S01 - SOW 2.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK 2

FOR

WETLAND ENHANCEMENT SERVICES

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS)

I. OBJECTIVE

The objective of this contract/purchase order is to obtain services in the State of Pennsylvania (PA) for Wetland Easement Vegetation Enhancement Services for properties located in Adams, Berks, Chester, Lancaster and York Counties. Description of services for each site is listed below.

II. BACKGROUND

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) NRCS has authority to administer voluntary conservation easement programs. Depending on the program, NRCS is authorized to acquire easement rights from participating landowners to achieve program purposes such as restoring and protecting wetlands, grasslands, and forest land resources and restoring and enhancing floodplains. NRCS is the lead agency within the United States Department of Agriculture charged with administering these programs.

III. SCOPE

The Contractor shall follow the Statement of Work and applicable regulations to provide Wetland Enhancement Services for the associated properties. The services entail the following:

1. Brush Management (314) – removal of woody plants and controlling noxious and invasive woody plants

2. Herbaceous Weed Treatment (315) – removal and controlling noxious and invasive herbaceous plants

IV. STANDARDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contractor shall follow the Statement of Work, applicable regulations, and conservation practice standards to provide Wetland Enhancement Services for the associated property. The contractor will notify the landowner prior to each site visit for restoration. The landowner will remove cattle from the site to keep them safe from herbicide application.

The individual Conservation Practice Standards and Specifications can be found at https:// efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/toc.aspx?CatID=12487. The Contractor will be provided with a copy of the Conservation Practice Standards and Specifications upon acceptance of bid. Other specifications specific to this contracted work are listed in Section V., Description of Services of this Statement of

Work.

Please see Attachment 1, HMU maps for the following Easements; Culp, DeFranco, Frantz, Genova, Glass, Gockley 1, Gockley 2, Severance, Stober and Swisher for the field location and number of acres in each unit. The Contractor is responsible for implementing all Wetland Easement Enhancement Services in compliance with Conservation Practice Standards.

The Contractor is responsible for having current knowledge of requirements of Pennsylvania state law associated with the services being solicited.

The Contractor will attend the pre-implementation meeting with the NRCS representative(s). The discussions and decisions shall be documented by the NRCS and the Contractor.

The Contractor will effectively communicate to NRCS the status of the Wetland Easement Enhancement Services, beginning with the start of the first practice and through to completion. The contractor will must notify NRCS field office at least 24 hours before proceeding with the first treatment.

Scheduling conflicts will be communicated ahead of time. Any changes or modifications to the planned treatment acres will be communicated to and approved by NRCS.

The Contractor will be a licensed herbicide applicator. All herbicide applications must be done according to the instructions on the herbicide label.

The Contractor will carry out activities during appropriate weather conditions so that herbicide treatment is effective.

Within 14 days of practice completion, the Contractor will submit the following Records of Application documentation to NRCS:

1. Extent of practice application (i.e. number of acres) and corresponding map

2. List of materials and methods used for practice implementation (see more specific deliverables for each practice below) and estimated hours of labor

Specific documentation for deliverables is listed below:

Brush Management/Herbaceous Weed Treatment

• Plant species controlled and percent kill of target species

• Dates of treatment

• Chemicals applied (also carriers/surfactants, if used)

• Rate of application

• Method of application, including general equipment used

V. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

1. Brush Management Only Genova Site

ADDRESS: 1760 Canary Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951

Gockley Sites ADDRESS: 1926 Bowmansville Rd. Mohnton, PA 19540 and Coordinates 40.240541, -76.044851 (Forest)

Treatment options for Woody Vegetation removal: Treatment Spring 2021 through Winter 2021.

Basal Bark Application (triclopyr)

This method involves the application of the ester formulation of triclopyr (e.g., Pathfinder® II) to woody plants with stems less than 6 inches in basal diameter. Use of triclopyr to control woody vegetation using the basal bark application method for target woody vegetation includes, but is not limited to, red maple, alder, poison sumac, and multiflora rose.

Herbicide is applied with a backpack sprayer using low pressure and a solid cone or flat nozzle. The herbicide is sprayed on the lowermost 10-12 inches of woody stems, including the root collar zone.

Herbicide will not be applied when snow cover prevents spraying to the ground line. Woody stems will not be saturated to the point that runoff into the soil occurs. Herbicide will not be applied to open water or water present in wetlands. Care will be taken to reduce the risk of herbicide contacting adjacent non-target vegetation, as this may kill beneficial vegetation and introduce herbicide into the surrounding soil.

When controlling woody vegetation with herbicides, approximately 10-20% of the native tree and shrub cover in mucky areas of the overall wetland will be retained (i.e., not treated), located in or near seeps, springs, rivulets, and mucky areas. Scattered pockets of shrubs will be retained in mucky areas within the emergent portion of the wetland.

Cut and Paint (glyphosate)

This method involves the application of glyphosate (without surfactant) to cut stumps of shrubs. Stems of shrubs are simply cut near ground level and a small amount of glyphosate applied to the stump. Care is taken not to spill herbicide in the wetland and only a small amount should be painted on each stump.

EZ-ject

The EZ-ject method involves the injection of pellets of glyphosate or imazapyr directly into the trunks of woody vegetation via the EZ-ject lance. Injection of pellets containing imazapyr will be limited to stem diameters exceeding 4 inches to minimize the risk of herbicide leaching from roots into the surrounding soil. Herbicide is delivered directly to woody stems, avoiding any herbicide spillage in the wetland. Little or no migration of herbicide from the root system to wetland soils is anticipated.

Treatment options for shrub or non-native emergent vegetation:

Glyphosate or imazapyr will be applied in a dilution appropriate for the method of application. When carrying out a foliar application of glyphosate or imazapyr, the surfactant LI-700® may be used in accordance with the EPA-approved label instructions to improve efficacy of the herbicide and potentially reduce or eliminate the need for re-treatment. Either of the following two methods of application (High- or Low- pressure spray) are appropriate for restoration of habitat at this site.

High-Pressure Spray (glyphosate/imazapyr)

This is a foliar application method, intended to deliver herbicide to the leaves and stems of target plants. The high-pressure spray application is intended to treat dense stands of cattail within which few, or no, non-target plants occur. These high-density stands of cattail are typically devoid of any other herbaceous vegetation, evidenced by large expanses of bare soil or target species thatch within the proposed treatment area. High-pressure spraying will be done only when cattail occurs at a high enough density to minimize the risk of effects to non-target plants.

Glyphosate is sprayed onto the plants using hand-directed spray equipment, with a spray pressure not to exceed 400 pounds per square inch. At 400 PSI, the sprayer will distribute herbicide as far as 50 feet from the nozzle. High pressure sprayers will be used only to treat large stands of cattail, where herbicide application with hand-held sprayers is not practical.

Low-Pressure Spray and Low-Pressure Spot Spray (glyphosate)

These foliar application methods are intended to deliver herbicide to the leaves and/or stems of target plants. Spot spray refers to the spraying of individual plants, around which non-target plants occur.

Care is taken to spray just the target plant, so that damage to adjacent, non-target plants is minimized.

In contrast, low-pressure spray applications are intended to treat dense stands of the target plant species, within which few or no non-target plants occur. Spraying will be done only when the target plant species occurs at a high enough density to minimize the risk to non-target plants.

Glyphosate is sprayed onto the leaves or stem via spray bottle, backpack sprayer, or modified low volume hydraulic applicator with hand-held directed spray equipment with a spray pressure not to exceed 60 pounds per square inch. A wand will be used to ensure that herbicide reaches the tops of tall plants. High pressure sprayers will not be used, as this would increase the risk of herbicide drift.

Herbicide drift from the sprayer can kill or damage desirable non-target plants and end up in wetland soils.

Regardless of the application method used, glyphosate and imazapyr will be applied in a dilution appropriate for the method of application. When carrying out a foliar application of glyphosate or imazapyr, the surfactant LI-700® may be used in accordance with the EPA-approved label instructions to improve efficacy of the herbicide and potentially reduce or eliminate the need for re-treatment.

2. Herbaceous Weed Treatment Only Swisher Site ADDRESS: 11 First Ave. Adamstown, PA 19501

Treatment options for Herbaceous Weed control:

Reed canarygrass (2-year treatment) – Spring 2021 through Summer 2022 Herbicide using the high- or low- pressure spray methods should be used to treat reed canary grass with the goal of complete removal within 5 years. Multiple treatments will likely be necessary to achieve this objective.

High-Pressure Spray (glyphosate/imazapyr)

This is a foliar application method, intended to deliver herbicide to the leaves and stems of target plants. The high-pressure spray application is intended to treat dense stands of cattail within which few, or no, non-target plants occur. These high-density stands of cattail are typically devoid of any other herbaceous vegetation, evidenced by large expanses of bare soil or target species thatch within the proposed treatment area. High-pressure spraying will be done only when cattail occurs at a high enough density to minimize the risk of effects to non-target plants.

Glyphosate is sprayed onto the plants using hand-directed spray equipment, with a spray pressure not to exceed 400 pounds per square inch. At 400 PSI, the sprayer will distribute herbicide as far as 50 feet from the nozzle. High pressure sprayers will be used only to treat large stands of cattail, where herbicide application with hand-held sprayers is not practical.

Low-Pressure Spray and Low-Pressure Spot Spray (glyphosate)

These foliar application methods are intended to deliver herbicide to the leaves and/or stems of target plants. Spot spray refers to the spraying of individual plants, around which non-target plants occur.

Care is taken to spray just the target plant, so that damage to adjacent, non-target plants is minimized.

In contrast, low-pressure spray applications are intended to treat dense stands of the target plant species, within which few or no non-target plants occur. Spraying will be done only when the target plant species occurs at a high enough density to minimize the risk to non-target plants.

Glyphosate is sprayed onto the leaves or stem via spray bottle, backpack sprayer, or modified low volume hydraulic applicator with hand-held directed spray equipment with a spray pressure not to exceed 60 pounds per square inch. A wand will be used to ensure that herbicide reaches the tops of tall plants. High pressure sprayers will not be used, as this would increase the risk of herbicide drift.

Herbicide drift from the sprayer can kill or damage desirable non-target plants and end up in wetland soils.

Regardless of the application method used, glyphosate and imazapyr will be applied in a dilution appropriate for the method of application. When carrying out a foliar application of glyphosate or imazapyr, the surfactant LI-700® may be used in accordance with the EPA-approved label instructions to improve efficacy of the herbicide and potentially reduce or eliminate the need for re-treatment.

3. Brush Management and Herbaceous Weed Treatment Culp Site

COORDINATES: 39.896856, -77.355293

Severance Site ADDRESS: 348 Sunnyside Rd. West Grove, PA 19390

DeFranco Site ADDRESS: 1851 Harmonyville Rd. Pottstown, PA 19465

Villamil-Ramirez Site

ADDRESS: 15 Red Fox Court Rheinholds, PA 17569

Glass Site

COORDINATES: 40.235834, -76.067475

Frantz Site ADDRESS: 2787 Pentland Rd. Glenville, PA 17329

Treatment options for Woody Vegetation removal: Treatment Spring 2021 through Winter 2021.

Basal Bark Application (triclopyr)

This method involves the application of the ester formulation of triclopyr (e.g., Pathfinder® II) to woody plants with stems less than 6 inches in basal diameter. Use of triclopyr to control woody vegetation using the basal bark application method for target woody vegetation includes, but is not limited to, red maple, alder, poison sumac, and multiflora rose.

Herbicide is applied with a backpack sprayer using low pressure and a solid cone or flat nozzle. The herbicide is sprayed on the lowermost 10-12 inches of woody stems, including the root collar zone.

Herbicide will not be applied when snow cover prevents spraying to the ground line. Woody stems will not be saturated to the point that runoff into the soil occurs. Herbicide will not be applied to open water or water present in wetlands. Care will be taken to reduce the risk of herbicide contacting adjacent non-target vegetation, as this may kill beneficial vegetation and introduce herbicide into the surrounding soil.

When controlling woody vegetation with herbicides, approximately 10-20% of the native tree and shrub cover in mucky areas of the overall wetland will be retained (i.e., not treated), located in or near seeps, springs, rivulets, and mucky areas. Scattered pockets of shrubs will be retained in mucky areas within the emergent portion of the wetland.

Cut and Paint (glyphosate)

This method involves the application of glyphosate (without surfactant) to cut stumps of shrubs. Stems of shrubs are simply cut near ground level and a small amount of glyphosate applied to the stump. Care is taken not to spill herbicide in the wetland and only a small amount should be painted on each stump.

EZ-ject

The EZ-ject method involves the injection of pellets of glyphosate or imazapyr directly into the trunks of woody vegetation via the EZ-ject lance. Injection of pellets containing imazapyr will be limited to stem diameters exceeding 4 inches to minimize the risk of herbicide leaching from roots into the surrounding soil. Herbicide is delivered directly to woody stems, avoiding any herbicide spillage in the wetland. Little or no migration of herbicide from the root system to wetland soils is anticipated.

Mechanical treatment of woody vegetation

This is a possible method for removing large areas of invasive woody plants in the upland acres, via mechanical/mechanized methods like masticators or chippers, especially when plants to be treated vary greatly in both diameter and height. Method used cannot simply cut and drop the vegetation, it must also reduce and disperse the remaining slash and debris. This treatment option is limited to upland fields without wetlands or moist soils.

This treatment option will be followed one year later with backpack application of herbicides to any surviving woody vegetation or any stump sprouts.

Treatment options for shrub or non-native emergent vegetation:

Glyphosate or imazapyr will be applied in a dilution appropriate for the method of application. When carrying out a foliar application of glyphosate or imazapyr, the surfactant LI-700® may be used in accordance with the EPA-approved label instructions to improve efficacy of the herbicide and potentially reduce or eliminate the need for re-treatment. Either of the following two methods of application (High- or Low- pressure spray) are appropriate for restoration of habitat at this site.

High-Pressure Spray (glyphosate/imazapyr)

This is a foliar application method, intended to deliver herbicide to the leaves and stems of target plants. The high-pressure spray application is intended to treat dense stands of cattail within which few, or no, non-target plants occur. These high-density stands of cattail are typically devoid of any other herbaceous vegetation, evidenced by large expanses of bare soil or target species thatch within the proposed treatment area. High-pressure spraying will be done only when cattail occurs at a high enough density to minimize the risk of effects to non-target plants.

Glyphosate is sprayed onto the plants using hand-directed spray equipment, with a spray pressure not to exceed 400 pounds per square inch. At 400 PSI, the sprayer will distribute herbicide as far as 50 feet from the nozzle. High pressure sprayers will be used only to treat large stands of cattail, where herbicide application with hand-held sprayers is not practical.

Low-Pressure Spray and Low-Pressure Spot Spray (glyphosate)

These foliar application methods are intended to deliver herbicide to the leaves and/or stems of target plants. Spot spray refers to the spraying of individual plants, around which non-target plants occur.

Care is taken to spray just the target plant, so that damage to adjacent, non-target plants is minimized.

In contrast, low-pressure spray applications are intended to treat dense stands of the target plant species, within which few or no non-target plants occur. Spraying will be done only when the target plant species occurs at a high enough density to minimize the risk to non-target plants.

Glyphosate is sprayed onto the leaves or stem via spray bottle, backpack sprayer, or modified low volume hydraulic applicator with hand-held directed spray equipment with a spray pressure not to exceed 60 pounds per square inch. A wand will be used to ensure that herbicide reaches the tops of tall plants. High pressure sprayers will not be used, as this would increase the risk of herbicide drift.

Herbicide drift from the sprayer can kill or damage desirable non-target plants and end up in wetland soils.

Regardless of the application method used, glyphosate and imazapyr will be applied in a dilution appropriate for the method of application. When carrying out a foliar application of glyphosate or imazapyr, the surfactant LI-700® may be used in accordance with the EPA-approved label instructions to improve efficacy of the herbicide and potentially reduce or eliminate the need for re-treatment.

Treatment options for Herbaceous Weed control: Spring 2021 through Summer 2022 Reed canarygrass (2-year treatment) – Herbicide using the high- or low- pressure spray methods should be used to treat reed canary grass with the goal of complete removal within 5 years. Multiple treatments will likely be necessary to achieve this objective.

High-Pressure Spray (glyphosate/imazapyr)

This is a foliar application method, intended to deliver herbicide to the leaves and stems of target plants. The high-pressure spray application is intended to treat dense stands of cattail within which few, or no, non-target plants occur. These high-density stands of cattail are typically devoid of any other herbaceous vegetation, evidenced by large expanses of bare soil or target species thatch within the proposed treatment area. High-pressure spraying will be done only when cattail occurs at a high enough density to minimize the risk of effects to non-target plants.

Glyphosate is sprayed onto the plants using hand-directed spray equipment, with a spray pressure not to exceed 400 pounds per square inch. At 400 PSI, the sprayer will distribute herbicide as far as 50 feet from the nozzle. High pressure sprayers will be used only to treat large stands of cattail, where herbicide application with hand-held sprayers is not practical.

Low-Pressure Spray and Low-Pressure Spot Spray (glyphosate)

These foliar application methods are intended to deliver herbicide to the leaves and/or stems of target plants. Spot spray refers to the spraying of individual plants, around which non-target plants occur.

Care is taken to spray just the target plant, so that damage to adjacent, non-target plants is minimized.

In contrast, low-pressure spray applications are intended to treat dense stands of the target plant species, within which few or no non-target plants occur. Spraying will be done only when the target plant species occurs at a high enough density to minimize the risk to non-target plants.

Glyphosate is sprayed onto the leaves or stem via spray bottle, backpack sprayer, or modified low volume hydraulic applicator with hand-held directed spray equipment with a spray pressure not to exceed 60 pounds per square inch. A wand will be used to ensure that herbicide reaches the tops of tall plants. High pressure sprayers will not be used, as this would increase the risk of herbicide drift.

Herbicide drift from the sprayer can kill or damage desirable non-target plants and end up in wetland soils.

Regardless of the application method used, glyphosate and imazapyr will be applied in a dilution appropriate for the method of application. When carrying out a foliar application of glyphosate or imazapyr, the surfactant LI-700® may be used in accordance with the EPA-approved label instructions to improve efficacy of the herbicide and potentially reduce or eliminate the need for re-treatment.

VI. PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES:

The time spent to perform these items shall vary depending on the complexity of the site and the competence of the contractors involved.

VII. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall:

Be approved by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to complete herbicide applications on HMU 1 and 2 on the wetland easement.

Requirements for applying conservation practice Wetland Enhancement:

1. The person(s) performing the work must either be on the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s List of Qualified Surveyors For Bog Turtle* or following the guidance of a person on the Commission’s list.

2. The person(s) performing or supervising the work must be a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator, including Category No. 9 Aquatic Pest Control. Any person(s) working under the supervision of the Certified Commercial Herbicide Applicator must be a Registered Pesticide Technician.

* https://www.fish.state.pa.us/water/habitat/te-surveyors/BT_Surveyors.pdf

The requirements for applying to become a Qualified Surveyor For Bog Turtle are found at:

http://fishandboat.com/images/pages/forms/qualified_surveyor_requirements.pdf

The pesticide licensing terms are from PA Dept. of Ag http://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/PlantIndustry/PesticideCART/Pages/default.aspx

Requirements for applying conservation practice Conservation Cover:

1. The person(s) performing or supervising the work must be a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator. Any person(s) working under the supervision of the Certified Commercial Herbicide Applicator must be a Registered Pesticide Technician.

VIII. CIVIL RIGHTS AND PROGRAM DELIVERY

By signing this contract, the Contractor assures the USDA that the program or activities provided for under this agreement will be conducted in compliance with all applicable Federal civil rights laws, rules, regulations, and policies. Any and all information gained through this Statement of Work or in the process of carrying out the Wetland Enhancement project are to be held confidential between the Contractor, NRCS, other designated partners and the landowner unless released by the landowner.

Information gained may not be shared with others and are considered private to the landowner. The Contractor will protect the privacy of information collected during the technical assistance process according to the provisions of Section 1619 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.

https://www.fish.state.pa.us/water/habitat/te-surveyors/BT_Surveyors.pdf