ID Number 2007-62
Fuels Treatment Projects Application
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Okanogan Communities Development Council
Type of Applicant:
L (Nonprofit Organization)
Email:
ocdc@okanogancdc.com
Phone:
509 997-2245
FAX:
509 997-2273
Please Call Ahead for FAX:
Off
Please Call Ahead for FAX:
Off
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
439 Twisp Ave Twisp, WA 98856
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Ms. Lorah Waters, Project Manager
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Okanogan Communities Development Council
Email:
ocdc@okanogancdc.com
Phone:
509 997-2245
FAX:
509 997-2273
Project Information
Project Title:
Methow Fuels Treatment Project
Project Location:
Methow Valley
County:
Okanogan
Congressional District:
4
Latitude:
48.0
Longitude:
120.0
State the desired outcome in relation to NFP Goals and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Project Objectives:
This proposal will expand an existing cost share thinning program conducted by OCDC in partnership with the Methow Forest Owners Coop with NFF grant
funds.It will treat an additional 400 acres of high hazard areas within the WUI identified in the recently completed Methow Valley CWPP (2-06). Targeted
areas are residential communities within the south and mid-valley areas, recently threatened by wildfires, that are adjacent to planned fuels reduction projects
by the Methow Valley District: Hungry Hunter 2(Squaw Creek) and HFI/HFRA projects (Libby and Gold Creeks). Properties will be selected based upon
established criteria including wildfire risk, treatment costs, owner interest and need, with prioity to groups of contiguous properties. Treatments include
thinning, pruning and slash disposal. Emphasis will be upon removal and utilization of small diameter material in OCDC's wood products program and log
merchandising center. This proposal will create a minimum of 6-10 new jobs.
Name of CWPP:
Methow Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Name of Communit(y/ies) at Risk:
Mazama, Winthrop, Twisp, Carlton, Methow
Proposed Project Start Date:
01/01/2007
Proposed Project End Date:
08/01/2008
Federal Funding Request:
$200,000.00
Total Project Cost:
$350,000.00
Are you submitting multiple projects?
No
If YES indicate the relationship of the projects to one
another:
If YES, please list the titles of projects by priority and briefly explain their relationship.
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Organization/Jurisdiction:
1) Arlo Vanderwoude
Methow Valley Ranger District
Phone
509-996-4049
Methow Valley Ranger District
2) Pete Soderquist
Phone
509-996-4003
3) Chuck Johnson
Phone
Email avanderwoude@fs.fed.us
Email psoderquist@fs.fed.us
Wash. State Dept. of Natural Resources
509-684-7474
Email chuck.johnson@wadnr.gov
Project Planning Information
Name of Local Coordinating Group:
Methow Community Wildfire Protection Plan Coordinating Committee
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?
24 agencies/individuals have met for 3 years to coordinate fuel reduction project and completed CWPP
List federal lands that are adjacent to the project and proximity.
Okanogan National Forest
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
400
Treatment
Hand Pile
Acres
300
Treatment
Lop and Scatter
Acres
100
Treatment
Hand Pile Burn
Acres
300
Treatment
Acres
0
If you have a treatment type other than standard types above:
Treatment
Pruning
Acres
400
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:
This proposal will treat approximately 400 acres of private residential properties within Squaw Creek, Libby Creek,
and Gold Creek areas designated as high priority by the Methow Valley CWPP (2/06, Fig 8).None have had previous
NFP funding opportunity,yet all are adjacent to USFS lands threaten by previous fires and where treatment project
are active or planned (HH2& HFI/HFRA Projects). Properties will be selected according to established criteria,
focusing on non-commercial timbered properties of highest risk and owners with the highest levels of financial need
and interest in participati
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 proposal assists private property owners within targeted high prioity WUI areas within the Methow Valley
CWPP (properties not covered in previous NFP Projects or included in homeowners associations. It will reduce fuel
loads to protect homesites by providing 50% Cost Share Incentive match. This grant will expand a current program
operated by OCDC in partnership with the Methow Forest Owners Coop (using NFF funds), expanding treatment
areas from 100 acres to a total of 500 acres. Eligible activities include thinning, pruning, slash piling and burning
within priority areas within the MVCWPP
C. Explain how the project is designed to reduce smoke production impacts that affect public health. (10 points)
Response:
Target areas are non-commercial timber but where feasible, merchantable and as much sub-merchantable timber
(down to 3” diameters) will be removed from the sites to utilize in OCDC's wood products program. Lop and scatter
methods of slash disposal will be utilized where fuel loading will allow. Where disposal is required, slash will be piled
and either chipped or burned during late-Winter/early-Spring months when potential air quality impacts are lowest.
Prescribed burning is not contemplated as a treatment mode.
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:
The proposal will increase employment opportunities for existing timber thinning contractors and for local
manufacturers of wood products dependant upon local log supplies. Typically this would provide full time work for
two crews of two persons each employed in falling, skidding and bucking, and two crews of three persons each in
slash piling and disposal. (av 6 fte @ $200/day) Additional jobs would be created in trucking, in sawing logs, and
making firewood, posts and poles and furniture.
B. Will biomass that is produced by the project be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much? (10 points)
Response:
Merchantable logs will be sold directly to mills to offset owners costs. Small diameter sawlogs (6- 9” diameters in 812 foot lengths) will be purchased locally by OCDC (a subsidiary company being formed) for the manufacture and
sale of Doug fir flooring, Ponderosa pine paneling, and rough cut lumber. Logs 3-6” diameter in 8-12’ lengths will be
peeled and sold for posts, poles and rails for fencing or for log furniture. Residual products for owners include
firewood, chips and bedding materials.
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:
OCDC has worked closely with the Methow Forest Owners Coop since its inception in 2003, and we are partnering to
operate the current Methow Cost Share Thinning Incentive Program. Lorah Waters, Project Manager for OCDC in its
Forest Education and Outreach program also serves as Coordinator for MFOC. With OCDC’s funding and support,
she also has compiled the recent Methow Wildfire Protection Plan (2/06) while facilitating meetings of the local
coordinating group representing over 24 organizations.
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:
OCDC, as a 501c(3) will administer the grant, contributing management expertise, administrative overhead, and office
space and facilities to conduct this work, including hiring and supervising the Project Manager. MFOC will
subcontract with OCDC to administer the Cost Sharing Program with participating land owners. Land owners will
contribute 50% of the cost of forest treatment work in accordance with approved management plans and conducted by
authorized contractors and assisted by homeowners.
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:
This program and budget are based upon and modeled after our current Methow Cost Share Thinning Program. It in
turn is based upon experience of other community forestry organiza with similar programs, and also draws upon the
cost structure and procedures utilized in the EQUIP program administered by NRCS and the FLEP Program
administered by the Wash DNR. Cost data was also gathered from previous NFP treatment projects in the Methow
and from MV Ranger District data on Forest Service lands. Contractor Cost Estimates for Fuels Treatment are
calculated on the following assumed acreages and average costs/acre*: TSI (thinning) 400 acres @$300/a = $120,000
Pruning 400 acres @ $100/a = $ 40,000 Lop & Scatter 300 acres @ $100/a = $ 30,000 Slash Piling 300 acres @
$200/a = $ 60,000 Burning 300 acres @ $100/a = $ 30,000 Total Cost $280,000 Federal Share $140,000 (50%) *net
costs after sale of any merchantable materials Other Project Costs : Project Manager time $1600/month (.5 fte
@$20/hr) x 18 months = $24,000. Forest Management Plans (400 acres x $500/acre) = $20,000 NEPA Compliance (2
sites @ $5000/site) = $10,000 Travel(4000 miles @ $.44) + meals = $2000 Supplies, Copies, Mailings = $2000 Office
Overhead ($400/month x 18 mo, = $7200 Grant Admin. & Accounting ($300/mo. X 18 months) = $4800 Total Other
Cost = $70,000 Total Project Cost = $350,000 Federal Share = $200,000
Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Prepare Detailed Work Program and administrative
procedures, including schedule, assignments, public
notices, agreements reimbursement forms, etc.
Jan-Feb 2007
Responsible Party
Program Dirctor and Project Manager
Review target areas and site selection criteria with
LCG for prioritization. Prepare mailing list and
Solicit landowner applications for participation
Feb - Mar 2007
Project Manager and MV CWPP Coordinating
Committee
Screen applications and meet with LCG to select
properties. Conduct on site assesments of treatment
requirements and cost estimates.
Apr -May 2007
Project Manager, Consultants, MVCWPPCC
Complete work agreements with MFOC and
property owners. Assist in contractor selection for
treatment work.
May -July 2007
Program Director, Project Manager and Methow
Forest Owners Coop (MFOC)
Monitor completion of treatment work and
administer cost reimbursement program.
Inspect completed projects and assess compliance
Prepare Final Report
June 2007 - May 2008
May- June 2008
June 2008
Project Manager & MFOC
Project Manager, Consultants
Project Manager
Project Budget
Methow Forest
Coop
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Partner 3
Total
Personnel
Program Director
$0.00
$6,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$6,000.00
Project Manager
$24,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$24,000.00
$24,000.00
$6,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$30,000.00
$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
$1,960.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,960.00
$40.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$40.00
$2,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$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
$2,000.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,000.00
Consultants
$20,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$20,000.00
Contractors
$140,000.00
$0.00
$140,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$280,000.00
$160,000.00
$0.00
$140,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$300,000.00
Office Overhead
$7,200.00
$1,800.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$9,000.00
Grant Admin.
$4,800.00
$1,200.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$6,000.00
$12,000.00
$3,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$15,000.00
$200,000.00
$10,000.00
$140,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$350,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Mileage
Meals
Subtotal
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Office, copying, mailing
Subtotal
Contractual
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income 1
(using deductive alternative)
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.
1