Englewood - Hazardous Fuel Reduction

2026-11-03

The intent of this request is to obtain a contract to perform hazardous fuels reduction work on approximately 92 acres located at 21346 Englewood Road , Lead , SD 57754 ( see attached map ). The goal of the completed project is to mitigate the threat of wildfire through thinning . There will be an obligation for the contractor to devote individual attention per landowner , which may consist of determining areas of special concerns ( privacy buffers and exclusion areas ). During the cutting phase of the project , all current and prior insect infested trees within the area will be removed . Damaged and dead hardwood trees will be treated within the project . Salvage rights will be granted to the contractor to offset project costs . All material to be removed for biomass utilization will be at no cost to the landowner or SDWF . All material to be left on the project site must be justified in the submitted proposal . All slash not removed from the property will be treated by the contractor according to one of the following methods : chipping ; mulching ; grinding ; piling and burning . Vendor must specify thinning slash disposal method in the submitted proposal . It is required that all work adhere to the State of South Dakota ’ s Best Management Practices to minimize environmental impact . Equipment use and access to the project site will be the discretion of SDWF and landowner . THINNING SPECIFICATIONS • The desired treatment will include the thinning of ponderosa pine , spruce , cedar , and juniper trees 10 - inch diameter at breast height ( DBH ) and smaller to achieve an average spacing of 25 feet between trees ( trunks ). o To obtain the desired spacing and to promote forest health , broken tops , split tops , and otherwise unhealthy trees will be targeted first . o In a multi - aged stand , ponderosa pines 4 - inch DBH and smaller will be referred to as replacement trees . Replacement trees will be thinned to achieve a 25 - foot spacing between other replacement trees . o Treatment of spruce will result in scattered groups of 5 to 15 trees with approximately 25 - foot spacing between groups . • Stumps will be cut level with terrain , as low as possible within reason , based on rocks and equipment limitations . • Ponderosa pine , spruce , cedar , and juniper will be limbed up to a minimum of 6 feet above ground level , not to exceed 1 / 3rd of the total tree height . • Felled trees and limbs ( thinning slash ) and other previously downed material will be removed , chipped , or piled . o Heavily decayed downed material and / or old greyed logs may be excluded . • Due to endangered species habitat , dead standing snags will not be removed unless directed to do so by South Dakota Wildland Fire ( SDWF ) staff . • Existing handpiles must be removed , chipped , masticated , or burned . • Existing machine piles are not included in the scope of work unless authorized by SDWF staff . • Hardwood trees will not be cut . • Trees within a manicured lawn will not be included in the project . • Trees near structures , propane tanks , or powerlines that require excessive cost , specialized equipment , or excessive time are not included in the project . • Individual tree selection is not permitted . • It is recommended to create fresh slash every 4 - 6 weeks during periods of pine engraver beetle ( IPS ) activity .

South Dakota

2026-04-08