Timber Sale - Sand Ridge State Forest Management 2025 Harvest

Background
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is issuing a solicitation for a timber sale at Sand Ridge State Forest, located in Mason County, Illinois. The goal of this contract is to utilize the vendor's expertise to commercially harvest approximately 160 acres of mature red and white pine plantation. This initiative aims to remove mature and over-mature pine timber, promote the regeneration of oak species, restore forest communities that support wildlife conservation, and reduce fuel loading to improve forest health and resilience.

Work Details
The vendor will be responsible for harvesting approximately 12,000 trees of red and white pine sawtimber with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 14 inches and up. The vendor must leave 17 Class 1 red or white pine trees per acre where available. The estimated board feet volume for the harvest is approximately 1.5 million board feet.

The vendor must protect all structures and amenities from damage during operations, maintain roads and trails, notify the IDNR of any large nests found in trees designated for removal, comply with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and follow best management practices for logging operations. Additional requirements include using specific equipment for log skidding, maintaining skid trail grades, installing drainage structures where necessary, and ensuring all logging debris is scattered within the forest. The vendor must also adhere to safety regulations and coordinate with local authorities regarding road usage during the harvest.

Period of Performance
The contract will commence upon execution in 2025 and is expected to be completed within 24 months unless weather or other circumstances require an extension.

Place of Performance
The work will be performed at Sand Ridge State Forest in Mason County, Illinois.