Specification_Section_31__31_19.13_-_Amd_0001.pdf

FY17 CLINTON RIVER MOUTH - HABITAT RESTORATION - RTA FY17CLINTONRIVER

SECTION TABLE OF CONTENTS

DIVISION 31 - EARTHWORK

SECTION 31 31 19.13

CHEMICAL VEGETATION CONTROL

07/2013

PART 1 GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE

1.2 REFERENCES

1.3 SUBMITTALS

1.4 INVASIVE SPECIES TREATMENT PLAN

1.5 Site Supervisor and Crew Qualifications

1.6 HERBICIDE MANAGEMENT

1.6.1 Herbicide License

1.6.2 Delivery and Storage

1.6.3 Herbicide Handling Requirements

1.6.4 Herbicide Application Coordination

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 HERBICIDE SAFETY MATERIAL

2.2 CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.1 POSTING NOTIFICATIONS

3.2 CHEMICAL APPLICATION

3.2.1 Personnel Qualifications

3.2.2 Herbicide Application and Timing

3.3 BROADCAST HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS

3.3.1 Non-Selective and Selective Herbicide

3.4 SPOT HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS

3.4.1 Non-Wetland Area Woody Stems

3.4.2 Submerged/Flooded Area Woody Stems

3.5 FOLLOW-UP HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS

3.6 FINAL ACCEPTANCE

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SECTION 31 31 19.13 Page 1

SECTION 31 31 19.13

CHEMICAL VEGETATION CONTROL

07/2013

PART 1 GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE

This specification covers the requirements for furnishing all labor and equipment and performing all work required to treat the leaves/stems/cut stumps of selected invasive and aggressive native species designated for treatment and removal. Herbicide application must be performed as part of the site preparation before native seed and plug installation, stump treatment of trees and shrubs and must be performed as follow-up, selective treatments during the establishment period. The application of herbicides must be conducted in consideration of the areas of native plant vegetation.

Broadcast application of herbicides must be conducted in coordination with and approval of Government. Coordinate herbicide use with other restoration measures specified in other sections.

1.2 REFERENCES

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

7 USC Section 136 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION (NARA)

40 CFR 152 - 186 Pesticide Programs

1.3 SUBMITTALS

Government approval is required for submittals with a "G" designation;

submittals not having a "G" designation are for information only or as otherwise designated. The following must be submitted in accordance with Section 01 33 00 SUBMITTAL PROCEDURES:

SD-01 Preconstruction Submittals

Invasive Species Treatment Plan; G, Site Supervisor and Crew Qualifications; G, SD-06 Test Reports

Herbicide License; G,

1.4 INVASIVE SPECIES TREATMENT PLAN

14 (Fourteen) days prior to when invasive plant species are scheduled to be treated an Invasive Control Plan must be submitted. An invasive treatment plan is a method to track the use herbicides and methods used to treat selective invasive plant species. If there are changes to the plan after approval, as conditions warrant, an addendum must be submitted with the

SECTION 31 31 19.13 Page 2 changes and approved.

Submit an Invasive Treatment Plan to include:

1) Herbicide trade names to be used.

2) USEPA registration numbers of each herbicide to be used.

3) Chemical compositions and formulations of herbicides.

4) Equipment.

5) Equipment calibration data verifying that the herbicide will be spread with a consistent rate of delivery as specified on the manufacturer's label.

6) Copies of labels and supplemental labels that include instructions for intended use.

7) A map and narrative discussion of areas where selective herbiciding will occur, noting which herbicide will be used and how water resources and other impacts will be minimized or avoided during its application. Imazapyr herbicide shall not be used for this work.

8) A map of areas to be broadcast sprayed, areas to be avoided (e.g., mesuem trees, native vegetation), type of herbicide and type of conditions (e.g., standing water vs. dry) that herbicide will be applied under and approximate date of application. This map may be updated as conditions warrant. Changes to areas to be broadcast or revised information such as type of herbicide must be approved prior to application. Any revisions must be brought up during progress meetings and discussed prior to submission for approval.

9) A table listing all potential herbicides and other non-chemical means (e.g., mowing) to be used, along with the intended species and approximate dates of application.

10)Prescribed weather conditions for application.

1.5 Site Supervisor and Crew Qualifications

Sixty days prior to the time of herbicide application, the Contractor must submit for the approval of the Contracting Officer a written description of education and experience in the control of non-native or invasive plant species for the site supervisor and crew. Minimum experience of the site supervisor must include five years of experience in the control of non-native or invasive plant species in the Midwest. Experience must also include successful maintenance of native plant installations for a period of three or more years in terms of persistence of native species and control of non-native or invasive plant species. Provide contact information for three persons who can verify quality of work. Provide locations of three projects and small descriptions (1 paragraph) of work performed for each project. Site crew must have at a minimum two years of experience in the control of non-native or invasive plant species in the Midwest. Site crew must have demonstrated experience in controlling invasive species within high quality natural areas. Approval of qualifications and sufficiency of information within submittal will be given by the Contracting Officer. No herbicides must be applied to project areas without approval of this submittal.

1.6 HERBICIDE MANAGEMENT

Coordinate with the Contracting Officer at the earliest possible time prior to herbicide application. Extreme care and precision must be taken to minimize to the greatest extent possible herbicide exposure/drift around trees within and adjacent to areas being treated. Discuss strategies with the Contracting Officer and receive approval prior to the application of any herbicide. The application of herbicide in and around areas inhabited by high quality native plant species will be closely monitored. Comply with

SECTION 31 31 19.13 Page 3 all Federal, State, and local requirements regarding the use of herbicides.

1.6.1 Herbicide License

Herbicides must be applied by State licensed applicators or licensed operators working under the supervision of a licensed applicator.

Demonstrate that all persons applying herbicide as part of this work have current herbicide applicator or operator licenses. Provide copies of all such licenses to the Contracting Officer prior to the start of any work on the project site. Keep a copy of each crew members' pesticide applicator/operator license on the work site at all times during execution of work.

1.6.2 Delivery and Storage

Deliver herbicide to the site in original, unopened containers bearing legible labels indicating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number and the manufacturer's registered uses. Herbicides stored on site must be under lock and key when unattended. Store herbicide in original containers in a weather resistant structure. The structure must not be susceptible to floods. Herbicides that do not meet packaging requirements, will be rejected by the Contracting Officer and must be removed from the site immediately. Herbicides that have become wet, caked or otherwise unfit for use will be rejected.

1.6.3 Herbicide Handling Requirements

Formulate, treat with, and dispose of herbicides and associated containers in accordance with label directions and use the clothing and personal protective equipment specified on the labeling for use during all phases of the application.

1.6.4 Herbicide Application Coordination

All herbicide application activities must be coordinated with the Contracting Officer. A phone call or e-mail is required by 7 am or as soon as possible each morning application of herbicide is to occur to notify the Contracting Officer and the Local Sponsor of the locations of crews working to control selected trees, shrubs and invasive herbaceous species.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 HERBICIDE SAFETY MATERIAL

Refer to sections 01 35 26 GOVERNMENTAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS and 01 57 20.

00.10 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION for appropriate safety equipment and procedures during the application of herbicides.

2.2 CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Use only specified chemical products listed within the approved Invasive Treatment Plan unless an acceptable alternative is approved by the Contracting Officer. Some of the target species to be removed may be resistant to various herbicides. Therefore, the Contractor is given some latitude regarding the selection of herbicide for any given species. The Contracting Officer must approve any chemical to be used prior to commencement of herbicide application activities through the Invasive Treatment Plan or an addendum to the Plan.

SECTION 31 31 19.13 Page 4

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.1 POSTING NOTIFICATIONS

Post public notices indicating areas of recent herbicide application. Place notices at the usual points of entry or along the perimeter of treated area in a manner that approaching visitors can be aware of the signs. The posting must include a notice that the area has or will be treated, the date of treatment, appropriate precautions to be taken, the date when reentry is judged to be safe and a phone number for additional information.

The notices must be removed after judging it is safe to reenter the area or after 48 hours. This is a critical activity.

3.2 CHEMICAL APPLICATION

Coordinate with the Contracting Officer, and submit the Invasive Species Treatment Plan as early as possible prior to herbicide application. The Contracting Officer must be given the opportunity to be present at all meetings concerning treatment measures for invasive species control and during herbicide application events. Notification of herbicide activities must be given to the Contracting Officer each morning that activities are to occur . The use and management of pesticides are regulated under

40 CFR 152 - 186.

3.2.1 Personnel Qualifications

Use qualified field crew and supervisor licensed and certified in the state of Michigan for all herbicide applications. Maintain a copy of each crew member's pesticide applicator's license on site at all times during execution of the work.

3.2.2 Herbicide Application and Timing

Apply herbicides under conditions recommended by the manufacturer and at the appropriate time of the year as indicated on the labels. Following initial treatments, spray foliage once again 2-3 weeks later, or repeat as necessary. Do not apply herbicides during rain or when rain is forecast within any restricted time indicated on the labels. Do not apply herbicides when wind speeds exceed 7 miles per hour (i.e. when there is more than gentle movement of leaves and small twigs on trees), or during any other restricted periods indicated on the labels or as determined by the Contracting Officer. The wind speed restriction does not apply to winter wick treatments of cut stumps. Apply herbicides in such a manner so that traversing through the wet chemicals may be avoided. Suspend chemical applications when temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit or during conditions that make the chemical prone to excessive volatilization because herbicides are typically less effective when performed at air temperatures exceeding that level. Clean equipment, clothing and personnel completely before and after treatment.

3.3 BROADCAST HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS

3.3.1 Non-Selective and Selective Herbicide

Areas that are approved for broadcast (e.g., Invasive Treatment Plan) must be treated during the time of year and during conditions that minimizes impact to non-target plant species. Areas to avoid and minimize drift that are located adjacent or encircled by areas approved for broadcast spray

SECTION 31 31 19.13 Page 5 will be marked with flagging in the field and must be field verified in coordination with the Contracting Officer prior to application. Broadcast spraying of herbicides must be limited to herbaceous dominated areas and areas that have little to no native plant species mixed among invasive species. Application of herbicides with a broadcast sprayer will be monitored in the field by the Government. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to direct the contractor to stop broadcast spray activities at any time if the activity is not being performed as approved and presents a threat to high quality native vegetation at no further cost to the government.

3.4 SPOT HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS

3.4.1 Non-Wetland Area Woody Stems

Areas not subject to flooding or inundation and have cut stems flush with soil surface, follow with the application of approved herbicide to the freshly cut surface and down to the root collar according to label specifications. The herbicide application must take place the same day the woody stems are cut, weather conditions permitting. Apply herbicide to the stumps with a sponge or wick applicator. Do not apply herbicide to cut stumps with broadcast spray equipment. Open containers of herbicide are not permitted in the work area due to the hazard of spilling.

3.4.2 Submerged/Flooded Area Woody Stems

Cut stems in submerged or aquatic zones at a height of 4 inches above the water or ice surface. Follow cutting of stems with the application of an approved aquatic herbicide to the freshly cut surface and two (2) inches down the sides of the stumps. Do not apply Rodeo herbicide during freezing weather.

3.5 FOLLOW-UP HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS

There must be follow-up foliar applications of herbicide to any regrowth or remaining live trees and shrubs identified in Section 31 13 19 SELECTIVE TREE AND SHRUB CLEARING REMOVAL, during the fall of the year following the initial cutting and cut stump herbicide application. Initiate the follow-up foliar application when the average height of any resprouts/regrowth has reached a height of three (3) to six (6) inches. Complete the foliar application before resprouts reach this height; otherwise the cutting of woody resprouts is required. Do not apply herbicide if precipitation is expected within twelve (12) hours, or when there is dew on the vegetation, or if heavy rains have resulted in standing water on the soil surface.

There must be follow up herbicide applications to any selected invasive species per year of contract.

3.6 FINAL ACCEPTANCE

Refer to Sections 31 13 19 SELECTIVE TREE AND SHRUB CLEARING REMOVAL and 32 01 90 ESTABLISHMENT ACTIVITIES for specific information regarding final acceptance.

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SECTION 31 31 19.13 Page 6