Statement_of_Work.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge/Wetland Management District Remove Invasive Trees

Location:

Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge/Wetland Management District 9754 143 ½ Ave SE Cayuga, ND 58013

Background:

Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge manages over 8,000 acres of prairie and wetland habitats in southeast North Dakota. The Refuge provide important habitat for grassland dependent bird species, butterflies and other grassland/wetland dependent species. Some of the prairies are being encroached by invasive tree species which degrade the value of the habitat. These trees should be removed to provide better quality habitat for grassland dependent species.

Scope:

During the fall to winter of 2020-2021, tree removal equipment would be used at on the Tewaukon Unit of the Refuge and the Krause Waterfowl Production Area, in Sargent County. Large and medium, standing trees will be removed, limbed and stacked high for burning at a later date. Small trees, brush, and downed trees will be mowed and chipped up on site. Details are found below.

Deliverables:

Site 1: Tewaukon Unit – Southeast Hepi Lake Flush cut all standing trees (several are >50 feet tall) in an approximately three acre area consisting of one shelterbelt and one single tree. To minimize soil and vegetation disturbance, large trees must be cut with chainsaws as close to the ground as possible. Heavy equipment may not be used to push trees over.

Contractor will use a Fecon mulching/cutting head to mow brush, limbs, and trees up to 6” diameter. The equipment must be on tracks to access wet and soft terrain with minimal ground disturbance.

All logs, limbs and tree trunks too large to mulch with the Fecon will be stacked in tall piles using a claw truck. A claw truck with tandem axles should be used to access uneven and possibly soft terrain. Using a claw truck on site will ensure tree piles contain minimal dirt and are piled high to facilitate efficient burning. Stacking site(s) will be identified by Refuge staff.

Site 2: Tewaukon Unit – South Krause Flush cut all standing trees (several are >50 feet tall) in an approximately five acre area consisting of one shelterbelt, several large previously cut trees (on ground) and several single trees. To minimize soil and vegetation disturbance, large trees must be cut with chainsaws as close to the ground as possible. Heavy equipment may not be used to push trees over.

Contractor will use a Fecon mulching/cutting head to mow brush, limbs, and trees up to 6” diameter and all the previously cut limbs and branches lying on the ground. The equipment must be on tracks to access wet and soft terrain with minimal ground disturbance.

All logs, limbs and tree trunks too large to mulch with the Fecon will be stacked in tall piles using a claw truck including previously cut trees lying on the ground. A claw truck with tandem axles should be used to access uneven and possibly soft terrain. Using a claw truck on site will ensure tree piles contain minimal dirt and are piled high to facilitate efficient burning. Stacking site(s) will be identified by Refuge staff.

Site 3: Krause Waterfowl Production Area Flush cut all standing trees (several are >50 feet tall) in an approximately one acre area consisting of part of a shelterbelt. To minimize soil and vegetation disturbance, large trees must be cut with chainsaws as close to the ground as possible. Heavy equipment may not be used to push trees over.

Contractor will use a Fecon mulching/cutting head to mow brush, limbs, and trees up to 6” diameter. The equipment must be on tracks to access wet and soft terrain with minimal ground disturbance.

All logs, limbs and tree trunks too large to mulch with the Fecon will be stacked in tall piles using a claw truck. A claw truck with tandem axles should be used to access uneven and possibly soft terrain. Using a claw truck on site will ensure tree piles contain minimal dirt and are piled high to facilitate efficient burning. Stacking site(s) will be identified by Refuge staff.

Schedule:

Work must be completed between September 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021. No work can be done from November 6, 2020 through – November 24, 2020 (Refuge Deer Gun hunting Season)

Government Furnished Material:

None.

Technical Point of Contact:

Tewaukon NWR/WMD, ND Kristine Askerooth 701-724-3598 kristine_askerooth@fws.gov

Contracting Point of Contact:

USFWS, Contracting /APO/JAO Cathleen DeBerry 303-236-4324 cathleen_deberry@fws.gov