Certified Arborist Services for Twin Lakes Pump Station Pipeline Project

The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (District) is preparing to construct the Twin Lakes Pump Station Pipeline Project in the Chatsworth area of the City of Los Angeles. The project generally consists of construction of a new 16-inch water transmission pipeline and associated improvements. Portions of the project are located within or adjacent to areas containing trees subject to City of Los Angeles tree protection requirements (including areas located within Chatsworth Park). A Protected Tree Report was prepared for the project in July 2019 and identified trees potentially affected by construction and recommended measures for their protection. The Protected Tree Report identified 56 trees (including but not limited to coast live oaks, California sycamores, Canary Island Pines, and other species) and recommended arborist monitoring for certain work within or near protected-tree driplines. Due to the time that has passed, the District is seeking a certified arborist to update the Protected Tree Report to reflect current conditions and provide updated recommendations prior to construction. Construction is currently anticipated to have a duration of approximately 280 calendar days from the construction Notice to Proceed. The City-approved Notice of Exemption identifies removal of Coast Live Oak Trees 352 and 355 and requires planting of eight 24-inch box Coast Live Oaks (Quercus agrifolia), which must be bonded for survivability for three years. The District seeks services from a qualified arborist to: Update the existing Protected Tree Report based on current site conditions and the current project design, including providing updated tree protection recommendations for inclusion in the Construction contract documents; Provide arborist consultation and monitoring during construction; Support implementation and documentation of required mitigation planting; and Monitor mitigation trees for the required three-year period. The scope below establishes the District's anticipated minimum requirements. Consultants are encouraged to recommend modifications or additional activities they believe are necessary to achieve the project objectives, comply with applicable requirements, or improve the effectiveness of tree protection and monitoring. Tree protection during construction shall be performed in accordance with the City of Los Angeles Protected Tree Ordinance (Ordinance No. 177404), the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Tree Protection Specifications, and the specific recommendations provided by the updated Protected Tree Report produced under this contract.