ID Number 2007-27
Fuels Treatment Projects Application
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
State of Ore. Dept. of Forestry., C.O.D., The Dalles
Type of Applicant:
A (State)
Email:
msmith@odf.state.or.us, djacobs@odf.state.or.us
Phone:
503-945-7341
FAX:
503-945-7416
Please Call Ahead for FAX:
Off
Please Call Ahead for FAX:
Off
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
2600 State Street Salem, OR 97310
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Mr. David Jacobs, The Dalles Unit Forester
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Email:
djacobs@odf.state.or.us
Phone:
541-296-4626 Ext. 222
FAX:
541-298-4993
Project Information
Project Title:
Mosier Community Block Grant
Project Location:
Wasco County, Oregon
County:
Wasco
Congressional District:
2
Latitude:
45.38
Longitude:
121.25
State the desired outcome in relation to NFP Goals and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Project Objectives:
Funds will be utilized for vegetation management to create defensible space, reduce fire hazard and improve forest health in the adjoining timber stands by
providing financial assistance to non-industrial landowners in the Mosier area. This area that is at extreme risk from wildfire due to the increase in rural
residences, and the significant role that the Gorge winds play in creating extreme fire behavior. The CWPP rates this a high priority project due to the fire
hazard in the area, low elevation, high winds and temperatures, and the risk factors associated with rural residences the proximity to the interstate (I-84), and
the railroad. This grant is capable of treating approximately 350 acres, was not funded in 2005 and is the only area in north Wasco county that has not
received grant funding. Local federal projects in the area include the Columbia River Gorge NSA Rowena Canyon fuels treatment and underburn of 300
acres.
Name of CWPP:
Wasco County Oregon Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Name of Communit(y/ies) at Risk:
Mosier, Oregon
Proposed Project Start Date:
06/30/2007
Proposed Project End Date:
12/30/2009
Federal Funding Request:
$200,000.00
Total Project Cost:
$273,395.00
Are you submitting multiple projects?
Yes
If YES indicate the relationship of the projects to one
another:
S (Sequential)
If YES, please list the titles of projects by priority and briefly explain their relationship.
In addition to the Mosier Block Grant this office has submitted two additional grants. Seven Mile Hill Continuation is priority #1 and lies to the east and
immediately adjacent to this project area. South Wasco Communities Grant which is priority #3 is a stand alone project which covers the communities of
Dufur, Friend, Pine Hollow, Rock Creek, Sportsmans Paradise and Pine Grove south to boundary of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal: Organization/Jurisdiction:
1) Rod Altig
Phone
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
541-308-1731
Fire Chief Mosier Rural Fire Department
2) Dan Garcia
Phone
541-478-4335
3) Jim Wrightson
Phone
Email raltig@fs.fed.us
Email kc7uno@gorge.net
Mt Hood National Forest
503-667-1757
Email jwrightson@fs.fed.us
Project Planning Information
Name of Local Coordinating Group:
Gorge Wildfire Local Coordinating Group
For this project, explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning, through a "Local Coordination Group." If you have not worked with a
local coordination group, why not?
This proposal has been given a high priority by the Gorge Wildfire Local Coordinating Group.
List federal lands that are adjacent to the project and proximity.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
A) Is there a current hazardous fuels treatment or one that is planned in the next three years on federal land that is adjacent to this project?
Yes
B) Specifically is this project adjacent to a current prescribed burn project or one that is planned in the next three years on Forest Service lands?
Yes
Please indicate planned treatments and associated acres:
Treatment
Thinning
Acres
350
Treatment
Mastication/Mowing
Acres
100
Treatment
Hand Pile Burn
Acres
150
Treatment
Machine Pile Burn
Acres
100
Treatment
Acres
0
If you have a treatment type other than standard types above:
Treatment
Acres
0
Project Evaluation Criteria
Applications for funding must include narrative responses that address the following criteria. Be sure you address every one briefly, yet thoroughly.
1. Reducing Hazardous Fuels (40 points)
A. Describe the community infrastructure that will be protected. This should include how this project implements all or part of the CWPP strategy. (15
points)
Response:
Approximately 115 homes and 350 acres could be directly effected by this project, this effort will help create a
community fuel break significant enough to minimize the future risk of wildfires encroaching on the city of Mosier
which is a community at risk. In addition to homes the potential infrastructure that will be protected includes:
businesses, personal property, the Mosier Creek watershed, power/phone lines, and transportation corridors. This
project addresses the CWPP strategy of allocating dollars for defensible space and hazardous fuels reduction around
the community of Mosier.
B. Explain how the proposal reduces fire behavior in high hazard areas by describing the fuels to be disposed or removed, the techniques and timing of the
treatments, and the treatment location relative to the values to be protected. (15 points)
Response:
This project is designed to treat privately owned rural lots that are over stocked with small diameter Douglas Fir,
ponderosa pine and Oregon White Oak as well as an accumulation of natural fuels. This project is designed to reduce
the natural fuel loading, crown density, brush species and stems per acre and to improve forest health so the area can
withstand a wildfire with low or moderate intensity. These areas will be pre-commercially thinned in the spring and
summer and the slash abated in late fall and early winter. Most of the treatments will be near rural residences.
C. Explain how the project is designed to reduce smoke production impacts that affect public health. (10 points)
Response:
ODF is working with several vendors who are interested in utilizing alternative products in lieu of burning. Some of
these products include hog fuel for sawmills and a Co-gen plant being built in Warm Springs, commercial firewood
for use in lodges and restaurants, and poles. In the past much of the material has been utilized as fire wood in local
residences. There are ongoing projects utilizing slash busters. We anticipate a significant reduction in slash burning as
we improve these alternate uses, burning will be therefore minimized. This area is not designated smoke sensitive.
2. Increasing Local Capacity (20 points)
A. How would the implementation of the proposed project improve or lead to the improvement of the local economy in terms of jobs and sustainable
economic activity assuming that these grant funds would be used as "seed monies" for future projects. i.e. How many community supported jobs would be
created and for how long would they expect to last? (10 points)
Response:
This project will help a depressed economy in Wasco County, especially the timber industry and has the potential to
support other forest related jobs within the area. This is a sustainable economic activity due to the ability to utilize
smaller material and assist to make it economical to treat these private non-industrial lands. This project would
potentially be the seed money to keep 50 personnel seasonally employed for approximately 2-3 years including
approximately 20 from previous grants.
B. Will biomass that is produced by the project be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much? (10 points)
Response:
The potential for removal of biomass will depend on the specific site. There is an increased interest from vendors on
product removal if economically feasible for chips, hog fuel for local sawmills, Co-Gen plant and commercial fuel
wood opportunities. The amount of material varies from site to site and estimates vary from 25-75 tons/acre to be
removed. Utilization of biomass will be the encouraged and preferred practice. Several vendors are currently working
with ODF on biomass utilization.
3. Demonstrating Community and Intergovernmental Collaboration (20 Points)
A. Describe how this project has been collaborated and coordinated with adjacent landowners, local/state/Tribal/federal agencies, and community groups
such as neighborhood associations. (10 points)
Response:
Coordination and collaboration has taken place between local, state, and federal agencies in the development of the
CWPP, efforts to identify and prioritize wildfire hazards within the county, and to develop a strategy to reduce those
hazards. Coordination exists between landowners, Wasco County, Mt. Hood National Forest, Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area, Mid Columbia Fire Prevention Coop as well as local volunteer RFD's in the planning and
implementation of fuels treatment projects.
B. Describe the communities/partners contributions to this project such as: cash or in-kind contributions, cost share agreements, equipment, or labor
(including volunteer work). (10 points)
Response:
Wasco county contributed Title III funds for the completion of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Matching
funds will be a combination of ODF's and supporting agencies in kind work on the project planning, implementation,
and administration. Cost share agreements will be made with participating landowners who will pick up part of the
project costs either through in kind services or out of pocket expenses. Mosier RFD will provide inkind services as
well in support of this project.
4. Managing Cost Efficiency (20 points)
Discuss the process you used to arrive at your cost structure for the main Project Budget areas such as personnel, equipment, supplies and other (i.e.
overhead). In your response please justify: cost per acre, purchase of equipment, percent of overhead, percent of partner or matching funds, and portion of
administration cost. (20 points)
Response:
Personnel costs are based upon one Forester for 12 months at 1/2 time, other payroll expenses (OPE) are computed at
45% and come directly from ODF's fiscal budgeting direction. This will allow the Forester to spend time in initial sign
ups for the grant, monitoring progress, and then allowing for final inspections and payments to the landowners. It is
expected the personnel costs will be sufficient to carry through the life of the grant 3-4 years. Equipment will consist
of mileage and vehicle costs associated with getting the Forester to and from the field and any associated meetings or
training. Supplies will consist of various items to support the grant either office or field use. ODF's cost matching
contribution will exceed $35,000 or 18% of the total grant. The cost share rates are based upon historic costs and will
average $550/acre to the landowner. Landowners are expected to match up to 20% of costs to accomplish the project
work totaling $32,000 or 16% of the total grant. Matching administrative funds will be based upon the Unit managers
time at 8% per year over 4 years plus OPE. Matching vehicle costs at will cover the administration, maintenance and
replacement of the vehicle. There will be a Salem cost of 3% total grant and a miscellaneous indirect cost of 5% of
personnel services. Additionally the local fire district is expected to contribute up to $5,000 in matching funds.
Project Work Form
Tasks
Identify landowners and direct mail grant
information. Set up community meeting for
landowners in the grant area.
Time Frame
June - November 2007
Responsible Party
NFP Coordinator Unit Forester
Arrange for site visit to landowners interested in
grants. Do hazard assessment and determine
activities. If parcel meets criteria sign up
landowners
October - December 2007
NFP Coordinator Stewardship Forester
Monitor projects, document activities for future
educational opportunities, check for compliance,
and verify work accomplishments, process
payments.
Oct 2007 - Oct 2009
NFP Coordinator Stewardship Forester
Provide for public displays of project
accomplishments to encourage further fuels
treatment work. Develop public prevention displays
for local use.
Provide accomplishment reporting to federal
funding agencies as needed.
Oct - 2007 - Oct - 2009
End of grant cycle
NFP Coordinator Stewardship Forester Unit
Forester
Unit Forester NFP Coordinator
Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Mosier RFD
Landowner
Partner 1
Partner 2
Partner 3
Total
Personnel
$19,630.00
$20,070.00
$5,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$44,700.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$19,630.00
$20,070.00
$5,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$44,700.00
$8,835.00
$9,030.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$17,865.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$8,835.00
$9,030.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$17,865.00
$1,250.00
$4,345.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$5,595.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,250.00
$4,345.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$5,595.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,500.00
$1,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,500.00
$1,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,000.00
$161,385.00
$0.00
$0.00
$32,000.00
$0.00
$193,385.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$161,385.00
$0.00
$0.00
$32,000.00
$0.00
$193,385.00
Indirect Costs 5% of PS
$1,400.00
$1,450.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,850.00
Salem Admin 3%
$6,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$6,000.00
$7,400.00
$1,450.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$8,850.00
$200,000.00
$36,395.00
$5,000.00
$32,000.00
$0.00
$273,395.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Forester/NFP Coordinator
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
OPE @ 45%
Subtotal
Travel
Vehicle miles 4800 @ .26
Subtotal
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Field and Miscellaneous
Subtotal
Contractual
Landowner CS Agreements
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income 1
(using deductive alternative)
1 Program income is the gross revenue generated by a grant or cooperative agreement supported activity during the life of the grant. Program income can be
made by recipients from fees charged for conference or workshop attendance, from rental fees earned from renting out real property or equipment acquired
with grant or cooperative agreement funds, or from the sale of commodities or items developed under the grant or cooperative agreement. The use of Program
Income during the project period may require prior approval by the granting agency.