Clark Bay Conservation Area; Clark Bay Longleaf Thinning Timber Sale

The St. Johns River Water Management District is soliciting sealed bids for a logger-select thinning timber sale of approximately 173.3 acres of mature longleaf pine within the Clark Bay Conservation Area in Volusia County. The project requires the removal of every third row for access and a selective thinning of remaining rows to achieve a target density of 150 trees per acre or a basal area of 50 to 60 square feet per acre. Harvest priority is given to diseased, defective, and suppressed trees, followed by intermediate and co-dominant trees, while dominant trees must remain. The District estimates a volume of 3,518 tons of pine pulpwood and 208 tons of chip-n-saw, though these figures are not guaranteed. The contract will be awarded to the respondent providing the highest responsive and responsible bid per ton for pine pulpwood and better. Bids are due by 2:00 P.M. on September 28, 2026, and must include a Bid Schedule, a Certificate of Authority to do Business in Florida, and proof of E-Verify registration. Financial requirements include a 5,000 dollar security deposit and a 20 percent advance payment. The logging crew supervisor must hold a current SFI-approved certification, such as Florida's Master Logger. Performance standards include a maximum stump height of 6 inches, adherence to Silviculture Best Management Practices, and the restoration of roads to their original condition. Final payment and the release of the security deposit are contingent upon a final acceptance inspection by the District's Sale Manager.