South Fork Aerial Seeding & Mulching   2

Background
The South Fork Aerial Seeding and Mulching project is initiated to restore soil productivity in areas affected by the South Fork Fire, specifically targeting High and Moderate Soil Burn Severity zones. The project aims to facilitate vegetation recovery on National Forest System lands, which have been denuded or depleted due to the fire.

The primary agency involved is the Smokey Bear Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. This emergency action is critical to ensure that vegetation can begin to grow following the monsoon season, particularly from September through October.

Work Details
The contractor will perform aerial seeding and mulching across designated areas: 1136 acres for native seeding and 594 acres for wheat straw mulching. Specific tasks include:
1. **Native Seeding**:
- Apply certified weed and trash-free seed mixture consisting of 3 seeds of western wheatgrass, 2 seeds of Blue Grama, and 15 seeds of Non-persistent annual barley per square foot across the specified acreage.
- Ensure a continuous cover of uniform thickness across the entire unit.
- Provide documentation including weight of seed delivered, seed tags, transportation paperwork, and lab test results.
- Contractor is responsible for purchasing weed-free seed.

2. **Wheat Straw Mulching**:
- Apply certified weed and trash-free wheat straw mulch at a depth of 1 foot across the designated acreage.
- Ensure a continuous cover of uniform thickness across the entire unit.
- Provide documentation including weight of wheat straw delivered, transportation paperwork, weed-free certification, and lab test results.
- Contractor is responsible for purchasing weed-free straw.

Period of Performance
Work will commence upon award and must be completed no later than October 31, 2024.

Place of Performance
The project will take place on National Forest System lands within the Smokey Bear District of the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico, specifically in Cedar Creek, Perk Canyon, and Brady Canyon watershed basins.