Vendor shall clear woody plants, primarily invasive eastern redcedar, from approximately 0.75 acres of hill prairie. Cedars, for the most part, can be felled or rolled over the side of the bluff to consolidate at the base of the cliff below. Broadleaf trees, brush, and smaller cedars can be stacked on the hill prairie as terrain and safety allows. Cut stumps shall be within 1” (inch) of the ground. Non-conifer stumps shall be treated with a solution of 20% triclopyr ester mixed with 80% methylated seed oil as the carrying agent. Work shall proceed along the hill prairie/cliff edge and proceed uphill. Total project area is estimated at 0.75 acres. Non-target species include hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiaia), white oak (Quercus alba), black oak (Quercus velutina), and burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa). There are no known brush species present that are considered native to hill prairie natural communities. Vendor shall contact primary job coordinator with any uncertainties. If there are hours remaining upon completion of work within the target area Vendor shall use the remaining time to conduct woodland/forest restoration work in the natural communities immediately behind the hill prairie. This work will involve cutting and possible stacking of invasive mesophytic tree species. Vendor shall inform Primary Job Coordinator of any hours remaining and schedule an on-site visit to review additional work areas. The project area consists of moderate to steep slopes. The secondary project area consists of gentle to steep slopes. To ensure safety clearing trees near the cliff edge, climbing harnesses or similar safety equipment will be necessary. Trees upslope from the edge that are large enough to secure ropes and belay sawyers shall be left standing until project is near completion and they are no longer required. For safety purposes the 1” stump height rule is waived for all trees close enough to the edge to require safety gear to access. Due to difficulty in accessing work area, vendor should consider storage options for equipment that can be kept at the project area. Such options are to be reviewed with the Primary Job Coordinator to ensure minimal impact to the natural communities.
