VENESKY AG BMP PROJECT

STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Please read all of the information below!

The Luzerne Conservation District will be accepting quotes for the implementation of agricultural best management practices on a farm in Hollenback Township, Luzerne County.  The full project information package can be downloaded by clicking on the document titles below:

*Prevailing Wage Rate Info. – Prevailing Wage applies to these projects. Wage Determinations are provided from the PA Department of Labor & Industry.  Bidders should use the appropriate wage categories for personnel working on the project (i.e. Operators, Truck drivers, Carpenters, Laborers, etc.) when developing their bids.

Contract Appendix – SCC Contract Attachments – This project is funded by the PA State Conservation Commission’s (SCC) Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP).  Therefore, the selected contractor will be subject to the provisions of this Appendix which apply to sub-contractors to the overall grant contract between the landowner, the Luzerne Conservation District, and the PA SCC.


Site Showing Discussion Items/Quote Clarifications:

  • Grooving of floors on Waste Transfer and Walkways located through Manaure Storage (Not Whole Storage) will be included in the quote.
  • Deadline for submitting quotes is being changed to add one more day in response to contractors’ concerns and to still receive quotes by the August 17th LCD Board of Directors meeting. Quotes are now due by Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 3:00 PM.
  • Some contractors discussed difficulty with the start date of construction due to full schedules. Contractors are invited to still submit quotes even if project start date would be delayed until early next year, but please indicate the expected start date on the quote.
  • During the discussion about the location of BMP’s, it was explained that the roofed manure storage structure could be constructed into the bank where fill material will be excavated to decrease the amount of fill material required.  No change to the design plans will be required to accomplish this.  There were no other issues with BMP locations, and gate locations were discussed as well.
  • Utilities were discussed. PA ONECALL was conducted by NRCS with no underground utility issues.  PPL Electric sent plans for above ground utilities. 
  • Tying into the existing Underground Outlet was discussed, but it was determined that given the volume of water from Storage structure, Access Run, and Subsurface Drainage, it was too much volume to handle flow.
  • Re-grading the area in front of the feed apron on the existing HUA to slope it so water runs off was discussed. Landowner suggested to concrete the section to permanently remedy water issues there. Contractors should quote that work as a separate add-in that would be funded by the landowner.
  • Contractors should include installing sleeves in the concrete for metal posts to hang gates to separate the walkway and sleeves in front to separate the 20-foot pad.
  • Clarification number of gates to include in quote: four (4) 12′ gates, two (2) 20′ gates, one (1) 8′ gate, and one (1) 10′ gate

Important Site Meeting:

IMPORTANT! Contractors interested in providing a quote on the project must visit the project site for a required pre-quote examination of the areas to become fully informed as to all existing conditions and limitations including access and availability of materials.

The mandatory site showing will be at the Venesky Farm at 9:00 AM, Thursday, August 10, 2023.

Address:  Venesky Farm – 450 West County Road, Wapwallopen, PA 18660

Hard copies of full quote package and supporting information can be purchased from the District for $25.00.  If you would like to order a hard copy, please call Jennifer Lauri at 570-674-7991 ext. 7.


Quotes must be received by the landowner or at the office of the Luzerne Conservation District by 3:00 PM, Thursday, August 17, 2023.