Scope of Work
General Guidance
This request for proposals is for fuel load reduction across the entirety of the City-owned parcels of Sign Hill as well as the creation and maintenance of a 100’ fire break, as measured from the nearest structure, adjacent to the homes that border Sign Hill. The areas of work are shown in the attached Exhibit 2 designated by colors of red, blue, and yellow for different scopes of work. All work shall comply with CalFire standards and is defined by the boundaries of the public parcels as shown on Exhibit 1. All leaf litter, branches and small wood resulting from tree removals shall be removed or chipped and spread on-site. Any wood 15” or greater in diameter can remain on-site, positioned perpendicular to slope, and partially buried to prevent future potential rolling. In work near trail areas, appropriate sized (8” or greater) logs shall be saved and moved to trail edges to delineate paths of travel as much as possible, with guidance and approval provided by the Parks Division.
Sign Hill has access in three areas as designated on Exhibit 2. Poplar entrance is the easiest point of entrance for large equipment, but it must be raised above a cinderblock wall. Tank tread chippers are recommended and slopes vary greatly in these areas. Thorough site walks are strongly encouraged prior to bidding this project as accessibility is a significant barrier.
Tree work is anticipated to continue until the rainy season (November) begins and the hill is no longer workable without causing erosion damage from heavy equipment operation. This tree work will be performed during bird nesting season and work will adhere to guidance provided by surveying biologists hired by the City.
The tree species that can be found on the hill are:
• Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood Acacia)
• Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle Acacia)
• Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple)
• Aesculus californica (California Buckeye)
• Eucalyptus globulus (Blue Gum Eucalyptus)
• Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress)
• Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine)
• Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)
• Quercus wislizeni (Interior Live Oak)
• Quercus chrysolepis (Canyon Live Oak)
• Sequoia sempervirens (Coastal Redwood)
Red Highlighted Areas
In areas highlighted in red as shown on Exhibit 2, trees shall be removed and stumps cut within 1”-2” of existing grade. All Eucalyptus and Acacia species shall have cut stumps treated with a systemic herbicide designed to be applied with “cut-stump” treatments. This herbicide shall be proposed by the contractor and approved by the Parks Division. Native trees of the species Acer and Quercus shall be retained in these areas with limbs lower than 8’ removed to prevent a fuel ladder from spreading into the canopy in the event of a fire. Aesculus trees shall be retained and remain in their natural form with any shrub adjacent shrub growth removed. Shrubs shall be removed in accordance to Exhibit 3 in these areas when adjacent to, and within 100’ of the nearest structure. Shrubs shall be spaced in areas not near residences in accordance with the guidance provided in Exhibit 3. All stumps and remaining wood will conform to the standards defined in this scope under the section titled “General”.
Blue Highlighted Areas
In areas highlighted in blue, trees shall be removed until spacing between canopies aligns with CalFire guidance as identified in Exhibit 3. Distance between canopies shall range 10’-30’ depending on slope as shown in Exhibit 3. Tree canopy is defined as the furthest extending branch from the main trunk of the tree. Within these highlighted areas, trees that remain shall have lower limbs removed that are within 15’ from the highest point of adjacent grade depending on slope. Native trees of the species Acer and Quercus shall be retained in these areas with limbs lower than 8’ removed to prevent a fuel ladder from spreading into the canopy in the event of a fire. Aesculus trees shall be retained and remain in their natural form with any shrub adjacent shrub growth removed. Shrubs shall be removed in these highlighted areas when adjacent to homes. Shrubs shall be spaced in areas not near residences in accordance with the guidance provided in Exhibit 3. All stumps and remaining wood will conform to the standards defined in this scope under the section titled “General”.
Yellow Highlighted Areas
In areas highlighted in yellow, work has been previously performed and the work in these areas will consist of small removals, ladder fuel reduction, sucker trimming, and stump herbicide treatment.
Shrubs shall be removed in accordance to Exhibit 3 in these areas when adjacent to, and within 100’ of the nearest structure. Native trees of the species Acer and Quercus shall be retained in these areas with limbs lower than 8’ removed to prevent a fuel ladder from spreading into the canopy in the event of a fire. Aesculus trees shall be retained and remain in their natural form with any shrub adjacent shrub growth removed. All stumps and remaining wood will conform to the standards defined in this scope under the section titled “General”.