Specifications include, but are not limited to: Haul small to large dead, dying, and freshly cut trees and large branches to three lake perimeters from adjacent property (50-200 ft for two 9-acre smaller lakes (Dusky and Blossom) and 1000 to 2000 ft for one 35-acre lake (Sand)). Transport of trees to be done when ground is frozen. Assemble woody structure “fish sticks” using 1 to 3 trees/branches with heavy duty twine. Install and anchor (with natural materials preferably) structures in nearshore area of the three lakes (within 0-10 ft depth) at approximately every 35-50 ft of shoreline. Monitor and re-anchor any structures that move within one year. Number of small trees or big tree branches needed to be moved and assembled will range from 200 to 300. CWH structure will be installed around the Sand Lake as first priority then the two smaller western ponds, using whole and partially dead, dying, or felled trees, at least 4“ in diameter (up to 12 inches), approximately every 50 feet of shoreline (Sass 2009). We will source most of the wood adjacent to or within the project site to reduce costs. Most of the wood/trees for the Sand Lake priority site will be previously hauled out to the property line by the landowner, which ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 ft from the installation site around the lake shoreline. We need these trees and branches to be hauled to the lake edge when ground is frozen to minimize habitat damage to surrounding property. For the other two smaller waterbodies, Dusky and Blossom lakes, there is an abundance of live and dying trees close to the lake edge and would only require cutting them down and moving the trees 50 to 200 ft from the adjacent forested land. CWH will be installed using different tree sizes (length and width), configuration or shape, depths, and distance from shore to provide a variety of microhabitats. All of the structures will need to be anchored to the shoreline with smaller, natural looking anchors to ensure stability. We will leave several areas along the shorelines free of CWH to maintain easy/open angling access. Ideally, some type of heavy equipment (skid steer, ATV, etc.) will be used to place trees on top of the ice during the winter months. If ice is not of suitable thickness, a minimum transport of the downed trees to the lakes edge should occur when ground is frozen. A variety of tree species will be used to diversify aquatic invertebrate communities, but preference for hardwood trees is ideal for long-term habitat. The big Sand Lake will need approximately 64 fish stick units (each unit needing 2 to 3 small trees or branches), and roughly the same number of structures for the remaining two lakes on the west end of the property combined. We will prioritize the big Sand Lake for the first construction season (on the ice - winter 2023) and if source trees are abundant, we will work on adding structures to the remaining two small lakes (see ‘Deductive Alternate’ on bid contract) the next construction season (on the ice - winter 2024) with flexibility on this timeline.
