Stream_Debris_Removal__Specs_4.pdf

Florida - EWP 400-1 November 2004

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION

400. STREAM DEBRIS AND SEDIMENT REMOVAL

1. SCOPE

The work will consist of the cleanup of storm debris in the designated streams (channel, canal, waterway, etc.) areas by the removal and disposal of trees, logs, stumps, brush, tops, blockages, rubbish, and debris deposited in and adjacent to the channel and other items as specified in Section 10. The designated sites are as shown on the drawings.

2. ACCESS

Access shall be as designated by the Engineer unless alternate routes are obtained by the Contractor and approved by the Engineer.

3. LIMITS OF WORK

The limits of the work area shall not exceed those shown on the drawings. The limits of the designated stream debris removal area are referenced in section 10 of this specification and as shown on the drawings.

4. SEDIMENT AND DEBRIS REMOVAL

Flow obstructions shall be removed by methods including, but not limited to, sawing, cabling, winching, lifting, or dragging or as specified in Section 10. Excavation shall be limited to that necessary for sediment and stump removal.

The following guidelines will be used to determine which trees, stumps, and brush to remove.

The ENGINEER will make the final determination on questionable items.

a. All downed trees, brush, limbs, root mass, tops, vines, and other washed-in woody vegetative materials lying completely or partially within the stream banks shall be removed.

b. Undermined or storm damaged trees within or outside the banks which are still standing but likely to fall into the stream shall be removed.

c. Stumps of downed or undermined trees within the channel bank or bottoms shall be removed.

d. Any root mass located on the channel bank that has become unstable or that obstructs flow in the channel shall be removed.

e. All debris underwater or on the channel bottom shall be removed

Trees designated for removal shall be cut off as near to the ground surface as conventional cutting tools or field conditions will permit.

All building materials, manufactured items, and other loose foreign debris lying completely or partially within the limits of designated areas shall be removed.

Water level in the channel will fluctuate up and down due to rainfall events. The extent of debris removal in the channel cross section is not changed by the fluctuation in the water

Florida - EWP 400-2 November 2004 level. Excavation of soil/sediment shall not be performed, unless otherwise stated in Section 10.

Trees that have been "snapped", are not leaning, have a strong root structure, and pose no threat to the channel will be left as they are, provided the contractor does not need to remove the tree for access purposes. Naturally leaning trees with apparently undamaged root systems and other natural, undamaged vegetation shall remain in its natural condition and not be removed.

Trees shall be felled in such a manner as to avoid damage to trees left standing or existing structures and with due regard for the safety of persons and property.

Removal of standing trees outside of stream banks is limited to the cutting of severely damaged trees leaning across the channel and other trees as needed to gain access for equipment to points of channel blockage.

The approval of the Engineer or Construction Inspector shall be obtained prior to cutting any "healthy" tree for equipment access.

Unless otherwise approved, access for mechanized equipment shall be limited to one side of the channel. Access to the channel shall generally be perpendicular to the channel with precautions taken to protect mast producing and stream canopy trees.

Dead trees that provide den habitat and are determined to pose no hazard to the channel shall be protected. Disturbance of the channel bottom and banks, and equipment access areas shall be held to the minimum necessary to allow the construction equipment to remove the debris.

Heavy equipment working on wet soil conditions must operate from mats or use other measures as approved by the Engineer to minimize rutting or soil disturbance.

5. DISPOSAL

All foreign debris such as building materials and manufactured items (stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, other household goods, cars, tin, building material, etc.) found within the limits of the debris cleanup area shall be hauled to the off-site disposal area(s) designated as specified in Section 10 or alternative sites that are obtained by the Contractor and approved by the Engineer. Unless otherwise specifically approved by the receiving landfill, all debris will have to be separated by woody, construction and demolition, "white goods", and tires prior to placement in the landfill.

Natural woody and other vegetative debris shall be hauled to designated disposal areas and burned or disposed of as specified in Section 10. Alternate methods of disposal proposed by the Contractor must be approved by the Engineer.

Sediment removed from the watercourses shall be placed and spread as specified in Section

10. No sediment shall be placed on improved property except where directed or allowed by the Engineer to fill stump holes, ruts, and other local depressions. Alternate methods of disposal proposed by the Contractor must be approved by the Engineer.

Debris shall not be placed in tributaries, side ditches, floodplains nor other defined water entrances to the watercourse being cleaned.

Also, when one side of the channel is through improved areas and the other side is woods, it is not permissible to dispose of the stream debris from the improved side on the side that is in woods (to avoid haul-off) unless prior approval is granted from the Engineer. Nor is it

Florida - EWP 400-3 November 2004 permissible to place debris on the property of others, to "pile up" debris, or to move debris upstream or downstream in improved areas to dispose of debris in wooded areas to avoid hauling off-site unless otherwise approved by the Engineer.

Debris shall not be placed on nature or hiking trails, sewer lines, highway, or railroad rights-of-way, or any other improved area. Debris shall not be placed in tributaries or side ditches.

The debris shall be placed in such a manner to prevent potential movement of the materials back into the floodway by subsequent high-water flows. The Contractor shall leave openings in debris piles to allow lateral flow to the stream.

Where petroleum or gas tanks, pesticide containers or other hazardous materials are found within the limits of debris cleanup, the contractor shall note the location of the tank, container, or material and notify the Construction Inspector. The contractor shall avoid disturbance or damage to the tank, container, or materials.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Where the use of heavy equipment is allowed, equipment shall operate adjacent to the stream and not within the stream unless prior approval is granted by the Engineer. Crossing a stream with equipment to gain access to the opposite bank is only allowed with the specific approval of the Engineer or Construction Inspector.

Equipment shall be maintained to prevent fuel, oil, and lubricant spills. Refueling, repairs, and lubrication will be performed at safe distances from the stream. Should fuel leaks, oil leaks or hydraulic pipe rupture occur during construction, the Contractor's operators shall immediately remove the equipment to a safe area and take prompt action to minimize damage and safeguard the site. The contractor or his Superintendent shall immediately report the spill or discharge in accordance with the Special Provisions of this Contract; and the requirements of the Florida Statute Chapter 376 Pollution Discharge Prevention and Removal will be followed.

The Contractor shall provide tanks or barrels to be used for off-site disposal of chemical pollutants such as drained lubricating or transmission oils, greases, etc. produced as a by-product of this work. Washing, fueling or servicing of equipment shall be avoided where spillage or wash water can enter the watercourse.

See attached Environmental Evaluation for species and habitats of concern.

7. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall submit to the Engineer for review and approval prior to construction a construction schedule showing the sequence of all work by reaches to be performed.

The Contractor shall exercise care while working in the areas of existing lawns, roads, structures, utilities, railroads, other improvements, and cropland. The Contractor shall be responsible for the prompt repair or replacement of any such improvements damaged by his/her operations.

The Articulated Concrete Block Mats required for Task 5 shall be installed per the manufacturer’s recommendations as agreed by the contractor and City.

Fences which must be removed for access shall be removed with the minimum damage practical and reinstalled as near to the original condition as possible immediately after construction access is no longer needed at the site.

Florida - EWP 400-4 November 2004

In areas identified in Section 10 of this specification, or on the drawings, as "Hand Work";

portable winches, chainsaws, handheld tools, block and tackle, cables, log chains, etc., and manual labor will be allowed, unless the Contractor requests, in writing, approval for the use of heavy equipment at specific locations and the request is approved by the Engineer. Boats and barges with equipment working from the deck of the barge may be used in “Hand Work” areas when the Contractor makes a written request and permission is given by the Engineer or the Construction Inspector.

Disturbance of the stream banks and the stream bottom will be held to the minimum necessary to remove the debris.

Where the haul off of debris is required in improved areas at "Hand Work" sites, wheeled and/or tracked vehicles for removing, loading and hauling the debris off-site will be allowed at specified selected locations as designated by the Engineer or Construction Inspector.

The Contractor shall be responsible for complying with all applicable requirements of the Florida Department of Transportation's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as adopted by the Department of Transportation pursuant to Chapter 316 Florida Statute when work is performed on public right-of-ways. When equipment or personnel are operating on public right-of-way, flagmen shall be stationed to warn oncoming traffic of congestion.

Proper construction road signs shall be in place. A means of removing sediment and/or debris from roadways shall be established. Sweep machines may remove residue deposited on roadways, manual sweeping methods or pressurized water. The Contractor shall be responsible for implementation of these measures.

8. EQUIPMENT

Hydraulic excavators, if used, shall be low ground pressure (LGP) machines and be equipped with a stationary or mechanical thumb attachment or have a grapple. The use of rubber-tired skidders will not be allowed without prior written approval of the Engineer. When the use of skidders is allowed, they shall be equipped with low ground pressure, high flotation tires.

Each work site shall have two-way communication capabilities. This requirement shall be met with cellular phones or two-way battery-operated radios. Radios shall have a broadcast capability of a minimum of 5 watts.

9. MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

Measurement and payment for Trash and Debris Removal is per volume removed based on load tickets. Such payment shall be considered full compensation for all labor, equipment, tools, materials, mobilization, demobilization and other items necessary and incidental to complete the work.

Measurement and payment for Stream Sediment Removal will be based on the volume removed based on pre and post cross sections performed by the contractor and approved by the city. The actual begin and end point for sediment removal will be as determined by the Construction Inspector or the Engineer. Distances as scaled from the drawings are estimates only and will not be used for the purpose of determining payment. Distances will be continuous from each beginning point to each end point. Such payment shall be considered full compensation for all labor, equipment, tools, materials, mobilization, demobilization and other items necessary and incidental to complete the work. Transportation of excess sediment to the Public Works yard will be based on mileage.

Pay requests may be submitted monthly for work completed during the month.

Florida - EWP 400-5 November 2004

10. ITEMS OF WORK AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Items of work to be performed in conformance with this specification and the construction details therefore are:

Debris and trash hauled off-site shall be taken to the disposal site at the Lee County Waste to Energy Facility at the following location:

Lee County Waste to Energy Facility 10500 Buckingham Road Fort Myers, FL 33905 Telephone number 239-533-8000

Sediment not used to repair canal slopes and access roads shall be taken to the City disposal site located on Arcadia Street north of the water plant as directed by Public Works.

Recyclable materials and “white goods” shall be taken to an appropriate recycling facility located within the city as determined by the city and contactor.

Where more than one channel or run exists along a reach of stream, the larger of the runs shall be cleared unless more than one channel is designated on the Site Location Map or specified herein. Debris removed from the principal run shall not be placed in or adjacent to other runs.

Work on these sites is not limited to "Hand Work" methods of debris removal; but the contractor is required to use removal methods, which will minimize disturbance of and environmental damage to the work site. Particular emphasis shall be given to protecting the channel bottom and banks and the adjoining debris removal and disposal areas as well as the associated wetlands. The Contracting Officer shall order the removal of any mechanized equipment or equipment operator from the job site whose performance is found to be unsatisfactory.

Unless otherwise approved by the Engineer, work on all sites shall progress from downstream to upstream.

See attached City of Fort Myers Technical Specifications for additional requirements.