Specifications include, but are not limited to: Chain Harrowing: 1. UDWR/USFWS staff have identify unit boundaries for the work executed under the contract as per map and electronic file. The Contractor shall immediately upon entering the project area, begin work, locate control points, section corners, and take such action to prevent their destruction. 2. Harrowing shall be performed in an organized, systematic manner as determined in the pre-work conference. 3. The project involves double pass harrowing of approximately 89 acres of sagebrush habitat. The second pass harrowing would be done in the opposite direction of the first harrowing. This is crucial to the success of the project, because it maximizes the kill of the decadent sagebrush. 4. The contract will require a skilled tractor operator(s). 5. The area will be aerial seeded prior to the initiation of the chain harrow project. 6. There are large trees within the project area that will need to either be removed (lop and scatter) or run over with a steel tracked crawler tractor (during chain harrow operations). This will ensure that no unnecessary damage is done to the chain harrow. If contractor cannot successfully run over/push large trees with caterpillar it will be necessary to lop and scatter to protect the chain harrow from unnecessary damage. 7. If lop and scatter is utilized to remove large trees in the project area prior to completing chain harrow operations the following specifications will need to be followed to ensure that no unnecessary damage is done to the chain harrow: 7a. Stumps will be cut so that the stump is 6” or less from the ground (This will allow chain harrow to go over the tree stump and protect the equipment). 7b. Cut material will be lopped and scattered so that slash height does not exceed 24” above the ground. 7c. Cut material left on site shall not exceed 48” in length. 8. The harrowing will be done on the contour as much as possible. This is very important for the improvement of the watershed, because harrowing on the contour reduces the amount of overland flow during runoff periods (spring melt, summer thunderstorms, etc.). 9. Upon completion of the project the contractor shall leave chain harrow near to main road and harrow shall be free of debris ready for DWR to pick up. 10. Lubrication and Servicing of Equipment: The Contractor shall check bolts, nuts, etc. on the chain harrow periodically to insure tightness and shall tighten them as necessary for proper maintenance and grease lubricate the chain harrow as appropriate. 11. Repairs to Equipment: The Contractor shall be equipped to make necessary field repairs to the chain harrow. An arc-acetylene welder shall be included in the Contractor’s repair equipment. The welder shall be at the work site at all times. The Contractor shall maintain and repair the chain harrow at the worksite. 12. Surface Conditions: Harrowing shall not occur under conditions that prevent the proper kill of sagebrush and the proper operation of equipment. These conditions include snow, frozen ground or when the soil exceeds 15% moisture content. When such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the Government. 13. Operating Speed: The harrow shall not be drawn at a speed greater than 6 miles per hour and government reserves the right to reduce that speed if necessary to achieve the desired kill on the sagebrush.
