Talent HMGP_RFP _FINAL.pdf

CITY OF TALENT, OREGON

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Talent Wildfire Mitigation Project

RFP Release Date: September 23, 2024 Proposal Due Date: October 14, 2024

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Purpose of this Request for Proposals

The City of Talent proposes to address wildfire risk concerns along the Bear Creek in Talent, Oregon.

Previous wildfires have left flammable debris and invasive flora is posing a further risk. This project has been endorsed by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Jackson County, and the City of Talent.

The proposed project includes site preparation and removal of large/hazardous trees and stumps, removal of medium sized trees and stumps, and removal of all brush, blackberry bushes, or local flora. Also, removal of floor-level hazardous debris like dead leaves and disposal or dispersal of all wooded debris.

The project area consists of two separate sites and runs approximately 75 acres along the Bear Creek corridor. Please refer to the Appendix A for Project Area Maps with more detail. Activities will be implemented while adhering to local Forestry standards, including the use of harvesters, masticators, and chainsaws to clear the project area. A licensed, accredited, fairly procured contractor will be hired to complete the clearing. Because the project is funded with FEMA funds, there are environmental compliance conditions that must be met. These can be found in Appendix B.

1.2 Background Information

The City of Talent (In accordance with goals set by the State of Oregon Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, and the Jackson County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan) would like to implement a Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program to help mitigate the risk of Wildfire to local residential and commercial infrastructure.

Typical hazardous fuels reduction projects involve the removal and chipping of hazardous (already burnt) trees with the use of a harvester, the removal and chipping of any large stumps, the removal and chipping of small bushes and younger trees with use of a masticator, and the removal of floor level fuels like dead leaves and trash. Foresters with chainsaws will also be necessary to process wooded debris. Before the project begins, all proper permits required to work adjacent to Bear Creek and Wagner Creek will be obtained, and silt fencing (or whichever preventative measures are required by the City and Rogue Valley Sewer Services) will be used to prevent contaminants from entering Bear Creek during the clearing process.

Once the project has been completed, the City of Talent will be responsible for all future maintenance to the project area, to ensure that it does not become a hazard again. Per FEMA guidance, Hazardous Fuels Reduction is defined as vegetation management to reduce hazardous fuels, vegetation thinning, and the reduction of flammable materials to protect life and property beyond defensible space perimeters but proximate to at-risk structures.

The City of Talent has received funding from FEMA and OEM for this project and applicable state and federal regulations will apply to all phases of the project.

1.3 Type of Contract and Contract Term

The City of Talent prefers to award a contract to one full-service contractor to serve as a partner in successfully implementing fuels reduction and wildfire hazard mitigation along Bear Creek. The contract period will begin after city contract approval on October 21, 2024 and is expected to last eight to twelve months.

1.4 Payment Procedures

Payments will be made monthly, for work specified and completed and in accordance with the budget developed and approved by the City of Talent and OEM.

2. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 Activities Required Under this Request for Qualifications

The scope of the proposed project involves primary hazardous fuels removal treatment (Zone 1) of 15.6 acres of the Bear Creek and Wagner Creek corridor within Talent and secondary hazardous fuels removal treatment (Zone 2) of 59.2 acres. The project is currently divided into two separate project zones (see Appendix for Project Area Map showing the two zones), however the project can be scaled, depending on available funding and coordination with Jackson County.

A more detailed project specification document is attached as Appendix C.

As a part of the OEM requirements, Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) forms must be filled out by the contractor for treated tax lots. The FONSI form is found in Appendix D.

2.2 Project Budget

The total budget of the OEM funds for fuel reduction is as follows:

1. Trees/Fuels Removal - Removing hazardous trees: $99,014

2. Ground Fuels Clean-up - Clearing non-native, flammable ground species: $288,407

3. Total Budget: $387,421

2.3 Project Management

The successful contractor, under the direction from the City of Talent, will:

1. Work to carry out project implementation activities and completion.

2. Work with the city on project timelines and decision making as required.

3. Work with the city to prepare and submit all required federal and state documentation pertaining to OEM and any other necessary funding sources.

3. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 General Expectations

Consultants are asked to submit concise proposals describing their capacity to complete the project specifications outlined above, as well as their ability to manage and implement these types of grant funded projects on behalf of local units of government. Any clarification or questions regarding this proposal shall be submitted to the below contact person no later than October 7, 2024, clarification will be provided within 3 business days.

Greg Stabach Natural Resources Program Manager P.O. Box 3275 Central Point, Oregon 97502 541-423-1370 gstabach@rvcog.org

3.2 Proposal Conference

A Proposal Conference will be held on Wednesday, October 2nd at 10:00 a.m. The conference will be held in the parking lot of Lynn Newbry Park in Talent and will include a walking tour of a portion of the project site. From the parking lot, we will walk along Bear Creek and look at examples of the needs of Zone 1 and Zone 2. Attendance at the conference is not required.

3.3 Proposals

Proposals should be prepared on standard size paper and limited to twenty single sided (20) pages, exclusive of a maximum of five (5) resumes and/or project demonstrations, limited to two (2) pages each.

Standard advertising brochures should not be included in the proposal. The proposal shall include the following information in the order presented below:

Business Organization. This section shall include the firm's name, areas of expertise, a brief history of the firm, size, office locations, and business addresses. The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person and/or prospective project manager regarding the proposal shall be included.

Management Outline and Project Approach. A description of the project and how the contractor will work with the City of Talent in implementing the scope of work described above. This section shall include the applicant's approach to project implementation and management. Each consulting firm shall provide a list of proposed key personnel.

Experience and Capabilities. The relevant management and technical experience and capabilities of the consulting firm shall be defined with respect to the following activities related to implementation of any successful projects:

A. Project Experience:

• Experience implementing and managing fuel reduction projects.

• Experience in wildfire mitigation projects.

• Other areas of expertise relevant to the project (optional).

B. Cost

• The total cost will not exceed the total budget of $387,421, as outlined above.

All representative project descriptions provided shall include the location of the project, the name and phone number of a knowledgeable contact person, and other pertinent information. The City of Talent may contact said persons to check on past performance records.

The selected contractor will be required to assume responsibility for all services offered in the proposal, including any services provided by subcontractors. Further, the city will consider the contractor to be the sole point of contact regarding contractual matters, including payment of any and all charges resulting from the contract. The contractor is responsible for adherence by the subcontractors to all provisions of the contract.

mailto:gstabach@rvcog.org

3.4 General Process

The City of Talent will review and evaluate the proposals with the following criteria in mind: successful track record in implementing similar projects; expertise related to relevant project components (fuel reduction, wildfire mitigation); and cost. The City of Talent reserves the right to accept or reject proposals on any basis it deems appropriate.

3.5 Terms and Conditions

The process of selecting organizations to provide contractor services for the City of Talent benefit requires the accumulation of comprehensive and accurate information to ensure that a knowledgeable, objective decision can be made, as well as compliance with federal procurement standards.

The City of Talent reserves the right to accept or reject all proposals or portions thereof without stated cause. The city reserves the right to re-issue any RFP or cancel the RFP if none of the proposals are deemed satisfactory.

Upon selection of a finalist, the City of Talent, by its proper officials, shall attempt to negotiate and reach a final agreement with the finalist. If the city, for any reason, is unable to reach a final agreement with this finalist; the city then reserves the right to reject such finalist and negotiate a final agreement with another finalist who has the next most viable proposal. The city may also elect to reject all proposals and re-issue a new RFP.

Clarification of proposals: the City of Talent reserves the right to obtain clarification of any point in a Proposer's proposal or obtain additional information. Any request for clarification or other correspondence related to the RFP shall be in writing or email, and a response shall be provided within 2 business days.

The City of Talent is not bound to accept the proposal with the lowest cost, but may accept the proposal that demonstrates the best ability to meet the needs of the city. The city reserves the right to waive any formalities, defects, or irregularities, in any proposal, response, and/or submittal where the acceptance, rejection, or waiving of such is in the best interests of the city. The city reserves the right to disqualify any proposal, before or after opening, upon evidence of collusion, intent to defraud, or any other illegal practice on the part of the Proposer.

3.6 Public Information

Information supplied by the Proposer to the City of Talent is subject to the Oregon Public Records Law.

Such information shall become public unless it falls within one of the exceptions in the statute, such as security information, trade secret information, or labor relations information. If the Proposer believes any information which is not public will be supplied in response to this RFP, the vendor shall take reasonable steps to identify for the city what data, if any, it believes falls within the exceptions. If the proposal data is not marked in such a way as to identify non-public data, the city will treat the information as public and release it upon request. In addition, the city reserves the right to make the final determination of whether data identified by the proposer as not public falls within the exceptions within the statute.

3.7 Proposal Time Schedule

The timeline for completion of this request for proposals is outlined below.

September 23, 2024 Formal announcement date for RFP

October 14, 2024 Deadline for submittal of proposals

October 21, 2024 Notification of award of contract

3.8 Notification of Award

The City of Talent plans to select a contractor and award the contract on October 21, 2024. Should either party fail to execute a contract within 30 days of notification of award, the city reserves the right to rescind the award and select services from another interested firm.

3.9 Number of Proposals to Submit; Deadline, Mail, and Hand Delivery Addresses

Pdfs of the proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. PST on October 14, 2024.

A PDF of the proposal can be emailed to:

gstabach@rvcog.org

Although it is not required, a proposal can be mailed or dropped off:

City of Talent Attn: Talent Wildfire Mitigation Project

110 E Main Street Talent, OR 97540

4. Late Proposals

Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.

5. VENDOR REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Contracting with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

It is U.S. EPA policy to award a fair share of contracts to disadvantaged business firms. Accordingly, affirmative steps must be taken to ensure that disadvantaged businesses are utilized when possible as sources of supplies, equipment, and services. The City of Talent will ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that at least the U.S. EPA "fair share" objectives for prime contracts and subcontracts are made available to organizations owned or controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women, and historically black colleges and universities. The consultant shall agree to support the U.S. EPA's disadvantaged business enterprise contract procurement program ensuring those businesses' participation in subcontracts.

mailto:gstabach@rvcog.org

Affirmative steps include the following as a minimum:

1. Including qualified disadvantaged businesses on solicitation lists;

2. Ensuring that disadvantaged businesses are solicited whenever they are potential sources;

3. When economically feasible, dividing total requirements into smaller tasks or quantities so as to permit disadvantaged business participation;

4. Where the requirement permits, establishing delivery schedules which will encourage participation by disadvantaged businesses;

5. Using the services and assistance of the Small Business Administration, the Office of Minority

Business Enterprise of the Department of Commerce, and the Community Services Administration as required;

6. Consultants are encouraged to procure goods and services from disadvantaged businesses.

5.2 Equal Employment Opportunity

The Proposer agrees to comply with all federal, state, and local laws, resolutions, ordinances, rules, regulations, and executive orders pertaining to unlawful discrimination on account of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status regarding public assistance, sexual preference, disability, or age. When required by law or requested by the City of Talent, the Proposer shall furnish a written affirmative action plan.

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

APPENDIX C

Talent Wildfire Mitigation Project Specifications

Purpose & objective

The purpose of this project is to reduce dead woody materials including dead tree crowns and small diameter snags that will contribute to ground fuels as they crumble and improve access for ongoing management of invasive species. Lowering the fuel load and improving access for ongoing management activities will improve public safety and contribute to the restoration of native vegetation within the fire impacted project areas.

The objective will be improved access and reduced ladder fuel density through processing small diameter dead wood and thinning side growth on regenerating native trees. Removal of small diameter snags, and crowns on larger snags where feasible, will reduce the amount of dead wood falling to the ground, and along the bike path in coming months and years. Fuels reduction activities and access improvements will be performed while remaining sensitive to the protected live vegetation within the riparian buffer and retention of large wood (fallen and standing) for floodplain processes and habitat values.

To achieve this objective two zones have been designated within the project area in which thinning will decrease fire hazard by reducing surface fuel continuity, while burning will reduce fire hazard by decreasing fuel loading. Thinning will comprise of pruning (live) and felling (dead) vegetation with chainsaws; these treated fuels will be piled and burned, and/or chipped.

As approved by City of Talenttreatments and operations will be consistent with the goals of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Oregon State Fire Marshal, Fire Wise Communities, Local Fire Departments, Municipalities, and Government Agencies.

Planned actions

Two zones have been identified.

Zone 1: 15.6 acres requiring primary fuel reduction activities.

Zone 2: 59.2 acres requiring secondary fuel reduction activities.

Thinning of live native vegetation will occur within 20-30’ of the Bear Creek Greenway path and within 20-30’ of designated access routes and infrastructure where those features occur outside the protected 50’ riparian buffer. Where they overlap with the riparian buffer, specific care will be taken to thin side branch growth without removing individual plants or more than 1/3 of the plants live growth.

General Treatment Specifications

Clearing of access trails for facilitation of fuels reduction work, ongoing stewardship, and future emergency response.

Clearing of invasive vegetation (outside 50’ riparian buffer).

Felling of small diameter (<12”) snags.

Felling a selection of large snags (>12”) and retaining the main trunk on the ground.

Hazard Tree removal: remove any snags that pose hazard to working in or accessing the project areas or adjacent facilities.

Canopy branch removal from large snags to reduce future windfall.

Pruning side growth off live native vegetation to reduce density at eye level near the bike path and to encourage vertical growth.

Hand pile and pile burn small diameter dead materials.

Chip green materials generated by pruning.

Leave standing snag and fallen tree Specifications

Retain 2-8 snags per acre larger than 20”

1. Choose the largest, best-formed snags with the following characteristics:

1) Main bole is large and vertical

2) Is greater than 30’ tall

3) Has already lost most of its crown

4) Not likely to fall and block access paths or facilities

5) Is a hardwood species like maple, ash, walnut, or a conifer

Based on site characteristics, in areas with multiple species of tree snag present leave snag preference is:

1) Hardwood deciduous: maple, ash, walnut

2) All conifers: pine, cedar, and fir

Retain fallen logs on the ground based on the following characteristics:

1) >12” wide

2) Not blocking access trails or routes

3) Laying parallel to the stream bank

4) Prioritize those in closest proximity to the stream

Access trail specification

Access trails will be needed in areas where floodplain width meets or exceeds 150’ between bike path (or access roads) and the stream edge.

Access trail considerations and criteria:

1. Where possible, utilize previously cleared or maintained corridors like under power lines or along utility corridors like Rogue Valley Sewer Services access lanes.

2. Natural surface on trails (dirt, wood chips, grass)

3. 6-8 feet wide, able to pass side by side or other small vehicle

4. Some hand/mechanical grading may be required to make trails passable for small vehicles

5. Prune up/limb up adjacent vegetation 20-30 feet either side of the trail and fell/process any snags that are likely to fall and block trail access.

6. No vegetation removal in 50 foot riparian buffer but ok to utilize existing trails that could be improved without removing live plants within the 50 foot buffer.

Special Protection areas and buffers

Riparian Zones: there is a 50' buffer (50 feet on each side of the stream bank) where no live vegetation is to be removed, including weeds.

Dead wood may be removed and processed, and live trees may be pruned to encourage vertical growth within the 50’ riparian protection buffer.

Except to address erosion concerns, do not slash or pile slashed material where burn pile runoff could reach the stream.

No Treatment Areas: Based on site characteristics and direct information provided by the City, do not disturb:

1. Active Wildlife trees and one’s in close proximity to active use

2. Special or unique botanical sites.

3. Identified no treatment clumps for special heterogeneity.

4. Active transient camps. These are to be reported to PM upon discovery.

Slash Disposal 1. Residual Slash created by thinning, pruning, and slashing green vegetation will be chipped where feasible.

2. Residual Slash created by thinning, and slashing dead woody materials will be hand piled, and hand pile burned at a later date, depending on environmental conditions and specific locations on site.

Chipping In areas where feasible, and access permits, residual green slash generated by pruning activities will be chipped and chips will be spread out on the forest floor, or piled up to use, as needed, for erosion control.

Hand Pile Specifications

Pile Construction

Piles shall be constructed compactly by aligning individual pieces in the same direction and placing the heavier slash on top. Piles shall have a stable base to prevent toppling. The long axis of individual pieces shall be oriented up- and down- slope.

Protruding pieces shall be trimmed to allow covering in a manner that permits the piles to shed water.

Height shall be no more than four (4) feet. Width shall not exceed seven (7) feet.

Length shall be six to eight feet (6-8’) All piles shall be as compact as possible and free of non-combustible material. Material in excess of eight (8) feet in length must be bucked to eight (8) feet or less before piling. All material shall be contained within the general contour of the pile.

Pile Location All hand piles shall be located in available openings so that later burning will not damage standing green trees, or seedlings. No piles shall be constructed within 10 feet of the bike path or water. 100% of generated activity slash shall be pulled away from live trees/shrubs and piled.

Habitat Piles 1-2 habitat piles per acre may be constructed. Habitat piles will not be burned and can contain larger materials and be of a larger size, not to exceed 10W x 12L x 6H

APPENDIX D

Oregon Department of Emergency Management

Defensible Space and Hazardous Fuels Reduction “Findings of no Significant Value (FONSI)” Template

This template is provided as an example of what is required for each property that will undergo hazardous fuels treatment or wildfire defensible space utilizing HMA funding provided by the State of Oregon. The FONSI, which is a part of the FEMA award letter, spells out exactly what is needed for you to stay within the guidelines of FEMA’s Environmental Historic Preservation determination.

Please utilize the FONSI to fill out this document as a means of providing assurance that these guidelines were maintained. The location of your project may have requirements differing from the suggested guidelines presented in this document, be sure to check your local regulations.

Questions can be directed to the Oregon Emergency Management Mitigation Section Inbox, OEM.HAZARDMITIGATION@oem.oregon.gov.

FONSI Requirements outlines in award letter (Entered in by OEM)

[Answer Here] mailto:OEM.HAZARDMITIGATION@oem.oregon.gov

Checklist:

1. Name of person performing the treatment and date it is completed

Treatment Performer’s Name: [Answer Here]

Treatment Date: [Answer Here]

2. Does the FONSI have conditions relating to work timing? Possibly due to nesting etc.?

[ ] Yes [ ] No

If yes, explain what these work timing conditions are.

[Answer Here if Yes]

3. Are there any streams and/or wetlands nearby?

Streams: [ ] Yes [ ] No

If yes, what buffer conditions?

Wetlands: [ ] Yes [ ] No

If yes, what conditions?

4. Are there any Endangered Species in the area?

If yes, what buffers and conditions are being implemented?

5. What equipment will be used?

6. Is a Burn Notice needed?

If Yes, what Burn Notices are needed

7. Is the Suggested Hazardous Fuels Reduction Guidelines Being Used?

If No, what hazardous fuels reduction guidelines will your project use?

[Answer Here if No]

8. Is the Suggested Defensible Space Implementation Guideline Being Used?

If No, what defensible space guidelines will your project use?

9. Is the Suggested Project Timing Guideline Being Used?

If No, what project timing guidelines will your project use?

10. Are the Suggested Permitting, Project Conditions, and Mitigation Measures Requirements Assurances Being Used?

[ ] Yes [ ] No

If No, what permitting, project conditions, and mitigation measures requirements assurances will be provided?

11. Is the Suggested Treatment Specifications Being Used?

If No, what treatment specifications will your project use?

a. Does your project area contain any special landscapes requiring additional attention other than those covered in the suggested treatment specifications?

[ ] Yes [ ] No

If Yes, what additional landscapes does your project area include and what treatment specifications will your project be using which is not covered in the suggested treatment specifications?

12. Are the Two Suggested Before Photos Included?

If No, what project photos are being provided?

13. Are the Two Photos of the Completed Project Included?

If No, what project photos are being provided?

Project Introduction:

Describe your project’s geographical location and what activities are planned for your project.

Make sure to make sure to mention what activities will be conducted. How and what vegetation will be retained as well as measures to prevent damage to any protected national resources should be included.

Project Area Type and Description:

Project Area Type(s) (Forest, etc.):

[Answer Here, Multiple Areas Possible]

Project Area Description:

Include property owner information, acreage, existing fuels and vegetation, structures or improvements, and topography etc. Make sure to describe any water bodies, wetlands, wildlife sites, and anything else of note.

Project Area Before Photos:

Suggested Before Photos:

Feel free to add more than two “Before” photos, simply add them below the first two Please add comments and lat/long to the photographs.

“Before” Photo 1:

“Before” Photo 2:

Project Area After Photos:

Suggested Before Photos:

Feel free to add more than two “after/complete” photos, simply add them below the first two.

Please add comments and lat/long to the photographs.

“After/Complete” Photo 1:

“After/Complete” Photo 2:

Suggested Project Area Photos:

Use this area at the end of the document to include ariel photos as well as photos of the completed project. Include as many photos as is needed to show the work that was completed.

Ariel Photo with Project Area Outlined:

Ariel Photo with Project Area Outlined and Slope (%) Mapped:

Suggested Additional Photos from Within Project Area:

Add photos of your project area to the end of the document here. These can be “After” photos, photos of any structures within the project area, and photos of special treatment areas within the project area like lakes or streams.

Suggested Hazardous Fuels Reduction Implementation Guidelines:

• Generally, thin-from-below to remove small tree and shrub density and reduce horizontal and vertical continuity of fuels. Promote vigorous trees that have dominant or co-dominant canopy position.

• Promote the development of young forests toward more complex, heterogeneous forest structure by clumping retention trees, radial releasing large and old trees, and promoting regeneration

• Enhance existing canopy openings, especially on the sides of streams. Create discontinuity in canopy where cover is continuous and especially in areas where tree height is uniform. Create canopy openings if appropriate (up to 1/10th acre). Thin between clumps and individual leave trees to increase the growing space for oak canopy.

• Cut trees should be <8” diameter to retain all merchantable trees on site. Consult the landowner for larger trees that have a clear justification for removal.

• Promote hardwoods by removing encroaching conifers from the dripline. Radial releasing around desirable clumps by 5-10 feet around the clump, and up to 2x dripline for legacy trees. Avoid culturing hardwoods. Generally, cut the entire clump or leave it.

• Maintain species diversity for trees and shrubs while also promoting the appropriate species and density for the microsite.

Reduce understory brush to reduce fuels, leave shrub species in skips or small discontinuous patches.

• Adjust thinning intensity as appropriate for the slope. Create skips on areas of extreme (>70%) slopes

• Address fuels near the homesite and located downstream.

• Along streams (100ft either side):

o Maintain high basal area and retain closed canopy, snags, and downed wood.

o Leave all trees that overhang the stream.

o Retain all understory vegetation within 10ft of the high-water level.

o Retain all trees >6” within 20ft of the high-water level.

o Focus thinning on reducing understory fuels while retaining overstory intact.

o Upstream of the homesite may retain higher density for a wildlife corridor.

• To the extent possible, remove young trees with dwarf-mistletoe infection, consider promoting alternate species in areas with substantial infection, isolate merchantable sized trees with infection to prevent spread.

• Bring dead aerial fuels such as fallen or leaning snags to the ground. Leave downed logs 6-8' and larger as coarse woody debris and pile the smaller material. Buck and pile downed and dead jackpots that exist in the area to reduce surface fuels.

• Prune conifers to 6’. Do not prune hardwoods.

Suggested Defensible Space Implementation Guideline:

Zone 1 – Defensible Space (Up to 30 feet from homes):

• The focus within this zone will be to provide landowner education on maintenance, fire-resistant landscaping, and other landscape management techniques to reduce wildfire hazards close to structures.

• The proposed action will not include work within landscaped areas because management of these areas is not technical in nature and landowners can perform landscaping themselves or contract it for a reasonable cost.

• The proposed action may include some removal of trees or shrubs within this zone that can be removed safely without a certified arborist.

Zone 2 – Defensible Space and Hazardous Fuels Reduction (30 to 100 feet from structures)

• Reduce the density and continuity of the tree and shrub canopy by thinning around individuals or clumps to create space between crowns to achieve 10 feet of spacing between individual tree crowns or clumps of trees.

• Reduce potential ladder fuels that could carry fire into the crowns.

• Prune trees up to 10 feet from the ground, leaving at least 60 percent of the crown.

• Remove dead material, including snags, limbs, and surface fuels.

• Remove trees 10 inches in Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or less (most trees that will be removed are 6 inches or less).

• Remove trees or limbs that extend over roads or are likely to fall on roads.

• Reduce shrub cover, separating shrubs by a distance of two to three times the shrub height.

• Remove shrubs that are immediately under trees.

• Spacing between trees and shrubs that are left will be adjusted according to the flammability of the tree or shrub species.

Zone 3 – Hazardous Fuels Reduction (more than 100 feet from structures and roads) Anything over 100 feet from a structure falls outside of CATEX N11. This section about Zone 3 might not be relevant if your project was awarded with CATEX N11.

• Prioritize treatment to areas with high residential density, strategic ridgelines for fire suppression, steep slopes (but less than 80 percent), heavy shrub fuels, or particularly dense forest conditions.

• Treatment specifications will be the same as Zone 2, but with less intensity. This will be considered a transition zone between the heavily thinned Zone 2 and unthinned forest.

• Thinning will be concentrated to remove horizontal and vertical continuity of fuels and promote healthy and resilient forest conditions.

The Following Vegetation Management and Disposal Methods Can Be Used:

• If a project area has steep conditions the work can be conducted with ground crews using chainsaws, pruning saws, and other hand tools. Vegetation root balls should not be disturbed in the process of thinning and clearing.

• Within 20 feet of roads and driveways, most cut material can be chipped using chippers parked on roads, driveways, or existing skid trails. In these areas, the cut material can be chipped into a truck.

• Chipped material need not be broadcast but can be collected and donated for landscaping and compost uses in the community.

• In areas inaccessible to a chipper, cut material can be hand-piled and burned in small burn piles (no larger than approximately 6 feet by 6 feet by 4 feet). Burning may occur at the same time as the thinning work (swamper burning) or piles may be left to dry for 3 to 12 months before burning.

Suggested Project Timing Guideline:

It is important to decide what activities are feasible during different times of the year. If for example, your project area had Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) habitat, then cutting, piling, and chipping or burning activities should occur primarily between October through February to avoid both the Northern Spotted Owl breeding season and potential insect infestation. Work that does not involve pruning (i.e. vegetation cutting and removal) may occur between August and October.

Different project areas may have different requirements in regard to timing.

Suggested Permitting, Project Conditions, and Mitigation Measures Requirements:

• Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be implemented wherever possible.

• Any necessary local, state, or federal permits needed to conduct the proposed work will be obtained before work.

• Pile burning will be completed under a burn permit from the Oregon Department of

• Forestry (ODF) and will comply with applicable local fire restrictions.

• The proposed action will be subject to the prohibitions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

(MBTA) and the subapplicant will be responsible for obtaining and complying with any necessary permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) before work commences and for documenting this on the associated project parcel assessment/treatment plan if any work is planned between mid-April through July (nesting season).

• The following measures will be implemented with regard to burning and smoke management:

o Pile burning will occur when conditions are wet or rainy with little or no wind, during daylight hours, and when air quality conditions permit.

o Clearing and burning activities will be conducted outside of the fire season (June to October) to minimize the potential to contribute to fire risk.

o The proposed action will be conducted in accordance with all local requirements

• The following measures will be incorporated into the treatment approach to avoid and minimize potential harm to Endangered Species Act-listed species and habitats. (This example will use the Northern Spotted Owl, but different project areas may have different requirements):

o A timing restriction for critical breeding periods will be applied for any treatment work within the 0.5-mile NSO core zone.

o Appropriate canopy coverage will be retained when conducting treatment within NSO habitat.

o In existing nesting, roosting, or foraging habitat, more than 60 percent canopy cover will be retained. In existing dispersal habitat, more than 40 percent canopy cover will be retained.

o Ladder fuel reduction will not be uniform across the project area. A few (approximately five) well-spaced larger tree limbs will be retained within the 10-foot ladder fuels treatment zone for roosting and foraging.

o Vehicles will be kept on existing roads.

o Habitat piles will be built with five layers and will be 20 feet in diameter, and 6 feet high. One to three piles will be created per acre.

• The following additional measures will be implemented to protect fish, wildlife, migratory birds, and vegetation in the project area:

o The proposed action will be implemented in accordance with OAR 629-655, which requires operators to minimize disturbance to understory vegetation and soils in and around wetlands and retain downed wood and snags in wetlands.

o Root balls would not be disturbed during project implementation and some shrubs and trees would be retained according to the individualized fuels prescriptions.

o Burn piles would be positioned to avoid harming any retained trees.

• Treatment work may need to be adjusted to conform with any possible riparian reserve restrictions:

o All vegetation and tree cover will be retained within 50 feet of the top of the bank of fish-bearing water areas, including perennial and intermittent streams, lakes, and ponds (excluding man-made farm ponds). However, vegetation may be removed for forestry activities that have an ODF approved statutory plan for thinning in riparian areas and have been granted a permit under the Forest Practices Act. And non-native vegetation can be removed within the riparian setback if the work is done through a Jackson County-approved riparian landscape plan. Fish-bearing streams are designated by OAR as Type F (fish-bearing) or type SSBT (streams with salmon, steelhead, or bull trout present).

o Trees shall not be cleared from within 20 feet of the high water level of Type D streams (streams with domestic water use but no fish use), or large and medium Type N streams (streams not used by fish or for domestic water use) found within the project area.

o Understory vegetation shall not be cleared within 10 feet of the high-water level of Type F, Type SSBT, Type D, or large and medium Type N streams.

o All trees leaning over the water channel of Type F, Type SSBT, Type D, or Type N streams shall be retained.

• Before work begins the subapplicant may need to develop an Inadvertent Discovery Plan for use in the event that any archeological resources are discovered during project implementation. In such an event work would immediately cease in the affected area, it would be secured, and the subapplicant would notify the State Historic Preservation Office and FEMA for further evaluation.

• The following are guidelines developed by the Woodland Fish and Wildlife Group to address snags and logs, old growth trees, work timing, pruning, and seeding to maintain wildlife habitat features during defensible space and fuels reduction work. These suggestions will be incorporated when applicable and where practicable:

o Keep any large trees (greater than 14 inches DBH), including defective trees.

o Openings may vary from 0.1 to 5.0 acres in size and may comprise 5 to 15 percent of the landscape and have irregular shapes.

o Patches may be 30 to 50 feet across, 100 to 300 feet in length, and comprise 10 to

20 percent of the landscape.

o Maintain the shrub species that are most valuable for wildlife habitat and keep them in clumps beyond overhanging limbs from adjacent trees.

o Schedule activities during the fall when it is the best time to avoid wildlife nesting and denning and insect outbreaks.

o When pruning, retain one-third of the total live branches to maintain tree vigor.

Prune trees during October through March when they are dormant to avoid insect infestation.

o When seeding disturbed soils or areas of burned soil, use only native and certified weed free seed mixes.

• The following are Best Management Practices (BMPs) pertaining to the use of mechanical equipment:

o Vehicle and equipment run times would be kept to a minimum.

o Equipment will be kept in good condition.

o Any spills during implementation will be contained and cleaned immediately.

o All equipment and project activities would adhere to local regulations to reduce the risk of hazardous leaks and spills.

o Noise-producing equipment will occur during less sensitive, waking hours (7 a.m. to

10 p.m.).

Suggested Treatment Specifications

Thinning aims to ameliorate the risks associated with uncharacteristically severe wildfire, by reducing fuel accumulations and disrupting the horizontal and vertical continuity of fuels.

Treatments will also reduce tree competition, create open forest structure in dry forest habitat where appropriate, promote the development of complex forest structure, protect and enhance oak habitat, and enhance wildlife habitat. The treatment will reduce density of small diameter trees, promote the biggest and best trees, and any landowner objectives, with the expectation that there will be another entry within the next 10 years.

Variable Density Thinning:

Thinning will primarily focus on removing small diameter trees to reduce overall density, create more growing space for retention trees, and creating heterogenous conditions that are aimed to improve habitat quality. Thinning will not be applied uniformly across treatment areas, rather a “skip and gap” method will be applied to create heterogeneous, complex forest structures. While generally thinning from below, free thinning methods will be applied to select trees regardless of canopy position or size class, emphasizing reducing horizontal and vertical fuel continuity, retaining trees with strong vigor and >30% crown ratios (where possible) regardless of species, leaving the largest and best trees on site, and promoting the health and vigor of retention trees.

Fuels reduction goals will be balanced with ecological goals. Thinning will be designed to improve vertical fuel discontinuity, while improving horizontal discontinuity within the unit by thinning/brushing in existing openings and patches of hardwood dominated stands. Using this strategy, treatments will promote and develop multiple age cohorts and retain individual trees for wildlife value while also thinning around such trees to reduce the fire hazard.

Treatment will promote diversity of trees and shrubs that are appropriate for the site conditions and focus on removing trees less than 8” DBH. Merchantable trees are not to be cut. Consult the landowner for circumstances where larger trees are recommended for removal, such as young trees that encroach legacy structures, tree with poor vigor, insects or disease issues, etc. Pine will not be cut without a clear justification. Pine cut between February and August should be immediately swamper burned to prevent infestation by Ips beetles. When possible, trees will be retained in functioning pairs, small clumps, or as intact “ring-form” hardwoods, opting to thin around the clump to maintain forest health and fire objectives. Tree density will be adjusted based on microsite conditions.

Riparian Zones:

Your project area may have a stream which is classified as a large, Type F (fish bearing) stream by ODF where a 100 ft Riparian Management Area (RMA) is applied under the Oregon Forest Practices Act. Treatments may occur within this zone if the small tree thinning does not reduce the basal area under 220ft^2/1000ft of stream reach. Within the RMA, leave all trees that overhang the stream, all understory vegetation within 10ft of the high water level, and all trees >6” within 20ft of the high water level, retain snags and downed wood.

Your project may have streams within the project area which are considered small, Type N (non-fish) ephemeral draws. No thinning treatments will be applied beyond the slope break of ephemeral draws, and if cut breaks or steep slopes are encountered additional buffers will need to be applied.

Skips:

Designate retention areas, 1/10th to 1/4 acre in size to be left untreated to protect important ecological features such as biological hotspots (e.g. rock outcrops, rare or uncommon species, snags, seeps), regeneration thickets, shaded areas that create cool microclimates, coarse wood and decadence, steep slopes and visual breaks to reduce sight lines. Skips should cover ~10% of the treatment area and be separated by at least 30ft.

Gaps or Openings:

In appropriate locations, enhance natural openings and create small gaps (up to 1/10th ac) to stimulate native understory communities, encourage future regeneration and to enhance horizontal discontinuity in fuels. Create openings in areas where low canopy cover would be desirable, such as dry aspects and ridgelines, areas with insect infestation, root rot, and on more gentle slopes. Openings may not be feasible in dense canopy forests on north aspects, or they may be smaller in size. Gaps do not have to be circular, they can be elongated, sinuous, or amorphous in shape.

Snags and Wildlife Features:

Snags > 10” DBH will be retained on site where they do not pose an excessive fire risk or create a falling hazard. Thin the vegetation underneath and around snags to reduce fire risk, especially where multiple snags are clumped. For smaller snags, a determination will be made based on an evaluation of wildlife benefits, wildfire risk and safety concerns. Similarly, retain valuable wildlife features such as trees with cavities, mistletoe brooms, forks, or dead tops, where appropriate. All trees with signs of current wildlife activity, such as nests will be retained. Reduce large accumulations of dead wood and bring all aerial dead wood to the ground.

Tree Pruning:

Conifer branches will be pruned to a height of 6ft. to reduce potential ladder fuels. Some “wolf” trees (open grown trees with crowns that extend to the ground, or nearly so) may be left unpruned where they pose minimal fire hazard, and thinning will concentrate on isolating those trees. Hardwoods will not be pruned.

Landslide Hazard Zones:

Your project area may contain areas with steep slopes and concave drainages that increase the potential for landslides. In deference to slope stability concerns, slopes 55-70% will be carefully thinned to insure full-site occupancy of retained trees, preferably vigorous overstory trees. Within this slope gradient range, retention of increasing stand density (i.e. less thinning) will occur as slope steepness increases up to 70%, or in areas of known increased potential for slope failure (e.g. headwalls, concave slopes, inner gorges, etc.). Treatments will focus on protecting large remnant trees by emphasizing efforts downslope of them, and by removing ladder fuels in and around the remnant tree’s drip lines. Oaks and madrone, sprouting species, will be favored for retention. Coarse woody material, including material of various lengths and diameters will be placed in contact with the soil and oriented to provide a barrier to surface soil movement. All slopes greater than 70% will be left untreated and designated as skips during layout. Piling and burning of dead trees and other dead and downed fuel can occur in these areas.

Activity Fuels, Piling, and Burning:

Generated activity and surface fuels will be hand piled, covered with plastic or Kraft paper, and then burned after slash has cured. Do not cut pine between February and August unless it can be swamper burned immediately. On steep slopes (>65%) debris will be hand piled away from draws, headwalls, and boulders to reduce erosion. Piles will be kept small to reduce damage to soils due to fire intensities. Downed trees with boles 6-8" diameter will be left long and contour felled across the slope to serve as coarse woody debris, as intact as possible in >8’ lengths. Piling and burning of activity and surface fuels will generally aim to achieve the following:

• Reduce the available fuel within the stand.

• Protect desired species from fire related mortality during burning.

• Prepare the stand for the implementation of a low severity prescribed burning regime.

Pile locations will be selected away from:

• >20 feet from legacy trees.

• Desired leave trees (typically 10 feet and increasing in distance as species priority increases).

• Legacy snags & nurse logs.

• Retention patches, roads, trails and ditches.

• Occasional hand piles are recommended to be retained as ‘wildlife piles’ for habitat cover.

Suggested Project Area Photos:

Use this area at the end of the document to include ariel photos as well as photos of the completed project. Include as many photos as is needed to show the work that was completed.

Ariel Photo with Project Area Outlined:

Ariel Photo with Project Area Outlined and Slope (%) Mapped:

Suggested Additional Photos from Within Project Area:

Add photos of your project area to the end of the document here. These can be “After” photos, photos of any structures within the project area, and photos of special treatment areas within the project area like lakes or streams.