SOW_Trail_and_Levee_Clearing_Marais_des_Cygnes_NWR.pdf

Trail and Levee Tree Clearing Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge

1. Project Overview This project includes vegetation trimming, mulching, and clearing along 20,675 feet of designated trail and access routes within Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge. All work shall be performed in accordance with the treatment types delineated on the project map.

2. Location Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters 24141 Kansas Hwy 52 Pleasanton, Kansas 66075 Office Phone: 913-352-8956 Office Hours 8am – 4:30pm

3. Scope of Work

3.1 Canopy Trimming (Orange and Yellow Line Treatment Categories)

• Trimming trees and woody vegetation from ground level up to a minimum height of 20 feet above the path of travel.

• Mulching or grinding all branches, brush, and woody vegetation from the traveled path up to 25 feet from the center of the path, while protecting designated keep trees.

• Keep trees will be identified and marked by refuge staff prior to work.

• Protecting all good hardwood and designated keep trees; avoiding bark damage, root disturbance, and mechanical injury.

• Ensuring all mulched vegetation or grindings do not exceed 3 inches in diameter and 18 inches in length.

3.2 Total Clearing (Red Line Treatment Category)

• Removing and mulching all vegetation and all trees within the designated corridor.

• Clearing width of 30 feet from the path of travel on each side.

• Grinding stumps below grade or cutting them flush with the ground to eliminate tripping and catching hazards.

• Ensuring mulch and grindings are no larger than 3 inches in diameter and 18 inches in length.

3.3 Ground Protection Requirements

• Contractor must avoid rutting, soil displacement, puddling, and erosion, especially in wet or soft areas.

• Work shall pause immediately when the refuge manager determines conditions are too wet for safe operation.

4. Safety Requirements

4.1 General Safety

• Contractor shall follow safe operating procedures for chainsaws, mulchers, chippers, and heavy equipment.

• Required PPE includes helmets, gloves, eye and ear protection, high‑visibility garments, and cut‑resistant leg protection.

• Daily tailgate safety briefings shall be conducted.

4.2 Fire Season Safety Precautions

Should fire risk conditions arise (drought, wind, low humidity):

• Equipment must have spark arrestors, and operators must inspect for fire risks daily.

• Contractors shall maintain fire extinguishers, water packs, and suppression tools on all equipment.

• No mulching, grinding, or chainsaw use during red‑flag warnings or when directed by the refuge manager.

• Contractor shall conduct end‑of‑day fire watch during high‑risk periods to confirm no smoldering debris or ignition hazards.

• Contractor must comply with all temporary fire‑related shutdowns by the refuge or state/local authorities.

5. Environmental Requirements

• Preserve keep trees and avoid damage to wetlands and sensitive areas.

• Keep debris out of streams, drains, and low‑lying areas.

• Clean equipment before entering/exiting the work site to prevent spread of invasive plant species.

6. Work Schedule & Duration A 6 month performance window is established to accommodate:

• Weather delays

• Deer hunting season access restrictions

• Fire season‑related shutdowns

• Other operational or environmental limitations determined by the refuge manager.

Contractor shall coordinate access, closures, and work sequencing with the refuge manager.

7. Deliverables

• Daily or weekly work progress reports upon request

• Before and after photos for each treated segment

• Verification of corridor widths and vertical clearance compliance

• Final inspection with the refuge manager

Pleasanton City Lake

E 1200 Rd

E 1100 Rd

V e rn o n R d

W a tt le s R d

Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge

5 61

1 2

1984 2680

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, Division of Realty, Sources: Esri, TomTom, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community, Esri, USDA FSA

Marais des Cygnes NWR Trail Clearing Project - Phase 1

Treatment Two Side Canopy Clearing

Two Side Total Clearing

One Side Canopy Clearing

0 0.5 1 1.50.25 Miles