Statement of Work Herbicide.docx

2024 SQF Herbicide Site Prep and Release contract (13-CON GSNM Herbicide Reforestation) Sequoia Forest Herbicide Backpack Spraying for Site Preparation and Seedling Release with 2 batch trucks and 2 crews working concurrently.

C.1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

SCOPE OF WORK

The purpose of this contract is to secure services for hand application of glyphosate herbicide solution with 16.2 lbs of A.I. per 100 gallons of mix including colorfast purple dye and R11 surfactant. All project areas shall require a broadcast treatment of spray to wet application to target species while protecting non-target species. Work items include:

Item 1 Release of conifer plantations within the Windy and Castle Fires between 5,500-to-7,000-foot elevation. Normally between May and August It is the goal to get the units treated while the grasses are still green. (1,389 acres) Items 2 Site preparation of burned forest for reforestation within the Rough, Castle, and Windy Fires between 5,500-to-7,000-foot elevation. Normally between July and October. It is the goal to get the units treated while the grasses are still green or leaves on the shrubs. (1,184 acres) Item 3 Release of conifer plantations within the Rough Project between 4,500-to-6,500-foot elevation. Normally between May and July. It is the goal to get the units treated while the grasses are still green. (338 acres) Clean water shall be available to rinse herbicide from non-target species using a non-contaminated clean backpack sprayer. Mixing recipe will be reviewed on site prior to batching.

These dates are estimates and are dependent on weather and the target vegetation.

Note: There may be a break between when the low elevation units in items are completed and when work can start in items at higher elevation.

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, except those designated as Government-furnished, and incidentals, to perform all work necessary on the areas specified.

C.2 GENERAL INFORMATION

The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies and incidentals to perform all work necessary to treat target species and protect non target species. The Government will provide a water source at the Springville or Hot Springs Office to enable the contractor to fill igloos for drinking, water tank/trailer to be transported to the work site to be used for batching, cleaning the sprayers and batch equipment, safety wash down for end of day personal clean up. Photos of examples of spray to wet applications of the glyphosate herbicide will be provided at the prework meeting as an example of acceptable completed work. Avoidance of herbicide application to non-target species can be met by either plastic bags or careful protective measures by the individual backpack sprayer operator.

The Contract Performance Period will be determined when the target plant development, site conditions, site accessibility and weather conditions are suitable. The treatment units may be at different elevations and work may need to be suspended between elevational zones if conditions are not suitable. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will monitor the situation in all areas and inform the Contractor.

C.3 PROJECT LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS

The project is located on the Western Divide and Hume Lake Ranger Districts, Sequoia National Forest, Tulare and Fresno Counties, California. The legal for the project is:

1. Hume Lake: T13-14S, R27-28E

2. Western Divide: T20-23S, R30-32E Location and access to the work sites and other information pertinent to each unit is contained on the vicinity maps and in the paragraphs below. Unit identifiers will be posted with a designated sign on the edge of the road where necessary. Work boundaries will be identified with orange and white flagging and/or Avenza map as applicable, and Stream Management Zones (SMZ) will be identified with blue and white striped flagging.

Directions are given from the Western Divide Ranger Station in Springville, California. Proceed east on state highway 190 to Forest Service Roads. Specific driving directions to each of the project areas will be provided during prework meetings.

Directions are given from the Hume Lake Ranger Station in Dunlap California. Proceed east on state highway 180 to Forest Roads. Specific driving directions to each of the project areas will be provided during prework meetings.

All work areas may be reached by roads that are accessible by 2- or 4-wheel drive vehicles with or without chains, unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather conditions chains may be required to access some of the units. No vehicles will be permitted to operate off National Forest system roads without approval of the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

The maps are intended to show only the general size, shape, and location of the areas. The locations on the ground take precedence over the locations on the Project Map. The location of cultural and topographic features also may be approximate.

C.4 DESCRIPTION OF WORK AREA

Herbicide application areas include land burned in the Castle, Windy and Rough Fires, and have had hazard tree/biomass removal and mechanical piling. Target species to spray are deerbrush (Ceanothus integerrimus), bearclover (Chamaebatia foliosus), whitethorn ceanothus (Ceanothus cordulatus), gooseberries and currants (Ribes spp.), and manzanitas.

Prescription:

(a) Release: Apply herbicide application to competing vegetation for a release in a 5 ft. radius around planted and natural tree seedlings, while protecting the seedlings with a directed spray (site prep) or an appropriate cover material (release) as applicable. Measures shall be taken to protect the seedlings from direct or in-direct overspray or drift. Example of protection measures are operator control of the wand for directional spray, a plastic cone over the tree during application or plastic bags on selected leave seedlings. Herbicide will be applied for release from competing bearclover, deerbrush, whitethorn and other incidental brush, and invasive or noxious weeds.

Treatments will occur the spring/early summer after planting depending on level of shrub competition.

The spray release shall protect the planted and natural seedlings from direct and drift spray, using secured protective plastic bags (such as grocery produce bags).

· Approximately 200 trees per acre were planted on Western Divide (Castle & Windy Fire units). Spacing was variable and included the use of microsites where feasible.

· Seedlings are spaced at: approximately 20’ x 20’ and up to two tree seedlings per spot, and 20’ from the dripline of the canopy of mature conifers or stump sprouting oaks on Hume Lake (Rough & Eshom units).

Apply herbicide via a backpack sprayer or other handheld equipment using a directed low-volume, spray-to-wet foliar application technique at the rate of 0.5 to 1.5-percent solution (i.e. up to 4.0 lb/ac (1 gal.) of glyphosate product depending on the target species.

· Use standard protocols to limit potential for direct or indirect effects to non-target species:

· Apply spray solution uniformly and completely to the foliage of target plants using a coarse droplet spectrum and a spray-to-wet technique; do not spray to the point of runoff.

· Apply herbicide once per year, and dependent on the target species, when annual weeds are small and prior to seedhead or bud formation (May-July dependent on elevation).

· Avoid disturbing the vegetation (i.e., no cutting or burning) within 3 to 7 days after application.

· Sprayers must swish the spray wand through the target plants immediately before spraying to ensure most insects and birds fly off and note any nests in the shrub or on the ground within 5 feet of the seedling. If a nest is discovered, the shrub above it will not be sprayed.

· Avoid directing spray at flying/crawling insects as feasible.

Protected non target species are live conifers including giant sequoias, riparian species, elderberry, oak stump sprouts, and known Forest Service Sensitive plant species.

Plastic bags or other protective measures shall be installed a short time frame prior to the spray application and secured with a clump of soil or rock as necessary. The protective materials shall not be left on the seedling for too long. Weather conditions will dictate the safe length of time.

The protective material shall be removed carefully and concurrently during the application process and before the seedlings retain too much heat. The contaminated protective materials shall be collected and placed in a trash bag and properly disposed of with other contaminated items.

Clean water using a non-contaminated clean backpack sprayer and/or a spray bottle, shall be made available to rinse herbicide from non-target species. The quality of non-target species protection measures and the total number of workers using a backpack sprayer will determine how many clean water rinsers shall be needed.

(b) Site Preparation: Herbicide application for site preparation from competing bearclover, deerbrush, and other incidental brush, and invasive or noxious weeds. The site preparation spray application shall protect the natural conifer seedlings 6 inches and taller from direct and drift spray. Protected non target species are oak stump sprouts, riparian species, elderberry and known Forest Service Sensitive plant species. They shall be protected by avoidance from the herbicide application.

Treatments will occur the early summer/late fall prior to planting depending on level of shrub competition. Dense stands and incidental brush up to 3.5 feet tall shall be treated. The proposed site preparation treatments are:

· Spray target species across the unit to create approximately 5-foot radius openings at an average spacing of approximately 15 x 15 foot. Vary spacing down to 10 ft and up to 30 ft average spacing to allow use of microsites as directed by the COR, while protecting existing tree seedlings with a directed spray and an appropriate cover material as applicable.

· Apply herbicide via a backpack sprayer or other handheld equipment using a directed low-volume, spray-to-wet foliar application technique at the rate of 0.5 to 1.5-percent solution (i.e. up to 4.0 lb/ac (1 gal.) of glyphosate product depending on the target species.

· Herbicide application methods shall control the direction of spray to protect non target plants and trees. If control methods are not successful, the installation of protective bags may be required. Use standard protocols to limit potential for direct or indirect effects to non-target species:

· Apply spray solution uniformly and completely to the foliage of target plants using a coarse droplet spectrum and a spray-to-wet technique; do not spray to the point of runoff.

· Avoid directing spray at flying/crawling insects as feasible.

· Apply herbicide once per year, and dependent on the target species:

· when annual weeds are small and prior to seedhead or bud formation (May-June); or

· once plants have begun flowering for control of perennial weeds, woody brush, trees, and vines less than 24 inches tall (May -June).

· Avoid disturbing the vegetation (i.e., no cutting or burning) within 3 to 7 days after application.

· Discontinue application when the target species have hardened-off with the summer heat or when rain is predicted within 24 hours.

Clean water shall be made available to rinse herbicide from non-target species using a non-contaminated clean backpack sprayer.

Recent mechanical site preparation methods include hazard tree and biomass sales; mechanical felling and piling dead/fire killed trees where a portion of the logs and woody debris remain on the ground; and pile burning.

C.5 SUPERVISION

Before work starts the Contractor shall designate, in writing, a person to act for him during his absence from the work site. The Contractor shall list the extent of authority his representative will have on the job. The Contractor or his authorized representative shall be on site whenever work is in progress and shall act as a non-working supervisor. In the absence of the Contractor, his authorized representative shall coordinate with the COR and shall take such action as is required to keep the job in progress under the terms of the contract. The Contractor and his representative(s) shall have oral and written command of the English language.

The Government will provide unit maps to the Contractor, to determine the best method to successfully work the area. The contractor can use the maps to produce a free hand drawing to identify the crews work plan.

The Contractor shall direct and control the crew so that the unit is sprayed systematically insuring complete coverage.

The Contractor shall be responsible for training his employees in the proper techniques to be used during application of herbicides and safety procedures to be followed when handling herbicides. The contractor must meet all State of California standards regarding employee training and safety.

CREW SCHEDULING

The Contractor shall submit to the COR, for approval, a schedule of work at the pre-work conference. The Schedule will include the proposed workdays and the proposed size and number of crews to be assigned to the contract.

If the contractor intends to have more than one crew or if additional crews are needed due to being behind schedule or due to unseasonable weather, the Contractor shall request this in writing to the COR. Note that the Government will attempt to accommodate the contractors wish to have several or very large crews, however, government manpower is limited and there may be a point where the government can no longer adequately administer very large or multiple crews at which point the contractor will have to limit the amount of manpower assigned to this project.

If the Contractor fails to provide a crew as stated in the notice, the Government may assess liquidated damages of $400/crew for one day.

The Contractor may cancel a crew and incur no liquidated damages, by submitting a written notice to the COR and the Contracting Officer within 48 hours.

The contractor shall remove all trash from the work site.

C.6 PRIORITY AND ORDER OF WORK

The COR may specify an order of work by item or sub-item (unit), without additional cost to the Government. Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as specified as:

a) When the COR determines that adverse weather has made target species too wet for herbicide application, too windy or access to the project increases the risk for resource damage.

C.7 NON-WORK AREAS / RESOURCE PROTECTION

Within the general project area, the COR will exclude non-work areas that may include rocky areas, excessively steep slopes, wildlife areas, noxious weeds and sensitive plant areas, streamside management zones, meadows, apiary sites, cultural resources areas and other special areas. Such areas exceeding 1/2 acre in size will be excluded from payment. The attached maps are intended to show only the general size and location of work areas and are not intended to be accurate as to shape and dimensions. The position of cultural and topographical features also may be approximate.

Non-work areas may be flagged, or otherwise designated as follows:

(a) Known populations of sensitive plants will be designated with yellow flagging to indicate a non-work area (no herbicide application) within the flagged area.

(b) Suitable habitat for Foothill yellow-legged frog and Stream Management Zones shall be flagged with blue and white striped flagging to indicate a non-work area (no herbicide application) within the SMZ.

(c) No parking or staging spray equipment adjacent to apiary sites or campgrounds.

(d) Known cultural resource sites are identified on the project map and on the ground with blue and red flagging to indicate a non-work area (no herbicide application) within the flagging. The sites may be reflagged immediately prior to operations.

(e) If the Contractor discovers a historic or prehistoric site, or if they damage a known site, the Contractor shall immediately stop work in the vicinity of the resource and notify the COR.

(f) Noxious Weeds will be identified with bright orange flagging and shall be treated with the herbicide application.

C.8 DEFINITIONS

1. Batch Tank: A mixing tank with a constant agitator that can be moved and operated separately from the clean water tank; for example, mounted on a separate vehicle from the clean water tank, or mounted on a trailer.

2. Clean Water Tank: A tank that contains water for mixing and washdown. It must be free of all pesticide residue.

3. Crop Tree: Crop trees includes planted and natural conifer seedlings and oak sprouts and stump clumps. It can be an oak clump or dominant conifer tree other than lodgepole pine or gray pine that is noticeably taller, more vigorous, having a fuller crown, and bearing fewer signs of physical damage or disease than adjacent trees.

4. Controlled, directed spray – see protection by avoidance

5. Damaged plant: A non-target plant that is sprayed with the herbicide solution and not washed off promptly. A damaged plant is determined by herbicide solution on more than ten percent of the non-target plant’s live crown, terminal bud or stem and or if there is any herbicide or mechanical damage that may be caused by the spray operations or applying or removal of protective covering.

6. Excess Trees: A tree or trees that lies within the dominant crop tree spacing requirements.

7. Glyphosate Herbicide - The concentrate before mixing occurs containing the active ingredient (A.I.) Glyphosate in the form of its dimethylamine or isopropylamine salt. All products must be registered in the State of California for forestry use. The product shall not contain a surfactant. For example, some products contain 50% glyphosate and others have 41% glyphosate, respectively, while both have 4 pounds of A.I. per gallon.

8. Herbicide: The concentrate before mixing occurs.

9. Herbicide solution: The mixture of herbicide concentrate, water, surfactant, and dye.

10. Non-Target Vegetation: Vegetation that shall not be sprayed with the herbicide solution, including but not limited to, deergrass, sourberry, gooseberry, yerba santa, sour dock, redbud, elderberry, willow, conifer seedlings, stump oak sprouts, oak seedlings, percentage of Ceanothus species and/or green leaf manzanita while maintaining 10% to 30% brush cover in a mosaic ribbon pattern or individual plants, Sensitive Plant Species and other berry producing plants.

11. Protection by avoidance: Contractor shall direct spray away from non-target species. Inadvertent spray on non-target species shall be immediately washed off.

12. Protective plastic bag: Plastic bags may be used to cover and protect non-target species from herbicide application damage. The plastic bags shall be secured with a rock or clump of soil. Example of a plastic bag is a vegetable produce bag.

13. Spray to wet: Apply the herbicide solution until the foliage appears wet. Stop applying before the herbicide starts to run off the foliage.

14. Spray to run-off: Apply the herbicide solution until the herbicide actually flows off the foliage.

15. Target Vegetation: Use of Glyphosate by hand application to target and direct spray onto bear clover and noxious weeds in areas proposed for planting site preparation or release of planted trees. Brush and oak seedlings shall be a target vegetation when an area exceeds the required 10 to 30% cover. Photos will be provided at the start of work.

16. Triple Rinse: The procedure for cleaning empty containers in preparation for disposal. The containers are to be rinsed and drained at the time of use. Empty herbicide containers are to be rinsed at least three times using the following rinsing technique. 1) Drain the container into the tank allowing the container to drain for thirty seconds after the container appears to be empty. 2) Add the correct amount of rinse (clean water). If the container is less than five gallons add an amount of water to rinse to equal 1/4 of the containers volume. If the container is five gallons or more, add 1/5 the volume. 3) Reseal the container and rotate the container end over end so that the rinse flows over every surface inside the container. Empty into the tank, again leave the container draining over the tank for thirty seconds after the container appears to have been emptied. This procedure is to be repeated a minimum of three times.

17. Wash Down: Spraying the contaminated non-target seedling and or vegetation to run-off with the wash down solution from a Solo Backpack Sprayer or equivalent, that is clean and free of chemical / pesticide residue.

18. Wash Down Solution: A .25 % R-11 [or equivalent] solution used to rinse herbicide from plants that are not to be sprayed.

C.9 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will deliver to the Contractor the following listed materials, supplies, property, or services (hereinafter referred to as "Government-furnished property"):

C.10 CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Contractor will furnish the herbicide and materials as listed below. It is estimated that it will take 18 to 35 gallons of a glyphosate herbicide solution per acre that contains 16.2 pounds of (A.I.) per 100 gallons water solution to treat one acre when “spraying to wet”.

Product amounts required to make 100 gal. of a glyphosate herbicide solution that contains 16.2 pounds of the active ingredient (A.I.) (3%Solution) in the form of its isopropylamine salt per 100 gallons water solution are listed below. Note the requirement for colorfast purple and the surfactant.

C.11 EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Backpack sprayers with a built-in pressure regulator such as a Solo 475 or equivalent. The sprayer is to be equipped with a boom with one Spraying Systems XR 8005 VS or equivalent nozzle.

Each nozzle is to be equipped with a check strainer such as a Spraying Systems 10 PSI check valve and 50 mesh strainer #4193A-10-50.

Each worker shall be equipped with the same configuration of spray wand, nozzle and check valves and strainers.

A stainless steel or plastic batch tank equipped with a constant agitator.

A clean water tank with a back flow prevention device. The water tank and all related equipment must be clean and free of dirt or pesticide residue.

Successful redirected spray techniques are acceptable for the protection of non-target species. If redirected spray techniques are not successful, plastic produce bags or similar material shall be used to protect non-target conifer seedlings less than 12 inches tall.

Locked storage area for herbicide and containers.

Spill kit containing a minimum of 25 pounds of absorbent material such as kitty litter, two intact 30-gallon plastic trash cans, 4 mil. polyethylene garbage bags with ties, and 2 shovels. The contractor shall have a spill kit in each vehicle transporting herbicide.

C.12 CALIBRATION AND EQUIPMENT CHECK

The Contracting Officer Representative and the Contractor together will inspect, the following; test for calibration and approve equipment, check for cracked hoses, leaks malfunctioning pressure regulators, and or worn nozzles, pressure regulators in the backpack sprayers are set to 30 pounds per square inch (the number 2 indicator inside the Solo brand backpack tank), the check valves stop the flow at between five and ten pounds of pressure and that the nozzle flow is within 15% of the manufacturer specified flow of a new nozzle. Prior to and during work the COR and or designated inspector will confirm with the Contractor the mixing recipe for the proper herbicide concentrate, colorfast purple dye and R11 surfactant mixture for the gallons of water to be used.

Prior to and during work, the COR reserves the right to inspect, test, calibrate, and approve equipment; and test and inspect the herbicide concentrate and mixture.

C.13 WATER SOURCE

The Contractor shall use only Government designated water sources, as directed by the COR. Water source will be provided at the applicable US Forest Service Station on Hume Lake or Western Divide district. Water tender may be able to be parked at the station for the evening.

C.14 LICENSING AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall have a current State of California Agriculture Pest Control Operator License, prior to award of the contract. The Contractor shall register their State License with the appropriate County Agriculture Commissioner prior to the beginning of work.

(a) The contractor is also required to have a person with a Qualified Applicator License (a "brown card" with the forest category) on site whenever work is in progress. The Contractor is responsible for meeting all State and County requirements regarding permits, reports and record keeping. The contractor shall, upon request, make available to the Contracting Officer a copy of any of these.

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the State of California Safety Orders found under the California Administrative Code. For further information regarding licensing requirements contact California Food & Agricultural Dept., Department of Pesticide Regulation/Licensing Registration Branch at www.cdpr.ca.gov/ or (916) 324-4100.

(c) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Protection measures for eyes, hands, mouth, face, PP&E clothing, and field boots shall be required. Clean coveralls shall be available daily.

(d) Batch mixer shall also wear a face shield during the mixing process, triple rinsing of the containers and preparing the puncture holes before disposing. Soap and water shall be available for cleaning hands and face. Follow all label safety requirements.

C.14 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Work Methods

a. Precipitation is occurring or is predicted with a seventy percent certainty within the next 6 hours. Herbicide application shall not commence for at least 24 hours after a rain event to allow drying time for vegetation. COR shall notify Contractor when conditions are suitable for application. This also applies if the unit is wet with dew in the morning or from fog or water dogs. Application shall be delayed until the moisture has evaporated.

General work description by Prescription Herbicide application for release from competing bear clover and incidental brush, oak seedlings and noxious weeds. The spray release shall protect the planted and natural seedlings from direct and drift spray, using secured protective plastic bags (such as grocery produce bags). Seedlings shall be spaced on an 11’x 11’ and 20’ from the dripline of stump sprouting oaks. Protected non target species are stump oak sprouts, Ceanothus species and/or green leaf manzanita while maintaining 10% to 30% brush cover in a patchy mosaic ribbon pattern of shrubs and understory vegetation separated by more open areas to reduce fuels continuity. These mosaic’s offer habitat and wildlife cover. Sensitive Plant Species, willows, elderberry, and other berry producing plants shall be protected. Brush around down logs, under mature oak canopy and periodic roadside screening are included in the 10% to 30% protective cover. Treat all noxious weed areas including isolated plants such as Medusahead, bull thistle, klamath weed and star thistle.

Protective plastic bags shall be installed a short time frame prior to the spray application (no sooner than 15 minutes) and secured with a clump of soil or rock. The protective plastic bags shall not be left on the seedling for too long. Weather conditions will dictate the safe length of time. Removal of the protective plastic bags shall be done in a manner to protect seedlings from herbicide contamination and shall not take place until spraying activity is at least 20 feet away. Contractor must monitor the time duration of plastic bags over protected plants. The protective plastic bags shall be removed carefully and before the seedlings retain too much heat. The contaminated protective plastic bags shall be collected in a manner that does not damage the non-target specie and placed in a trash bag and properly disposed of with other contaminated items.

Clean water using a non-contaminated clean backpack sprayer or spray bottle, shall be made available to rinse herbicide from non-target species. The quality of protecting non target species and the total number of workers using a backpack sprayer will determine how many clean water rinsers shall be needed.

Site Preparation and no protective plastic bags for seedlings. Herbicide application for site preparation from competing bear clover and incidental brush, oak seedlings, and noxious weeds. The site preparation spray application shall protect the natural seedlings 6 inches and taller from direct and drift spray. Natural conifer seedlings shall be spaced on an 11’x 11’ and 15’ from the dripline of stump sprouting oaks. Natural conifer seedlings greater than 6 inches tall are not abundant. Protected non-target species are stump oak sprouts, Ceanothus species and/or green leaf manzanita while maintaining 10% to 30% brush cover in a patchy mosaic ribbon pattern of shrubs and understory vegetation separated by more open areas to reduce fuels continuity. These mosaic’s offer habitat and wildlife cover. Sensitive Plant Species, Elderberry and other berry producing plant shall be protected by avoidance from the herbicide application. Incidental brush and oak seedlings up to 3.5 feet tall shall be treated. Protect from herbicide application approximately 20% cover of leave oaks consisting of stump sprouts and acorn sprouts of various heights.

Herbicide application methods shall control the direction of spray to protect non target plants and trees. If control methods are not successful, the installation of protective bags may be required. Clean water shall be made available to rinse herbicide from non-target species using a non-contaminated clean backpack sprayer.

C.15 MIXING THE HERBICIDE SOLUTION

The contractor shall make a glyphosate herbicide solution that contains 16 pounds of the active ingredient (A.I.) glyphosate in the form of its isopropylamine salt per 100 gallons in water, or similar solution using the dimethylamine salt formulation. This solution shall also contain the correct concentrations of the specified dyes and surfactants (1% R-11). For example, if one hundred gallons of herbicide solution are going to be made it would require 16 pounds of active ingredient (A.I.), 32 ounces of the dye, one gallon of the surfactant and enough water to make a total of 100 gallons of herbicide solution.

The process for mixing the solution is as follows:

See attachments for Mix Rate recipe.

C.16 STORING AND TRANSPORTING HERBICIDES

All unattended herbicide concentrate and empty herbicide containers shall be stored in a secure (locked) facility. The herbicide shall be stored in its original container only.

All herbicide containers shall be sequentially numbered with indelible ink before work begins.

The Contractor shall work with the COR to minimize the amount of solution moved between units.

All equipment carrying herbicides will follow designated routes to and from the work sites.

C.17 DISPOSAL OF CONTAINERS AND OTHER MATERIAL CONTAMINATED WITH HERBICIDE

The Contractor shall dispose of the containers in the following manner:

C. 18 HERBICIDE SPILLS

If a spill occurs, the contractor shall:

C.19 CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT

The Contractor shall ensure that prior to moving on to the project area, all off-road equipment, is free of soil, seeds, vegetative material, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds of noxious weeds. “Off Road Equipment” includes all logging, construction and brushing equipment (brush hogs, masticators, chippers) except log trucks, chip vans, service vehicles, water trucks, pickup trucks, and similar vehicles not intended for off-road use.

The Contractor shall thoroughly clean all off-road equipment before entering project areas. The contractor shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure that off-road equipment is free of noxious weed seeds. Equipment shall be considered clean when a visual inspection does not disclose soil, seed, plant material, and other such debris. The disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection tools are not required.

The Contractor shall notify the Forest Service at least 5 working days prior to moving each piece of equipment on to National Forest Land, unless otherwise agreed. Notification will include identifying the location of the equipment’s most recent operations for the last 30 days. Unless the prior location of operation is known to be free of noxious weeds as documented in a Weed Risk Assessment, the Forest Service may assume that the equipment is contaminated with noxious weed seeds. In general, because of the magnitude of the yellow star thistle infestation in northern California, equipment coming from off-forest sites will be considered contaminated and cleaning/washing will be required. Upon request of the Forest Service, arrangements will be made for Forest Service to inspect each piece of equipment prior to it being placed in service. If the Contractor is working in a Forest Service project area that is known to be infested by noxious weeds, the contractor must clean off-road equipment prior to moving equipment into another Forest Service unit that is not infested with noxious weeds.

A current list of noxious weeds of concern to the Sequoia National Forest is available at the Ranger District Offices or from the Forest Botanist located at the Forest Headquarters in Porterville California.

Item 1: Release using herbicide on Windy and Castle Units:

Table 1: Item 1-Windy and Castle Herbicide Release Areas using Glyphosate Herbicide Solution at 16.2 lb a.i./100 gal. of mix

Item 2: Site Preparation using herbicide on Rough, Castle and Windy Fires:

Table 2: Item 2- Rough, Windy and Castle Herbicide Site Preparation Areas using Glyphosate Herbicide Solution at 16.2 lb a.i./100 gal. of mix

Item 3: Release using Herbicide on Rough Restoration area Table 3: Item 3- Rough Herbicide Release Areas using Glyphosate Herbicide Solution at 16.2 lb a.i./100 gal. of mix

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