Natural Resources Conservation Service s38

IL326sp - 1

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE ILLINOIS CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION

CLEARING AND SNAGGING

Scope are to be cleared, the trees, brush, and other The work shall consist of removing trees, woody vegetation shall be cut within the stumps, debris and other obstructions from the maximum distance above the ground level channel as required by the construction plans. specified. Utilities Trees shall be felled in such a manner as to avoid damage to other trees, property, and The landowner and/or contractor shall be objects outside the limits of clearing. responsible for locating all buried utilities in the project area, including drainage tile and other Selective snagging, where possible, shall be structural measures. performed primarily with hand-operated equipment, water-based equipment, or small General equipment used in a manner that will minimize Construction operations shall be carried out in soil, water, and other resource disturbances. a manner and sequence that erosion and air If herbicide treatment is planned, the stumps and water pollution are minimized and held within legal limits. The completed job shall and brush in the specified area shall be treated present a workmanlike appearance. at the time of clearing according to the recommendations of the manufacturer of the All operations shall be carried out in a safe and herbicide specified or being used. skillful manner. Safety and health regulations shall be observed and appropriate safety The use of explosives in all clearing and measures used. Contractor shall be assured snagging operations shall be in strict that all state laws concerning buried utilities compliance with applicable state statutes and have been met. regulations. Location Measures and construction methods that The location of the clearing and snagging enhance fish and wildlife values shall be activity shall be as shown on the construction incorporated as needed and practical. Special plans or as staked in the field. attention shall be given to visual resources, protecting and maintaining key shade, food, Material to be Cleared and den trees and to stabilization of disturbed Down trees, logs, drifts, boulders, debris and areas. other obstructions lying wholly or partly in the channel shall be removed. Piling, piers, Disposal of Cleared Material headwalls, and sediment bars that obstruct the If channels are located in cultivated areas or in free flow of water shall be removed if so areas of high value land, trees, logs, and all designated in the drawings. combustible material resulting from the clearing and snagging operations shall be Clearing and Snagging Methods burned, buried, or piled in designated disposal All trees, stumps, and brush to be removed areas as specified. All burning shall be within the perimeter of the channel shall be cut performed outside the channel and shall as close to the ground as the cutting tools conform to regulations of the Illinois permit. If trees on the bank that are leaning Environmental Protection Agency. In other over are to be cleared, the tree is to be cut 6 to areas, such as woodland or rangeland, where 12 inches from the ground, leaving the stump burning is prohibited, material shall be and root mass for bank stability. If other areas

NRCS, Illinois April 2012 IL326sp - 2 disposed of in such a manner that it does not Vegetation float away or reenter the channel. A protective cover of vegetation shall be established on all areas denuded and Residue from burning and noncombustible disturbed during snag removal when specified material shall be buried outside the channel or in the design plans. Refer to Construction placed in designated disposal areas. All Specification 342, Critical Area Seeding, for buried material shall have an adequate earth detailed seeding requirements. cover to permit proper land use.

NRCS, Illinois April 2012