632Revegetation

632.1 Description

This revegetation Work consists of preparing the soil, seeding , mulching, crimping, and the application of tackifier to areas stripped of vegetation du ring construction operations and are required to be revegetated. For additional information ref er to the US Clean Water Act as outlined in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Water Pollution Prevention Pla n (SWPPP). Construction staking and digital submittals a re included in the scope of the revegetation Work. The Department and Subcontractor shall each have at least one (1) S ection 632, “REVEGETATION” TTCP-certified person on the Project at all time s.

632.2 Materials

The Contractor shall provide submittals as per Table 632.3.4:1 , “Operations Sequence for Classes of Seeding,” for all Materials to the Project Manag er at a minimum of ten (10) working Days before revegetation Work commences. Submittals sh all conform to the Specifications and the revegetation Plan, and shall be on the A pproved Products List. After submittals have been approved as per procedures identified in S ection 632.3.3, “Pre-Seeding Conference;” the Contractor may substitute products on the Appr oved Products List with prior approval as per the same process. Rock Mulch Material submitta l shall be required and meet the Specification but does not need to be on the Approved Produ ct List. Submittal shall be a full five (5) gallon bucket sam ple provided to the Project Mana ger for sieve analysis. All bulk Materials delivered to the Project shall be accompani ed by a certified weigh master ticket for Materials utilized per Project as per Section 109.1, “Measurement of Quantity.” Split loads of fertilizer, seed, straw, tackifier, and bonded fiber matrix may be allowed with proper weigh master ticket and Contractor affidavi t. Split loads shall not be allowed for compost mulch and rock mulch. All packaged Materials delivered to the Project shall be wrapp ed or otherwise securely protected from weather which might affect their integrity. Mat erials in weather-damaged packaging shall be rejected for use on the Project. Certification for bulk Materials shall comply with Section 106 .4, “Certificates of Compliance.” Notify Project Ins pectors when bulk Materials are delivered so loads may be inspected and verified. The Contractor shall ensure that straw bales stored on the Pro ject shall not exceed 20% moisture content.

632.2.1 Temporary Soil Stabilant/Tackifiers for Class A Seeding

Temporary soil stabilant and tackifier shall be considered the same and the terms used interchangeably. Tackifiers shall have a blue or green dye las ting a minimum of 36 hours to aid in application and inspecti on, and be bio-degradable. When used as part of seeding operations it shall be applied at a rate of 200 pounds per acre . Tackifiers shall be plant-derived and bio-degradable and be co mposed of either guar, psyllium (Plantago ovata), or starch. Guar . Guar is a plant based product derived from the ground endosp erm of the guar plant, treated with dispersant agents for easy mixing. Section 632: Revegetation Page 717 Psyllium . Psyllium is composed of the finely ground muciloid coating o f Plantago ovata seeds that is applied as a dry powder or in a wet slurry to the surfa ce of the soil. It dries to form a firm but re-wettable membrane that binds soil particles togethe r but permits germination and growth of seed. Psyllium requires twelve (12) to eighteen (18) hours drying time. Starch . Starch is non-ionic, cold-wate r soluble (pre-gelatinized) gr anular cornstarch. The Material is mixed with water. A pproximate drying time is nine (9) to twelve (12) hours.

632.2.2 Seed for Class A and C Seeding

The Project seed list shall conform to the NMDOT Revegetation Zone and Seed List Maps at the NMDOT website or at the following link: https://arcg.is/2peB6Cc . The list used shall be the year the Project was let. The Cont ract shall specify varieties of noxious weed-free seed in accordance with New Mexico Seed Law ( NMSA 1978, § 76-10-11 et seq.). Seed submittal shall be a list from a seed producer showing th e common name, botanical name, pure live seed, total poundage, source locality (county a nd state), and NMDOT Project control number as per the revegetation/erosion control Plan. All seed suppliers must be on the current Approved Products Li st and provide documentation that their regulat ing state agency belongs to the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). Seed mixtures shall be pre-mixed and bagged certifying the mix ture quantity and percentage as noted in the Contract. Substitutions for unavailable seeds shall be performed by addi ng the quantity of the unavailable seed to the quantity of the next seed species liste d within that subcategory of the seed list. Before substitutions c an be made the Contractor mus t provide proof of unavailability in letter form from three (3) seed suppliers listed on the NMDO T Approved Products List that the seed is not available. All seed delivered to the Projec t shall be stored in a contain er protected from rodents and moisture and not subject to tem peratures higher than 90°F.

632.2.2 1 Seed Labeling The Contractor shall seal and label each bag in accordance wit h the Federal Seed Act (7

U.S.C. § 1551 et seq.) and NMDA seed labeling requirements (NMS A 1978, § 76-10-13). The Contractor shall provide the following information on each bag tag for each species: 1. Variety (specify if certified); 2. Kind of seed; 3. Lot number; 4. Purity; 5. Germination; 6. Percentage crop seed, percentage inert, percentage noxious w eeds, in accordance with New Mexico Seed Law (NMSA 1978, § 76-10-11. et seq); 7. Origin; 8. Test date; and 9. Weight (in pounds) of this species or percentage of total lo t. The Contractor shall provide seed analysis results that are no t older than twelve (12) months prior to use. Seed suppliers shall provide one (1)-acre seed bags. The Contractor shall provide to the Project Manager documentat ion of seed origin and pure live seed content from a certified testing Laboratory. Se ed must arrive in the original sealed containers from the Supplier and the Revegetation Contra ctor must provide all tags and certifications to the Projec t Manager. Certification must be provided that the seed has been stored in appropriate conditions in the twelve (12) months before arriving at the Project. Each seed tag shall be affixed to the bag and have the project control number clearly identified. The certified seed Supplier shall maintain records of seed tag control numbers for a period of three (3) years.

632.2.3 Fertilizer for Class A and C Seeding

Fertilizer shall be organic, slow release with an N-P-K (nitro gen, phosphorous, potassium) analysis of either 3-6-3 or 3-7-2 and blended with e ndo-mycorhizza and humates. Application rate shall be 1,000 lbs. per acre. Humates must co mprise a minimum of 15% by weight. Endo-mycorrhiza must be arbuscular with a minimum prop agule of 1.33 propagules per gram. The Contractor shall provide fertilizer (specified t ype and formulation) and supplier’s certification in accordance with the Contract. Each bag or tote of fertilizer shall have a visible, sealed, and un-altered analysis tag from the manufac turer that must be approved by an authorized Section 632, “Reveget ation” certified Inspector p rior to application of the Material. The tag must include the manufacturer’s information, the N-P-K analysis of the product, and the weight of the bag or tote. NMDOT reserves the right to inspect any bill of ladings or packing slips from the supplier to verify quantity o f Material on site.

632.2.4 Hydro-Mulch - Bonded Fiber Matrix (BFM) for Class C See ding

Hydro-mulch shall be Bonded Fiber Matrix (BFM). BFM is a hydr aulically-applied blanket that controls soil erosion and accelerates seed germination. B FM is a three (3)-dimensional composite of wood or paper fibers bonded by polymer tackifier t hat provides high performance erosion prevention on slopes. Dye and tackifier shall be inclu ded in the BFM formulation. BFM shall be applied at a rate of 2,000 lbs per acre. As a hyd raulic erosion control product (HECP) as defined by the Erosion Control Technology Council, th e BFM or its equivalent shall be Type 3 or higher in functional longevity as defined in Table 1 of the 2014 Standard Specifications for Hydraulic Ero sion Control Products (HECPs) Part 2.01.

632.2.5 Rock Mulch for Class C Seeding

Rock Mulch shall be between one (1) inch and no greater than 1 ½ inches in size. Rock shall have a minimum of two (2) Fractured Faces. Rock which is black in color will not be Acceptable. Pumice rock is not Acceptable.

632.2.6 Composted Mulch for Class A Seeding

The Contractor shall furnish and place composted mulch as show n on the revegetation Plan and in accordance with the criteria as described below. C omposted mulch provider must be registered with or permitted by the New Mexico Environment D epartment Solid Waste Bureau and must be in compliance with 20 NMAC 9.1. Composted mulch is defined as t he product of a controlled aero bic thermophilic biological decomposition process that meets the quality requirements in Ta ble 632.2.6:1, “Requirements Section 632: Revegetation Page 719 of Compost Mulch.” Raw Materials used in producing composted m ulch may include green waste, animal manure, animal bedding, paper waste, food waste, biosolids or other non-toxic organic matter, but shall not include animal mortalities.

632.2.6 1 Acceptance

Compost mulch suppliers on the Approved Products List are appr oved for Project use. Table 632.2.6:1 Requirements of Compost Mulch Material Measure Method Criterion All Composted Mulches Moisture Content* Evaporative loss at 105°C Between 35 % and 60% Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio* Nitrogen by AOAC 993.13, Carbon by ASTM D5373 Between 15:1 and 20:1 Particle Size Sieve 40% minimum to 100% maximum of Material may pass ¾ inch screen; 100% of pieces smaller than 4 inches in length and 2 inches in diameter Electrical Conductivity* 1:5 slurry (mass basis) <10 mmho/cm pH* 1:5 slurry (mass basis) pH 5.0 – pH 8.0 Organic Matter* Loss on ignition at 550°C 25% - 100% of dry weight Maturity Germination test in 50:50 (volume basis) mixture of ¾ inch screened composted mulch and twice- rinsed nursery sand. Minimum 50% germination to second set of leaves for marigold seeds Stability By temperature and moisture content Maximum core temperature of 110°F after 48 hours in 5 foot tall conical pile, with moisture adjusted to between 40% and 60%. Debris By volume Less than one percent (1%) inorganic debris, including but not limited to, glass, plastic, stones and metal. Composted Mulches with Wastewater Biosolids Trace Metals* HNO 3 digestion Complies with Table 3 of 40CFR503.13 Fecal Coliforms* MPN with A-1 broth <1000 MPN/dry gram *Tests marked with asterisks mu st be performed by a suitable an alytical Laboratory; other tests may be performed by the composted mulch producer. Section 632: Revegetation Page 720 The NMDOT Landscape Architect shall review lab analysis and sub mittals from the compost producers every 180 Days and confirm their listing on the Appro ved Products List. Before delivering composted mulch, provider shall furnish docu mentation that includes the following: 1. The raw Materials, by percentage of volume, used in the prod uction of the delivered composted mulch; 2. Daily temperature records for at least 20% of the piles or b atches used to produce the delivered composted mulch, illustrating attainment of at le ast 130°F for at least seven (7) consecutive Days; 3. A Laboratory analysis for criteria shown in Table 632.2.6:1, “Requirements of Compost Mulch” performed on composted mulch no more than 180 Da y s p r i o r t o delivery; and 4. An affidavit, signed by a corporate officer, confirming that the composted mulch meets each requirement shown in Table 632.2.6:1, “Requirements of Compost Mulch.”

632.2.6 2 Straw Mulch for Class A Seeding

The Contractor shall not use rotten or moldy straw. All straw mulch must be barley straw and is to be free of noxious weeds as certified by an industry- recognized forage certification authority. Certification twine must appear on all certified st raw bales. The color of the certified twine for straw bales shall be listed on the certification subm ittal for identification purposes. The date on the straw certification provided to NMDOT may not b e older than one (1) year from the date of purchase. Before Acceptance the Contractor sh all provide to the Project Manager weigh tickets signed by a c ertified weighmaster as per Section 109.1, “Measurement of Quantity,” which confirms that the amount of bulk Materials delivered to the Project equals tonnage required for the Project per the determined acreage.

632.3 Construction Requirements

632.3.1 Equipment

All Equipment shall be inspected by the Contractor to confirm Equipment is in good working order prior to commenci ng Work. An Inspector shall wit ness the inspection and calibration. To avoid the spread of noxious weeds, all revegetation Equipme nt (including but not limited to trucks, trailers, tractors, hydro-seeders, drill see ders, straw blasters, and disks) shall be pressure-washed to remove all visible mud, soil, and debris prior to entering the Project limits within the state right of way. If Equipment leaves the Project for any reason it shall be re-inspected when returned to the job site. Disking attachments shall have a minimum six (6) foot carriage with front and rear discs. Crimping Equipment shall have a minimum eight (8) foot wide ca rriage. Skid steer attachments may only be used on confined areas for seeding operations. Skid steers shall not be used for spreading compost unless in a confined area.

632.3.1 1 Drill Seeder

Section 632: Revegetation Page 721 Drill seeding Equipment shall be inspected so that drill seed drop tubes are not torn or clogged. All seed loaded into Equipment shall be verified by a n Inspector to confirm correct application rates. An Inspector must verify that the auger in the seed bin is rotating and that seed is dropping through drop tubes. The drill seeder must be inspected daily to prevent loss of se e d o r t o p r e v e n t o v e r - seeding. Calibration is necessary to control rate and depth of seed distribution. Calibration procedure and demonstration shall be as per manufacturer’s Spec ifications. The drill seeder shall be calibrated once per Project unless it is replaced on t he Project. Drill seeders shall only be modified by manufacturer recommendation and documentati on of the modification must be available. The inspection shall ensure that the Equipment has the followi ng: 1. Double disc openers with ‘A’ frames; 2. Depth bands; 3. Drop tubes; 4. Packer wheels or drag chains; 5. Rate control attachments; 6. Seed boxers with covers and agi tators for trashy seed; and 7. Keyway holding auger to shaft.

632.3.1 2 Hydro-Seeder

The hydro-seeder cannons, hoses and agitators shall be in good working condition. The hydro-seeder shall be capable of applying Materials up to dista nces of 200 ft.

632.3.2 Materials and Sampling

Inspector must be present when Materials are to be loaded into Equipment or distributed on the areas to be seeded. Contractor shall provide all contai ners and bags to the Project Inspector for verification. A one (1) quart sealed zip lock bag of seed Material labeled w ith the Material identification and the Project c ontrol number is to be provided to the NMDOT Landscape Architect for examination and testing. The Department may reje ct Materials not in accordance with the Contract.

632.3.3 Pre-Seeding Conference A mandatory pre-seeding conference called by the Project Manag er shall be held on the

Project before revegetation Work begins. Attending will be the NMDOT Project Manager or representative, the NMDOT Landscape Architect or certified seed ing Inspector, the General Contractor, and the Revegetation Contractor. The purpose of the meeting is to inspect the Project, and off- site yards, pits, and borrow roads for confirmation of their revegetation requirements. The Project Manager shall have at the pre-seeding meeting documenta tion of all pits, Contractor y ards, etc. approved for use on the Project. Per Section 632.3. 12, “Seeding Operations for Cla ss A and Class C Seeding,” test strip location shall be verified following the Pre-seeding Conference. Construction staking must be completed and quantities must be verified by the Projec t Manager before test strip commences. Section 632: Revegetation Page 722 Submittals must be provided to the Project Manager and Landsca pe Architect ten (10) Days prior to the proposed start of revegetation Work. Any rev egetation Work done prior to this inspection shall be rejected. All areas to be revegetated shall be measured and confirmed fo r each class of seeding in accordance with Section 801, “Construction Staking by the Contr actor.” The Project Manager and the Contractor shall field verify and agree on the acreage for each Class of seeding, including Modified Class A, before any Materials are ordered o r delivered to the Project. Construction staking shall also identify all areas which have less than four (4) inches of soil cover and qualify for Modified Class A seeding. The Prime Contractor shall provide minutes of this meeting for review and approval by the Project Manager and Landscape Architect or representative. There will be no change in Materials or the scope of revegetat ion Work after the Contractor begins seeding operations. For revegetation Work areas to be considered ready for reveget ation they shall be accessible, free of Equipment, and no further construction proc esses occurring which would interfere with seeding operations. No further revegetation Wor k or Equipment access shall occur on areas which have been revegetated. The Prime Contractor shall maintain a minimum twelve (12) foot wide Equipment access to all revegetated areas for use by revegetation Subcontractor until revegetation Work is complete.

632.3.3 1 Weather Limitations

Revegetation Work shall not be performed when the ground is fr ozen or when temperatures are below 32°F. No revegetation Work shall be per formed when wind speed exceeds fifteen (15) miles per hour as measured with a wind met er by the Inspector.

632.3.4 Seeding Classes

The Contractor shall provide the various classes and the Mater ial and operations for each class in accordance with Table 632.3.4:1, “Operations Sequence for Classes of Seeding.” Table 632.3.4:1 Operations Sequence for Classes of Seeding Class Operation A Mod A C Disk seed bed to four (4)” X X -- Apply fertilizer by broadc ast, then disk to four (4)” X X -- Apply one (1) inch compost mulch, disk to four (4)” X X -- Drill seed X X -- Straw crimp; apply tackifier, dye X -- -- Track slopes with ridges horizontal and parallel to bottom of s lope X -- X Hand rake or chain harrow surface horizontally -- -- X Hydro apply seed, fertilizer, dye, tackifier -- X X Operations Sequence for Classes of Seeding Class Operation A Mod A C Scarify seeded areas horizontally to slope -- X X Hydro mulch; apply tackifier, dye -- -- X Rock Mulch -- X X Note: No seeding shall be applied on frozen ground Key: X = required; -- = not required

632.3.5 Modified Class A Seeding for Narrow Areas or Areas Inac cessible to Drill

Seeding Equipment Any Project areas with slopes less than 3:1 requiring revegeta tion which are less than eight (8) ft wide, or are inaccessible to drill seeding Equipme nt, or are too rocky to disk to a four (4) inch depth, shall use the following procedure and pay ment is to be made at the Class A rate. The Contractor shall disk soil to a four (4) inch depth with o ne (1) inch of incorporated compost mulch and fertilize as per Class A treatment. A skid s teer with attachments may be used. If the seed bed is too rocky to disk to four (4) inches, the Contractor shall omit compost mulch and chain harrow or hand rake the entire area and proceed with Steps 1 and 2 below. A hydro-seeder shall then be used to apply the seed, dye, tack ifier, and hydro mulch in two (2) steps as described below. Step 1 . The Contractor shall apply seed and dye to the newly disked soil, rake or chain harrow so seed is covered with soil. Step 2 . The Contractor shall apply an approved bonded fiber mulch wi th tackifier applied in two (2) coats from opposing di rections at rate of 2,000 lbs. per acre. Seed in these areas shall be applied at twice the specified ra tes and no extra payment shall be made therefore.

632.3.6 Revegetation of Areas Outside the Project Limits

Revegetation of all disturbed off-site locations will be in ac cordance with Section 104.7, “Final Cleanup,” and the appropriate class of seeding will be u sed for the terrain. Section 632, “Revegetation,” procedures will be followed for all public land s and private lands that are required to be revegetated unl ess other seed lists and procedur es are required in a resource agency permit. All revegetation Work done for permitted Contra ctor located activities shall be done at the Contractor’s expense. The Contractor must provide as part of submittals a letter of intent from landowners for off-site locations to be used as per Section 104.7, “Final Clea nup.” The letter of intent must acknowledge the landowner’s right to have revegetation performe d as per our Specifications and if that revegetation right is waived the owner acknowledges that neither the Contractor nor NMDOT shall be responsible for any claims, including but not li mited to fugitive dust, noxious weeds, and siltation of waterways, related to the owner’s decis ion to forgo revegetation. When revegetation Work is being performed on private land, a ri ght of access permit for Section 632: Revegetation Page 724 inspection of the revegetation Work for that private land must be provided by the Contractor to Project Management and shall be considered Incidental to the Wo rk. The Contractor shall provide documentation of the treatment us ed and notify Project Manager when the revegetation Work is being performed so Inspec tors may be present. Table 632.3.6:1 Schedule of Materials for Class A Seeding CLASS A REVEGETATION MATERIALS PER ACRE TACKIFIER COMPOST MULCH SEED STRAW FERTILIZER 200 lbs 134 cubic yards Per rev egetation zone list 2 tons 1000 lbs. Table 632.3.6.2 Schedule of Materials for Class A Modified Seeding CLASS A MODIFIED REVEGETATION MATERIALS PER ACRE COMPOST MULCH SEED HYDRO MULCH WITH TACKIFIER FERTILIZER 134 cubic yards Per revegetation zone list X2 2,000 lbs 1000 lb s. Table 632.3.6:3 Schedule of Materials for Class C Seeding CLASS C REVEGETATION MATERIALS PER ACRE HYDRO MULCH WITH TACKIFIER SEED ROCK MULCH FERTILIZER 2,000 lbs. Per revegetation zone list X2 300 tons 1,000 lbs.

632.3.7 Materials Certifications

The Contractor shall provide all certifications for required M aterial to the Project Manager before the Project begins.

632.3.8 Seedbed Preparation for Class A Seeding

The Contractor shall till the seedbed with a disk, harrow, or chiseling tools to at least four

632.3.9 Tracking and Scarification for Class C Seeding

Areas designated as Class C treatment shall be track-walked as per Table 632.3.4:1, “Operations Sequence for Classes of Seeding” with tracks parall el to the toe of slope to compact and score the slopes withi n seven (7) working Days prio r to the commencement of Class C operations. Slopes which have eroded or otherwise degraded in the seven (7 ) working Day period before seeding may need to be re-graded before revegetation. Competitive vegetation shall be uprooted before hydro-seeding so that seed has good adherence to the surface and soil cover and no payment shall be made therefore. Following tracking slopes shall be scarified by hand raking or chain harrowing horizontally and parallel to the bottom of the slope. Following tracking of the slopes all rocks larger than four (4 ) inches in diameter shall be removed from the hydro-seed bed and no payment shall be made th erefore.

632.3.10 Fertilizer for Class A and Class C Seeding

Fertilizer bags shall be examined before use to confirm correc t analysis and content. Notify Project Inspector when bags are to be loaded into machin es and all bags shall be collected and counted confirming correct amounts used. The Contractor shall apply the fertilizer uniformly to the pre pared seedbed. Class A shall be broadcast and Class C shall be hydro-applied. The Contracto r shall apply mix fertilizer in the hydro-seeder for a minimum of ten (10) minutes before apply ing.

632.3.11 Compost Mulch for Class A Seeding

The Contractor shall wet down compost mulch so that wind loss is kept to a minimum. Stockpiles shall be less than six (6) ft tall and oriented perp endicularly to the prevailing winds to prevent wind loss. The compost mulch moisture content shall be indicated on the d elivery ticket at the time of delivery and shall be within the 35 – 60 % range. Regardless of the compost mulch moisture content, the Project Manager may require Section 632: Revegetation Page 726 further wetting of compost mulch at delivery to prevent loss th rough wind. No extra payment shall be made therefore. The certified Inspector shall verify the load is full before u nloading to confirm the Material is up to the front of the trailer. Indications of a short load are gaps at the front of the truck, overloading at the back of the truck, and slip staining of the Material from the original loading line.

632.3.12 Seeding Operations for Class A and Class C Seeding

The Contractor shall uniformly apply the seed mix at a rate in accordance with the Contract. The Contractor shall not drive vehicles or other Equ ipment on seeded areas. The Contractor is responsible for pr otecting revegetation Work unti l Acceptance. A test strip of each class of seeding shall be provided by Con tractor before commencing general seeding. Each test strip shall measure no less than on e (1) acre in a configuration which works for the Equipment and the site, shall be at a locat ion of the Contractor’s choosing within the Project, and shall be done as per Specifications wit h a certified Inspector and the Landscape Architect or representative present. Equipment calib ration and a test strip are not required for Projects less than one (1) acre in size. The test strip is to verify Equipment functionality, proper adjustment, application rate, and the Con tractor’s ability to perform the Work as per Specification. Upon Acceptance of the test plot the Contractor may proceed wi th seeding operations. If the test strip is not Accepted, the Contractor shall establish a new one (1) acre strip location and re-verify. The Contractor shall not proceed to full seedin g operation until an Acceptable test strip has been produced. Payment will only be made for Ac cepted test strips and shall be made under appropriate class of seeding. The Contractor shall coordinate with the Project Manager prior to starting seeding operations to ensure than an Inspector is present at all times. No revegetation Work shall be performed without the presence of a certified Inspector. Once seed is installed on a gi ven Project area all operations to complete that class of seeding for that area must be completed the same Day. If rainfall or some other factor prevents the Contractor from seeding to the specified depth on prepared surfaces, the Contractor shall prepare the seedbed and apply seed again, at no additional cost to the Department. Class C areas are to be seeded at twice the standard rate and no extra payment is to be made therefore. The Contractor shall not perform seeding operations when wind velocity exceeds fifteen

632.3.13 Drill Seeding for Class A Seeding

The Contractor shall plant seed 1/2 inch deep unless otherwise specified in the Contract. The Contractor shall ensure that the distance between the drill ed furrows is no more than eight

632.3.14 Hydro-Seeding for Class C Seeding

Section 632: Revegetation Page 727 Seed shall be applied in a slurry with fertilizer and dye. Al l Materials loaded into Equipment shall be verified by NMDOT Project Inspectors to conf irm correct application rates. The Contractor shall mix all Materials for a minimum of ten (10 ) minutes before application.

632.3.15 Hydro-Mulching for Class C Seeding

Hydro-mulching shall be applied in two (2) sweeps from opposin g directions to ensure coverage is complete. The BFM must contain a tackifier when ap plied. A dye capable of lasting 36 hours shall be included in slurry so that Project In spectors can confirm coverage. Mulch must be applied the same Day as the seed to protect seed. All Materials loaded into Equipment shall be verified by NMDOT Project Inspectors to conf irm correct application rates. The Contractor shall mix all Materials for a minimum of ten (10 ) minutes before application. The Contractor shall provide the Project Manager a laminated c olor reference card from the BFM manufacturer showing a close-up reference photograph of their product installed at the rate of 2,000 lbs. per acre.

632.3.16 Straw Mulching for Class A Seeding

The Contractor shall anchor straw mulch using a crimper with f lat serrated discs at least one (1) inch thick with dull edges, spaced no more than nine (9 ) inches apart. The Contractor shall ensure that the disc diameter is large enough to prevent the frame of the Equipment from dragging in mulch. The Contractor shall ensure that straw mulch crimping is at le ast two (2) inches deep and do not cover it with excessive amounts of soil. The Contractor shall perform mulch anchoring across the slope where practical, with no more than two (2) pas ses of the anchoring Equipment. Straw shall be evenly distributed over entire beddi ng area with no bare areas showing or areas with straw deeper than four (4) inches in dept h before crimping. The Contractor shall ensure that the rate of application of st raw mulch is at least two (2) tons of air-dry straw per acre. The Inspector shall verify the total tons per acre of straw required per acre. The Contractor shall ensure that straw mulch has at least 50% of fibers exceeding ten

632.3.17 Rock Mulch

The finished rock mulch surface must be smooth and uniform mai ntaining the original flow lines, slope gradients, and contours of the job. Rock mul ch must be applied in a fashion not to tear up or damage the hydro-mulch when being placed. Me thods and means of rock mulch installation are not specified and may vary as per access . Damaged hydro-mulch shall be replaced and no extra payment made therefore.

632.3.18 Class C Slopes with over 50’ of Slope Length

Class C slopes in excess of 50’ of slope length (measured alon g the slope face from toe to crest) shall have the following treatment. Class G rip-rap shall be used for the lower portion of the slo pe from the toe upwards to the point where there will not be more than 50’ of slope length covered with 3/4 inch to one (1) inch rock mulch described in 632.2.5, “Rock Mulch for Class C S eeding,” and Table 632.3.4:1, “Operations Sequence for Classe s of Seeding.” The rip rap shal l be placed over the hydro- seeded and mulched surface in a way that does not damage the ap plied mulch treatment, shall be installed from the toe of the slope upwards and shall be one (1) layer of Class G rip- rap in thickness.

632.4 Method of Measurement

The Contractor shall digitally provide for approval of a to-sc ale printable revegetation Plan as part of the submittals b efore the mandatory pre-seeding meeting. The Plan shall identify each area by station, n umerical order, Project left, P roject right, and is to indicate the class of seeding as per Table 632.3.4:1, “Operations Sequence f or Classes of Seeding.” Quantities shall match those pr oduced by construction staking a nd shall include all off-site areas. The Contractor shall identify on the Plan all areas identified by Construction Staking which have less than four (4) inches of soil cover and qualify for Modified Class A treatment as per Section 632.3.5, “Modified Class A Seeding for Narrow Areas or Areas Inaccessible to Drill Seeding Equipment.” An accompanying table to the Plan shall be submitted showing t he amount of each Material apportioned for each area on the Project and the acrea ge of that sub-area. Included in the Plan shall be all off-Project areas requiring revegetati on as enumerated in Section 632.5, “Basis of Payment.”

632.5 Basis of Payment

Pay Item Pay Unit Class A Seeding A c r e Class C Seeding A c r e

632.5.1 Revegetation Work Included in Payment

The following revegetation Work items shall be considered as i ncluded in payment for the main items and shall not be measured or paid for separately: 1. Tackifier for straw mulch; Section 632: Revegetation Page 729 2. All compost mulch, fertilizer Materials, and water added at tilling; 3. Rock for rock mulch; 4. Moisture probe for straw bales; 5. Weed removal and disposal prior to seed operations; 6. Revegetation Plan; 7. Right of access permit to be provided by Contractor for insp ection of off-site locations located on private property; 8. Multiple mobilizations to meet NPDES requirements; and 9. Construction staking. Section 660: Excavation, Trenching, and Backfilling for Utiliti es Page 730