Specifications include, but are not limited to: The intent of this request is to obtain a contract to perform hazardous fuels reduction work on approximately 35.44 acres of property located off of Maitland Rd, south of Spearfish, SD. see attached map). The goal of the completed project is to mitigate the threat of wildfire through thinning. There will be an obligation for the contractor to devote individual attention per landowner, which may consist of determining areas of special concerns (privacy buffers and exclusion areas). During the cutting phase of the project, all current and prior insect infested trees within the area will be removed. Damaged and dead hardwood trees will be treated within the project. Salvage rights will be granted to the contractor to offset project costs. All material to be removed for biomass utilization will be at no cost to the landowner or SDWF. All material to be left on the project site must be justified in the submitted proposal. All slash not removed from the property will be treated by the contractor according to one of the following methods: chipping; mulching; grinding; piling and burning. Vendor must specify thinning slash disposal method in the submitted proposal. It is required that all work adhere to the State of South Dakota’s Best Management Practices to minimize environmental impact. Equipment use and access to the project site will be the discretion of SDWF and landowner. Thinning Specifications All ponderosa pine are considered in the cutting guidelines unless otherwise agreed upon by the landowner and SDDA. Dominant and co-dominant ponderosa pine with good form and vigor will be left. The desired treatment will include thinning Ponderosa pine up to 10” DBH to an average spacing of 25 feet between stems. Dominant and codominant trees 10” DBH that have good form and vigor, will be left. Treatment of spruce will result in scattered groups of 5 to 15 trees with approximately 20 feet of spacing between groups. Stumps will be level cut flush to the ground. All ponderosa pine 10 inches and under in diameter will be removed from, and within 25 feet of, stands of hardwood trees. Live hardwood trees will not be cut unless they are a hazard or significantly damaged. Dead standing snags should be removed to an average of 1 per acre. Ponderosa pine will be limbed to a minimum of 10 feet or higher if dictated by slope. Felled trees and limbs (thinning slash) as well as other previously downed material will be removed, chipped, or piled. PILING SPECIFICATIONS Piles to be burned will be a minimum of 6 feet and a maximum of 8 feet in diameter and height will be between 5 and 7 feet. Piles will not be constructed under the crown of any tree or on stumps. Piles will be constructed away from powerlines/structures/other infrastructures. Burning of piles will be conducted by the contractor as conditions allow and under SDWF burn permit guidelines: Minimum of 2 inches of continuous snow cover. All materials shall be pulled into center for 100% minimum consumption.