Enclosure 3A - Project Summary Form
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Wildland Urban Interface Fuels / Education and
Prevention / Community Planning for Fire Protection Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization: Pend Oreille County (WSU/Pend Oreille County Cooperative Extension)
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(509) 447-2401
(509) 447-2402
Cmack@wsu.edu
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
PO Box 5045, Newport WA 99156
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Carol Mack, Agriculture Program Coordinator
Organization/Jurisdiction:
WSU/Pend Oreille County Cooperative Extension
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(509) 447-2401
(509) 447-2402
Cmack@wsu.edu
Project Information
Project Title:
WSU/Pend Oreille Master Gardener Forestry and Firewise Educators
Proposed Project Start Date:
January 1, 2004
Proposed Project End Date:
December 31, 2004
Federal Funding Request:
$24,339
Total Project Funding:
$42,339
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize: NO
Brief Project Description:
The WSU/Pend Oreille County Master Gardener program has an proven record of providing community
outreach. Funded partially through tax dollars, Master Gardeners have a specific charge to address local and
regional community issues from water conservation to hunger and nutrition. Establishing firewise landscapes
around the increasing number of homes built in the rural/urban interface has been identified as a community
need, and one very effectively addressed by this group.
In 2002, Title III money was used to train this force of sixty volunteers to become firewise landscape
educators. This proposed project will link these trained volunteers to local fire departments, implementation
crews, and other natural resource and emergency services agencies. It will support coordination of the many
entities working on wildfire issues and emergency planning for wildfire in Pend Oreille County. It will
incorporate firewise education into established local Master Gardener projects such as demonstration gardens,
newsletters, classes and tours. It will produce an effective program that is adapted to the specific needs of
Pend Oreille County residents, and yet can serve as a model to other forested communities.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
Pend Oreille County, Washington
Pend Oreille
5
Project Type: Check appropriate project type. More than one type may be checked. If only Box (4) is checked, use Enclosure 4.
(1)
Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Project
(2) X Wildland Urban Interface Education and Prevention Project
(3)
(4)
Community Planning for Fire Protection Project
Fuels Utilization and Marketing Project
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
Pend Oreille County
Enclosure 3B (Page 1 of 3) - Project Narrative Description
Applications for funding must include a narrative response that describes the proposal. Please do not submit responses longer than one page,
single space, 12-pitch font.
Describe project including, but not limited to:
 project location
Address these
 project implementation
items as
 anticipated outcomes
applicable:
 measures and reporting
 interagency partners





project relationship to community or natural landscape fire plans
project time frames and income
specify types of activities and equipment used
amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc)
environmental, cultural and historical resource requirements
Response:
Pend Oreille County experienced a 32 per cent population increase in the 1990s, mostly in unincorporated
areas. County planning department data indicate that most lands in Pend Oreille County (91 per cent) are
listed as "woodland" and 63 per cent of this woodland is public land, with U.S. Forest Service as the major
landholder. Population growth and homebuilding have largely occurred in high risk “interface” areas, yet
relatively few landowners have implemented firewise landscape measures around their houses. Anticipated
outcomes of this project include a significant increase in new requests for assistance in implementing these
measures, and a much higher number of landowners who plan and implement these measures themselves.
The Master Gardener program is coordinated by the Pend Oreille County Extension Office. This project
would provide salary and support to incorporate firewise and wildfire education into new and established
activities, and to form a local coordinating sub-committee in the Pend Oreille County area.
Master Gardeners are community members selected from a pool of experienced applicants to receive at least
50 hours of university-level horticultural education. In return, they pledge 40 hours of volunteer service the
first year as "pay-back" for the investment in that training, and 25 hours per year thereafter. Over 2000 hours
have been pledged by Pend Oreille County Master gardeners for 2003.
In 2002, firewise landscape information and forest education were successfully incorporated into volunteer
training. This was made possible by funding through Title III U.S. Forest Sevice monies granted to the
county. 45 new volunteers graduated as certified Master Gardeners in January 2003. We applied for National
Fire Plan funding for 2003 to implement the landowner education phase. The 2003 proposal was not initially
funded, and this 2004 proposal would provide that support.
Education projects planned for 2004 include a door-to-door education campaign coordinated with local fire
departments to target high risk areas. Additionally, we will incorporate defensible space and fire ecology
information into current demonstration gardens, newpaper and newsletter articles, county fair displays,
summer garden tours and master gardener horticultural classes. We will coordinate with the WSU
Extension/Department of Natural Resources Forest Stewardship Training series to offer advanced Master
Gardener training, producing a group of “Master Gardener Forest Stewards” and will provide additional
Firewise training as well.
WSU Extension staff will also work with local fire districts, planning personnel, other natural resource
agencies and contractors, community leaders and any other interested parties to coordinate efforts. This
project will support coordination and facilitation of meetings, and establishment of an email listserve to
improve communication between these parties.
All programs will be planned and evaluated for short, mid-, and long-term impacts according to WSU
Extension requirements using logic model format. Evaluation measures will include surveys to determine
success in meeting anticipated outcomes. Results will be shared with Local Coordinating Group partners, and
with other Extension offices through WSU Extension briefing reports and through WSU listserves.
Enclosure 3B (Page 2 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
Applications for funding must include narrative responses that address the following four criteria. Within each criterion, subcriteria are listed in descending order of importance. Limit your responses to the areas provided.
1. Reducing Fire Risk. (40 points))
A. Describe how the proposal promotes reduction of risk in high hazard areas or communities, or natural landscapes.
B. Describe how the proposed project benefits resources on federal land or adjacent non-federal land, or how it protects the safety
of communities.
C. To what extent does the project implement or create a cooperative (1) fuels treatment plan or (2) community fire strategy
(include evidence of the plan if it already exists)?
D. Explain to what extent the affected community or proponent has been involved or plans to involve the affected community in a
qualified fuels education program (e.g., FIREWISE).
E. Explain how the proposal (1) leads to, enhances or restores a local fire-adapted ecosystem, and/or (2) mitigates or leads to the
mitigation of hazardous fuel conditions.
F. How will the proposed treatments or programs be maintained in future years?
Response:
A. Landowners will receive a compelling message about the benefits of implementing firewise landscape
designs from a source they respect and trust. Formally and informally implemented plans will result in a
very significant reduction of risk by creating defensible space zones around rural homes.
B. Increased understanding of fire ecology and risks will lead to greater public acceptance and support of
reintroduction of fire and other management tools increasing forest resiliency and safety. Less funding
will be diverted to protecting private homes as landowners take greater responsibility.
C. The County is currently in the beginning stages of developing an emergency disaster plan under FEMA
guidance. This project will coordinate with that planning effort to insure that wildfire planning and
strategy is adequately incorporated at all levels.
D. Educational and training programs for Master Gardeners were provided by Bill Wilburn of FireSafe
Spokane. As in the past, coordination with the Local Coordinating Group will insure that resources are
current, suited to the community, and accepted as qualified fuels educational materials.
E. Public education will lead to greater acceptance and implementation of practices restoring fire ecology on
all lands. Hazardous fuel conditions will be reduced on private property.
F. Cooperative funding for extension programs will support the basic Master Gardener program in future
years. Additional grant funding will be sought as needed for special program support.
2. Increasing local capacity. (30 points)
A. How would the proposal improve or lead to the improvement of the local economy in terms of jobs and sustainable economic
activity? How many jobs are expected to be created or retained and for how long (please distinguish between essentially yearround and seasonal jobs)? How will this proposal link to toher projects (or proposed projects) to create year-round jobs?
B. To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities or natural landscapes?
C. Will biomass or forest fuels be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
Response:
A. Seasonal jobs will be created due to increased demands for crews to implement defensible space plans.
(Currently, there are not enough landowners signed on to use available funding). This project will
coordinate with other Extension endeavors such as the "Products from the Woods" Business-to-Business
trade show planned for 2004.
B. Master Gardener program coordinators in Washington State and in adjoining Idaho counties will be
appraised of the project for potential input and coordination, and will receive information packets about
the completed program. The project coordinator participates in a NorthEast Washington North Idaho
Extension (NEWNIE) small farm team as well as Washington State master gardener coordinators listserv
and trainings, and can share information about the project through these venues. A poster display at
statewide WSU Extension and WSU Master Gardener conferences will highlight the program and
availability of materials developed.
C. Landowners will be educated on the use of biomass and forest fuels for composting efforts, mulch, and
other uses.
Enclosure 3B (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
3. Increasing interagency and intergovernmental coordination. (15 Points)
A. Describe how this project implements a local intergovernmental strategy or plan, or creates such a plan. Describe the plan if it
already exists.
B. Explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning through a “Local Coordination Group” for wildland fire
activities, or among federal, state, tribal, local government and community organizations. List the cooperators (a detailed list
of cooperators will be required for projects that are funded).
Response:
A. Pend Oreille County is at the very beginning stages of developing a county-wide disaster mitigation plan
under FEMA procedures—an initial meeting is planned for 2/26/03, led by Pend Oreille Public Utility
District in cooperation with the county Public Works Department. WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension
will work with other Local Coordinating Group members to ensure that wildfire planning and hazard
assessment is adequately covered in this Pend Oreille County All Hazards Mitigation Plan.
B. Non-profit groups and agencies currently engaged in wildfire efforts within Pend Oreille County include
Pend Oreille Conservation District (working on grades K-6 education and assisting fire districts with dry
hydrant installation), The Lands Council (offering assistance with developing landowner plans) and
DNR, whose crews and contractors, including FireSafe Spokane, provide labor to implement plans.
NRCS provides assistance with forest stewardship plans, U.S.Forest Service personnel provide classroom
instruction, planning expertise, and a link to federal land management, and local fire districts are involved
at all levels. Pend Oreille County Emergency Services and Public Works Departments, and the public
utility district are involved in planning. Coordination of activities between these groups is vital, not only
for most effective and efficient use of taxpayer money, but also to present a consistant message and retain
credibility with the public. WSU/Pend Oreille Cooperative Extension has taken the lead in the past to
organize local entities for specific events, and participates in the tri-county Local Coordination Group.
This project proposes to establish an on-going subcommittee specific to Pend Oreille County, for better
communication and coordination with county-level strategic planning.
4. Expanding Community Participation. (15 Points)
A. To what extent have interested individuals, groups, and communities been provided an opportunity to become informed and
involved in this proposal?
B. Describe the extent of local support or opposition for the project, including any cost-sharing arrangements.
C. What are the environmental, social and educational benefits or concerns of the project?
Response:
A. The current group of veteran Master Gardeners serves as an advisory committee to local Extension
program planning, and has assisted in developing this proposal. WSU/Pend Oreille Extension organized
a meeting of the local participating entities listed above prior to submitting this proposal. At this
meeting we discussed tactics and how to coordinate national fire plan efforts most effectively.
B. Local support for this project is very high. The County Commissioners granted Title III funds (Secure
Schools Act) in 2002 for Master Gardener Basic Training. (The commissioners have indicated they will
not reapply for these funds because of resulting decreases to PILT payments.) Sixty persons attended the
firewise landscaping sessions offered to Master Gardeners. Agency support has been provided through
supplying instructors and educational materials. WSU and Pend Oreille County both provide costsharing through support of Extension staff salaries and office. The Kalispel Tribe provides financial and
staff support for Extension’s “Sense of Place” program focusing on local culture and natural history,
including fire ecology (through an EPA sec 319 grant).
C. This project reconciles the firewise message with waterwise and wildlife-wise advice, leading to
landscapes that are uniquely suited to Pend Oreille forest environments and minimize cumulative
impacts. On a larger scale, this project will help educate landowners about the role of fire in our region's
forests and the positive benefits of low intensity burns, creating a greater acceptance of management
strategies that will lead to more resilient forests on our public lands.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Develop a local coordination group
subcommittee specific to Pend Oreille County.
Time Frame
March 1, 2004--Listserve in place
Responsible Party
Project Coordinator
Office Manager
(Develop a contact list including fire districts,
planners, and all other interested entities;
establish a listserve; and hold at least 2
meetings.)
December 31, 2004 --meetings
Integrate firewise landscaping into existing
educational materials and projects that
promote water conservation, use of native
plants, wildlife habitat enhancement and other
landscape objectives.
June 30, 2004
Project Coordinator
Office Manager
Provide 8 sessions of forest stewardship
classes to train at least ten Master Gardeners
as master forest stewards (6 sessions also open
to public).
December 31, 2004
Extension Forester
(Peter Griessmann)
Coordinate a door-to-door outreach campaign
with fire districts and local coordinating group
members targeting identified high risk
locations to provide information about
firewise landscaping and implementation
opportunities.
September 31, 2004
Project Coordinator
Develop a firewise demonstration landscape
plan for the caretaker’s residence at Pend
Oreille County Park.
January 31, 2004-plan complete
Project Coordinator
Coordinate implementation with County and
other volunteer groups.
December 31,2004—phase 1 complete
(hardscape, initial trees and shrubs in
place)
Solicit or write at least four articles on fire
prevention landscaping and/or fire ecology
for "Gardening in Pend Oreille" newsletter
and two articles for "Diggings" newsletter
(Pend Oreille Sense of Place program
December 31, 2004
Project Coordinator
Office manager
Incorporate firewise landscaping education
into annual garden tours.
September 31, 2004
Project Coordinator
Incorporate firewise landscaping education
into Master Gardener Waterwise
Demonstration Garden project.
October 31, 2004
Project Coordinator
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Personnel
Project Coordinator (10 hrs/week)
Office Manager (4 hrs/week)
Subtotal
9,036
2,400
11,436
Pend Oreille
County
9,036
2400
11,436
Fringe Benefits
Project Coordinator
Office Manager
Subtotal
3,614
400
4,014
400
400
Partner 2
Total
WSU
18,072
4,800
22,872
3614
3614
7,228
800
8,028
Travel
PO Extension office
Peter Griessmann (Ext. Forester)
Subtotal
500
500
100
250
250
750
500
1250
Supplies
computer
Multimedia projector, accessories
Subtotal
500
1,500
2,000
300
500
800
800
200
2,800
Supplies
Newsletter printing
postage
Subtotal
1,000
500
1,500
1,000
1,000
500
500
2,000
1,000
3,000
Contractual
0
Subtotal
0
Other
22% administration (county)
4,389
4,389
Subtotal
4,389
4,389
Total Costs
24,339
13,886
4,114
Project (Program) Income1
(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.
42,339