P03_SD_CS-02_Clearing_and_Grubbing_2022.docx

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Construction Specification SD-02 Clearing and Grubbing

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

Protection of Existing Vegetation Trees and other woody vegetation designated to remain undisturbed shall be protected from damage throughout the entire construction period. Any damage resulting from the contractor's operations or neglect shall be repaired by the contractor.

Earthfill, stockpiling of materials, vehicular parking, and excessive foot or vehicular traffic shall not be allowed within the dripline of vegetation designated to remain in place. Vegetation damaged by any of these or similar actions shall be replaced with viable vegetation of the same species or as specified in section 8 and approved by the contracting officer.

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

Any limbs or branches 0.5-inch or larger in diameter that are broken, severed, or otherwise seriously damaged during construction shall be cut off at the base of the damaged limb or branch flush with the adjacent limb or tree trunk.

All roots 1 inch or larger in diameter that are cut, broken, or otherwise severed during construction operations shall have the end smoothly cut perpendicular to the root. Roots exposed during excavation or other operations shall be covered with moist earth and/or backfilled as soon as possible to prevent them from drying.

Marking Limits of the areas to be cleared and grubbed will be marked by stakes, flags, tree markings, or other suitable methods. Trees to be left standing and uninjured will be designated by special markings placed on the trunks at a height of about six feet above the ground surface.

Clearing and Grubbing Unless otherwise specified, all stumps, roots, and root clusters that have a diameter one inch or larger shall be grubbed out to a depth of at least two feet below subgrade for concrete structures and one foot below ground surface for embankment and other designated sites. All trees not marked for preservation, and all snags, logs, brush, shrubs, stumps, rubbish, and similar materials shall be cleared from within the limits of the marked construction areas.

Disposal Where brush piles for wildlife are not specified on the drawings, cleared, and grubbed materials shall be disposed of by burning and/or burying at locations shown on the drawings or shall be disposed of by methods and at sites selected by the contractor and approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service inspector. Materials to be buried shall be placed at least two feet below the surrounding ground line and shall be covered by at least two feet of soil with the soil surface graded to drain.

The contractor is responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations and the payment of any and all fees that may result from disposal at locations away from the construction site.

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