2101Clearing and Grubbing

2101.1DESCRIPTION

This Work consists of removing and disposing of the trees, Brush, stumps, roots, and other plant life, including dead and decayed matter, within the construction area, unless otherwise designated to remain by the Contract or as directed by the Engineer.

2101.2MATERIALS - BLANK

2101.3CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

The Engineer will establish the Right-of-way lines and construction limits confining the clearing and grubbing operations. The Engineer will designate those trees, Brush, and other vegetation for preservation and those for removal. Remove and dispose of the trees, Brush, stumps, and roots from the limits designated for clearing and grubbing. Follow all requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 18.82 with regards to treatment and movement of woody noxious weeds located within the construction limits. The State noxious weed list is determined by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The Contractor may visit the MDA “Noxious Weeds List” website to find information about control requirements and transportation restrictions. Adhere to all plant pest quarantine orders imposed by the MDA and the United States Department of Agriculture. Contractor may contact MDA at 1-888-545-6684 or visit the MDA “Noxious Weeds List” website to find information about all existing plant pest quarantines active in Minnesota . Use wood chips within the construction limits for erosion control, construction exit pads, or other Project related needs prior to removing the chips from the Project Site and dispose of quarantined wood in accordance with existing quarantine requirements. The Department will not pay for compliance with these requirements. Salvage topsoil in accordance with 2106, “Excavation and Embankment – Compacted Volume Method.” Cleared and grubbed areas are subject to partial payment withholdings of e rodible surface Areas in accordance with 2574, “Soil Preparation.” Protect the items designated to remain in accordance with 1712, “Protection and Restoration of Property,” and 2572, “Protection and Restoration of Vegetation,” place temporary fence, prune branches, and perform clearing and grubbing operations in a manner that will not damage or jeopardize the surrounding plant life and property. A Clearing and Grubbing Operations Cut off, remove, and dispose of the trees, Brush, stumps, and roots as clearing and grubbing operations from designated areas as shown on the Plans within the construction limits or as directed by the Engineer. B Clearing Operations Cut off, remove, and dispose of trees and Brush in the areas identified as a clearing operation on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer. If the Contract does not require grubbing or if the Engineer directs the Contractor not to perform grubbing, cut off at a point within 6 inches of the ground. C Grubbing Operations Remove and dispose of the Brush, stumps, roots, and other remains in the areas designated as a grubbing operation on the Plans, or as directed by the Engineer. Completely remove stumps unless otherwise approved by the Engineer. If the Engineer approves of a stump to remain, cut the stump no greater than 6 inches above the ground, and flush with or below the ground surface if directed by the Engineer. Fill depressions resulting from the grubbing operations with suitable Material in accordance with 2106.2B.7, “Topsoil,” and compact the Material as approved by the Engineer, except in those areas to be excavated as part of the Work.

D Disposal Limitations Dispose of trees, Brush, stumps, roots, and other debris or byproducts by chipping, tub grinding, or marketing. The Contractor may chip the wood through a chipping machine or tub grinder to create Type 6 mulch, for use within the construction limits. If the construction Project is within a Plant Pest Quarantine imposed or enacted by MDA and wood will leave the site, provide to the Engineer a compliance agreement from MDA. Dispose of any quarantine regulated wood products as directed by the MDA regulations or non-quarantine regulated items as forestry standards dictate to prevent the spread of insects and disease. D.1 Marketable Trees Trees designated for removal may be marketed to wood-utilizing industries. Do not market any wood from a quarantined area to wood-using industries or individuals without a compliance agreement from the MDA. For the purpose of the Work specified in 2101.3D, “Disposal Limitations,” the Department defines marketable trees as all trees except elm trees, oak wilt infected oak trees, and ash trees greater than 6 inches in diameter measured at 24 inches above the ground. D.2 Elm, Oak Wilt Infected Oak, Pine, and Quarantined Wood D.2.a Elm Trees Dispose of elm trees, Brush, stumps, roots, and debris by chipping or tub grinding and using the mulch within the construction limits for erosion control, construction of exit pads, or landscaping purposes. D.2.b Oak Wilt Infected Oak Trees Dispose of stumps, roots, and debris from oak wilt infected oak trees by chipping or tub grinding and using the mulch within the construction limits for erosion control, construction of exit pads, or landscaping purposes. D.2.c Elm and Oak Wilt Infected Oak Tree Disposal Deadlines and Locations Dispose of elm and oak wilt infected oak trees within 20 Calendar Days of notification. Dispose within the Right-of-way by tub grinding or chipping then use mulch for erosion control or other Project related needs prior to removing the chips from the Project Site. D.3 Pine Dispose of all non-marketable pine trees, Brush, stumps, roots, and slash debris by chipping, tub grinding, or debarking within 20 Calendar Days of being cleared during the growing season to prevent the infestation and spread of pine bark beetles. D.4 Quarantined Wood Follow all species specific quarantine regulations posted by MDA. Do not market quarantined trees to the wood-using industries or individuals without having a compliance agreement from MDA. Do not make wood with bark attached available to the public for use as firewood from the quarantined area. Do not take any part of the quarantined tree, including roots, outside of a quarantined County without fulfilling the requirements of a compliance agreement from MDA. Contact the MDA to speak with a regulatory official and visit the MDA Plant Pest Quarantine website to determine the quarantine areas . Quarantined wood may be chipped through a chipping machine or tub grinder to create Type 5 or Type 6 mulch for use within the construction limits.

D.5 Burning .............................................................................................................. 2104.3D D.6 Burying .............................................................................................................. 2104.3D

2101.4METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

The Engineer will measure Clearing and Grubbing by area, lump sum, or individual unit as required by the Contract. The Engineer will measure tree diameter by measuring the circumference of the tree at 4.5 feet above the ground and dividing the circumference by 3.14, or by measuring the diameter or the tree stump after removal. A Qualifying Trees and Stumps The Engineer will only measure trees for payment having a diameter greater than 3 inches at a point measured 24 inches above the ground surface. The Engineer will only measure stumps for payment having a diameter greater than 3 inches when measured at one of the following points:

The Engineer will not measure for the removal and disposal of stumps and B rush with a diameter equal to or less than 3 inches at the point of cutoff. B Area Basis The Engineer will make all measurements horizontally to points 10 feet outside the trunks of qualifying trees or stumps on the perimeter of the area being measured. The Engineer will measure separate areas less than 0.05 acre as 0.05 acre. If isolated trees or stumps require removal outside the areas designated for clearing or grubbing by the acre, and no Unit Price is provided in the Contract for clearing and grubbing individual trees or stumps, the Department will pay based on the following:

when measured at a point 2 feet above the ground surface, and each isolated qualifying stump measuring less than 40 inches at the point of cutoff as 0.05 acre.

when measured at the points described in (1) above as 0.1 acre. C Individual Unit Basis When the Contract specifies “each” as the unit, the Engineer will count the number of qualifying trees cleared and the number of qualifying stumps grubbed to determine the quantity. D Lump Sum Basis The Engineer will not measure an individual area, tree, or stump if the C ontract specifies clearing and grubbing as a lump sum item.

2101.5BASIS OF PAYMENT

The Contract Unit Prices for the accepted quantities of clearing and grubbing includes the cost for removal and disposal; securing outside disposal sites in accordance with 2104.3D, “Disposal of Materials and Debris”; bringing in a chipper/grinder if necessary; securing a compliance agreement from the MDA ; and performing the required treatment for disposing of elm, oak wilt infected oaks, pine, quarantined wood, and marketable trees. The Contract lump sum price for Clearing and Grubbing, regardless of the sizes of the trees and stumps, includes the cost of all clearing and grubbing required by the C ontract.

The Department will include the costs for removing and disposing of B rush and stumps with a diameter equal to or less than 3 inches at the point of cutoff in the Contract Unit Prices of other relevant Pay Items. The Department will not pay for pruning except as specified in 2572.5, “Protection and Restoration of Vegetation, Basis of Payment.” If the Contract does not specify a Pay Item for Clearing and Grubbing, the Department will pay for clearing and grubbing of qualifying trees and stumps as specified in 2101.4, “Clearing and Grubbing, Method of Measurement,” as Extra Work in accordance with 1402, “Contract Revisions.” The Department will pay for clearing and grubbing items on the basis of the following schedule: Item No. Item Unit

2101.501 Clearing and Grubbing lump sum

2 Clearing each

2 Grubbing each

5 Clearing acre

5 Grubbing acre