FY 2023 Conasauga Ranger District
Manual Slashdown and Planting Project
Chattahoochee-oconee National Forests
Murray, Gilmer, Chattooga, Floyd & Walker Counties, Georgia
C.1 Description of Work
This project includes the implementation of vegetation improvement treatments on the Conasauga Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.
MIDSTORY – MANUAL SLASHDOWN
Manual midstory control treatments will be conducted using chainsaws, brush cutters or other hand tools. The purpose of the treatment is to reduce fuels and accelerate the effects of prescribed burning in the area as well as encourage the development of shortleaf pine and oak regeneration in the understory. This area was commercially thinned in 2018 and prescribe burned in 2022.
TREE RELEASE – MANUAL SLASHDOWN
Manual release will be conducted using chainsaws, brush cutters or other hand tools. The purpose of the treatment is to release three-year-old planted shortleaf pine seedlings from loblolly and Virginia pine volunteers as well as other woody competition.
TREE RELEASE – BASAL SPRAY
Tree release treatment with herbicides using basal/streamline methods to reduce competition and improve growing conditions for shortleaf pine seedlings and mountain longleaf pine seedlings planted in Sumac 3 and Upper West Armuchee Creek (UWAC)/Walden Hollow project areas. Release treatments will occur in stands that were site prep burned and planted in 2020 and 2021.
SITE PREP – MANUAL SLASH DOWN
This activity includes treatment of sub-merchantable trees and stump sprouting vegetation using manual hand tools such as chainsaws and brush cutters to prepare mesic hardwood areas for natural regeneration.
For all work items: the contractor will provide all labor, supervision, transportation, equipment, tools, herbicide, herbicide carriers or adjuvant, herbicide dye, permits and licenses, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work in accordance with the Solicitation, Provisions, Contract Clauses, and Scope of Work. Contractors shall have both a pesticide contractor’s license and professional applicator’s license with the State of Georgia. All contractor crew leaders must be certified to apply herbicides in the state of Georgia and must be on-site at all times (Georgia State Pesticide Applicator’s license). Crew leaders must be certified in the category related to the project; this project requires Forestry certification. Documentation of certification must be provided with quote. Work will be accomplished in strict accordance with the standards defined in this contract. Tasks will be completed to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) specified in the table at the end of this document listing the Performance Assessment Methods and the Acceptable Quality Levels.