Soup Canyon Pile and Scarify for Planting Preparation

The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is soliciting bids for services to pile slash and scarify approximately 102 acres for planting preparation. This work is located in Lake County, Montana, specifically within sections of Township 23N Range 17W and Township 24N Range 17W. The scope of work details specific equipment requirements, including dozers no larger than a D6D (or equivalent) with specific ground pressure and equipment, and excavators with specified horsepower and ground pressure. Equipment must be equipped with features such as ROPS/FOPS, approved spark arresters, and fire extinguishers. The contractor must also adhere to site preparation specifications, including exposing bare mineral soil on 30 to 35 percent of the area where specified, and operating only under relatively dry soil-moisture conditions (20% or less). Slash piles must be clean, at least 6 feet high, and compacted. The contractor must avoid damaging residual trees and displacing soil. All existing facilities, such as roads, must be repaired if damaged. Operations are prohibited in live streams, stream channels, or within Streamside Management Zones. Specific attention must be paid to working in bear habitat, with guidelines provided for minimizing conflicts and reacting to bear encounters. Fire regulations, including debris burning, equipment requirements, and fire extinguisher/tool mandates, must be strictly followed.