The objective of this contract is to thin the specified stands from below to enhance wildlife habitat. The thinning is specifically intended to improve tree growth rates and stimulate understory development to enhance wildlife habitat. The cut trees are to be removed from the stand to create more open conditions that facilitate access and movement of deer and elk and improve light penetration to understory vegetation. The removed trees are to be sold for pulp or dimensional lumber production to help offset costs of the thinning. In addition to the timber harvest activities, various road work tasks will be completed: • An 18 inch cross drain culvert at the intersection of the P1000 road and the P1100 road will be installed. Tacoma will provide the culvert and the contractor will complete the installation as directed by Tacoma. Coordination will be necessary with Lewis County Public Utility District, and will be facilitated by Tacoma. Note that this is a cross drain only; no stream is present at this location. • Several road improvement tasks (road grading, surfacing, ditch cleaning, etc) will be completed on the P1080 road. These are outlined in detail on the attached “P1080 (West Road) upgrade” map attached and included in Exhibit A. The 18 inch cross drain culvert specified for this area will be supplied by Tacoma and installed by the contractor.
