Specifications include, but are not limited to: Task 1: Tip up to 200 trees, with rootwads intact, and stage for loading onto trucks. Prepare the site o Establishment of access and travel routes Access and travel routes will be identified by the contractor and approved by USFS staff. Includes clearing of decommissioned or overgrown spur roads, and establishment of off-road access routes to tree tipping, harvesting, and staging location. o Establishment of tree staging areas for loading Trees should be staged to avoid interfering with current and future access routes for the public and for the project. Contractor is responsible for locating and protecting all underground and overhead locatable utilities such as buried fiber optic line, culverts, etc. 6 Contractor is responsible for utilizing properly-sized equipment for all tasks associated with the contract. Tip up to 200 trees, with rootwads intact o Trees for harvest are pre-identified by USFS personnel, and marked with paint and/or flagged. Flagging and/or marking color will be clearly communicated to the contractor in advance of start date. o Trees will be selected by the USFS staff based on the following criteria: All trees are Douglas fir. All trees are between 15-28” DBH. Trees are large, full, structurally sound trees, free of excessive decay. The contractor should make all attempts to avoid damaging snags or trees with complex growth characteristics, unless deemed a hazard to the activity. The contractor should avoid tipping or damaging trees with existing complex forms (double-topped, etc.). Trees shall be tipped and staged with as little damage to the tree as possible. Trees shall be removed with as much rootwad attached as possible. Branches shall remain intact and attached as much as possible to provide roughness for habitat at Waite Ranch and Hanson Creek. Shake excess dirt from rootwad, but only as possible without damaging the tree. Branches shall remain attached and intact to the maximum extent that is practical for safe hauling. All biomass resulting from Work that that is not hauled offsite (tops shorter than 20’, broken branches) shall be removed from the road prism (over 10’ distance minimum from road prism) and scattered in adjacent tree stands or on access routes to the maximum extent possible. Trees that were pre-selected but deemed inaccessible by Contractor due to safety reasons may be substituted for alternate trees within the tipping stands. USFS and CTCLUSI will work with Contractor to find alternate trees that fall within the criteria listed above, or if contractor feels identified trees have safety hazards associated with tipping. Recommended method: tree tipping using excavator or shovel. Wet and muddy conditions are expected in project areas. Contractor shall not use equipment that causes environmental or infrastructure damage. Contractor is responsible to restore all work areas to pre-project conditions...
