SOW Disaster Relief Payette Fence Reconstruction.pdf

Statement of Work

Boise National Forest

Payette C&H Disaster Relief Fence Reconstruction

WPAP #718861

Draft Date: 10/08/2025

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT:

The 2024 Lava Fire on the Boise National Forest destroyed several range fence improvements that are vital to managing livestock on the Payette C&H allotment as well as preventing unauthorized or excess livestock use from the neighboring Payette National Forest and Ola C C&H allotment. In total, approximately 59,183 feet, or 11.2 miles, of fence needs to be reconstructed/replaced. This is in accordance with analysis completed in the 2025 Lava Post Fire EA.

The project is split between three prior existing fences that were destroyed by wildfire, the Mill Creek Summit Boundary Fence (23,545’), the Thirdfork Boundary Fence (17,181’), and the Payette – Ola C Boundary Fence (18,457’). All fences incorporate existing cattle guards which remain in place and do not require additional work aside from connecting the fence.

This project is for the reconstruction/replacement of the fences including materials provided by the contractor. All fences will be of the same construction, following the specifications below. Work is to be conducted in remote sections of National Forest Land on the Boise National Forest and will have limited road access or equipment staging areas.

Soil type and depth to rock will vary across the project area. All work and disturbance is to be confined within a 20-foot buffer,10 feet on either side of the designated fence path.

Clearing the buffer area of minor obstructions, such as downed trees or branches, is allowable. No live trees should be cut. Minor deviation from the designated fence path is allowed where necessary to avoid timber, rock out crops, or other larger obstructions.

Access and use of small equipment, i.e. skid steers, ATVs, UTV, etc. is authorized within the buffer area where practical.

Total avoidance of threatened or endangered vegetation species, including White Bark Pine, Pinus albicaulis, is required. At no point should fences be secured to trees in any fashion. If at any point cultural/heritage resources are discovered, all work shall cease until forest heritage staff can be consulted.

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS:

- Contractor is to provide all materials, tools, equipment, and labor necessary for fence reconstruction.

- The fence is to be constructed of three wire strands, 4-inch diameter 8-foot round treated wood posts with a point tip, 8-foot t-posts, 6-inch diameter 8-foot round treated wood post with flat tips for braces, 1 ½ inch x 2 inch x 48 inch wooden stays, metal fence staples, galvanized t-post clips, 3” wooden stays, and other materials deemed necessary by the contractor to meet the following specifications.

- Two of the wire strands must be 12 ½ gauge round barbed wire or similar. The third must be 12 ½ gauge high tensile smooth wire.

- The bottom wire must be comprised of 12 ½ gauge high tensile smooth wire strung at 18” above the ground. The second and third wire must be comprised of 12 ½ gauge round barbed wire at 30” and 42” inches above the ground.

- Gates are similarly to be constructed utilizing the same three wires, with a bottom smooth wire and two barbed wires. Gate posts will be at a width of 16’6” on center with four 3” wooden stays for the gate. See diagram below.

- Gates must be placed regularly along the fence at a minimum of every ¼ mile and/or at every natural crossing point as determined by the contractor.

- Braces are required every 660 feet, every change in slope greater than 15 degrees, and every corner or turn in the fence greater than 15 degrees.

- Braces should be constructed as horizontal braces comprised of 6 inch diameter treated wood posts and smooth wire in similar fashion to the diagrams below.

- Post should be spaced dependent on the slope of the ground the fence is being built. For level to slight slopes, posts should be 16-feet apart with every fifth post being a 4-inch diameter treated wood post. Wooden stays should be used at every 5’4” interval as shown in the diagram below.

- For areas with steep to moderate slopes, the post interval should be shortened to 10-feet as shown in the diagram below.

LOCATION:

The project area is in Gem County Idaho, north of the town of Ola. Construction of the fences occurs on National Forest System lands within the administrative boundary of the Boise National Forest. Access to the project area is via FS 618 aka Third Fork Road, FS 653, and FS 607.

Terrain in the area is forested mountains with various soil depths and rock. Contractor should expect areas where digging and access will be difficult.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance for this project is June 01, 2026 through October 31, 2027, weather and snow load dependent.