SOW_-_Tree_Removal_and_Pruning-BRCA.docx

Scope / Statement of Work (SOW)

Perform Tree Service Work Bryce Canyon National Park

Prepared By: Eric Vasquez, Biological Science Technician, Bryce Canyon National Park

Revised Date: June 2023

Table of Contents

1.0 Project Description / Summary

2.0 Objectives

3.0 Background

4.0 Specific Work / Tasks

5.0 Special Conditions / Requirements

6.0 Place of Performance

7.0 Performance Period / Schedule Requirements

Task Order#: ____________________________

1.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY:

This contract seeks tree service professionals to perform limb removal, whole tree removal, and mechanical thinning around areas of development within Bryce Canyon National Park (BRCA). These actions are required to create safer conditions for visitors and park staff.

2.0 OBJECTIVES:

The work completed resulting from this contract will include:

a. Remove dead limbs and tops from the picnic area, parking area, and developed walkways at Sunset Point.

b. Remove dead limbs and tops from trees within the North Campground Picnic Area.

c. Remove selected trees from the grounds surrounding the Visitor Center building.

d. Remove limbs (live or dead) to create 10 feet of clearance around buildings in the above-mentioned areas. Also, limb trees to at least 6 feet from the ground level.

e. Fall select dead standing trees from along the main park road and at Rainbow Point.

f. Unless otherwise noted, process and dispose of all material generated during tree service work.

3.0 BACKGROUND:

BRCA is located on the eastern edge of the Paunsaungunt Plateau in south central Utah. The park’s main developed areas and several visitors use areas are located at approximately 8,000 feet of elevation. The landscape in this area consists of ponderosa pine forests and shrubland/grassland meadows. Ponderosa pine forests are fire adapted communities; however, years of suppression of natural fires has resulted in the buildup of hazardous combustible fuels that present the potential for catastrophic wildfire. The park seeks to comply more closely with defensible space standards issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This contract will help reduce the risk of property loss due to wildfire.

Many tree hazards exist in visitor use areas. Large, dead limbs can pose a potential danger to people or property below. Pre-emptive removal of dead limbs and other tree defects can prevent injury or damage to property. This contract will remove defects from trees in busy developed visitor use areas.

4.0 SPECIFIC WORK / TASKS:

a. TASK 1

· Within identified treatment areas (see treatment area maps and descriptions below) cut and remove:

· All dead limbs (dead wood) with any part hanging over, or that may impact, identified and delineated visitor use areas, paved driveways, or paved pathways.

· Partially dead limbs within the area described above; partially dead limbs should be cut at the nearest branch union, so the live part of the branch is retained.

· Dead tops that would impact visitor use areas.

· Whole tree removal of trees with defects that compromise integrity of the tree and that may impact the areas described above. This includes two trees at Rainbow Point. These two trees can be deposited outside of the visitor use area near the view point.

· Tree 1 – small diameter fir tree located near the historic shelter.

· Tree 2 – medium diameter fir tree located at the end of the viewpoint walkway.

· Remove all generated material and dispose of at an appropriate off-site location. This will likely be the Garfield County John’s Valley Landfill, located 17.5 miles from the main park entrance. (https://www.garfield.utah.gov/departments/public-works/)

· The treatment areas consist of:

· Sunset Point roadway, picnic area, developed viewpoint, and parking lot (approximately 4.5 acres).

· North Campground picnic area and parking lot (approximately 0.5 acres).

· Rainbow Point developed viewpoint.

b. TASK 2 Within identified areas surrounding the park’s Visitor Center (see map; approximately 1.4 acres):

· Trim or remove limbs (live or dead) to create 10 feet of clearance between trees and building.

· Remove limbs (live or dead) that have any part below 6 feet from the ground.

· Remove large juniper tree near the visitor center building (see photo below).

· Thin small ponderosa pine stands by removing approximately 20 small diameter trees (<10 inches). Trees will be marked for removal with flagging ahead of time.

· Contractor must ensure site safety during felling and removal operations. Visitors and staff will be present near worksite. Entire areas may not be closed.

· All generated materials will be removed from site and disposed of as described above.

c. TASK 3 Safely fall identified dead standing trees located along the south main park road. Trees identified for removal will be flagged by NPS staff. The NPS will provide a georeferenced map of tree locations to the Contractor. The Contactor can leave trees in place once they are down as long as they are outside of the road corridor and do not obstruct park operations. The road will remain open to traffic during the project; however, the Contractor must hold traffic during felling operations to ensure safety of visitors and other road users. The Contractor must use certified flaggers and protocols approved by the Utah Department of Transportation. (https://www.udot.utah.gov/connect/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2020/08/180306_FlaggerHandbook_Web.pdf)

5.0 SPECIAL CONDITIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

a. Contractor may schedule work related to standing dead tree removal immediately following award, contingent upon NPS approval. For all other work, the Contractor must submit a proposed work schedule at least 14 days prior to the beginning of work.

b. When removing live limbs, conserve branch collars when limbing – no flush cuts.

c. Use kerf cuts for larger live limbs to prevent bark damage.

d. Except for whole tree removals, where access allows along paved pathways, self-supporting elevation equipment, such as a bucket truck, pneumatic lift, or other similar equipment, will be used. For trees not in reach of paved pathways, tree climbing is permitted for limbing or topping. However, the use of spikes, spurs, or any type of gaffing equipment that pierces or penetrates the bark on live trees is not permitted. Tree protection devices (tree savers) must be used for any rope attachments.

e. Contractor may remove small trees (6” diameter or less) within the treatment area to improve safety and accessibility when performing limbing and felling. The park must approve prior to removal.

f. Work must take place Monday through Friday, 08:00 to 17:00 local time. Work may not take place on federal holidays.

g. The park limits off-pavement vehicle travel to only what is necessary for completing work. All off pavement vehicle travel must be approved by NPS staff. Contractor vehicles cannot be parked off pavement when not in use. The Contractor must request permission to leave vehicles in the park between daily work periods. Locations for vehicle staging will be at the park’s discretion. Contractor vehicles may not be left in the park over weekends.

h. Sunset point will be open to the public during the stated work periods. Specific areas where work is active will be closed to the public. The contractor must coordinate closures with park staff and keep work areas secure during operations.

i. North Campground Picnic Area and adjacent parking will be closed for Contractor operations; however, the surrounding visitor use areas will still be open to the public. The Contractor must have measures in place to keep the work area safe and secure.

j. Contractor is responsible for any injury or damage to property resulting from this contract and must be insured to cover any injury or damage to property resulting from actions under this contract.

k. Contractor, including all employees or subcontractors operating under this contract, must be licensed/certified under state and/or local requirements to conduct all work related to this contract.

l. Contractor and all employees and subcontractors must follow applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Utah Occupational Safety and Health (UOSH) Division, and local standards when performing work under this contract.

m. Any actions taken to remove trees or otherwise damage park natural resources not authorized by this contract are subject to the System Unit Resource Protection Act (SURPA) and other applicable laws.

n. The Contractor is responsible for the containment and cleanup of any vehicle or equipment fluids. Any spills involving vehicle or equipment fluids must be communicated to the park project contact within 24 hours. Equipment refueling must be done over an impermeable surface (pavement) and using a containment tray.

o. The Contractor must clean up work area daily. Daily cleanup includes the following:

1. Gather tools and equipment.

2. Sweep road surfaces of slash and debris.

3. Gather and dispose of any project or crew trash.

p. Once the work within a closure is completed, the contractor must complete the above cleanup tasks, as well as the following:

1. Remove slash and debris.

2. Remove any inactive barricades or signage.

3. Replace picnic tables or other features to original locations.

4. Inform Project Contact that work is completed in the closed area.

q. A final cleanup and walkthrough of project area with park staff is required at the conclusion of work. Completion of all work according to the above listed specifications must be approved by the park contact.

6.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield and Kane Counties, Utah

Task 1 – Sunset Point, North Campground Picnic Area, Rainbow Point Task 2 – Park Visitor Center Task 3 – Main Park Road, between mile marker 6 and mile marker 18

7.0 PERFORMANCE PERIOD / SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:

Task 1 – As soon as possible following award, and contingent upon NPS approval.

Task 2 – July 31 to December 15, 2023 Task 3 – As soon as possible following award, and contingent upon NPS approval.

Contractor should be aware that winter conditions at Bryce Canyon can make tree work increasingly difficult. Work should be scheduled as early as possible.

PHOTOS

Tree at Sunset Point with dead top.

Tree at Sunset Point with dead limb over road.

Stand of trees near Visitor Center requiring thinning.

Trees at Sunset Point with dead limbs over picnic area.

Trees at Visitor Center requiring limbing to create adequate clearance.

Dead standing tree at Rainbow Point.

Dead top tree at Rainbow Point image2.jpeg image3.jpeg image4.jpeg image5.jpeg image6.jpeg image7.jpeg image8.jpeg image9.jpeg image10.jpeg image11.jpeg image12.jpeg image13.jpeg image1.wmf