Common use of DITCH CLEANING Clause in Contracts

DITCH CLEANING. The open irrigation ditches on NB Ranches, Inc. are prone to vegetation growth, which slows the conveyance of water and clogs the buried mainlines, leading to ditch loss and reduced diversion volumes. The ditches need to be cleaned yearly to remove vegetation and repair breaches. Cleaning ditches consists of mechanical cleaning with a backhoe once or twice per year, Typically during non-irrigation season. Some work may occur during the late summer months (August and September) if aquatic vegetation growth is significant The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ diversion intake is maintained by an 8' diameter self-cleaning fish screen (Cone Screen). Operation and maintenance can entail the use of heavy equipment at the point of diversion to remove spoils and deposited sediment to maintain channel design elevations. Ditches, field checks and tail water prevention berms are impacted through livestock trampling and require rebuilding and re-grading using tractors and heavy equipment to maintain their function. This work occurs as needed but work is conducted annually focusing on problem areas. The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ fish screen is an 8' diameter self-cleaning cone screen. The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ screen has not experienced any significant sedimentation issues since installation; however this may be required in the future. The brushes generally need to be replaced on a cone screen every five years. Maintenance and operation responsibilities are accepted by NB Ranches, Inc. and the other ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ users. NB Ranches, Inc. has 7 distinct pastures where cattle graze. Cattle are rotated through the pastures as part of pasture management. The cattle are moved when grass height is reduced to 3-5 inches in height throughout the irrigation season. NB Ranches, Inc. has a bridge crossing of the Shasta River connecting fields on the West side of the River with fields on the East. The approaches and footings require repair and replacement after flood events, including instream work at times. The riparian corridor is fully fenced except for approximately 1,600' of the west river bank located near the northern boundary on the western side of the river. An additional 1,200' located immediately south of that would benefit from repair or replacement. NB Ranches, Inc. intends to exercise continued limited riparian grazing. The Enrolled Property maintains the riparian fencing and will continue to maintain riparian fencing but does not accept the financial responsibility of repairing loss from major floods where 25% of the fence or greater needs replacement. The main ranch roads to the residences and barn yard complexes are covered in aggregate base/rock as are other established on farm roads. The aggregate base is maintained on an annual basis, or as needed, to minimize erosion. Permittee applies Roundup and Crossbow herbicides along ditch borders, fence lines and spot treatment of noxious weeds outside of the riparian corridor. Treatment is conducted by hand or from an ATV unit. Herbicides are used only. Treatments are spot applied via an ATV or by hand. Treatment occurs from early April through July. Total treated acreage does not exceed 3 acres annually. Total treatment within the riparian area is less than one acre annually. Treatment does not occur within 20' of surface water ditches are treated when dry. Application standards identified on labels are followed. Treatment only occurs during dry, calm days where drift risk is minimal.

DITCH CLEANING. The 3.7 miles of open irrigation ditches on NB Ranches, Inc. Rice Livestock Property are prone to vegetation algae growth, which slows the conveyance of water and clogs the buried mainlines, leading to ditch loss and reduced diversion volumes. The ditches need to be cleaned yearly to remove vegetation algae and repair breaches. Cleaning ditches on ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Novy, Zenkus, Rice consists of mechanical cleaning with a backhoe once or twice per year. On the Novy, Typically during non-Zenkus, Rice Riparian Diversion, the head works of all the pipelines have grates that are cleaned daily to keep them functioning properly. Pipelines and the irrigation risers have to be fully opened to flush the pipes of sediment and vegetation annually, or as needed throughout the irrigation season. Some work may occur during the late summer months (August and September) if aquatic vegetation growth is significant The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ diversion intake is maintained by an 8' diameter a self-cleaning fish screen (Cone Screen)screen. Operation and maintenance can entail the use of heavy equipment at the point of diversion to remove spoils and deposited sediment to maintain channel design elevations. DitchesThe Permittee is not involved in cleaning or operating the Novy, Zenkus, Rice diversion at this time but elects to maintain it in the future. Expected maintenance would include sediment and spoils removal near the POD and screen/intake, removal of aquatic and other debris as necessary and repairs after high water events. The Permittee has field checks (fields served by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Ditch) and tail water prevention berms are impacted through livestock trampling and throughout that require rebuilding and re-grading using tractors and heavy equipment to maintain their function. This work occurs as needed but work is conducted annually focusing on problem areasannually. The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ fish screen is an 8' diameter a self-cleaning cone screen. The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ screen has not experienced any significant sedimentation issues since installation; however this however, cleaning may be required in the future. The brushes generally need to be replaced on a the cone screen every five years. Maintenance and operation responsibilities are accepted by NB Ranches, Inc. and the other ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ usersPermittee will perform this task when needed. NB RanchesThe Novy, Inc. Zenkus, Rice fish screen is currently maintained and cleaned by CDFW but may be maintained by Rice Livestock in the future if the screen is replaced. Rice Livestock has 7 six distinct pastures where cattle graze. Cattle are rotated through the six pastures as part of pasture managementmanagement based on scheduled rotation. There are no riparian pastures with open access to the Shasta River where grazing occurs. The cattle are moved when grass management style the permittee intends to continue livestock exclusion of the riparian area and rotational grazing. Permittee has met with UC Extension Service about grazing practices. Current practices do include limited periods during the irrigation season where stubble height in pastures is reduced to 3-5 inches in height throughout the irrigation season. NB Ranches, Inc. has a bridge crossing of the Shasta River connecting fields on the West side of the River with fields on the East. The approaches and footings require repair and replacement after flood events, including instream work at times. The riparian corridor is fully fenced except for approximately 1,600' of the west river bank located near the northern boundary on the western side of the river. An additional 1,200' located immediately south of that would benefit from repair or replacement. NB Ranches, Inc. intends to exercise continued limited riparian grazing. The Enrolled Property maintains the riparian fencing and will continue to maintain riparian fencing but does not accept the financial responsibility of repairing loss from major floods where 25% of the fence or greater needs replacement. The main ranch roads to the residences and barn yard complexes are covered in aggregate base/rock as are other established on farm roads. The aggregate base is maintained on an annual basis, or as needed, to minimize erosion. Permittee applies Roundup and Crossbow herbicides along ditch borders, fence lines and spot treatment of noxious weeds outside of the riparian corridor. Treatment is conducted by hand or from an ATV unit. Herbicides are used only. Treatments are spot applied via an ATV or by hand. Treatment occurs from early April through July. Total treated acreage does not exceed 3 acres annually. Total treatment within the riparian area is less than one acre annually4”. Treatment does not occur within 20' of surface water ditches are treated when dry. Application standards identified on labels are followed. Treatment only occurs With tailwater limited to minor incidental durations and volumes and a continued filter strip, effects during dry, calm days where drift risk is minimalthose instances were deemed inconsequential by the Range Scientists from UC Extension Service.