Roadside Mastication, Payette NF, Region 4 Idaho

Project Title: Roadside Mastication, Payette NF, Region 4 Idaho

Project Description: 

This requirement is for masticating along roads on the Payette NF in 2023 and 2024.  This mastication will occur on all base bid road segments listed in the schedule of items and on any optional items that are awarded.  All work must be accomplished from the road surface.

Upon completion of the roadside mastication the roads segments will have had all woody vegetative material under 6” diameter at breast height (dbh) removed from within 15’ of the outside edge of shoulder on both sides of the road.  All final cuts to brush and trees shall be as low as practicable but not more than 6” above the ground measured from the high side.  All trees under 6” dbh will be completely removed to as close to ground level as practicable.  Removed trees will be cut into various sized pieces ranging from not more than 3’ in maximum dimension to chips.  No portion of removed trees shall protrude more than 2’ above the ground surface.  Trees that are to remain (larger than 6” dbh) will have all limbs removed to a height of 14’ above the road surface on the front and side faces.  Limbs on the side facing away from the roadway may remain. Cuts shall be as smooth and as close to the tree bole as practical.  Care will be taken not to scar trees that remain.  Some areas will be blocked by leave trees and will be unable to be treated these areas will be minimized to the extent practicable while equipment remains on the roadway.  All cut material will be removed from drainage features and the roadway. 

Trees growing from the roadway are considered incidental to the roadside mastication and are not typical to these roads.  Contractor is responsible for removing these trees in a manner that does not create a hazard to travel or to tires. 

Within 120’ of perennial streams paralleling the roadway the fill slope will be cut to 15’ or to the extent of the fill whichever is less.  Roadways that cross a perennial stream will be cut to 15’ of either side of the roadway or to the extent of the cut and fill whichever is less.  These areas will be marked by a forest fisheries biologist or qualified designee prior to work beginning.

•           Equipment to remain on the road surface.

•           Remove all brush and trees <6” dbh from within 15’ of the roadway.

•           Reduce removed trees to a maximum dimension of 3’ with no portion of removed trees extending

             more than 2’ above ground level.

•           Limb all trees >6” dbh within 15’ of the roadway to a height of 14’ above the road surface on the

             3 near sides.

Project Location: Base bid items are located within the Brush Mountain area of the New Meadows district and within the Huckleberry and Johnson Creek areas of the Council district.