Rim_Fire_Reforestation,_Phase_IV_Site_Prep.pdf

Rim Fire Reforestation, Phase IV Site Prep

Request For Proposal (RFP #RFP-2024-0200)

Tuolumne County

County Administration Office

Issued: Thursday, September 19, 2024

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP No. RFP-

2024-0200)

RIM FIRE REFORESTATION, PHASE IV SITE PREP

Deadline for Submission of Proposals: Sunday, October 13, RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/tuolumnecountyca

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Scope of Services

3. Minimum Qualifications

4. Pricing Proposal

5. Proposal Package Requirements

6. Evaluation of Proposals

7. Contract Information

8. RFP Process

Attachments:

A - AppendixG_GuidelinesforOperations

B - cci-employment-outcome-reporting-form-may2022

C - Appendix_H_-Fire_Plan_for_Construction_and_Service_Agreements

D - STF_PAL_Zone_Map

E - RIM_BMP_Checklist

F - Spill_Prevention_and_Reporting_Procedures

G - Road Barrier Diagram

H - RCAs and Exclusion Zones

I - Unit List by Item

J - RimReforestation_Phase4_SitePrep_ContractMap_20240828_Overview

K - RimReforestation_Phase4_SitePrep_ContractMap_20240828_Item_1

L - Slope and Unit Maps Item 1

M - All LOPs - Item 1

N - RimReforestation_Phase4_SitePrep_ContractMap_20240828_Item_2

O - Slope and Unit Maps Item 2

P - All LOPs - Item 2

Q - RimReforestation_Phase4_SitePrep_ContractMap_20240828_Item_3

R - Slope and Unit Maps Item 3

S - All LOPs - Item 3

1. Introduction

1.1. Summary

The County of Tuolumne is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to conduct fuels reduction and mechanical site preparation and associated treatments for reforestation as authorized in the Master Stewardship Agreement the County has with the USDA, Forest Service, Stanislaus National Forest on behalf of the Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions (YSS) Collaborative.

The County intends to select Contractors that meet the specifications of this Solicitation based on best value.

The Rim Reforestation project consists of approximately 2,100 acres of reforestation, though the project size could increase depending upon funding availability. This RFP is for site preparation work on those 2,100 acres, including fuel reduction and piling. Specifications and different treatment actions are detailed in the Section 2. Scope of Services. It is the County’s intent to have all site preparation work completed by August 31, 2026.

1.2. Background

In December 2018, the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors approved a Master Stewardship

Agreement (MSA) with the USDA, Forest Service, Stanislaus National Forest on behalf of the

Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions (YSS) Collaborative, giving the County authority over the next 10 years to work with the Forest Service to conduct landscape restoration activities on the Stanislaus

National Forest within the boundaries of Tuolumne County. In July 2024, this agreement was extended an additional 10 years until 2038.

The Supplemental Project Agreements (SPA) developed under the MSA are for the purpose of protecting, enhancing and restoring forest and watershed health and bringing economic opportunities to the local area. The County is using the collaborative group YSS and its sub-partners inside YSS to assist with Forest Health Projects.

Tuolumne River Trust (TRT) has been sub-contracted by the County for program administration and project management. TRT will supervise Contractors and oversee the work being done on this project.

1.3. Contact Information

Bobbi Donham

Administrative Analyst II

2 Green St

Sonora, CA 95370

Email: bdonham@co.tuolumne.ca.us

Phone: (209) 533-5513

Department:

County Administration Office mailto:bdonham@co.tuolumne.ca.us tel:(209)533-5513

Department Head:

Tracie Riggs

County Administrative Officer

1.4. Timeline

Release of published RFP September 19, 2024

Pre-Proposal Meeting (Non-

Mandatory)

October 1, 2024, 8:00am

Groveland Ranger Station 24545 State

Highway 120, Groveland, CA 95321

Deadline for receiving all questions October 4, 2024, 4:00pm

Deadline for RFP responses to be received by County

October 13, 2024, 4:00pm

Review Committee evaluates and ranks proposals

October 17, 2024

Notice of contract award (Tentative) October 17, 2024

Deadline for protests/appeals

(Tentative)

October 31, 2024

Contract executed (Tentative) November 1, 2024

2. Scope of Services

2.1. Introduction

It is the intent of these specifications, terms, and conditions to describe the services Tuolumne

County is seeking. The County intends to award a contract to the Proposer(s) who best meets the

County’s requirements.

This project lies entirely in Stanislaus National Forest Lands within the County of Tuolumne.

The County is implementing this project under a Supplemental Project Agreement (“SPA”) pursuant to Stewardship Agreement #18-SA-11051600-007 between the County (“Partner’) and the Forest Service. Contractors will perform site preparation work, including mastication, hand thinning, chipping, and piling. Specifications for project implementation and various treatment actions are detailed below.

The Rim Reforestation project consists of approximately 2,100 acres of reforestation, though the project size could increase depending upon funding availability. This RFP is for site preparation work on those 2,100 acres, including fuel reduction and piling. Specifications and different treatment actions are detailed below.

For a comprehensive Unit list, see Attachment I - Unit List by Item.

For an overview of the entire contract map area, see Attachment J -

RimReforestation_Phase4_SitePrep_ContractMap_20240828_Overview.

See Item 1 maps in Attachments: K -

RimReforestation_Phase4_SitePrep_ContractMap_20240828_Item_1, L - Slope and Unit Maps

Item 1, and M - All LOPs - Item 1.

See Item 2 maps in Attachments: N -

RimReforestation_Phase4_SitePrep_ContractMap_20240828_Item_2, O - Slope and Unit Maps

Item 2, and P - All LOPs - Item 2.

See Item 3 maps in Attachments: Q -

RimReforestation_Phase4_SitePrep_ContractMap_20240828_Item_3, R - Slope and Unit Maps

Item 3, and S - All LOPs - Item 3

It is the County’s intent to have all site preparation work completed by August 31, 2026.

The County reserves the right to modify the scope of work, including the right to increase or decrease the quantity of any item or portion of the work, or to entirely delete any item or portion of any work, or to require extra work as deemed by the project manager or the Forest Service to be necessary or advisable. Any such changes will be set forth in a Contract Change Order, which will not become effective until approved by the County.

The County reserves the right to prioritize the order in which units are treated.

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2.2. Beginning Work Operations

Contractor must attend a pre-work kick off meeting with the County prior to beginning work.

Contractor must notify project manager of start date of operations prior to commencement.

2.3. Site Preparation Prescription

Masticate/Shred/Chip

• Masticate/Shred/Chip:

o All conifers <6 inches DBH to a spacing of 25 feet x 25 feet as measured from the bole, except for the following:

▪ Retain all healthy sugar pine without evidence of white pine blister rust or bark beetle attack.

▪ Species preference for retention trees: sugar pine, Douglas-fir, incense cedar, white fir, and giant sequoia.

▪ Favor cutting ponderosa pine and Jeffrey pine.

o Live hardwoods, except as described below:

▪ Retain all blue and valley oak trees as well as bigleaf maple.

▪ Retain all California nutmeg and Pacific yew.

▪ Retain the 5 largest oaks per acre that are ≥ 8 feet tall and 0.5 inch DBH o All shrubs > 12 inches in height, except as described below:

▪ Shrubs growing within 6 inches of the bole of a residual tree.

▪ Riparian vegetation.

▪ Retain all California hazelnut and elderberry.

o Retain obligate riparian species - resprouting trees such as alders, big leaf maples, dogwoods, cottonwoods and aspens, and shrubs such as willows.

• Treat all existing piles and slash.

• Brush, small dead trees, and slash shall not be pushed into retained trees and left untreated.

• Mastication shall occur on slopes up to 45%. On slopes 45%-55%, or if inoperable for mechanical equipment, material ≤ 12 inches in diameter shall be cut and piled by hand

(see Piling Specs section below). Contractor shall obtain approval of machine inoperable area designation from project manager. During pre-bid site visits, contractor should assess inoperable areas and factor machine inoperable cost. Project manager approval of an area as inoperable is not equivalent to a change in treatment prescription.

• All treated standing material shall be severed from the main stem to no more than 6 inches above the ground for hand felling, 3 inches for mastication on level surfaces and no more than 8 inches from any natural obstacles such as rock, downed logs, or leave trees.

• Debris created through mastication shall not exceed 3 feet in length and debris depth shall not exceed 12 inches or shall be piled for burning.

• Debris created through chipping shall not exceed 3 feet in length and depth of material shall not exceed 12 inches. Debris exceeding 12 inches in depth shall be piled for burning.

• In areas where fuel densities prohibit the construction of piles, material shall be chipped and dispersed.

Retained/Residual Trees

• Retain dominant and co-dominant trees, with a single leader, straight bole, full crowns, dark green foliage, and no signs of insects, disease, or physical damage.

• Residual trees in treated areas shall be pruned of all branches up to 10 feet off the forest floor while maintaining at least 30% of the live canopy. Inoperable areas shall not be pruned.

Snag and Downed Log Removal and Retention

• Snags:

o Masticate, chip, or pile all snags ≤ 23.9 inches DBH, except as described below:

▪ Snag specifications within Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs):

• Remove whole snags from RCAs, perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral drainages given Exclusion Zone limitations (do not enter Exclusion Zones).

o If a Snag originates in the Exclusion Zone, it should not be removed.

o If a Snag originates outside of the Exclusion Zone, it should be treated in accordance with prescription.

o Retain all hardwood snags > 12 inches DBH.

o Retain the 4 largest well-distributed conifer snags per acre.

o Retained snags shall be at least one tree length from roadways and/or infrastructure.

• Downed Logs:

o Masticate, chip, or pile all but the 5 largest downed logs per acre that are ≥ 20 inches in diameter and 20 feet long.

o Retained downed logs shall be left in an undisturbed state to the greatest extent practical and shall not be bucked.

▪ If a log reaches into an Exclusion Zone, do not treat the log.

o Retained downed logs shall be > 100 feet from roadsides unless logs are needed as a

Road Barrier.

Road Barriers

• In sections along the road that are relatively flat and preexisting barriers do not exist to discourage breach, vegetation, natural barriers such as rocks, and downed logs will be utilized to create a barrier. Barriers are to be 8 to 10 feet away from roadway.

o Preference for barrier material would be:

▪ Live conifers or hardwoods between 6 to 9 inches DBH spaced 6 feet apart at the bole.

▪ Manzanita with stems of 4 to 6 inches DBH trimmed and spaced 6 feet apart.

▪ Large downed logs > 10 inches in diameter at the mid-point and ≥ 10 feet in length, spaced 6 feet apart.

▪ If live vegetation is used remaining material will be far enough off the road so it will not grow into the road and will consist of a single row wide paralleling the road where the breach is likely to occur.

▪ See attached Road Side Barrier Diagram in Attachment G.

2.4. Pile Specifications

Machine Piles

• Where mechanical pile construction is prescribed, slash and existing down woody material - unless otherwise treated - shall be piled to the following specifications:

o Ground cover:

▪ Piling shall be accomplished in such a manner to retain 50% ground cover (such as duff and litter) largely intact to maintain soil cover.

o Size and Location:

▪ Piles shall be a minimum height of 10 feet long x 10 feet wide x 10 feet high and are not to exceed 70 feet in diameter (i.e. length or width).

▪ Piles shall be constructed of such size and at such distance from trees so that burning shall not result in damage to residual trees (at least 25 feet from the dripline) and other retained features (natural regeneration, snags, downed logs, etc.).

▪ Piles shall be constructed at least 50 feet from SAFs, ephemeral, intermittent or perennial streamcourses.

▪ Avoid constructing piles and firelines within RCAs unless there is no alternative.

▪ Do not build piles under powerlines or within 25 feet of infrastructure.

▪ Piles shall be constructed outside of areas that may receive runoff from roads.

▪ Piles shall be constructed at least 35 feet outside of the Control Area boundaries.

o Pile Material:

▪ Slash greater than 1 inch diameter and 3 feet long that is not masticated shall be piled.

▪ Material shall be bucked into 10 foot lengths to facilitate production of piles that are tight and with minimal airspace.

▪ Material extending 3 feet or more outside the uniform edge of the pile shall be trimmed.

▪ Piles shall be neat, compact, and sufficiently free of dirt (<10% soil). If piles do not meet this requirement, they will need to be re-spread and rebuilt.

▪ In areas where there is a potential for material to roll, material shall be piled parallel to the slope (perpendicular to the contour) to prevent it from rolling.

o Pile Fuel Break and Fire Line:

▪ A 10 foot wide fuelbreak shall be cleared of all but fine material around each pile.

▪ A 3 foot wide fireline shall be cleared to only mineral soil and cleared of organic material around the outer ring of the pile fuel break.

▪ In areas where there is potential for burning material to roll, fire lines shall be trenched on the downhill side of each pile to adequately prevent material from crossing fire lines.

o Coverings:

▪ All piles shall be covered with a durable waterproof material that is a minimum of

6 feet wide and half the diameter of the pile or 10 feet long for piles with a diameter >20 feet. Burnable material shall be placed on top of the covering to ensure it remains in place.

Hand Piles o Size and Location:

▪ Piles shall be a minimum of 10 feet long x 10 feet wide x 5 feet high and are not to exceed 30 feet in diameter (i.e. length or width).Fewer and larger piles are preferred as long as they can be safely consumed.

▪ All piles shall be made as compact as possible to facilitate burning.

▪ Piles shall be placed at least 15 feet away from the dripline of trees OR at such a distance from trees so that burning shall not result in damage to residual trees.

▪ Piles shall not be built under powerlines or within 25 feet of infrastructure.

▪ Piles shall be constructed outside of areas that may receive runoff from roads.

▪ Piles shall be constructed at least 20 feet outside of the Control Area boundaries.

▪ Piles shall be constructed at least 50 feet from ephemeral, intermittent or perennial streamcourses.

▪ Avoid constructing piles and firelines within RCAs unless there is no alternative.

▪ Do not build piles under powerlines or within 25 feet of infrastructure.

o Pile Material:

▪ Slash greater than 1 inch diameter and 3 feet long shall be piled.

▪ Pile light green fuels on the inside and heavy green fuels on the outside to allow the fuel to dry out and not attract bark beetles.

▪ Material extending 3 feet or more outside the uniform edge of the pile shall be trimmed.

▪ Any material over 12 inches in diameter is not required to be hand piled.

▪ In areas where there is a potential for material to roll, material shall be piled parallel to the slope (perpendicular to the contour) to prevent it from rolling.

o Pile Fuel Break and Fire Line:

▪ An 2.5 foot wide fuel break shall be cleared of all but fine material around each pile.

▪ A 1.5 wide fire line shall be cleared to only mineral soil and clear of organic material around the outer ring of the pile fuel break.

▪ In areas where there is potential for burning material to roll, fire lines shall be trenched on the downhill side of each pile to prevent material from crossing fire lines.

o Coverings:

▪ All piles shall be covered with a durable waterproof material that is a minimum of

6 feet wide and half the diameter of the pile. Burnable material shall be placed on top of the covering to ensure it remains in place.

2.5. Definitions

Berm - A linear pile of soil, usually created by mechanical equipment, that can divert or concentrate water.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) - Water Quality Best Management Practices, a codified series of about 100 practices for protecting water quality when conducting forest management activities. BMPs are referenced in R5 FSH 2509.22, Soil and Water Conservation Handbook;

Chapter 10, Water Quality Management Handbook; (Appendix C).

Chips - The woody residue resulting from the mechanical shredding/chipping activity. Residue size is usually less than 2 inches, but occasionally is up to 2 feet in length.

Chip size for mastication:

FINE TREATMENT

• 75% ≤ 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length

• 20% > 6 inches (15.2 cm) and < 2 feet (.6 m) in length

• 5% 2 feet (.6 m) through 3 feet (1.8 m) in length

• With accumulations ≤ 12 inches (45.7 cm) in depth

Conifer - A cone bearing tree with needles or leaf scales, including, but not limited to: ponderosa pine, sugar pine, incense cedar, Douglas fir, giant sequoia, and bull pine (also known as Gray pine); does not necessarily have cones at any given time.

Controlled Area - Area within contract boundaries designated to be protected from all contractor operations, these areas will be flagged on the ground and avoided during all operations.

Damage Tree (Created) - Any tree damaged by work under this contract. Includes the stripping or removing of branches and debarking the bole of a leave tree in excess of ¼ of the circumference of the tree.

Damage Tree (Existing) - Includes any defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, and equipment. Indicators include dead or broken tops or branches, or debarking extending more than ¼ of the circumference of the tree.

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) - The diameter of the main trunk of a tree/shrub measured at

4.5 feet above ground level.

Dominant/Co-dominant Tree – Trees generally of good vigor due to being the larger trees in the stand and their crowns receiving full sunlight from above and on much of the sides.

Downed Log - All or part of the trunk of a felled tree > 10 inches in diameter at the mid-point and ≥ 10 feet in length. This includes logs in all of the various stages of decomposition. Includes logs in all of the various stages of decomposition.

Ephemeral Streams – Streams that flow only during or shortly after rainfall or snowmelt.

Exclusion Zones - Areas of inoperability near watershed features including regulations around

Special Aquatic Features (SAFs), perennial, intermittent, ephemeral waterways.

Hardwood - A tree with broad, flat leaves including but not limited to oak, maple, willow, alder, cottonwood or dogwood.

High Ground Pressure Equipment – Equipment that exceeds 9 pounds per square inch (psi) on flat ground. Equipment types typically include: wheeled skidders, passenger vehicles and pickups, and fixed-track dozers.

Intermittent Streams – Streams that flow during the wet season, but dry by summer or fall.

Ladder Fuels – Fuels that provide vertical continuity between the ground and the tree crowns thus are creating a pathway for surface fire to move into the overstory tree crowns.

Limited Operating Period (LOP) - A specified period of time during which certain activities are prohibited.

Low Ground Pressure Equipment – Equipment that exerts a maximum ground pressure of 9 psi on flat ground. Equipment types typically include: tracked masticators, excavators, skid steers, and feller bunchers.

Mastication - The physical process of cutting, shredding and/or chipping vegetation.

Mineral Soil - State of soil, generally below where humus and large organic matter is present marked by the absence of combustible material.

Perennial Streams – Streams that flow all year round.

Residual Tree or Retention Tree – Live tree(s) to be left standing and undamaged that comprise the forest following the contractor’s operations. Sometimes called leave tree, residual tree, retention tree, or retained tree.

Shrubs – Live scrub vegetation, though some may be over 20 feet tall or woody plants such as manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), deer brush (Ceanothus spp.) and various other species. This does not include small conifers.

Slash – Debris consisting of portions of brush and /or trees created naturally, by work under this contract or debris created prior to this contract including all brush and cut trees, tops, trunks, branches, and previously made piles. Material > 1 inch in diameter and over 3 feet in length.

Snag - Standing dead tree with no green needles or leaves.

Special Aquatic Features (SAFs) – Lakes, meadows, bogs, fens, wetlands, vernal pools and springs.

Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) – Near stream areas with specific management objectives and some limitations on activities.

Perennial streams and SAFs: 300 feet on each side of stream.

Intermittent and ephemeral streams: 150 feet on each side of stream.

2.6. Performance Requirement Summary

Slash piling: 95% or more of all slash designated for piling shall be piled.

Slash piles: Constructed piles shall be 90% or more soil free. 95% or more of all piles constructed shall be compact/ tight piles and shall meet size specifications. 99% or more of all piles constructed shall be covered with the required covering.

Fuel break/fire line: 95% or more of all piles constructed shall meet fuel break/ fire line requirements.

Dead tree/snag cutting: 95% or more of all dead standing trees that are designated for cutting shall be cut following the requirements specified above. This shall be counted on an individual stem basis. Each individual stem originating from the ground shall count as a single stem.

Stump heights: 95% or more of all stumps shall be 1/3 the stump diameter not to exceed 12 inches (measured from ground level on the high side).

Mastication: 95% or more of all treatable material designated for mastication shall be masticated.

2.7. Equipment Specifications

Prior to award, Tuolumne County reserves the right to inspect equipment to be furnished for this project. If upon inspection the Project Manager determines equipment is in such condition to indicate need for frequent repairs and/or delays in performance, it shall be rejected. All equipment shall arrive clean, being dirt/soil and debris-free or shall be sent back to be cleaned.

The decision to accept or reject equipment shall be made by the Project Manager and is final.

All equipment shall comply with specifications in Attachment A, Appendix

G_GuidelinesforOperations: Fire Precautions and Control and Fire Control. Specific equipment to be furnished is as follows:

A. All equipment shall be furnished on a fully operational basis, of modern design, and in good operating condition, with a competent, fully qualified operator.

B. Prime power unit - tracked carrier unit with a maximum ground pressure of 9 pounds per square inch (psi) and minimum of 150 horsepower. Written manufacturer equipment specifications, which include ground pressure, shall be included in the Proposal under

“Equipment” for each piece of equipment used on this contract.

C. Equipment shall be capable of working continuously on 0 to 45 percent slopes, and on pitches up to 50 percent.

D. Equipment shall have a maximum cutter head/blade cutting width of 10 feet (three meters) with carbide or knife tools for shredding/mulching.

E. Equipment shall have a power supply to shredder/cutter that maintains constant RPM's to shredder/cutter head regardless of power unit with doors for directing material.

F. Equipment shall have an independently adjustable, mechanically, or hydraulically powered cutter head and housing that controls the height and angle of shredding heads.

Must be able to raise cutter head a minimum of 3 feet above ground level.

G. All chainsaws or other motorized equipment shall be equipped with Forest Service approved spark arresters. Spark arresters are not required on equipment powered by exhaust-driven turbo-charged engines or motor vehicles equipped with a maintained muffler as defined in California Public Resources Code, Section 4442 and 4443.

H. Equipment shall have a canopy approved by the State of California, Division of

Industrial Safety. Title 8: Chapter 4, Division 1, Subchapter 13, Article 9, §6309.

Canopies. Rollover, Jill Poke and Overhead Guard Protection.

I. The Contractor shall provide all tools and equipment for self and employees.

J. All equipment must be in good running condition with no excessive fluid leaks or overheating.

K. All equipment shall be equipped with the tools and supplies necessary for making emergency and routine repairs and servicing.

L. All equipment and service/transport vehicles shall be equipped with the required fire tools. See Attachment C, Appendix H –

Fire_Plan_for_Construction_and_Service_Agreements.

M. Contractor shall adhere to the Forest Service level of industrial precaution each day.

Project Manager will communicate to Contractor which decision support tool, Project

Activity Level (PAL) or Industrial Fire Precaution Activity Level (IFPAL), is currently in effect at the time of operations.

N. Contractor shall be responsible for all fuel, lubrication, repair, and replacement for equipment.

O. Contractor must have the ability to clean all equipment with both air and water, and need to use the appropriate cleaning method during operations in areas that cleaning is required.

2.8. Equipment Operation

Soils

• Monitor ground-based operations occurring between October 15 and May 15 to prevent soil compaction. Project manager or delegated representative will assess soil conditions for traffic and operability prior to mechanical equipment off road operations after significant rainfall (> ¼ inch). Ground-based equipment will only operate on relatively dry soils of high soil strength or bearing capacity.

• Wet weather recommendations: Equipment may operate on designated skid trails when soils are dry to a minimum of 4 inches. Low-ground pressure equipment may operate off designated skid trails when soils are dry to a minimum depth of 4 inches. High-ground pressure equipment may operate off designated skid trails when soils are dry to a depth of

8 inches.

• The contractor’s equipment shall not travel over the same tracks, except where designated by the project manager for access and service routes.

• Soil displacement shall be minimized by working the equipment in as straight a line as possible, parallel slopes, given the known limitations of residual trees and terrain.

• Rutting depth shall not exceed 4 inches over 90% of the unit. Rutting depth is measured from the top of the undisturbed litter/duff layer to the top of the duff in the rut (“duff-to duff”). Soils in the operating area must be dry enough to prevent rutting by a single pass of the equipment.

• Erosion work shall be required and kept current with contract work progress for unit or partial unit acceptance. Erosion control work shall include, but is not limited to, draining of puddles on roads or smoothing out berms created by the contractor moving equipment over areas that are too wet.

• Limit rubber-tired or fixed-track equipment to slopes < 35%; limit low ground pressure tracked equipment (e.g., traditional masticator or excavator) to < 45%.

• Limit dozer piling to slopes < 25% and mulching mastication treatments to < 35% slope.

• A brush rake will be utilized for all dozer piling. The blade shall be kept at least 6 inches above ground level to minimize disruption of soil cover.

• See also Best Management Practices (BMP) Checklist in Attachment E, RIM_BMP_Checklist

Safety

• The contractor shall provide for public safety when operating equipment within 200 feet of structures and open roadways. The contractor shall be responsible for obtaining and following all safety procedures policies, laws and regulations required by the state, county, and private roadways for the safe operation of equipment necessary to complete the contract.

• The contractor shall abide by the Maintenance Operations Signing Standards provided in

Attachment A, Appendix G_Guidelines for Operations.

Protection of Improvements and Resources

• Exclusion Zones -

• The Exclusion Zone for perennial/intermittent streams begins at:

o The edge of the active channel where slopes rise uniformly from the stream, or at the outer edge of the following features, whichever is the furthest from the stream.

o The first slope-break adjacent to the stream (e.g., stream bank, inner gorge).

o Flat or nearly flat ground adjacent to the channel (e.g., floodplain or terrace).

o Obligate riparian shrub and/or tree communities associated with any of the above.

• The Exclusion Zone for ephemeral streams begins at:

o Apparent bank or scour line when present o From the centerline when not present

• The Exclusion Zone for SAFs begins at:

o The outer edge of obligate trees, shrubs or herbaceous plants in wet meadows, bogs, fens and springs, or the high-water line of lakes and vernal pools.

o The top of the first slope-break immediately adjacent to the special aquatic feature if further than the obligate vegetation or high-water line.

• Equipment shall be operated such that shredded material stays within the treatment unit and is not distributed on lava caps, streams, roads, structures, private property, protected sites, improvements, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners, or other improvements.

• Equipment shall be kept free of debris accumulations that may result in fire starts.

• Exclude equipment tracks within 50 feet of perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral streams.

Follow regulations around SAFs.

• Operate mechanical equipment on a straight-in and straight-out pattern and minimize operations and turning within the RCA.

• Equipment shall not damage streambanks.

• Do not exceed 2 stream crossings per mile along perennial or intermittent streams.

Stream crossings must be designated by the project manager after consultation with the

Forest Service Aquatic Biologist.

• Do not exceed 3 stream crossings per mile along ephemeral streams. Stream crossings must be designated by the project manager after consultation with the Forest Service

Aquatic Biologist.

• Equipment shall not be walked between units on paved or chip-sealed roads.

• The walking of equipment between units shall be worked out with the project manager, to avoid the possibility of Control Area or resource damage.

• Exit and entry of units will be confined to within unit boundaries unless otherwise stated by the project manager. Entry and exit points to the unit will be chosen in a manner as to reduce resource damage and soil erosion.

• See also Resource Protection Measures in the Project-Specific Requirements section below and the Best Management Practices (BMP) Checklist in Attachment E, RIM_BMP_Checklist.

2.9. Road Use Specifications

Safety

• The contractor shall furnish, install, and maintain all temporary traffic controls that provide the public with adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with operations occurring in the area. A specific traffic control plan for each individual contract work area shall be agreed to by contractor and project manager prior to commencing operations. Devices shall be appropriate to current conditions and shall be covered or removed when not needed. Refer to Attachment A, Appendix G_GuidelinesforOperations: Sign Standards.

Accessibility

• All work areas are accessible by standard pickup. Four-wheel drive vehicles may be beneficial in improving the access points of any given treatment unit. It is the contractor's responsibility to reach the work site when it is ready for treatment, including conducting any clearing of National Forest System roads.

• The project manager will determine the access routes to be used by vehicles. These routes may not necessarily be the shortest distance between units.

• Contractor shall access work areas using only those routes designated on the final contract map as approved access routes.

• Contractor shall be responsible to coordinate with the County to gain access to roads and/or gates as necessary.

• All roads leading into each project area are to be kept open and free of any debris that may occur as a result of the work.

Protection of Roads and Road Features

• The contractor shall keep all roads and trails needed for fire protection or other purposes and designated on the Map free of equipment and products, slash, and debris resulting from the contractor’s operations.

• The contractor is responsible for mitigating damage to system roads and restoring system roads damaged by the contract operations.

• Contractor shall clean ditches and drainage structure inlets as soon as practicable, but not to exceed 48 hours, to keep them functioning while working within the unit. Upon completion of a unit, the contractor shall clean ditches and drainage structures prior to unit acceptance. Prevent unnecessary or excessive vegetation disturbance and removal on features such as swales, ditches, shoulders, and cut and fill slopes.

• Maintain road surface drainage by removing berms, unless specifically designated otherwise.

• Rehabilitate temporary staging, parking, and refueling/servicing areas immediately following use.

Protection of Streamcourses

• Temporary refueling and servicing shall only be allowed at approved sites located outside of RCAs.

• Temporary wash sites shall only be installed in areas where the water and residue can be adequately collected and either filtered on site or conveyed to an appropriate wastewater treatment facility.

• If contractor maintains storage facilities for oil or oil products on Project Area, contractor shall take appropriate preventative measures to ensure that any spill of such oil or oil products does not enter any stream or other waters.

• Refer to attached documents - Best Management Practices (BMP) Checklist (Attachment

E, RIM_BMP_Checklist and Attachment F, Spill_Prevention_and_Reporting_Procedures).

Dust Abatement

• Water shall be applied to unpaved road sections of any Forest Service road used to walk or haul equipment as necessary to control road surface loss, provide for road user safety, minimize damage to adjacent resources, and comply with dust abatement. Also conduct road watering for road maintenance and road surface protection using approved existing water source locations.

Non-System Roads

• Existing non-system roads in the project area may be used for access only. These non-system roads are considered temporary and may require rehabilitation/obliteration, including installation of barriers to prevent further access following project activities.

2.10. Ownership Delineation

• Work shall not commence until property boundaries are adequately identified on the ground according to Forest Service standards.

• The interface between Forest Service and Sierra Pacific Industries land may not be marked.

• Global Positioning System (GPS) or Geographic Information System (GIS) arc View method was used to determine the gross size of work units in each item (refer to unit data tables in Section 4).

• The Contractor will be required to navigate unit boundaries using a Global Positioning

System (GPS) and a mobile electronic device with GPS capabilities (i.e. smart phone, tablets) and a program capable of reading a .pdf map for each piece of equipment and/or crew. Contractor shall be required to utilize a mapping software such as Avenza Maps to conduct all treatments. GPS units shall be capable of downloading unit location data from provided Geographic Information Systems, either in shapefile (.shp) or keyhole markup language (.kml). Contractor will be required to have a GPS enabled device on each piece of equipment capable of 30 ft. (9.1 meters) accuracy.

• Where GPS units and GIS generated maps conflict with the on-ground designation, the on-ground designation shall govern unless otherwise directed.

• If Right of Entry is needed to access units, the County will obtain this ROE.

• Land survey monuments must be protected. See “Protection of Land Survey Monuments” in the Project-Specific Requirements – Resource Protection Measures section below.

2.11. Flagging Code

• For purposes of this project, restricted or limited treatments areas (Control Areas) will be identified on the ground by the Forest Service using flagging to delineate specified areas.

• It is the Contractor’s responsibility to know, understand, and adhere to the intent of all contract flagging. The presence or absence of any flagging does not relieve the contractor from the responsibility to comply with the restrictions set forth in this and other contract documents and by reference.

• Do not masticate or cut vegetation on which flagging is hung.

• Flags of colors other than those stated in Table 1 have no meaning in the contract unless agreed upon in writing between the contractor and the Government.

Table 1: Flagging Colors

Flagging Color Use

Blue-Black Candy Stripe/Orange-White (CA 1 and

2)

Unless otherwise agreed, no operations will be permitted within areas flagged with orange/white and blue/black candy-striped flagging and/or “Area Controlled” signs. Any operations (including the removal of products) within cultural management boundaries will require compliance with

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1996. Any slash or debris resulting from operations occurring within flagged perimeters is to be removed manually by the contractor after consultation with the Forest Service.

Orange-Black Candy Stripe (CA 5) Unless otherwise agreed, none of the contractor’s operations are permitted within areas flagged with orange and black candy-striped flagging. Any slash or debris resulting from the contractor’s operations occurring within this perimeter is to be removed manually be the contractor after consultation with the Forest Service.

Orange with NOXIOUS WEEDS lettering Unless otherwise directed by the project manager, none of the contractor’s operations are permitted within areas flagged with orange “Noxious Weeds” flagging.

Red flagging

Stakes with orange flagging

(Surveyed Private Land Boundary)

Red flagging and/or stakes with orange flagging indicates a private land boundary that has been officially surveyed.

Orange flagging

(Project Boundary/Acquiesced Land Boundary)

In some instances, private property owners and the Forest Service have agreed to an approximation of the boundary line without an official survey. These acquiesced lines are marked by just orange flagging.

Yellow with Red Polka Dots

(CA-6)

Unless otherwise agreed, none of the contractor’s operations will be permitted within areas flagged with yellow flagging with red polka dots. Any slash or debris resulting from the contractor’s operations occurring within this perimeter is to be removed manually by the contractor after consultation with the Forest Service.

Blue-White Candy Stripe

(Streamside Buffer)

Unless otherwise directed by project manager, no contractor operations are permitted within the flagged area except for those snag removal activities permitted in RCAs as outlined in this contract in Section 2.2 Site Preparation Prescription.

Yellow-Black Candy Stripe

(Hazard)

Hazards that may inhibit completion of work to contract specifications. This is the only flagging color listed that the contractor can hang themselves. Any hazard identified by the contractor shall be marked with yellow-black candy stripe flagging.

2.12. Project-Specific Requirements

Safety

• The Contractor shall remove all trash from the work site.

• The Contractor shall provide a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan on all projects as per the contract. Review and ensure spill plans are up to date.

Please see Attachment F, Spill_Prevention_and_Reporting_Procedures.

• The Contractor shall Report spills and initiate appropriate clean-up action in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations. The Forest Service hazardous materials coordinator’s name and phone number shall be available to Forest

Service personnel who administer or manage activities utilizing petroleum powered equipment.

• The Contractor shall remove contaminated soil and other material from NFS lands and dispose of this material in a manner according to controlling regulations.

Resource Protection Measures

Control Areas

Locations of known areas needing special measures for the protection of plants, animals, cultural resources, and/or cave resources are shown on the Contract Area Map (Table 2: Control Area

Restrictions) and/or identified on the ground (Table 1: Flagging Colors).

In addition to any special protection measures noted below, the Contractor has a general duty to protect all known and identified resources referenced in this subsection from damage or removal during the contractor’s operations. Discovery of additional areas, resources, or members of species needing special protection by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party, and operations shall be delayed or interrupted at that location, if project manager determines there is risk of damage to such areas, resources, or species from continued operations.

Wheeled or track-laying equipment shall not be operated in areas identified as needing special measures for the protection of cultural resources, except on roads, landings, tractor roads, or approved skid trails. Unless agreed otherwise, trees will not be felled into such areas. Contractor may be required to backblade skid trails and other ground disturbed by contractor’s operations within such areas in lieu of required cross ditching.

Contractor shall immediately notify the project manager if disturbance occurs to any area identified as needing special protection measures and shall immediately halt operations in the vicinity of the disturbance until the project manager – after consultation with the

Forest Service - authorizes the contractor to proceed. The contractor shall bear costs of resource evaluation and restoration to identified sites. Such payment shall not relieve the contractor from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law.

The Forest Service has exercised due diligence and followed established protocols in identifying known areas needing special protection measures. Nevertheless, nothing in this provision shall be interpreted as creating any warranty that all locations and special measures for the protection of plants, animals, improvements, streamcourses, cultural resources, and cave resources have been described herein, elsewhere in the contract or designated on the ground.

Table 2: Control Area Restrictions

Label on Contract Area Map Restrictions

CA1 and CA2 Unless otherwise agreed, no operations will be permitted within these areas shown on the Map. Any slash or debris resulting from operations occurring within flagged perimeters is to be removed manually by the contractor after consultation with the Forest Service.

CA3 (Limited Operating Period – LOP) Unless otherwise agreed, no operations (with the exception of road maintenance, road reconstruction, dust abatement, and the hauling of products) will be permitted within these areas shown on the Map between March 1 and August 31, of any year. No activity will be allowed during the LOP’s unless consultation with the Forest Service has occurred and the contractor is given a Notice to Proceed. Special control measures for the protection of wildlife resources area limitation of operation period listed under

Special Provision C6.315#.

CA4 (Limited Operating Period – LOP) Unless otherwise agreed, no operations (with the exception of road maintenance, road reconstruction, dust abatement & the hauling of products) will be permitted within these areas shown on the Map between February 15 and September 15, of any year. No activity will be allowed during the LOP’s unless consultation with the Forest Service has occurred and the contractor is given a Notice to Proceed.

Special control measures for the protection of wildlife resources are a limitation of operating period as listed under Special Provision C6.315#.

CA5 Unless otherwise agreed, no operations are permitted within these areas shown on the Map. Any slash or debris resulting from the contractor’s operations occurring within this perimeter is to be removed manually by the contractor after consultation with the Forest Service.

CA6 Unless otherwise agreed, no operations will be permitted within these areas shown on the Map.

Consultation with the Forest Service is required prior to hazard tree abatement and road maintenance or road reconstruction that may occur within this area. Any slash or debris resulting from the contractor’s operations occurring within this perimeter is to be removed manually by the contractor after consultation with the Forest Service.

NOX Unless otherwise agreed, no operations will be permitted within these areas shown on the Map. See section on “Containment of Noxious Weeds” below.

SP Unless otherwise agreed, no operations are permitted within these areas shown on the Map. Any slash or debris resulting from the Contractor’s operations occurring within this perimeter is to be removed manually by the Contractor after consultation with the Forest Service.

Additional Protections of CA 1 and 2

• The Forest Service may unilaterally modify or cancel all or portions of this agreement to protect an area, object of antiquity, artifact, or similar object which is or may be entitled to protection under the American Antiquities Act of 1906 (54 USC 320301-03 ), National

Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 USC 302101-303903 ), and implementing regulations (36 CFR 800), the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and the

Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (PL 96-95 and 36 CFR 261.9, 296.1-

296.21) regardless of when the area, object or artifact is discovered or identified.

Discovery of such areas or objects by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party.

• The Contractor shall protect Control Areas 1 and 2 (CA-1 and CA-2) identified on the

Map by avoidance unless treatment is otherwise agreed to. Contractor shall protect all known and identified or discovered historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology and culture against destruction, obliteration, removal, or damage during the Contractor's operations.

• The Contractor shall immediately halt operations and notify the County if damage occurs to any CA-1 and CA-2 resources. Operations shall cease in the vicinity of the resource where damage occurred until the County - after consultation with the Forest Service -authorizes the Contractor to proceed.

• If damage is caused by the Contractor's operations, the Contractor shall bear costs of investigation and restoration in accordance with 36 CFR 296.14(c), provided that such payment shall not relieve the Contractor from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law.

• Forest Service roads that are also CA-2 sites are not fully flagged. Ingress and egress locations shall be approved by the Project Manager after consultation with a Forest

Service archaeologist prior to use by Contractor.

• Equipment tracks shall be excluded within 20 feet of Forest Service roads that are also

CA-2 sites. Equipment working towards Forest Service roads that are also CA-2 sites shall stop no less than 20 feet from the edge of the roadbed and shall utilize a masticator attachment on an articulated arm to treat remaining roadside fuels.

• Equipment utilizing Forest Service roads that are also CA-2 sites shall drive down the road centerline to avoid impacts to road morphology. If traffic approaches, only pre-approved pullout locations can be utilized.

• Forest Service roads that are also CA-2 sites shall not be widened. If equipment is wider than the roadbed, Contractor shall work with the Project Manager to identify alternative access.

• Where flagging is unclear, Contractor shall…