Scope of Work_6.19.2020_FP Tidal Zone Debris Removal.pdf

GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE

SCOPE OF WORK FOR

BEACH ENHANCEMENT AND ASPHALT REMOVAL PROJECT

2020/2021 TIDAL ZONE ASPHALT AND DEBRIS CLEANUP (PHASE II)

1. BACKGROUND

As part of the early restoration process in response to the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, the Beach Enhancement and Asphalt Removal Project was funded to restore natural viewsheds and enhance future visitors’ experience to Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS), a park within the National Park Service (NPS) in Northwest Florida. Several storms and hurricanes occurring since 1995 have caused severe damage to previously existing roads along GUIS beaches. The associated storm surges eroded/lifted sections of asphalt road and road base materials and fragmented and scattered these materials considerable distances. Removal efforts landward of Mean High Water (MHW) have been ongoing since 2016, while removal efforts seaward of MHW began in 2019 and resulted in the removal of 73 cubic yards of asphalt debris from tidal areas. To date, these combined efforts have removed over 14,000 cubic yards from approximately 500 acres of GUIS.

Asphalt debris to be removed from tidal areas during the period of performance ranges in shape and size from large slabs (5-10 feet long and wide) down to fragments 3 inches in length. Based on previous efforts, visual observations, and historical assessments, asphalt debris throughout submerged nearshore and onshore tidal areas can be lying on the surface of the sand, it can be partially buried, mostly buried, or completely covered up with inches or feet of sand (Illustration C, pages 17-19)a,b. Given the dynamic nature of sand movement in the project area, debris is constantly being covered and uncovered. As such, the volume estimates below have a fairly high degree of uncertainty around them and there is a possibility that more or less asphalt may actually be present.

2. OBJECTIVE

The objective of this project is to remove asphalt and other miscellaneous non-natural debris scattered throughout approximately 2.6 linear miles of shoreline. The purpose of the present scope is to remove asphalt debris and miscellaneous non-natural debris located in submerged nearshore and onshore tidal areas across the Gulf shore of the Fort Pickens unit of GUIS only.

Debris is defined as derelict pavement and fragments of asphalt, as well as miscellaneous non-natural debris including, but not limited to, PVC pipes, cables ≤ 1 inch in diameter, concrete, and boat debris ≤ 4 feet x 4 feet x 4 feet.

3. LOCATION OF WORK

The project is located in the Fort Pickens unit of GUIS (Exhibit A, Location Area Map, page 8).

This project includes NPS south (Gulf) shore barrier island property from parking lot 17A east to beach marker ‘B’ (Exhibit B, Map 1, page 10). The closest cities are Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, Florida.

Debris will be removed from 1) areas up to 50 feet landward of the recent high tide line (onshore “dry sand”), 2) intertidal areas seaward of recent high tide (onshore “wet sand” between high and low tides), and 3) submerged nearshore areas up to 20 feet seaward of low tide. The project area covers approximately 40 acres; however, the total area in which asphalt debris has been observed is approximately 8 acres. In addition to the work areas outlined above, removal of cable may occur throughout higher onshore areas (i.e. any dry beach area south of Fort Pickens Road) as it exposes. Cable is the only debris type to be removed from this far inland. No seagrass beds exist within the project area. No work will be performed in submerged areas greater than 20 feet seaward of low tide. Two sensitive resource areas have been identified in the project area (Exhibit B, Map 1, page 10).

Note: given the dynamic nature of sand movement in the project area due to wave, storm, and tidal influences, the exact location and shape of the tidal work zones are subject to change from what is depicted by the debris field polygons in the attached maps (Exhibit B, Maps 1-6, pages 10-16).

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The overall work period for cleanup activities will be a two-month onsite work season occurring 02 November 2020 through 31 December 2020. Work stoppages during this period may occur due to hurricanes, severe storms, or early or late shorebird and sea turtle nesting. The Contractor is expected to be onsite every day during the performance period that debris is visible and accessible. The Contractor is expected to work full 8-hour days and 5 days per week while debris is accessible. NPS staff will determine whether debris is visible and accessible or not. Equipment operators are expected to be available Monday-Friday (some Saturday work may occur if conditions are favorable). If the contractor has not been working onsite because debris has not been visible/accessible, they shall respond onsite within 24 hours of NPS notification for removal activities when debris becomes visible/accessible again. The Contractor is not expected to work Sundays or the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day (26 November), Christmas Eve (24 December), or Christmas Day (25 December).

5. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

In accordance with the terms and conditions herein, the prime Contractor or their Sub-contractors shall perform the work of this contract for the National Park Service (NPS). It is the Contractor’s responsibility to furnish all the labor, materials, tools, and equipment to remove asphalt debris and other debris that could pose a threat to health and safety such as abandoned cables, PVC pipes, etc. (see Section 2 above). Debris shall be removed when encountered in the work area.

See below for examples of equipment that could be used. No work will be authorized from boats and/or barges. No work, including beach driving, will occur at night.

Services shall be completed for removing asphalt debris from nearshore and onshore areas defined in Section 3 above. NPS has identified areas of known high concentration (i.e. debris fields) at the Fort Pickens unit which the Contractor shall provide removal (Exhibit B, Maps 1-4, pages 10-13). Approximately 40% of asphalt debris removal will occur in onshore areas (wet and dry sand) with the remaining 60% of removal efforts occurring in submerged areas (20 feet out).a,b Based on 2018 bathymetric Lidar data, water depth in submerged areas where removal is to occur ranges from 0-3 feet with 3 feet being maximum water depth. An estimated volume of roughly 180 cubic yards of asphalt debris (+/- 15%, or a range of 153 - 207 cubic yards) has been identified for removal during the performance period.b Due to the highly dynamic nature of sand movement caused by ongoing wind erosion and episodic water erosion (e.g., heavy rains or overwash events), clean up areas within the project area may change in both size and character between now and the end of the period of performance. Thus some methods of removal may change throughout the course of the project.

Derelict utility cables are evident throughout the project area and in need of removal. Up to 500 feet of cable ¾”-1” in diameter may require removal from the project area. Approximately 50% of cable removal will occur onshore in either wet or dry sand with the remaining 50% of removal occurring in submerged areas.a,b Several areas in need of cable removal have been identified (Exhibit B, Maps 2-3, pages 11-12). It is expected that most cable pieces can simply be pulled on and fully removed from the sand. Where a piece of cable cannot be fully removed, however, the cable should be cut 3 feet (where possible) down below the surface of the sand. Once cut, cable caps are to be placed over the cut end(s). Caps should be securely attached so they remain indefinitely to reduce cutting and impalement hazards to park visitors and wildlife. It is expected that onshore cables can be cut easily by hand. Cable located in submerged areas that requires cutting should be pulled onshore when reasonably possible where it can be cut and capped by hand. If this cannot be done, the cable should not be cut and should remain submerged. Other non-miscellaneous debris including PVC pipes, concrete, and boat debris ≤ 4 feet x 4 feet X 4 feet may exist in the project area. While locations have not been identified, this debris shall also be removed if encountered in the project area. It is estimated no more than 10 cubic yards of non-miscellaneous debris will require removal.

Two sensitive resource areas (archaeological) have been identified in the project area (Map 1).

Cable debris has been identified throughout approximately 0.38 acres of this area. When working in the sensitive resource area, Tribal representation and monitors from the Southeast Archaeological Center (SEAC) must be present during all removal activities. Certified monitors will be provided by NPS. Remnants of pilings, the cultural resource of interest, will not be removed or disturbed.

Services shall focus on areas identified by NPS based on exposure and accessibility of debris.

Accessibility could be affected by factors such as tide cycle and wind speed and direction (these areas will be prioritized by NPS in coordination with the Contractor). For example, if wind, tidal and wave conditions preclude work below the high tide line, work can still occur up to 50 feet inland if debris is visible and accessible there. Again, if the Contractor has not been working onsite due to an absence of visible/accessible debris, they shall respond onsite within 24 hours of NPS notification for removal activities when debris becomes visible/accessible again. Any debris that is discovered while removing targeted debris should also be removed.

Small particles are to be avoided during removal efforts; no asphalt debris smaller than 3 inches long warrants removal from onshore areas. Similarly, debris less than 10 inches long does not require removal from submerged areas. When removing larger pieces, the Contractor shall dig down up to 3 feet to remove them (i.e. in defined onshore and nearshore work areas). However, if a large piece of debris extends deeper than 3 feet, an attempt should be made to pull it out entirely. If it cannot be pulled out, it should be broken off at a point 3 feet deep (where possible) and removed. Any holes created during removal efforts should be filled when reasonably possible with adjacent material. Attempts to minimize substrate disturbance and/or removal should be taken. Methods and equipment that remove debris but leave sand are desired. As much of the sand (as is reasonably possible) that is incidentally scooped up with debris should be returned to the spot from where it was excavated.

The Contractor is required to request inspections of areas it believes to be clear of visible/accessible debris. NPS will inspect these areas within 48 hours of request. NPS must be notified prior to any demobilization of equipment or personnel. Demobilization (or mobilization to an alternative work zone within the identified project area) will not be authorized until NPS inspection and approval of a cleaned area occurs.

The Contractor will complete the following items:

1. Obtain any additional permits required for disturbance of areas larger than 5 acres, including NPDES storm water permits.

2 Gather and dispose of materials (recycle if possible) and complete the project.

3. After (or as) the work is completed, return sites to pre-construction conditions such as smoothing ruts and filling holes greater than 12-inches deep.

4. Request inspections of areas reported to be clear of visible/accessible debris. Notify NPS prior to any demobilization of equipment or personnel/crew.

5. Provide weekly progress reports for weeks where work is completed for at least 1 day

(once work has commenced) and a Project Completion Report summarizing information from the progress reports as well as any final activities. Progress reports can be 2-4 pages long (longer if maps or diagrams are needed) and should include:

• Dates/times NPS requested services and inspections;

• Dates work performed, including any work stoppages;

• Activities performed and areas worked in, including staging area / temporary debris handling area that was used;

• Volumes and type of debris removed (including cumulative totals), where removed from and mechanisms by which it was removed;

• Table showing dump or load receipts data and invoices (time and date, weight (if applicable), estimated volume in cubic yards, number of trips, etc.);

• Final disposition of debris (recycling center or landfill);

• Any deviations from the relevant planning documents and how issues were resolved.

Tasks performed under this Scope of Work shall be completed in accordance with OSHA regulations.

6. GENERAL CONDITIONS

Combined staging and temporary debris holding areas (2) will be designated within the project area. Staging/temporary debris holding areas are located near the outer limits of the project area;

parking lot 17A (western boundary) and parking lot 19A (approximately 0.6 miles west of the eastern boundary; 30.323368°, -87.197637°) (Exhibit B, Maps 1, 2 and 5, pages 11-12 and 15).

Equipment and vehicles are to be staged overnight in the parking lot closest to debris removal activities. Equipment and vehicles are not authorized to remain on the beach after daily/weekly work has completed. NPS is not responsible for the security of equipment and vehicles staged overnight.

All vehicles and equipment will access the beach using 1 of 2 designated access corridors; 1 corridor will be delineated per staging/temporary debris holding area and marked with posts and/or flagging. Only 1 lot shall be used at any given time; lot 17A is recommended for use while removing debris from the western section of the project area while lot 19A is recommended for staging and disposal for the eastern section of the project area. The central point at each of 5 debris fields identified to contain large concentrations of asphalt and/or cable are located within the following distances from staging/temporary debris holding areas: Field 1 is < 0.10 miles east of lot 17A (Exhibit B, Map 2, page 11); Field 2 is 0.30 miles east of lot 17A (Exhibit B, Map 2, page 11); Field 3 is 0.63 miles east of lot 17A (Exhibit B, Map 3, page 12); Field 4 is 0.58 miles west of lot 19A (Exhibit B, Map 4, page 13); Field 5 extends 0.6 miles east of lot 19A (Exhibit B, Map 6, page 16).

While additional debris outside of the aforementioned locations is expected to require removal throughout the project area, the maximum distance of debris transport is 1 mile. Equipment and vehicles will traverse a straight north-south transect from the staging/disposal area to the tide line and will then drive parallel to shoreline as close to MHW as reasonably possible to access debris removal areas. Following excavation/removal of debris, equipment will return to the temporary debris holding area by following the same corridor designated for entry onto the beach. The distance travelled in soft sand from parking lots to the shoreline ranges between 150 - 350 feet.

Equipment used may be tracked or wheeled but should be adequate to complete the task at hand in soft and wet sand conditions. Examples of appropriate equipment include utility vehicles, skid steers, front end loaders, dump trucks/trailers, and long-reach excavators capable of removing debris up to 20 feet seaward of low tide. (The contractor should take into account that the sand may get softer the closer to the low tide line the equipment gets, and should take whatever means necessary in order to effectively reach 20 feet seaward from the low tide line to remove submerged debris).

Some equipment should be fitted with slotted bucket attachments (i.e. rock buckets) to allow water and sand to pass through. The use of ATV’s is not authorized within park boundaries.

Methods that avoid breaking or damaging edges of paved lots when entering/exiting the beach from staging/temporary debris holding areas shall be used. All equipment is expected to remain onsite for the duration of the performance period. Contractor is required to obtain approval from NPS prior to demobilization of any equipment.

After excavation/removal, debris will be transported to the staging/temporary debris holding area and dumped into containers. Sorting or stockpiling of debris on the sand or on parking lot pavement should be avoided when possible to minimize handling, incidental deposition of debris on the beach, and removal of sand from the system. Once containers are full, material will be hauled offsite to approved local facilities and preferably recycled.

7. PERMIT CONDITIONS

NPS will acquire a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit for compliance with the Rivers and Harbors Act (Section 10) and the Clean Water Act (Section 404) and will acquire an Environmental Resource Permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for compliance with Florida Statutes (F.S.) Chapter 373 Part IV, the Coastal Zone Management Act (Section 307), the Clean Water Act (Section 401), and Sovereignty Submerged Lands Authorization (F.S. Chapter 253).

The Contractor is responsible for acquiring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits required through Section 404 of the Clean Water Act without additional expense to the Government, prior to the commencement of work. Through Section 404, permits are required to discharge dredged and fill materials into waters of the United States, including wetlands. Debris removal projects such as dredging, demolition, and construction and operation of sites used for debris management must comply with the requirements of the Clean Water Act as administered by the Federal, State, or local regulatory agency. In addition, the Contractor is responsible for complying with all Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes, and regulations applicable to the performance of the work outlined in this Scope of Work.

8. DELIVERY SCHEDULE AND TIME FOR COMPLETION:

The Contractor shall comply with time requirements and commence work in accordance with the accepted working schedule and provide sufficient labor, materials and equipment to complete the work within the time limit(s) set forth in the Scope of Work. Should the Contractor fail to furnish sufficient and suitable equipment, forces, and materials, as necessary to prosecute the work in accordance with the required schedule, the Contracting Officer may withhold all payments that are, or may become due, or suspend the work until the Contractor corrects such deficiencies.

The services and fieldwork within this Scope of Work and attached bid schedule shall be completed on or before January 30, 2021 and all reporting shall be completed on or before February 19, 2021 in accordance with the following schedule:

Tasks Description Date

A Fort Pickens Project Area Mobilization to staging area(s) begins Not earlier than October 29, 20201

Debris removal and disposal begins Not earlier than November 02, 2020 Debris removal and disposal ends Not later than December 31, 2020

All equipment and temporary debris handling areas removed from field

Not later than December 31, 2020

Demobilization from staging area(s) complete

Not later than January 08, 20212

B Reporting

Weekly Progress Reports – Draft 1 work day after completion of previous week’s work (usually COB Monday)

Weekly Progress Reports – Final 2 work days after submitting Draft and receiving NPS comments (usually COB Tuesday)

Project Completion Report – Draft 1 Not later than January 22, 2021

(NPS review and submit comments) Not later than January 29, 2021

Project Completion Report – Draft 2 Not later than February 5, 2021

(NPS review and submit comments) Not later than February 12, 2021

Project Completion Report – Final Not later than February 19, 2021

1. The opportunity to mobilize equipment several days prior to the start of work activities (no earlier than 29 October 2020) is solely for the convenience, and at the discretion, of the Contractor. NPS shall not incur rental fees for equipment sitting idle prior to the start of work activities.

2. The opportunity to demobilize equipment up to 1-week post completion of work activities (no later than 08 January 2021) is solely for the convenience, and at the discretion, of the Contractor. NPS shall not incur rental fees for equipment sitting idle post completion of work activities.

9. INDEX OF EXHIBITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

A: Location Area Map, 1 page B: Project Area Detail Maps, 6 pages C: Photographs, 3 pages

*Data and information furnished or referred to above and within Illustration C is for the Contractor’s information. The Government shall not be responsible for any interpretation of or conclusion drawn from data or information by the Contractor.

(a) The indications of physical conditions in the photos and in the specifications are the result of previous removal efforts of assumedly similar, but different asphalt debris on the same property and associated debris fields.

(b) Under calm, non-adverse weather conditions.

EXHIBIT A: Location Area Map

EXHIBIT B: Detail Maps

ILLUSTRATION C: Photographs

Photograph 1 – Exposed cable, looking southwest. Photograph 2 – Asphalt debris, looking south.

Photograph 3 – Onshore and submergedasphalt debris, looking southeast.

Photograph 4 – Onshore asphalt debris, looking southwest.

Photograph 5 – Onshore and submergedasphalt debris, looking southwest.

Photograph 6 – Onshore and submergedasphalt debris, looking southwest.

Photograph 7 – Submerged asphalt debris, looking southwest. Photograph 8 – Sensitive resource area, pilings to be avoided, looking southeast.

Photograph 9 – Onshore and submerged asphalt debris, east of parking lot 19A.

Photograph 10 – Onshore and submerged asphalt debris, east of parking lot 19A.

Photograph 11 – Onshore and submerged asphalt debris, east of parking lot 19A.

Photograph 12 – Onshore and submerged asphalt debris, east of parking lot 19A. UTV for scale.