Nez Perce-Clearwater NFs - Crooked River Valley Restoration Phase 4

The objective of the Crooked River Valley Rehabilitation Project is to address the impacts of historical dredge mining on aquatic habitat conditions.  The Crooked River Valley Rehabilitation project was designed to be constructed in multiple phases over 6 years. The phases completed to date have accomplished construction of a bypass channel and levee/haul road, rebuilding floodplain and river channel, adding large wood structures to the newly constructed channel and planting riparian plants on the newly constructed floodplain and streambanks. In general, during Phase 4, Crooked River shall be moved from the bypass channel into the new channel constructed during previous phases, floodplain shall be constructed and instream habitat features and riparian plants shall be installed.  

This contract requires a temporary bridge to be removed and hauled to Grangeville.  Approximately 4 acres of tailings piles and 12 acres of levee/haul road shall be graded to complete floodplain construction and fill the temporary bypass channel.  Material may be hauled from the lower 4 acres of floodplain work and from the south staging area to fill the bypass channel (<0.25 miles).  Large wood structures shall be installed at the top and bottom of the new channel where the bypass channel is decommissioned.  This work will be in the wet and water management shall be required.  Approximately 5,000 CY of soil shall be hauled/spread and large wood shall be added to the new floodplain for microtopography.  Wood and soil for the microtopography are stored along the levee road and at the south staging area.  

Planting government-furnished riparian plants is also required in this phase. The contractor shall coordinate and transport the plants from the nursery in Princeton, Idaho to the site.  Approximately 4,350 2-gallon plants and 280 8-gallon plants will be planted in single holes throughout the floodplain and approximately 1,500 linear feet of 18” deep by 12-18” wide trenches shall be dug along the existing channel and side channel for 2-gallon and 5-gallon plant installation.  

The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, operating supplies, supervision, transportation, materials (except those designated as Government-furnished), and incidentals necessary to complete the project as required by the contract, plans, and specifications.

One optional item requiring construction of 4 areas of high terrace floodplain may be awarded if funding is available and award is determined to be in the best interest of the government.  This work requires hauling/grading approximately 400 CY of material.

The project is being performed on the Red River Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in collaboration with the Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Program and funded by Bonneville Power Administration.  In addition, US Forest Service stewardship funds are also planned for use to accomplish watershed restoration while stimulating the local economy. The project area is located approximately 45 mi east of Grangeville, Idaho. At the junction of Highway 14 and the Crooked River Road (FR 233), travel south for approximately 0.25 mile to the project area.  
  
The Government’s construction estimate is between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Construction work shall commence approximately July 10, 2021; all work shall be completed by October 10, 2021.   Instream equipment operation is prohibited before July 15 and after August 15, 2021.  Planting is prohibited prior to September 15, 2021.

It is anticipated that the full solicitation with complete technical specifications and drawings shall be issued mid-April.  Technical proposals and original bid bonds will be required for submission with project pricing.

The Contracting Officer for this project, Karen Ruklic, works for the National Stewardship Branch but is physically located in Grangeville, Idaho.