SOW_Wasson_ForestryK_South-Slough_Final_DOJappr_10-26-2023.pdf

Forest Contractor Scope of Work

Project title: Wasson Creek Watershed Ridgetop-to-Estuary Restoration Project

With the given information below, please use this to provide the Project Implementation Plan describing steps your firm will take to carry out the necessary tasks to complete the work.

Location: The Project Area (PA) is located in the South Slough Reserve, Charleston, Oregon.

The PA is bordered to the northwest by Seven Devils Rd, to the northeast by Hinch Rd, to the southwest by West Beaverhill Rd, to the east with Winchester Creek and the southeast by the ridgetop dividing Wasson Creek (listed on USGS maps as Theodore Johnson Creek) with Anderson Creek (listed on USGS maps as Wasson Creek) catchments (Figure 1).

Project Objectives:

South Slough Reserve manages its uplands for ecological value, forest health and fuel reduction in high-risk areas. The Wasson project aims to promote complexity in forest stands by implementing a variable density thinning prescription. This area of the reserve needs thinning work to improve forest health, promote growth of large limbed trees and promote understory growth. In addition to tree development, the project aims to promote healthy soils and provide habitat for wildlife.

PA with active forest management: 284 acres, divided into 4 units (Table 1; Figure 1b)

For this stage of implementation, the PA is separated into four Forest Management Units (FMU; NW, NE, SE, SW; Table 1; Figure 2), totalling 284 acres. Refer to Wasson Uplands Restoration Plan for more stand details, available at:

https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/SS/Documents/Wasson_AppendixD_ UplandsPlan_Commission%20Approved.pdf.

Table 1: Summary details on four Forest Management Units (FMU) within the PA, including:

total acres, number of gaps (take all), number of skips (leave), average DBH (ranges based on stand data) and approximate age (ranges based on stand level data).

FMU Acres # Gaps # Skips Ave. DBH (in.)

Approx.

Age

NW 158 26 16 8.5-18 25-45

NE 13 5 0 12 55+

SE 28 6 5 13-15.5 55+

SW 85 13 10 8-8.5 30

https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/SS/Documents/Wasson_AppendixD_UplandsPlan_Commission%20Approved.pdf

Total 284 50 31

Prescription: Variable density thinning down to 150-70 Trees Per Acre (TPA)

Variable density thinning involves both varied spacing distances (between 17-ft and 25-ft), and inclusion of gaps and skips. Gaps are areas, approximately ¼-1/2 acre, where ALL CONIFERS are removed. Skips are areas, approximately ¼ acre, where NO trees are removed. Locations of skips and gaps are marked on site at the approximate locations shown in Figure 2.

Wood and slash should be left on site as much as possible to promote healthy soils, return carbon to the ground, and provide habitat for wildlife, while minimizing fire risk. Fine blanches and leaves left on site are important for nutrient retention. Large stems that lay flat on the ground are important for moisture retention and healthy soils. Habitat piles (Figure 3) are important for creating homes for wildlife and should be constructed in gaps where possible. To reduce risk of high intensity wildfires, fuels should:

- contact the ground as much as possible, thereby increasing rate of decomposition

- not be continuous (e.g., create fuel breaks in downed material)

- be sparse in high-risk areas (e.g., south facing slopes; Figure 4)

- be sparse in high ignition risk areas (e.g., along access roads)

- where needed, be burnt using biochar kilns or in conservation burn piles to avoid soil scars and reduce carbon release

Logs extracted from the PA can be utilized in the following ways:

- in Stewardship contracting (trade logs to off-set project costs), if project needs are prioritized over fiscal gains

- 370 logs are needed for the Wasson Creek floodplain restoration project (July- September 2024)

- Should leave cedar wherever possible, if cedar is cut and it is feasible to do so these trees should be piled on landings for further processing by the Reserve (as needed)

- can be used in local restoration projects lead by partners

Deliverables:

1. Complete variable density thinning and associated tasks (e.g., open old roads to allow access, slash management) in the PA as described above and in the Wasson Uplands Restoration Plan.

2. Contract and oversee sub-contractors to complete tasks.

3. Regularly communicate with SSNERR Project Lead to ensure all project needs are met.

4. Attend at least one planning meeting with the SSNERR Project Lead and project partners prior to starting implementation.

5. Restrict access to logging roads during the project (e.g. gates) and ensure all roads are closed to public access, both by vehicle and foot traffic, following completion of the project.

Plan must include:

• Cut plan: includes how the cut plan is in compliance with Oregon Forest Practices Act (e.g. stream buffers) and ODFW’s marbled murrelet survival guidelines where applicable. Includes cut and extraction methods that will be utilized. Two years of marbled murrelet surveys in the PA will be completed no later than August 5th, 2024. If the PA is occupied by marbled murrelets, or if work is underway prior to completion of monitoring, machine noise will be prohibited between 2-hrs after sunrise and 2-hrs before sunset.

• Access plan: indicate which access roads and landing sites will be used and outline intended improvements. No new access roads are to be created during this project.

• Slash management plan: Number of logs per acre to leave on site for soil health (i.e., lop and scatter) and maximum slash height, estimated number of logs removed for stewardship contracting and estimated value (cost offset), includes habitat piles, includes conservation burn and/or biochar piles. Includes working with lowlands restoration contractor (TBD) on an as needed basis to move 370 logs onto Wasson Creek floodplain (July-September 2024).

• Clean all equipment off site, removing all soil and invasive plant materials before entering or re-entering the PA.

Figures:

A)

B)

Figure 1: a) Wasson Creek PA (orange polygon) within the South Slough NERR and Coos Watershed (insert) and b) Forest Management Units in PA.

Figure 2: Approximate locations of skips and gaps. Points located outside FMUs have been completed and are not included in this contract.

A)

B)

Figure 3: A) Size and location of habitat piles within gaps. Spatial arangement will vary per gap. B) Habitat pile diagram showing multiple layers and arangements of large and fine wood.

Figure 4: Areas with greater than 20% slope and with a S-SE aspect. These areas should have lower fuel levels as they are generally warmer and drier than surrounding areas.