RFQ 12363N26Q4075 Chequamegon-Nicolet NF South Torpee Springs Mark and Cruise.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION PAGE OF PAGES

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER) THIS RFQ IS X IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET- ASIDE 1 59

1. REQUEST NO. 2. DATE ISSUED 3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO. 4. CERT. FOR NAT.DEF. RATING

12363N26Q4075 03/16/2026 UNDER BDSA REG. 2

AND/OR DMS REG. 1

5a. ISSUED BY 6. DELIVER BY (Date) National Stewardship Team 1400 Independence Ave. SW

MS-1138

Washington DC 20250-1138; Email Return: cynthia.horwitz@usda.gov

Date of Award through 06/01/2027

7. DELIVERY FOB DESTINATION

NAME TELEPHONE NUMBER X OTHER (See Schedule)

AREA CODE NUMBER 9. DESTINATION

Cynthia Horwitz Cynthia.horwitz@usda.

gov

a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

8. TO: Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

a. NAME b. COMPANY b. STREET ADDRESS

c. STREET ADDRESS c. CITY

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE d. STATE e. ZIP CODE

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO THE

ISSUING OFFICE IN BLOCK 5a ON OR BEFORE CLOSE OF BUSINESS (Date)

IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in BLOCK 5a.

This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the

3/31/2026 by 11:00 am Central Time submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) National Forest

Region 9 Timber Mark & Cruise BPA Call Order: 12363N26Q4075

Please place your price quotation in the Schedule of Items.

Furnishing Quotation: Complete Standard Form 18, the Schedule of Items, and provide a response to the other Evaluation Criteria identified herein. Return to the email address shown in Block 5a. Please place “Solicitation No. 12363N24-##-####” in email Subject.

a. 10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) b. 20 CALENDAR DAYS c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS d. CALENDAR DAYS

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT (%) (%) NUMBER PERCENTAGE

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations are X are not attached.

13. NAME AND ADDRESS OF QUOTER 14. SIGNATURE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO 15. DATE OF

a. NAME OF QUOTER SIGN QUOTATION QUOTATION

UEI No._____________

b. STREET ADDRESS 16. SIGNER

a. NAME (Type or print) b. TELEPHONE

c. BPA NUMBER AREA CODE

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE c. TITLE (Type or Print) NUMBER

NSN 7540-01-152-8084

Previous edition not usable

18-121 STANDARD FORM 18 (Rev. 6-95) Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

12363N26Q4075 Chequamegon-Nicolet NF South Torpee Springs Mark and Cruise Page 1 of 59

Schedule of Items

Item No. Unit Name Estimated

Quantity Unit of

Measure Unit Price Total

1-1 South Torpee Springs Timber Sale marking and cruising

377 acre $_________ $___________

Total Price Quote $____________

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1. Description of Work: South Torpee Springs Timber Sale Marking and Cruising includes marking and cruising of 377 acres hardwood improvement cuts. The requirements outlined in the parent BPA award are specific to this Call, and supplemental to the requirements of the parent agreement. The specifications in this Call may supersede or replace contract specifications in the parent contract, when allowed by the parent contract agreement.

2. Project Location. Units are located just to the west of Carter, Wisconsin. They can be accessed from the west via

Torpee Lane (FR 2358). Township 34N Range 14E Section 25, Township 34N Range 15E Sections 29, 30, and 31.

Refer to project specific marking contract and vicinity maps for exact locations.

3. Government-Furnished Property. Tree Marking Paint, R9 timber sale cruise cards and tally sheets, aerial photos or copies (as needed).

4. BPA Call Specifications.

5. Performance Requirements Summary.

(a) This BPA calls for the marking and volume estimation(cruising) of timber sales on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Timber sales contain separate payment units (10-20 per sale of about 20-50 acres in size each on average).

(b) The Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, instruments, supplies, transportation, professional services and supervision EXCEPT that which is designated in the Government Furnished Property clause.

(c) Contractors are required to be Forest Service certified, or have in their employ a certified person, before bidding on a contract that includes volume determination. Certification from the Chequamegon-Nicolet or the Ottawa National Forests will be accepted. Proof of certification will be required.

6. BPA Call Contract Time and Required Rate of Progress.

a. Estimated Start Work Date: April 1, 2026

b. Summer and/or Winter Project: Project to be completed during snow free conditions

c. Contract Time: The Contractor shall complete work on this Call Order by June 1, 2027

7. Attachments.

a. Attachment 01: General Specifications, 2 page(s).

b. Attachment 02: Silviculture Summary Prescriptions, 35 page(s).

c. Attachment 03: Marking Contract Acres 1 pages(s).

d. Attachment 04: Forest Vicinity Map(s), 1 page(s).

e. Attachment 05: Project Specific Maps(s). 1 page(s).

f. Attachment 06: Cruise Design. 3 page(s).

g. Attachment 07: Wage Determination.

8. BPA Call Evaluation Criteria – Instructions to Quoters.

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far (FAR clauses begin with 52) Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses: https://www.acquisition.gov/agar (AGAR clauses begin with 452) Deviations to provisions may be viewed at: https://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/policy/FARClassDeviations.htm

12363N26Q4075 Chequamegon-Nicolet NF South Torpee Springs Mark and Cruise Page 3 of 59 https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/agar https://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/policy/FARClassDeviations.htm

FAR 52.216-1 Type of Contract. (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of a firm fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation.

Technical Package addressing the following evaluation factors and subfactors:

1. Past Performance. Determined by SAM.gov and CPARS databases. Formal submission to address this factor has been completed under FAR 17.2 Options renewal and modification issuance. Source Selection Authority shall submit all Vendor Unique Entity Identifiers to SAM.gov and CPARs to form a basis for responsibility and prior past performance. Each file shall be kept under vendor name at time of selection for an accurate and complete document of record.

2. Price. Price will be evaluated on the basis of reasonableness and total cost to the Government and shall be used to determine the comprehension and evaluation of the understanding of the work to be completed.

a. Quoters shall submit their quote(s) by submitting the following:

i. 1 copy of completed SF-18 Request for Quotations form;

ii. 1 copy of completed Schedule of Items; and

iii. Quoter response(s) to technical (non-price) evaluation criteria.

b. Technical (non-price) evaluation criteria instructions. Quoters shall submit a response to the following non-price evaluation factor:

1. Please list the name of your business and number of years you have been doing this type of work. If you are new business with no experience, please state so.

a. If you have been conducting business under a different name, working for another business, or have been sub-contracting this type of work, list the name of that business and number of years’ experience.

b. List all personnel who will be working on this project and their experience in completing this type of work.

2. List your anticipated schedule and proposed daily production rate.

3. List your firm’s contractual commitments running concurrently with the work contemplated by this solicitation.

4. Provide the last 2 years of past marking contract history, including a point of contact for each contract.

9. Evaluation Criteria and Award Statement.

a. Technical / Non-Price Evaluation Factors.

i. Past Performance and Schedule. The Government will evaluate the Quoter’s proposal(s) concerning how they intend to conform to the contract time requirements of the Call Order. A Quoter response containing details that convincingly demonstrate to the Government that the Quoter will complete the Call Order within the minimum contract time requirements is highly desirable and will have a positive effect on the evaluation. Quoter proposals that propose completing all or part of the work faster than required by the Call Order as presented will be considered by the Government, and the ratings of such proposals will depend on the nature of the proposal and its anticipated benefit to the Government.

b. Price Quote. The Government will evaluate the Quoter’s proposed price(s) for price reasonableness.

c. Award Statement. Award will be made to the Quoter(s) whose response(s) represent the best value to the Government, technical and price factors considered. Evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are approximately equal to cost or price in the award decision(s). The critical factor in making any price/technical trade-offs is not the spread between the technical ratings, but rather the significance of that difference. The significance of the difference in ratings will be determined on the basis of what that difference is and what it would cost the government to take advantage of it. Award may not necessarily be

12363N26Q4075 Chequamegon-Nicolet NF South Torpee Springs Mark and Cruise Page 4 of 59 made for technical capabilities that would appear to exceed those needed for fulfilling the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to make price/technical trade-offs that are in the best interest and advantageous to the Government.

Quotations should contain the quoter’s best technical and price terms. The Contracting Officer may reject any or all quotations. The Contracting Officer may issue a call order to other than the quoter with the lowest priced quotation. It is the Government’s intent to award without holding discussions. Technical Packages should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms, from a price and technical standpoint, which the quoter can submit to the Government. After the evaluation of quotations, the Contracting Officer may negotiate final terms with one or more quoters of the Government’s choice before issuing any order. The Contracting Officer will not negotiate with any quoters other than those of the Government’s choice and will not use the formal source selection procedures described in FAR 13. The government will evaluate information based on the following evaluation criteria.

The Government may reject any or all quotes if such action is determined to be in the best interest of the Government.

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SECTION C – Statement of Work

Scope of Contract This contract is for Payment Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 in the South Torpee Springs Timber Sale. It involves timber marking and volume estimation of approximately 377 acres, broken down by the following description:

(1) HARDWOOD INDIVIDUAL TREE SELECTION CUT (Marking & Cruising)

All Payment Units: approximately 377 acres

Uneven aged stands or even-aged stands with uneven-aged or even-aged objectives consisting of a mixture of Northern Hardwood types of various size classes. These stands contain both pulpwood and sawtimber Species/Product/Unit mixes. Marking objectives are to remove trees considered high risk, defective, poor form, or mature and to maintain or develop size class structure with optimum growing stock, per the specific marking instructions.

Most units have a target basal area of 83 ft2/ac. However, a portion of Unit 1 contains an area with a target basal area of 60 ft2/ac.

This sale can be accessed from the following directions:

The sale area is located just west of Carter, Wisconsin. It can be accessed from the west via Torpee Lane (FR 2358), which is off of Range Line Road. A series of woods roads access the individual payment units.

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South Torpee Springs Timber Sale Marking/Cruising Contract- General Specifications

1. Timber marking paint will be furnished in gallon containers.

2. All paint exchanges must be pre-arranged with the COR and paint custodian at the Lakewood Ranger Station. Paint must be checked in within ten days of check-out. Paint must be stored in a locked container outside of the cab. This container must be fastened down in a manner that is tamper proof. On a limited basis minor amount (usually less than 24 quarts) can be transported in the cab if it is in a properly sealed container that is properly fastened down. Paint must always be under lock and key.

3. Cut Tree Marks: (for units with CTM prescriptions)

• Sawtimber and pulpwood trees shall be marked with paint above DBH and on the stump below normal stump height down to the ground. Paint shall be applied liberally to the stump spots. Stump spots shall be placed inside butt flanges where possible to protect from damage during felling and skidding. Paint shall be placed on areas free of moss. All paint marks shall be concentrated in spots or slashes of paint with a minimum 7 square inches of paint per mark. Slashes shall be at least 2” wide.

• Sawtimber trees shall have DBH marks on opposite sides of the tree and two stump marks, one of the stump marks must have a tail trailing up from the base of the tree at least 18 inches.

• Pulpwood trees shall have DBH marks on opposite sides of the tree and one stump mark with a trail tailing up from the base of the tree at least 18 inches.

• Unless otherwise agreed CTM units should be marked when snow free conditions exist.

4. Tree Count Units (if applicable) will require paint on each counted tree. Count trees that are within 5 feet of the unit boundary should also have stump marks.

5. A tally control sheet will be provided and each person’s sample group totals for that unit will be entered. This must be checked against the tally cards initialed and submitted with the tally cards.

6. Tally cards must be checked and initialed by the crew supervisor before being submitted to the government.

7. All units have been delineated and GPSed. Acreages are best estimates.

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8. Care must be used when applying paint to avoid potential wash-off of the paint before it dries. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to re-apply all washed off paint. Marking shall be done under snow free conditions, unless otherwise agreed.

9. Use new cruise method (cruise to the nearest foot).

Sale Specifics

• Some units are accessible by a 4WD Truck. However, some of the units may require ATV/UTV.

• A gate key will not be required for access.

• Contract Termination Date should be: 06/01/2027

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Overview of South Torpee Springs Sale Area

The South Torpee Springs Sale Area is located in the Wabeno Drumlins Land Type Association. This is an area of Precambrian bedrock that is overlain by drumlin fields of glacial till. It’s important to note that, because of the dome of underlying bedrock, this land type association has a relatively high elevation. Because of this, it was one of the first ice-free areas as the glaciers retreated from the area. Consequently, wind-blown glacial silt (loess) began to deposit earlier here than in the surrounding areas. The result was that this LTA has an exceptionally deep silt cap which has rendered this a highly productive northern hardwood landscape with excellent site quality. Due to the drumlinized landform, the sale area has a strong pattern of northeast-southwest-oriented drainages which will affect the season of operation. Due to these drainages, winter operations may need to be required in many of the units.

The original public land survey of the area was conducted by Artemus Curtis in 1857 and James McBride in 1859. The survey notes describe a diverse forest of sugar maple, hemlock, elm, and yellow birch, along with other associates, such as ironwood and northern white cedar. Diameters of the corner and line trees are highly variable, but in most locations, 20-inch hemlock and 18-20-inch yellow birch were present, along with 8–12-inch sugar maples.

In 1897, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad was extended to present-day Wabeno. Up until this time, logging in the area was mainly limited to pine that could be floated to the mills down area rivers. With the advent of the railroad, however, the Hardwood Era had begun. Most of the land in the sale area was owned by the Connor Lumber and Land Company of Laona. The western parts of Payment Units 1 and 2 (in Section 25) were owned by the GW Jones Lumber Company of Wabeno. While most of the area to the south of this sale area was railroad logged, we have no record of railroad tracks in the sale area. The hills in the area didn’t lend themselves well for railroad construction and so it was more feasible to skid the wood out using horses and “snow snakes” (steam-driven log haulers- see photo).

We have no way of knowing exactly when the sale area was cut over, but, given the advent of the railroad and the development of the log hauler, it was likely sometime between 1900 and 1925. The area burned repeatedly in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

The Nicolet National Forest was established in 1933 and began the acquisition of lands that were either tax delinquent or for sale by owner. The western parts of payment units 1 and 2 were purchased from the G.W. Jones Lumber Company of Wabeno in 1934. The remainder of the sale area was purchased from the Connor Lumber and Land Company in 1935. In 1938, the Wisconsin Land Economic Inventory (or “Bordner Surveys”) was completed in Forest County, creating detailed maps of the existing vegetation. At the time, the sale area was classified as medium-stocked 3-6-inch DBH Popple with White Birch with an understory of upland hardwoods.

By 1951, a timber survey of the Nicolet National Forest was completed. By that time, most of the sale area had been typed as medium-stocked, pole-sized northern hardwoods. A few areas, such as Payment Units 4 and 6, were typed as well-stocked northern hardwood sawtimber and PU 9 was considered poorly stocked northern hardwood pole timber.

As noted earlier, historically, the area contained a lot of American elm. Following the cutover, the elm readily regenerated, but the late 1970’s and early ‘80’s brought a wave of Dutch Elm Disease. There were many sales in the general area in the early 1980’s and one of the main objectives was sanitation/salvage of the American elm. Nearly all of the South Torpee Springs sale area (with the exception of PU 9) was included in the 1983-89 Shiner Lake timber sale. In that sale, the entire area was treated with improvement cuts and the aspen was largely removed through designation. Most of the sale area was entered again between 2000 and 2005 in the Torpee Springs Sale (again, with the exception of PU 9). All of the units in today’s South Torpee Springs Sale were treated at that time with an improvement cut.

In this entry we would like to pursue opportunities to:

• Promote the development of conifers, wherever feasible, by full crown releasing hemlocks, white spruce, and white pine wherever they are found;

• Promote the retention of and development of mid-tolerant species, such as yellow birch, butternut, and bitternut hickory, through full crown release and the creation of canopy gaps over advanced regeneration- especially in places like road corridors;

• Reintroduce a conifer component into some of our northern hardwood stands.

• Promote the retention of and development of less common species, such as butternut and oaks;

• Release cohorts of well-established regeneration through the use of canopy gaps and small patch shelterwoods;

• Greatly reduce ironwood within the sale area;

• Increase overall species and structural diversity within the sale area.

Thank you for your efforts in helping us manage this area.

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Notes for All Prescriptions Within the desired residual BA guidelines, mark to provide for efficient falling and skidding to the transportation system. Mark trees that would be damaged or smashed by larger trees that must be felled into them, or would have to be cut to get access to marked trees.

Mark access suitable for 12 foot wide forwarders, feller-bunchers, and processors as necessary throughout the stand, with particular attention to hillsides and the top of ridges and eskers. Slopes over 10% should be marked with skidder access perpendicular to the contours and relatively straight.

Mark unmerchantable trees in skid trails or strip cuts with “X” or slash at breast height and stump mark.

All selected trees will be marked at the stump and at 6-7’ above ground level with paint of color designated for that unit. The stump paint should be placed at ground level on areas free from moss, ice, and snow in a location protected from skidder damage and low enough to intersect the ground. Stump marks are extremely important to sale administration work and proper application is imperative.

Only one color of paint will be used in any one cutting unit.

Cutting unit boundaries are generally marked with orange paint. They are marked with three diagonal slashes facing into the unit at or above breast height. These trees will also be butt marked and the unit numbers will be painted on boundary trees at regular intervals, also facing into the unit. Special Measures Areas (also known as “Reserve Areas” or “Protection Areas”) will, likewise, be marked with three slashes of orange paint. Every third tree will be marked with the letters “SMA” facing into the unit. Any trees marked with orange paint, or within Special Measures Areas, are not to be counted as part of the cruise.

To protect future seed sources of American elms, this species will not be marked for harvest except for skidding, access, or safety concerns.

To protect hemlock as important seed sources, no mature hemlock would be identified for harvest, except for skidding, access, or safety reasons. This would be implemented during sale layout and design, as well as during timber sale administration.

Retain all snags unless they pose a safety concern. To ensure public safety, prescriptions should not exceed 10 snags per acre. The largest snags are the most desirable for retention.

The following instructions apply to all treatments except overstory removals and clearcuts:

Within 100 feet of permanent or intermittent woodland ponds do not mark larger diameter trees or cavity trees.

Live trees retained for wildlife value will not be marked (except in Leave Tree Mark units) and are included as part of the residual BA of the stand. Where possible, wildlife trees should be those species that are uncommon in a stand. Most hemlock, white pine, and cedar should be retained in hardwood stands. Other species may be marked as necessary to meet residual BA guidelines.

Hemlock should not generally be marked, unless necessary to facilitate harvesting operations. Individual hemlock and clumps of hemlock of good quality should be released from competition. Clumps of hemlock should be left at higher residual BA’s as identified in Figure 8, Manager’s Handbook for Northern Hardwoods in the North Central States.

In general, when selecting trees to cut, retain the trees that will provide better quality wood products, while still meeting wildlife guidelines.

Notes applicable to hardwood selection cuts, hardwood improvement cuts and hardwood thinnings:

Try not to mark single trees from clumps. Where possible within residual BA guidelines, either mark all trees in a clump, or none. If it is necessary to mark individual trees from clumps, mark only stems that can be easily and safely felled without having to cut or damage unmarked stems, and which have distinct, individual stumps clearly separate from stumps of those trees to be retained. Paint must be carefully applied, or unmarked stems must be shielded, to avoid overspray of paint from marked trees in the clump.

Due to poor markets for basswood pulpwood, mark no more 6-8” DBH basswood poletimber than necessary to meet BA guidelines.

Retain basswood poletimber of good form, vigor and quality if other species of equal or poorer quality can be marked.

Retain all healthy butternut, but mark unhealthy butternut in accordance with Butternut-Strategies for Managing a Threatened Tree. In brief: 1) Trees with more than 70% live crown and with less than 20% circumference of the stem and root flares affected by butternut canker would be retained; 2) Dead or declining trees may be salvaged or retained for wildlife values (depending on condition of wood);

3) Butternut trees free of cankers with at least 50% live crown that are growing among diseased trees would be retained. These trees may be canker resistant and have value for propagation by grafting or for future breeding. For further detail, refer to the publication, “Butternut- Strategies for Managing a Threatened Tree” by Ostry et al. (1994).

In stands where yellow birch is a minor component, efforts should be made to protect or enhance the development of this species.

Harvests in mixed hardwood stands should attempt to reduce competition to yellow birch from more dominant hardwoods

All windthrow trees should be left as coarse woody debris unless they are hanging in a tree that must be marked or present a hazard or obstruction to harvesting operations. In addition, retain up to 10 trees per acre of the following types for wildlife values:

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Trees to Retain for Wildlife Values:

Group Number per Acre Potential snags and cavity trees 1-2 Hemlock, white pine, cedar 10 Oak, hickory, butternut, beech 5 White spruce, fir, birch, ash, red maple, aspen, ironwood, black cherry

General Marking Instructions for Hardwood Improvement Cuts

This is an intermediate cut to develop uneven-aged structure in an even-aged or two-storied stands and to promote regeneration.

Selectively mark these stands to a residual basal area of about 80 ft2/acre. This is an average for the stand; most sample plots should have a BA within 10 ft2 of the designated BA.

Identify 53 crop trees per acre at about a 29-foot spacing to be retained (Other trees will also be retained).

Mark trees to be cut in the following priority:

1. Crown release 53 crop trees/acre, generally for 7 feet. Poletimber should receive a full release, sawtimber a release from the two most important competitors. Leave adjacent tree crown(s) to correct forks. Retain equally good nearby stems, e.g., if there are two good quality stems next to each other, the two can be treated as a clump and the clump released.

2. High risk and cull trees in the main canopy (if not needed to meet wildlife guidelines).

3. Create 4-8 main canopy holes per acre of 25-40 feet diameter to develop good quality saplings and poles and to encourage regeneration. Mark poor quality, suppressed unmerchantable stems in those holes with “x” at DBH and spot below stump height. Canopy holes should cover about 10% of stand area and preferably be located where merchantable trees are poor quality or high risk or where hardwood, white pine, or hemlock regeneration is established.

4. Low vigor, low quality, leaning, crooked, damaged, forked, and cankered trees from below the main canopy.

Heavy cuts to the minimum residual stocking should not be applied on exposed ridges, or on shallow or wet soils where trees are subject to blowdown. Residual stocking in those areas should be 5-10 ft2/acre higher than the rest of the stand.

Portions of stands with sufficient sawtimber, higher average diameters, and developing stand structure will be marked following the instructions for a hardwood selection cut. The intent of the marking is to shift between marking to 84 ft2/acre of residual BA where stand structure is already developed and hardwood improvement cut where such structure has not yet developed.

Be careful to maintain tree species diversity. Some aspen should be retained to provide cavity trees and forage for wildlife and for future snag development.

Unit-Specific Marking Guides

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SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES

• Capture volume of high risk trees.

• Reduce stocking to desired conditions and improve quality of residual stand.

• Establish a white pine component in the western half of the unit.

• Provide timber products to local operators.

LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

• Move the stand towards a balanced age class distribution over the next 2-3 entries. Obtain regeneration on each entry to fully stock the stand with a balance of different age classes.

• Use uneven-aged management to increase quality and structural diversity. Maintain or enhance species diversity.

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT SALE NAME PU

Townsend ROD South Torpee Springs(#40XXX) 1

STAND INFORMATION

Comp- Stand

Ac Forest Type

Size Den

Total

BA

Avg

DBH

MA Site Index Origi n

ELTP Habitat Type

Soil Type

5188-4

(050) 362 82 9 129 13 2B 63 (ACSA3) 1932 796C/757D AOCa /

ATD Stambaugh/Padus

STAND DESCRIPTION

Plot Merch

BA

1 110

2 120

3 100

4 120

5 110

Mean 112

Payment Unit 1 is located in the northwestern part of the sale area. FR 2359 is on its western boundary and is the main point of access. The unit could best be described as having a series of shelves and slopes. Most areas are fairly flat but there are a few ridges that have some 20% side slopes. While there is some surface rock, there should be no operational challenges.

In 1989, this area received an improvement cut (mainly removing aspen and other high risk trees). In 2005, it was again entered and selectively harvested. The west side of the stand tends to be flatter and has less of an understory. During the planning process, I identified this area as having good potential for an underplanting of butternut/oak/elm/hemlock. Upon further review, the west side of the unit represents a good opportunity to get some white pine back into the landscape. Due to the site quality and hardwood competition that will be present following the harvest, we will plant the site before the sale, rather than after the harvest. The idea is to let the seedlings get established with relatively little understory competition, then provide more light by thinning the overstory to something resembling a light shelterwood. The western portion of the unit will be flagged out for planting and for marking for a shelterwood-like treatment. The remainder of the unit will be marked for a more typical individual tree selection harvest.

All ironwood should be removed in this sale and in subsequent cultural activities.

DESIRED CONDITION

• The stand is an uneven-aged northern hardwood stand with high structural diversity.

• Sugar maple is the dominant hardwood species, accounting for about 75% of the hardwood BA, but mid-tolerants such as white pine and yellow birch are common, making up about 25% of the BA.

• The trees in the stand are growing at an optimum rate and are resilient to insect and disease attacks.

MARKING GUIDE

Treatment - Single Tree Selection (4151) Residual BA 60 ft2/ac west half; 83 ft2/ac east half

Estimated Treatment Acres – 32

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Diameter Class 2024 BA

Forest Plan Desired BA

(1.3 Q Factor)

5-11" 20 25 11-15" 24 20 15-19" 52 20

19-23.0" 16 18 Total 112 83

**In the western half of this unit, Cut Tree Mark to 60 ft2/ac. Thin from below, removing most of the trees in the suppressed crown class and many in the intermediate crown class. In addition, some of the dominant/codominant trees may also be marked for removal if they are high risk, unacceptable growing stock, or removal is needed to attain the target stocking and structure. The intent in this area of the stand is to reduce the amount of low shade and create more diffused light from high crowns. The resulting stand will resemble a light shelterwood. The area will be underplanted with white pine (and some hemlock, if available) and the objective is to provide enough light for this understory to survive and grow, while not being outcompeted by more shade tolerant species in the understory.

Tree selection should upgrade stand quality. It may be necessary in some spots to mark larger diameter poor quality or damaged trees in order to retain smaller diameter trees with potential for higher quality. Discriminate against short-lived, intolerant species such as aspen and paper birch. Favor longer-lived and less well-represented mid-tolerant species. The order of removal by species should generally be as follows: 1) aspen; 2) paper birch; 3) red maple; 4) white ash; 5) basswood; 6) sugar maple; 7) black cherry; 8) northern red oak; 9) hickory; 10) yellow birch; 11) butternut;

12) white pine; and 13) hemlock. Mark all merchantable ironwood.

**In the eastern half of this unit, selectively Cut Tree Mark to 83 ft2/acre live residual basal area of trees 5.0” DBH and larger. This is an average for each stand; most sample plots should have BA within 10 ft2 of the designated BA.

Desirable stocking per acre by one-inch diameter class is listed in Appendix Table 1, Manager’s Handbook for Northern Hardwoods in the North Central States, and is summarized at right.

In general, select trees for harvest from the predominant size class and select few trees from other classes. The following is the priority for marking:

1. Risk/Defect: Any tree that will not live or will experience significant volume (related to existing defect) or value (related to tree grade) loss before the next cut should be considered first for removal. Assume a 15-year cutting cycle.

2. Crop Tree Release: Identify all crop trees. These trees should exhibit:

Dominance or co-dominance; vigorous crowns; at least one 16-foot butt log;

grade 1 or veneer potential; good form; and be free of low or v-shaped forks.

Once identified, remove the two most important poor quality competitors.

Releasing 20 - 30 ft2/ac of crop trees would be ideal. If low forks are encountered on pole-sized trees, leave adjacent trees to correct forking.

3. Unacceptable Growing Stock: Trees which, due to form, branching habit, crown position or insect and disease problems do not have the potential to make an eight-foot sawlog.

4. Remaining Stems to Reach Target Basal Area of 83 ft2/ac: The table above shows the actual stocking in excess of the desired condition (Q = 1.3, maximum diameter of 25 inches). After removing the stems identified in 1 to 3 above, concentrate removals especially in the 6 to 12-inch classes, to reach the target basal area of 83 ft2/ac.

Favor trees with higher log grade potential when making decisions.

Tree selection should upgrade stand quality. It may be necessary in some spots to mark larger diameter poor quality or damaged trees in order to retain smaller diameter trees with potential for higher quality. Discriminate against short-lived, intolerant species such as aspen and paper birch. Favor longer-lived and less well-represented mid-tolerant species. The order of removal by species should generally be as follows: 1) aspen; 2) paper birch; 3) red maple; 4) white ash; 5) basswood; 6) sugar maple; 7) black cherry; 8) northern red oak; 9) hickory; 10) yellow birch; 11) butternut;

12) white pine; and 13) hemlock. Mark all merchantable ironwood.

Create 1 main canopy hole of 60 feet diameter for every two acres to develop and maintain mid-tolerant saplings and poles and to encourage regeneration. In addition, mark three to six 25 to 40-foot-wide canopy gaps per acre by harvesting groups of pole-sized trees or 1-2 large-crowned trees. Mark poor quality, suppressed unmerchantable stems in those holes with “x” at DBH and spot below stump height. Canopy holes should cover about 10% of stand area and preferably be located where merchantable trees are poor quality or high risk or where hardwood, white pine, or hemlock regeneration is established. Pockets (less than ½ acre) of the stand with abundant established regeneration (at least 3,200 seedlings/acre, 2-4 feet tall) of mid-tolerant species such as ash, northern red oak, and yellow birch may indicate good locations for canopy gaps.

To reduce future host trees for the emerald ash borer, focus on removing the largest ash trees in the stand, treating them as a risk tree.

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DESIGN FEATURES AND MITIGATION MEASURES

(See Appendix A Townsend ROD):

B3. Operate heavy equipment only when soils are not saturated or when the ground is frozen (p. 2-3). The season of operation is winter/dry summer.

C7. West Virginia White Butterflies (WVW): In stands that are suitable habitat for West Virginia White butterflies, do not conduct timber harvest activities from April 1st to July 1st. This timing restriction serves to protect the adult butterflies, which typically fly during May, and also protect the eggs and larvae which are present through the end of June. It also serves to protect the toothwort host plant, a spring ephemeral species, which grows and flowers during spring and early summer, and then dies back by the end of June. By July, the butterfly is in chrysalis phase in the duff layer, and toothwort has died back to an underground rhizome.

D3. Apply BMPs for riparian management zones in accordance with Wisconsin’s Forestry BMPs for Water Quality (forest plan p. 2-2)(WDNR 2010, p. 83-96). The recommended riparian management zone (RMZ) widths are: 100 feet RMZ on three feet wide and wider streams and on designated trout streams (of any width), 35 feet on streams less than three feet wide and 35 feet on less than one foot wide streams. Width starts from the ordinary high water mark and measured a linear distance. Do not operate wheeled or tracked equipment within 15 feet of the ordinary high water mark and only operate wheeled or tracked equipment within 15 to 50 feet during dry or frozen ground conditions.

D7. Apply appropriate BMPs (WDNR 2010, p. 123-128) for mechanical site preparation, tree planting, and prescribed burning in accordance with the Wisconsin Forestry BMPs for Water Quality (p. 2-2).

D9. Manage riparian areas so that they contribute large woody debris (LWD) to lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. LWD characteristics include: (1) At least ten to 30 pieces per 1,000 feet of shoreline adjacent to uplands, and at least five to 20 pieces per 1,000 feet of shoreline adjacent to forested lowlands; (2) Most pieces greater than 12 inches in diameter and some resistant to decay; (3) Many pieces in lakes with strong branches on the boles which hold part of the wood off the bottom; (4) LWD length should be at least 50 to 120 feet long in lakes and wide streams, or a length that is one to two times bankfull width in narrow-medium width streams (i.e. less than 50’ wide) (p. 2-16).

REMARKS

Access from woods road FR 834225 off FR 2359.

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Western Half

Year FACTS Code Activity 0 4431 Underplant 435 TPA 3-0 bare root white pine and hemlock plugs (prior to sale and only on west half) 1 4342 1st year survival survey 3 4342 3rd year survival survey 3 4151 Single tree selection 5 4511 Single tree release 6 4341 3rd year stocking survey 8 4341 5th year stocking survey

Eastern Half Year FACTS Code Activity

3 4151 Single tree selection 6 4341 3rd year stocking survey 8 4341 5th year stocking survey 8 4382 Certification of natural regen with site prep, minimum 2,000 trees/ac

Prepared by:

Reviewed by:

Approved by: /S/ John Lampereur

Title:

Title:

Title: District Silviculturist

Date:

Date:

Date: 07/08/25

12363N26Q4075 Chequamegon-Nicolet NF South Torpee Springs Mark and Cruise Page 14 of 59

• Reduce stocking to desired conditions and improve quality of residual stand.

• Release and encourage the future growth of established seedlings, saplings, and poletimber.

• Establish a new hardwood age class with an emphasis on mid-tolerant recruitment.

• Move the stand towards a balanced age class distribution over the next 2-3 entries. Obtain regeneration on each entry to fully stock the stand with a balance of different age classes.

• Use uneven-aged management to increase quality and structural diversity. Maintain or enhance species diversity.

• Reintroduce a conifer (white pine/hemlock) component into the stand. Recruit potential snags and downed logs.

Townsend ROD South Torpee Springs(#40XXX) 2

STAND INFORMATION

Comp- Stand

Ac Forest Type

Size Den

Total

BA

Avg

DBH

MA Site Index Origin ELTP Habitat Type Soil Type

5188-4 362 82 9 132 13 2B 63 (ACSA3) 1932 683 B AH

Wabeno- Mudlake

6 80 7 110 8 160 9 110

10 150 11 120 12 100 13 130 14 130

Mean 121

Payment Unit 2 is located in the southwestern part of the sale area, mostly to the north and east of the junction of FR 2358 and FR 2359. The unit is located on a gentle 5-10% north-facing slope with some surface rock. The topography and rocks should present no operational problems.

This is a rich site and the northern hardwoods on it are of good quality. The understory doesn’t appear to have been wormed and is thick with all sorts of forbs. There is little Pennsylvania sedge and the deer browse has not been very heavy. Throughout the unit are quite a few yellow birches, which should be given full crown release whenever feasible. In addition, within the unit are 18+ inch diameter basswoods, which have generally peaked in value. Along with most large ash, these should generally be marked for removal in this entry. Some stocking reduction should happen in all size classes in this entry, but the majority of the reduction is needed in the small and medium sawtimber size classes. In general, marking should improve the quality and spacing within the unit while attempting to maintain/increase species diversity.

Give full crown release to less common species, such as hemlock and yellow birch.

There is considerable ironwood in the understory. Mark all merchantable ironwood for removal and hit the ironwood saplings hard following the sale.

DESIRED CONDITION

• The stand is an uneven-aged northern hardwood stand with high structural diversity.

• Sugar maple is the dominant hardwood species, accounting for about 75% of the hardwood BA, but mid-tolerants such as yellow birch, white ash, and red oak are common, making up about 25% of the hardwood BA.

• The trees in the stand are growing at an optimum rate and are resilient to insect and disease attacks.

MARKING GUIDE

Treatment - Single Tree Selection (4151) Residual BA 83 ft2/ac Estimated Treatment Acres – 66

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Forest Plan Desired BA

(1.3 Q Factor)

5-11" 20 25 11-15" 41 20 15-19" 38 20

19-23.0" 22 18 Total 121 83

Cut Tree Mark. Selectively mark this stand to 83 ft2/acre live residual basal area of trees 5.0” DBH and larger. This is an average for each stand; most sample plots should have BA within 10 ft2 of the designated BA. Desirable stocking per acre by one-inch diameter class is listed in Appendix Table 1, Manager’s Handbook for Northern Hardwoods in the North Central States, and is summarized at right.

1. Risk/Defect: Any tree that will not live or will experience significant volume

(related to existing defect) or value (related to tree grade) loss before the next cut should be considered first for removal. Assume a 15-year cutting cycle.

2. Crop Tree Release: Identify all crop trees. These trees should exhibit:

Dominance or co-dominance; vigorous crowns; at least one 16-foot butt log;

grade 1 or veneer potential; good form; and be free of low or v-shaped forks.

Once identified, remove the two most important poor quality competitors.

Releasing 20 - 30 ft2/ac of crop trees would be ideal. If low forks are encountered on pole-sized trees, leave adjacent trees to correct forking.

3. Unacceptable Growing Stock: Trees which, due to form, branching habit, crown position or insect and disease problems do not have the potential to make an eight-foot sawlog.

4. Remaining Stems to Reach Target Basal Area of 83 ft2/ac: The table above shows the actual stocking in excess of the desired condition (Q = 1.3, maximum diameter of 25 inches). After removing the stems identified in 1 to 3 above, concentrate removals especially in the 6 to 12-inch classes, to reach the target basal area of 83 ft2/ac.

Tree selection should upgrade stand quality. It may be necessary in some spots to mark larger diameter poor quality or damaged trees in order to retain smaller diameter trees with potential for higher quality. Discriminate against short-lived, intolerant species such as aspen and paper birch. Favor longer-lived and less well-represented mid-tolerant species. The order of removal by species should generally be as follows: 1) aspen; 2) paper birch; 3) red maple; 4) white ash; 5) basswood; 6) sugar maple; 7) black cherry; 8) northern red oak; 9) hickory; 10) yellow birch; 11) butternut;

12) white pine; and 13) hemlock. Mark all merchantable ironwood.

Create 1 main canopy hole of 60 feet diameter for every two acres to develop and maintain mid-tolerant saplings and poles and to encourage regeneration. In addition, mark three to six 25 to 40-foot-wide canopy gaps per acre by harvesting groups of pole-sized trees or 1-2 large-crowned trees. Mark poor quality, suppressed unmerchantable stems in those holes with “x” at DBH and spot below stump height. Canopy holes should cover about 10% of stand area and preferably be located where merchantable trees are poor quality or high risk or where hardwood, white pine, or hemlock regeneration is established. Pockets (less than ½ acre) of the stand with abundant established regeneration (at least 3,200 seedlings/acre, 2-4 feet tall) of mid-tolerant species such as ash, northern red oak, To reduce future host trees for the emerald ash borer, focus on removing the largest ash trees in the stand, treating

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B3. Operate heavy equipment only when soils are not saturated or when the ground is frozen (p. 2-3). The season of operation is winter only.

C7. West Virginia White Butterflies (WVW): In stands that are suitable habitat for West Virginia White butterflies, do not conduct timber harvest activities from April 1st to July 1st. This timing restriction serves to protect the adult butterflies, which typically fly during May, and also protect the eggs and larvae which are present through the end of June. It also serves to protect the toothwort host plant, a spring ephemeral species, which grows and flowers during spring and early summer, and then dies back by the end of June. By July, the butterfly is in chrysalis phase in the duff

D1. Aspen patches would not be regenerated within 450 feet of McCaslin Brook, Torpee Creek, and the South Branch of Oconto River. This design feature applies to Stand 4 as a whole, but not to this payment unit.

D3. Apply BMPs for riparian management zones in accordance with Wisconsin’s Forestry BMPs for Water Quality (forest plan p. 2-2)(WDNR 2010, p. 83-96). This design feature applies to Stand 4 as a whole, but not to this payment unit.

D9. Manage riparian areas so that they contribute large woody debris (LWD) to lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. This design feature applies to Stand 4 as a whole, but not to this payment unit.

G3. Within moderate SIO areas, reduce slash below two feet within 100 feet for motorized travel ways (FR 2123, 2191, 2358, 2653, 2658B, 83422, 834246, 834284, and 83436), and 150 Townsend Project Final Environmental Impact Statement 33 feet (for non-motorized) use from day use areas (Carter trailhead and Carter trail). Follow the guidelines in the forest plan p. 2-29 to 2-33.

H. ATV Safety Keep logging debris off the ATV trail/route concurrently with logging operations. Debris shall be removed a minimum of ten feet from the trails edge. Unless otherwise agreed upon, prohibit hauling on the trail on weekends and holidays (Friday noon to midnight Sunday) from May 1st to October 31st.

Where simultaneous trail/road use by ATV riders and logging trucks cannot be avoided, the trail/road shall be posted with caution signs. Remind timber sale operators of the dual use on the trail/road. If necessary, close the section of trail affected and if possible, have a temporary detour to bypass the area.

Skidding down or across the trail should be minimized. Generally skidding would cross the trail at right angles at designated locations. Repair the trail daily during active logging operations of any rutting or other ground disturbance that would pose a safety hazard to trail users.

Prohibit the decking of logs along inside curves of ATV trails, where they obscure visibility for ATVers. This will increase ATV safety in logging areas.

I. Snowmobile safety Timber hauling would occur on some portions of the snowmobile trails. Harvest operations could change the traditional use of the trail for snowmobiling on a temporary basis.