Statement_of_Work_EagleRidgeII.docx

Appendix 1

Bates Juniper 2021 Eagle Ridge II Treatment Statement of Work

Description

The purpose of this 221 acre vegetative treatment project is to enhance habitat conditions for wildlife in the Bates Hole area, particularly mule deer crucial winter range. The emphasis of this project is to maintain and enhance mountain shrub stands, while treating juniper trees which have encroached into sagebrush grassland communities. The treatment also provides a degree of wildland fire protection to Casper Mountain and associated properties Juniper densities are modest, Phase 1 and 2 and have degraded the long-term viability of the habitat.

The treatment area is located ~15 miles southwest of Casper in the Bates Hole (T32N/R80W) area, as mapped. The area is accessible from Casper via Wyoming state highway 487. Please refer to the attached map of the Bates Hole Juniper Treatment area.

Treatment directives:

1. Cut all juniper trees within the project area identified on 2021 Eagle Ridge Treatment exhibit map.

2. Utilizing hand tools (ie. chain saws), cut all “living” juniper trees. Other conifer and deciduous trees and shrubs shall be uncut.

3. All trees would be visually inspected prior to cutting to ensure the absence of an occupied migratory bird nest. No tree containing such a nest shall be disturbed.

4. All vehicles would be restricted to existing roads and trails.

5. Cut trees within the “No Pile” (Red Flagging) shall be limbed and bucked, with no boles or branches longer than 3 feet in length.

6. Cut all living stems at ground level. Stumps will be cut to a height of 3” or less.

7. Cut material shall be scattered and lie parallel [flat] to the ground.

8. Excess material within 15 feet of the “No Pile” boundary shall be included in piles within the “Pile Area”.

9. Cut trees within the “Pile Area” shall be used to create piles as described in appendix 2.

10. No piles shall be created within 15 feet of ponderosa pine to minimize negative effects of future pile burning.

11. Piles shall not exceed 6 feet in height or 6 feet in diameter.

12. Marked and/or boundary (flagged) trees would be uncut and remain standing.

13. All vehicle access would be restricted to existing roads and trails. No new roads and trails or off-road travel would be authorized.

14. All operations will be restricted to areas within the boundaries designated by the BLM. In addition to boundary flagging, Global positioning system (GPS) capabilities may facilitate location of treatment boundaries.

15. On-site personnel shall have the ability (phone or radio) to contact emergency personnel (911), Casper Interagency Fire Dispatch (1-800-295-9952) and COR (307-262-3950) in the event of fire or other site emergency.

16. During periods of inclement weather, emergencies, natural disasters or Red Flag conditions, a stop work order may be issued. This action would allow for a request for an extension of the contract period.

17. Photo points and/or vegetation plots completed before and after treatment will serve as a record for satisfactory completion of treatment objectives.