Specifications include, but are not limited to: Task 1 – Hardwood and Cabbage Palm Reduction The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal or treatment of 100% of target vegetation identified within the areas designated in (Fig. 1) as Oak Dominated, and Hardwood and Invasives Dominated, and excludes area mapped as Proposed Hardwood Hammock and Current Pine Rockland Footprint. The total treatment is approximately 1.93 acres. All live oak (Quercus virginiana), gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba), willow-bustic (Sideroxylon salicifolium), and West Indian mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) greater than six feet (6’) in height are to be cut down to a level one foot or below from the ground level. In addition, any cabbage palm greater than six feet (6’) in height, but without a five foot (5’) clear trunk (i.e., without leaves or leaf bases for at least five feet from ground level), are to be cut down; cabbage palms with a five-foot clear trunk are to be left in place. Native pine rockland vegetation including South Florida slash pine, saw palmetto, and silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata) shall not be cut down or otherwise damaged. All debris material 1.5 inches in diameter or larger are to be removed from the site and lawfully disposed of offsite. Debris material less than 1.5 inches in diameter can be left on site, however the depth and/or height of the remaining debris shall not exceed 1 foot from ground level, and no branch left onsite shall be longer than five feet (5’) in length. Task 2 – Invasive Plant Control and Cut-Stump Treatment for Hardwoods The Contractor shall systematically traverse, locate, and treat 100% of the Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC) listed, Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) invasive plants currently listed for the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, and other invasive species listed below, within the designated areas, with a minimum of 97% of target plants being killed. FISC Category I and Category II recorded for the site include Abrus precatorius (rosary-pea), Albizia lebbeck (woman's tongue), Nephrolepis brownii (Asian swordfern), Paederia cruddasiana (sewer vine), Pteris vittata (China brake), Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian-pepper), and Spermacoce verticillata (shrubby false buttonweed). Other nonnative species known to be invasive in South Florida and recorded for the site include Alysicarpus vaginalis (white moneywort), Filicium decipiens (Japanese fern tree), Peltophorum pterocarpum (yellow poinciana), Tabebuia heterophylla (whitecedar), and Zamia furfuracea (cardboard palm). In addition, the Contractor shall treat all cut stumps resulting from Task 1. Ground Crew Supervisors must obtain an FDACS license in the category of Natural Areas Management prior to treatment. The Contractor shall provide a list of herbicides and methods to be used for prior approval by the Village Arborist. All herbicides must be EPA/FDACS registered or have the appropriate Florida Special Local Needs (Section 24(c) FIFRA) registration. ALL HERBICIDES SHALL BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EPA LABEL. The Contractor is liable for any penalty, fines, or damages resulting from the misuse of herbicides. All herbicide applications shall be carried out in a manner consistent with EPA and Special Local Need 24(c)(SLN) herbicide labels. Crews will have access to all appropriate labels and Safety Data Sheets while transporting, mixing, or applying herbicides. The Contractor shall comply with all pertinent regulations set forth by FDACS. The Contractor shall monitor wind speed and direction when preparing to apply or applying herbicides. The Contractor shall follow the most restrictive wind law or policy when there are conflicting thresholds between laws/policies. Contractors shall follow all laws regarding herbicide wind restrictions including but not limited to the Florida OrganoAuxin Herbicide Rule 5 E-2.033 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg051). Herbicide applications shall not occur when wind speeds are greater than 10.0 miles per hour (mph). The Contractor shall take all precautions to minimize and mitigate herbicide drift. At least 97% of treated plants must be dead at least six months following final treatment. All parts of the plant must be dead, not simply defoliated. If 100% of the area is not treated or 97% kill rate is not achieved for any area after one to six months post final treatment, one additional thorough treatment shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Village.
