S01 Attachment 2 - Obstruction Removal Standard and Specification 500.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture -CPS-1500

NRCS, CO

November 2010

NRCS reviews and periodically updates conservation practice standards. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service State office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide online by going to the NRCS website at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and type FOTG in the search field.

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Natural Resources Conservation Service

CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

OBSTRUCTION REMOVAL

CODE 500

(ac)

DEFINITION

Removal and disposal of buildings, structures, other works of improvement, vegetation, debris or other materials.

PURPOSE

This practice is used to accomplish the following purpose:

To safely remove and dispose of unwanted obstructions in order to apply conservation practices or • facilitate the planned land use

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES

On any land where existing obstructions interfere with planned land use development, public safety or infrastructure. This standard is not intended for the removal of obstructions from aquatic environments.

CRITERIA

General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes

Plan, design and implement obstruction removal to comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Remove obstructions by demolition, excavation or other means required for removal. Dispose of all debris from the obstruction removal so that it does not impede subsequent work or cause onsite or offsite damage.

Dispose of inorganic materials such as rock piles, boulders, stones, concrete or masonry structures and metal or concrete fence posts by reusing, removal or burial at approved locations.

Dispose of organic materials such as wooden fence posts, woody vegetation, and woody building materials by removal to an approved landfill or recycling center, burial at an approved location or burning.

If burning is used, implement appropriate smoke management to protect public health and safety.

Dispose of trash and non-woody building materials in an approved landfill or recycling center.

When removing buildings, ensure that all utilities, such as gas and electric, have been shut off and disconnected from the structure before beginning demolition.

Prior to any work contact utility companies or the state one call system to identify the location of utility lines in the construction area and to arrange the shut off of utilities if necessary.

The removal of obstructions can expose toxic or polluted materials. If toxic or polluted materials are expected to be found during the obstruction removal, specify appropriate handling and disposal criteria in the plans and specifications

When removing obstructions that contain chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood, do not burn the wood. Burning of CCA treated wood can release toxic amounts of arsenic into the air and ash that are very harmful to human and animal health. CCA treated wood should be buried in an approved landfill.

Reshape and regrade all areas disturbed by the obstruction removal so that they blend with the surrounding land features and conditions. Any foundations or below ground portions of the obstruction that remain in place shall have sufficient soil cover to meet the requirements of the planned land use. Compact fill areas according to site specific requirements.

Revegetate or otherwise protect from erosion disturbed areas as soon as possible after construction.

Refer to NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 342, Critical Area Planting for seedbed preparation, seeding, fertilizing, and mulching requirements.

CONSIDERATIONS

Consider the effects this practice has on significant cultural, archeological, historical, and scenic values.

The recycling or reuse of materials should be considered as the first option for disposal of materials from obstruction removal. Most woody debris can be recycled into mulch or other products. Recycling or other environmentally friendly options exist for the disposal of many other materials as well.

Demolition activities can generate large amounts of dust. Where necessary, use dust suppression techniques such as spraying water on the removal site to suppress dust.

Obstruction removal can result in the disturbance of large areas that are subject to erosion during the demolition process. Where necessary include provisions in the plans to control erosion and offsite sedimentation.

Obstruction removal often involves heavy equipment working in environmentally sensitive areas. Ensure that servicing and refueling of equipment is done in a manner that minimizes spills and volatilization.

Demolition of structures and the removal of debris can be a hazardous undertaking. This is especially true for the removal of downed and tangled trees. This type of work should be done by well qualified personnel with proper equipment following appropriate safety procedures.

Old buildings, structures and trees can provide habitat for wildlife. The potential for use by and presence of at-risk species should be considered and addressed prior to any obstruction removal activity. The presence of roosting birds and bats may also pose a health and safety hazard to workers that should be considered.

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Prepare plans and specifications for obstruction removal that describe the requirements for applying the practice according to this standard. Plans and specifications for this practice can be included in the plans and specifications for the practice it supports. As a minimum the plans and specifications shall include:

A plan view showing the location of obstruction removal site. •

Details and location for the disposal of materials from the obstruction removal. •

Details of how the site will be stabilized after construction. •

Construction specifications that describe in writing, site specific requirements for the obstruction • removal.

-CPS-2

NRCS, CO

November 2010

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Prepare an operation and maintenance (O&M) plan for the operator. O&M for this practice may be addressed in the O&M plans for the practice it supports. The minimum requirements to be addressed in the operation and maintenance plan are:

Periodic checking to ensure the site remains stable after the obstruction removal.

When disposal of debris occurs on site, periodic checking to ensure that the disposal site remains stable.

Repair any problems as soon as possible.

REFERENCES

U. S. Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, 29 CFR 1926. U. S. Washington, DC.

-CPS-3

NRCS, CO

November 2010

NRCS, CO SPECIFICATION - Page 1 of 2 November 2010

Practice Specification

Obstruction Removal (Code 500)

I. SCOPE

The work shall consist of the removal and disposal of all marked structures, fences, woody vegetation, rock, and other debris as shown on the drawings or as located in the field.

II. OBSTRUCTION REMOVAL

All trees, stumps, brush, and other woody vegetation to be removed from the designated areas shall be cut within the specified maximum distance above the ground level. Root systems shall be grubbed out of the ground and disposed of when so stated. Trees shall be felled in such a manner as to avoid damage to other trees and property that are not part of the obstruction removal operations. Structure foundations and other subsurface manmade improvements shall be removed to the extent shown.

All rock piles, boulders, stones, fences, hedgerows, abandoned buildings and structures, trash, deposition, and similar obstructions shall be removed as described on the drawings. All debris shall be disposed of by burning, burying, piling in designated disposal areas, or removing to an approved land fill.

Burning shall be performed according to local regulations. Material to be buried shall be compacted using available construction equipment and covered with a minimum of one foot of earth cover unless otherwise specified on the drawings.

All works of improvement and vegetation not to be disturbed or removed, as shown on the drawings shall be protected from any disturbance or damage.

If herbicide treatment is planned, the stumps and brush in the specified area shall be treated at the time of clearing according to the recommendations of the manufacturer of the herbicide specified or being used.

Any smoothing or grading shall be finished to the lines, grades, and sections as specified on the drawings. All fill area shall be provided with an allowance for settlement of approximately 10%.

Materials placed in fill section shall be free of objectionable material. The placing and spreading of the fill material will be started at the lowest point in the fill and brought up in horizontal layer, not to exceed 6 inches. Each layer shall be compacted by routing of construction equipment, or other acceptable means as specified.

Areas where excavation is performed to a depth where the resulting soil surface require topsoil, the original surface layer of soil shall be salvaged to a minimum depth of 6 inches and stockpiled on the outer perimeter of the work area. The area designated for topsoil placement will be scarified at least 12 inches deep, and the topsoil spread evenly over the area.

Where finished grades are required, grading operation will be controlled from marked reference stakes.

III. VEGETATION

When specified, a protective cover of vegetation shall be established on all exposed surfaces in accordance to conservation practice standard 342- Critical Area Planting.

Where soil or climatic conditions do not permit the establishment of vegetation, and protection is needed, nonvegetative means such as mulches or gravel may be used.

IV. CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS

Construction operations shall be done in such a manner that erosion and air and water pollution are minimized and held within legal limits. The owner, operator, Contractor or other persons will conduct all work and operations in accordance with proper safety codes for the type of construction being performed with due regards to the safety of all persons and property.

The completed job shall be workmanlike and present a good appearance.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRCS, CO November 2010SPECIFICATION - Page 2 of 2

Specific Site Requirements

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