MCM Mid-Contract Management

FOTG Section IVMCM - Page 1 of 6

MCM Mid-Contract Management

Hawaii CREP Conservation Practice Jobsheet

NRCS, PI

March 2010

Mid-Contract Management MCM –Page 1 of 7

FOTG Section IVCREP Jobsheet

Purpose

All Hawaii CREP participants are required to apply mid-contract management (MCM) practices as part of their overall Hawaii Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) contract.

The purpose of MCM is to ensure plant diversity and wildlife benefits are achieved while continuing to restore the functions and values of habitats established under the CREP practicesinitially installed under the contract.

The operation and maintenance of practices initially installed under Hawaii CREP is the responsibility of the participant without additional cost share assistance. However, cost share is available for the application of MCM practices that are part of aparticipant’s Conservation Plan.

MCM practices are normally plannedfor application three times (years 5, 9, and 11) during the life of a CREP contract. It may be necessary to adjust the timing of MCM. MCM must be applied at least once and may be applied as many as three times during the life of aparticipant’s CREP contract. All MCM must be carried out by the end of the 11th year for 15 year contracts.

This MCM CREP Jobsheet will be used to prepare and document the planned practices and activities.

MCM Ecosystem Threat Factors

Major ecosystem threats that may be addressed by the MCM practices and activities include:

invasive species
fire
ungulates

Weeds can re-invade a site after initial site preparation and planting are completed.

MCM Practices

MCM is applied and cost shared using one of the following NRCS practices:

Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitat (Code 643)
Stream Habitat Improvement and Management (Code 395)
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (Code 645)
Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management (Code 644)

MCM Activities that typically may be applied under the practices include:

chemical application for weed control

mechanical application for weed control
major repair of damaged fence:
seedling mortality – replacement
enrichment planting of native species
chemical application on fuel breaks
mechanical maintenance of fuel breaks
managed grazing of fuel breaks (on non-contract acres)
thinning of koa
forest slash treatment following thinning

Considerations

All management activities must be performed according to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Standards as found in the electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG) and CRP Policy.

Dense koa stands resulting from scarification may require thinning. This may happen around the time of the third mid-contract management application.

Pruning of non-native timber trees for wood quality is usually needed prior to year 5, butis not applicable to the stated purposes of MCM.

Additional native species may be planted after overstory trees are established (enrichment planting). This is advantageous for species that require shade, shelter, and/or less grass competition for survival. The second or third MCM application may be the best time to do this.

Some MCM practices cannot be foreseen in the early stages of the CREP project. Changes in this jobsheet may be necessary as the project progresses.

Normal, annual maintenance may make special applications of weed control, fence repair, and fuel break upkeep unnecessary. It may be advantageous to initially plan for replacement planting and/or enrichment planting, and to apply other practices only if the need arises.

NRCS, PI

March 2010

Mid-Contract Management MCM –Page 1 of 7

FOTG Section IVCREP Jobsheet

Mid-Contract Management – Hawaii CREP Conservation Practice Jobsheet

Jobsheet Prepared for

Client/Participant Name: / Business Name:
Plan Name: / Contract #:
Treatment Site Location: / Tract#: / Land Unit #:

Jobsheet Prepared by

Name: / Title: / Date Prepared:

Original CREP Practice Installed:

CP22 Riparian Buffer
CP23 or CP23A Wetland Restoration , Floodplains or Non-Floodplains
CP25 Rare and Declining Habitat
CP29 Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffer
CP30 Marginal Pastureland Wetland Buffer
CP3A Hardwood Tree Planting

Purpose of Applying Original CREP Practice

Primary Purpose:
Other Purposes:

Planned Mid-Contract Management Years

MCM is normally performed three times during the life of a CREP contract (years 5, 9, and 11). MCM must be performed at least once and may be performed as many as three times during the life of the contract. All MCM must be carried out by the end of the 11th year for 15 year contracts.

Planned Mid-Contract Management year(s):

MCM First Application:

In Contract Year:

NRCS Practice That Will Be Applied:

Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitat (Code 643)
Stream Habitat Improvement and Management (Code 395)
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (Code 645)
Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management (Code 644)

Purpose of Applying Practice

Primary Purpose:
Other Purposes:

The following activity or activities will be applied under the practice:

chemical application for weed control(see 595 Pest Mgt)
mechanical application for weed control (see 595 Pest Mgt)
major repair of damaged fence: The fence shall be checked for damage and repaired. Common areas to check include animal travel ways, water gaps, forested areas, etc
seedling mortality – replacement: Areas that were not well established should be replanted to meet the requirementsof the CREP practice Jobsheet under which the original planting took place..
enrichment planting - Additional native species may be planted after overstory trees are established. This is advantageous for species that require shade and/or less grass competition for survival. Planting should meet NRCS standards for one of the following: 327 Conservation Cover, 612 Tree/Shrub Establishment, or 390 Riparian Forest Buffer.
chemical application on fuel breaks (see 383 Fuel break)
mechanical maintenance of fuel breaks (see 383 Fuel Break)
managed grazing of fuel breaks (on non-contract acres)
thinning of koa trees (see 666 Forest Stand Improvement)
forest slash treatment following thinning (see 384 Forest Slash Treatment)

Additional or site-specific requirements for the application of the activity or activities:

MCM Second Application:

In Contract Year:

NRCS Practice That Will Be Applied:

Purpose of Applying Practice

Primary Purpose:
Other Purposes:

The following activity or activities will be applied under the practice:

chemical application for weed control(see 595 Pest Mgt)
mechanical application for weed control (see 595 Pest Mgt)
major repair of damaged fence: The fence shall be checked for damage and repaired. Common areas to check include animal travel ways, water gaps, forested areas, etc
seedling mortality – replacement: Areas that were not well established should be replanted to meet the requirementsof the CREP practice Jobsheet under which the original planting took place..
enrichment planting - Additional native species may be planted after overstory trees are established. This is advantageous for species that require shade and/or less grass competition for survival. Planting should meet NRCS standards for one of the following: 327 Conservation Cover, 612 Tree/Shrub Establishment, or 390 Riparian Forest Buffer.
chemical application on fuel breaks (see 383 Fuel break)
mechanical maintenance of fuel breaks (see 383 Fuel Break)
managed grazing of fuel breaks (on non-contract acres)
thinning of koa trees (see 666 Forest Stand Improvement)
forest slash treatment following thinning (see 384 Forest Slash Treatment)

Additional or site-specific requirements for the application of the activity or activities:

MCM Third Application:

In Contract Year:

NRCS Practice That Will Be Applied:

Purpose of Applying Practice

Primary Purpose:
Other Purposes:

The following activity or activities will be applied under the practice:

Additional or site-specific requirements for the application of the activity or activities:

Mid-Contract Management – CREP Job Sketch

If needed, an aerial view or a side view of the practice can be shown below. Other relevant information, complementary practices and measures, and additional specifications may be included.

Scale 1"= / ft. (NA indicates sketch not to scale: grid size=1/2" by 1/2")

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-2791.

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

NRCS, PI

March 2010