered, threatened, rare, sensitive or keystone flora or fauna species. The tasks described in this SOO are to remove a limited number of invasive plants, out-plant with native Hawaiian plants, and maintain the wetland site until the end of the period of performance (POP).

2. SITE DESCRIPTION. Pu‘ewai Wetlands encompasses roughly 7.8 acres. Approximately 4 acres of pickleweed (Batis maritima) were sprayed with Habitat® herbicide during October 2015 which successfully killed the majority of pickleweed and retarded germination of new plants. This SOO describes work to replant wetland areas with native Hawaiian plants.

The wetlands primarily receive water from Waimānalo (Pūhā) stream, which runs along one side of the wetlands. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) defined the wetlands as jurisdictional in 2015. The forested portion of the wetlands is classified by the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) as estuarine, intertidal, forested, broad-leaved evergreen, regularly inundated (E2FO3N). The areas are classified as estuarine, intertidal, emergent, persistent, regularly inundated (E2EM1N). The wetlands are used by shorebirds and other waterbirds, including endangered Ae‘o or Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), ‘Alae ‘Ula or Hawaiian common moorhen (Gallinule chlororopus sandvicensis), ‘Alae Ke‘okeo or Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai), and Koloa or Hawaiian duck (Anas wyviliana) to forage, roost and breed. BAFS is restoring Pu‘ewai Wetlands for future use by native Hawaiian wetland birds as described in the USFWS BO. See attached Figures and Table:

Fig 1, Location Map, BAFS and Pu‘ewai Wetlands Fig 2, Aerial View BAFS Pu‘ewai Wetlands Fig 3, Ground View BAFS Pu‘ewai Wetlands Table 1, Minimum Hawaiian Native Plant Species for BAFS Pu‘ewai Wetlands

3. PROJECT MANAGEMENT, PLANNING, AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Contractor shall supply all necessary supervision, labor, equipment, vehicles and materials necessary to accomplish the work. The Contractor shall perform management and planning functions, including performance measurement and fund status reporting, through the course of this effort. The Contractor shall document the results of the project efforts under this SOO for government review and approval.

3.1 Meetings.

3.1.1. Meetings/Teleconference Support. The Contractor shall attend and/or support meetings and teleconferences as required by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) with the customer SCONS representative(s). The purpose of the meetings includes, but is not limited to, contract discussions, progress reviews, project scoping, planning, project status, and the general exchange of information concerning current activities.

3.1.2. Kick-Off Meeting. This SOO provides for activities required for the on-site kick-off meeting. The contractor will present a Work Plan (described below) that will include a brief description of activities to fulfill the required tasks and finalized schedule.

4. PLANNING DOCUMENTS.

4.1. Work Plan. Contractor shall prepare a work plan (WP) that will include a brief description of activities of the required tasks and finalized schedule. The WP shall describe in detail the approach, methodologies, quality assurance, quality control, and other technical activities that shall be implemented to ensure that a quality project is completed.

The draft WP shall be submitted to the SCONS PM for review within fourteen (14) days of contract award. The Contractor shall revise the draft WP as necessary based on all review comments received and submit a final WP within fourteen (14) days of receipt of review comments. The final WP shall be submitted both electronically (in both Microsoft Word and PDF formats) and as hard copies.

The WP must be approved by the Government contracting officer's representative (COR) prior to the commencement of the fieldwork. All work shall be conducted in accordance with the approved SOO.

4.2. Safety and Health Program. The Contractor shall develop and implement a written Safety and Health Program in accordance with guidelines specified in USACE EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health Requirements Manual. The program will include a Site Safety and Health Plan and Accident Prevention Plan.

A draft Safety and Health Program shall be submitted electronically to the SCONS PM within fourteen (14) days of contract award. The Contractor shall revise these plans as necessary and submit a final Safety and Health Program within fourteen (14) days of receipt of SCONS review comments. The final Safety and Health Program shall be submitted both electronically (in both Microsoft Word and PDF formats) and as hard copies.

The Contractor shall ensure that its subcontractors, suppliers, and support personnel follow all safety and health provisions established in the approved Safety and Health Program for the site. The SCONS reserves the right to stop work under this contract for any safety violations at no additional cost to the Government. The SCONS will verify that the Contractor has implemented corrective action before allowing continued performance under the contract.

5. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. The Contractor is required to notify the Contracting Officer (CO) of critical issues that may affect the contract performance and/or human health and the environment.

The types of issues that require notification include, but are not limited to, health risks, spills, changes in critical personnel, and finding Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC). As an example, if MEC were discovered during field activities, the Contractor would be required to immediately stop work, report the discovery to BAFS Security Forces and implement the appropriate safety precautions. Field activities could not continue until clearance was received from the CO. On critical issues, verbal notification should be made immediately, followed by written notification as soon as practical.

5.1. Solid Waste Disposal. Contractor shall provide BAFS with data to identify the type, tonnage and destination (e.g. landfill, recycling, waste to energy, etc.) of all solid waste (including green waste) that is recycled or disposed of on a monthly basis. Copies of shipping documents (such as bills of lading) manifests and weight tickets shall be provided to the BAFS Environmental Program Manager (EPM).

6. PERMITS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING. The Contractor shall develop, coordinate, and assist the installation in applying for and obtaining all applicable federal, state, local, and other applicable permits required to perform and complete the SOO. Relevant permitting may include, but is not limited to, Section 7 consultation (Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure actions do not jeopardize endangered and threatened species), Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) process decision documents, and possibly Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Excavation or significant ground disturbing activities are not anticipated for this project, however archaeological monitoring would be required in the event of excavation or significant ground disturbing activities. A current Notice of General Permit Coverage (NGPC) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit that authorizes the use of pesticides in the Pu‘ewai Wetlands is good through 21 OCT 2017.

7. PHOTO DOCUMENTATION. The Contractor shall prepare digital photo documentation of the site and field activities. Digital photos will be submitted in JPEG format unless otherwise specified. The contractor shall provide an index for each set of photographs submitted identifying site, project number, contractor, and a brief description.

8. BAFS ACCESS. The Contractor shall have access to BAFS in order to perform required tasks. To gain access, the contractor shall supply requested personal identifiable information of contractor personnel, to include sub-contractors, to BAFS Security Forces (SF) thru the contract Government representative and/or sponsor via the Form B-180 NLT 14 business days prior to contract start date.

BAFS SF will conduct background checks on each individual listed on the Form B180 and will post an Entry Access Listing (EAL) of authorized contractors at the Installation Entry Control Point when complete. Contractors shall present a valid identification card to the gate sentry for entry verification. Contractors, at no time, will have the authority to sponsor, escort or vouch additional personnel onto BAFS. Contractor vehicles will be subject to search prior to entry onto BAFS. The contractor shall immediately notify SF thru the Government representative anytime an individual is no longer required access to BAFS due to employment termination, re-assignment, etc.

9. SPECIFIC TASKS. The project focus is to replant the recently herbicide sprayed areas of pickleweed and additional areas as resources allow. The licensed contractor shall complete all work within the scope of this contract without government supervision. The tasks include removal of invasive plants, out-planting with native plants and maintenance of the out-planted site.

Contractor shall make every effort to maintain high standards of safety and cleanliness. Contractor shall also make every effort to minimize the amount of disruption to the environment.

The native Hawaiian plants, described in Section 9.1.2 below, will provide the endangered Ae‘o or Black-necked Stilt with roosting, breeding and foraging habitat. Ae‘o inhabit shallow wetlands with sparse, low growing vegetation that is not too overgrown. Interspersed taller emergent vegetation ('Ahu'awa, Makaloa, and 'Uki) provides a mosaic of concealment cover and thermal cover.

NOTE: The out-planting field work will be timed to avoid the Ae‘o or Black-necked Stilt breeding season that generally runs from late March to mid-August.

9.1. Out-plant 4.0 acres of wetland area.

9.1.1. REMOVE INVASIVE PLANTS. Remove invasive plants from the Pu‘ewai Wetlands areas to be out-planted. Invasive may be removed by hand or with an approved herbicide as long as existing native plants are protected from harm. The invasive plants to remove under this paragraph will not exceed 5’ in height. All removed green waste material will be hauled to a nearby green waste (composting) site, located on the perimeter of the wetlands, within 30 calendar days of removal.

9.1.2. OUT-PLANT. Out-plant with native Hawaiian plants (See Table 1-1, BAFS Pu‘ewai

Wetlands Pant List). Each one-half (0.5) acre section of wetland habitat will be out-planted with Hawaiian native plants presented in Table 1, Minimum Hawaiian Native Plant Species for BAFS Pu‘ewai wetlands that follow the below guidelines. Additional contractor recommended native plants are encouraged and will be considered.

Contractor will use knowledge of Hawaiian native plants to optimize the out-planting spacing and grouping based on the growth characteristics/properties of the plant.

Recommended spacing distances for each plant species are identified in Table 1.

Leave waterways open. In general, plant each species of native plants in approximately 100 square foot circular/oblong “patches” or 10 foot diameter “rings”. The different vegetation types will be interspersed as described here to provide sufficient edge and visual barriers to maximize territories available for breeding.

The seven (7) different native Hawaiian plants will be planted with the percentages or numbers described in Table 2. BAFS welcomes and will consider expert suggestions from contractors to adjust the plant selections and percentages.

Table 2, Percentage or Number of Wetland Plants to be Planted Per 0.5 Acre

PLANT PERCENTAGE NUMBER

ʻAeʻae (Bacopa monnieri) 30% --

Kaluhā (Bolboschoenus maritimus) 20% --

'Ahu'awa (Cyperus javanicus) 15% --

ʻĀkulikuli (Sesuvuium portulacastrum) 10%

Makaloa (Cyperus laevigatus) 10% --

Kohekohe, Pīpīwai (Eleocharis obtusa) 10%

'Uki (Cladium jamaicense) 5% --

ʻAkiohala (Hibiscus furcellatus) -- 25

ʻAeʻae (Bacopa monnieri) and Kaluhā (Bolboschoenus maritimus). Overall, there will be higher concentrations of ʻAeʻae and Kaluhā patches. ʻAeʻae and Kaluhā tolerate waterlogged soil and brackish water. Contractor will propagate Kaluhā from seeds collected from Kaluhā currently growing at the wetland.

ʻĀkulikuli (Sesuvuium portulacastrum). Plant approximately two (2) patches per 0.5 acre.

'Ahu'awa (Cyperus javanicus). Plant 'Ahu'awa in a ring shape (10’ diameter). Plant approximately eight (8) rings per 0.5 acre. Plant the inside of each 'Ahu'awa ring with either ʻĀkulikuli or ʻAeʻae (half the rings with ʻĀkulikuli and half with ʻAeʻae). ʻAhuʻawa can grow in dry, moist and wet conditions, and in standing water to about 8 inches.

ʻAhuʻawa tolerates waterlogged soil and brackish water.

Makaloa (Cyperus laevigatus). Plant Makaloa in a ring shape (10’ diameter). Plant approximately four (4) rings per 0.5 acre. Plant the inside of the Makaloa ring with either ʻĀkulikuli or ʻAeʻae (half the rings with ʻĀkulikuli and half with ʻAeʻae). Makaloa grows in wet environments and tolerates waterlogged soil and brackish water.

'Uki (Cladium jamaicense). Plant approximately two (2) patches per 0.5 acre. 'Uki tolerates waterlogged soil and brackish water.

Kohekohe or Pīpīwai (Eleocharis obtusa). Plant in a patches. Kohekohe grows well in in wet to very wet settings. The clumping rush can be grown with roots totally submerged in water. Test plots in the Pu‘ewai Wetlands show salt tolerance.

ʻAkiohala (Hibiscus furcellatus). Plant ʻAkiohala in dryer areas that do not experience reoccurring flooding. ʻAkiohala tolerates waterlogged soil, but soil must be well drained.

Contractor will submit an Out-planting Landscape Drawing that shows the native plant layout for government approval and comment(s).

9.1.3. MAINTAIN. Perform periodic maintenance for six (6) months after planting, not to exceed one year from contract award date. The purpose of periodic maintenance is to replace unsuccessful out-plants, remove invasive plants, and make “repairs” to the wetlands out-planting due to weather-related events or feral pig damage. The EPM will assist as the weekly “eyes on the ground” and notify the contractor of any changes to the out-planting area when maintenance needs to occur to reduce the number of contractor site visits.

9.2. Optional CLIN 0002: If this Option CLIN is exercised the Government shall notify the contractor 14 days prior to exercising this option. Out-plant 0.5 acre of wetland area. This is a reoccurring action that can be can be exercised as needed.

9.2.1. REMOVE INVASIVE PLANTS. (As described in Section 9.1.1).

9.2.2. OUT-PLANT. (As described in Section 9.1.2)

9.2.3. MAINTAIN. (As described in Section 9.1.3)

9.3. Optional CLIN 0003: If this Option CLIN is exercised the Government shall notify the contractor 14 days prior to exercising this option. Clear one-half (0.5) acre of invasive plants from Pu‘ewai wetlands or its perimeter. This is a reoccurring action that can be can be exercised as needed.

9.3.1. Clear up to combined area of one-half (0.5) acres of non-native invasive plants (such as, but not limited to, pickleweed (Batis sp.), grasses, herbaceous plants, trees less than 20’ height (such as, but not limited to, Milo, Red Mangrove, Kiawe, Opiuma, Ironwood, Brazilian Pepper, Koa Haole, etc.) and shrub vegetation (such as, but not limited to, Indian Fleabane) from the center (mudflat) and along the edges of Pu‘ewai wetlands.

The Contractor shall use a combination of hand removal, mechanical, and herbicide application methods as needed. Herbicide application shall comply with AFI 32-1053, federal, state, and local permit requirements. The Contractor shall prepare and submit a Pesticide Discharge Management Plan as necessary. Government provided mulch will be spread over the cleared area (3” deep) in the dry areas (not submerged by water). Mulch will not be spread over the wet areas, or areas that experience recurring flooding as determined by the EPM.

All removed green waste material will be hauled to a nearby green waste (composting) site, located on the perimeter of the wetlands, within 30 calendar days of removal.

10. REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES.

10.1. Planning Documents.

10.1.1. WORK PLAN. (As described in Section 4.1).

10.1.2. SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM. (As described in Section 4.2).

10.1.3. PROJECT PLANNING CHART. The contractor shall prepare and submit a Project

Planning Chart (PPC) for approval. The PPC shall detail the project schedule and status though the use of Gantt charts, which shall depict percent complete for each project and task. The PCC shall be submitted in both electronic and hard copy formats as appropriate.

10.1.4. WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE. The contractor shall prepare a contract work breakdown structure (WBS). The WBS shall be used to prepare proposal, project schedules, and financial reports. The WBS shall be submitted in Draft and Final versions in both electronic and hard copy formats as appropriate.

10.2. Monthly Status Reporting. The Contractor shall submit monthly (unless otherwise specified) status reports summarizing all activities conducted under this task order. The monthly reports shall be used to review and evaluate the overall progress of the projects, along with any existing or potential problem areas. The monthly reports shall include a summary of the events that occurred during the reporting period, discussion of performance, identification of problems, proposed solutions, corrective actions taken, and outstanding issues. The monthly reports shall also include project schedule status. These reports shall be submitted electronically.

10.3. Out-planting Landscape Drawing. The landscape design drawing will show the layout of the out-plantings.

10.4. Pesticide Discharge Management Plan. This plan is only required if Option 2 is exercised.

11. COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES. The Contractor shall coordinate worksite activities with all applicable personnel to ensure the protection of human health and the environment; the prevention of damage to property, utilities, materials, supplies, and equipment; and the avoidance of work interruptions. The Contractor must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety and health regulations and local safety office requirements.

12. EPISODIC FLOODING. Pu‘ewai Wetlands occasionally floods during heavy rainfall and when a sand plug forms at the mouth of the stream causing the stream water to back up. Water level can rise 20” when a sand plug occurs inundating the mudflats under water. A sand plug has formed twice a month during April, May and June 2016. The sand plug lasts for 3-5 days before the water builds up enough pressure to cut a path back to the ocean. On some occasions, BAFS can manually dig a trench through the sand plug to drain the wetlands over a 24 hour period.

13. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE ACTIVITIES. The Contractor shall handle all hazardous materials and waste in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

The Contractor shall provide a listing of hazardous chemicals/materials and estimated usage (quantities) to Bellows AFS EPM for any material requiring a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and brought or used on station. It is anticipated that nonhazardous solid waste will be generated during the project.

No hazardous waste is anticipated as a result of this project.

13.1. Solid Waste Disposal. Contractor shall provide BAFS with data to identify the type, tonnage and destination (e.g. landfill, recycling, waste to energy, etc.) of all solid waste (including green waste) that is recycled or disposed of off-station on a monthly basis.

Copies of manifests and weight tickets shall be provided to the BAFS Environmental Program Manager (EPM).

14. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.

14.1. Period of Performance. The period of performance is one calendar year after contract award date.

14.2. Place of Performance. Work shall be accomplished at: Bellows Air Force Station (AFS), USAF PACAF, DET 2, 18 FSS Bellows, 515 Tinker Road, Waimānalo, Hawai‘i, 96795.

15. CONSERVATION. Activities shall be planned and implemented in a manner that protects existing site utilities, surface features, and the general site environment. This includes the protection of trees, shrubs and other vegetation not in the affected zone from dust damage, soil compaction, and physical contact with machines and equipment. All reasonable measures shall be taken to minimize and suppress fugitive emissions of dust, vapors, and other site materials during site work. The Contractor shall conduct all operations and activities with the intent of reducing the amount of pollution generated.

16. SITE PREPARATION. The Contractor shall perform site work as necessary to prepare sites for staging area activities. Security and access controls shall be implemented to prevent unauthorized entry to sites and to protect wildlife from site exposure.

17. DEMOBILIZATION. The Contractor shall remove any temporary facilities and implement erosion control measures, and restore roads and utilities if affected.

18. CONTRACTING AUTHORITY POINTS OF CONTACT

A1C Travis Anders Contracting Specialist

766 SCONS/PKS

315-448-2957 Email: travis.anders@us.af.mil

TSgt Alex Nieves Contracting Officer

766 SCONS/PKS

315-448-2824 Email: alex.nievesalvarez@us.af.mil

19. ON SITE POINTS OF CONTACT

Mr. Chris Frantz Lead Engineer Det 2, 18 FSS/CE 515 Tinker Road Waimānalo, HI 96795-1903 W: (808) 448-4913 Email: christopher.frantz.1@us.af.mil

Mr. Craig Gorsuch Environmental Program Manager Det 2, 18 FSS/CEE, Contractor 515 Tinker Road Waimānalo, HI 96795-1903 W: (808) 448-4913 C: (808) 927-1867 E-mail: craig.gorsuch.ctr@us.af.mil

20. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. Within ten (10) days of Notice to Proceed, the contractor shall provide the SCONS Contracting Officer’s Representative a written list of all personnel, including site mailto:travis.anders@us.af.mil mailto:alex.nievesalvarez@us.af.mil mailto:christopher.frantz.1@us.af.mil mailto:craig.gorsuch.ctr@us.af.mil supervisors, support staff, quality assurance inspector(s), laborers, technicians, drivers, etc., who shall be responsible for the performance of the required work and require Base access.

The Contractor shall obtain all required permits. All reports and data generated under this contract are the property of the government and distribution by the Contractor to any source, unless previously authorized by the SCONS Contracting Officer, is prohibited.

21. LEGAL DRIVERS AND REFERENCES.

Final Unified Federal Policy (UFP) for a Watershed Approach to Federal Land and Resource Management (65 FR No. 202 of October 18, 2000)

Integrated, ecosystem management-based approach required by Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 4715.3

Sikes Act Improvement Amendments (SAIA)

Federal Clean Water Act “best management practices”

AFI 32-7001, Environmental Management, 4 November 2011

AFI 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resources Management, 17 September 2004, revised 9 September 2011

Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 32-70, Environmental Quality, 20 July 1994

22. ATTACHMENTS.

Fig 1, Location Map, BAFS and Pu‘ewai Wetlands Fig 2, Aerial View BAFS Pu‘ewai Wetlands Fig 3, Ground View BAFS Pu‘ewai Wetlands Table 1, Minimum Hawaiian Native Plant Species for BAFS Pu‘ewai Wetlands