ID Number 2007-69
Utilization and Marketing Projects Application
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Oregon Department of Forestry/NEO District/La Grande Unit
Type of Applicant:
A (State)
Email:
msmith@odf.state.or.us/rwagner@odf.state.or.us
Phone:
503-945-7341
FAX:
503-945-7416
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):
Mary Helen Smith, Grant Coord/Rick Wagner, Forester, Field Coord
Organization/Jurisdiction:
ODF/Northeast Oregon District/La Grande Unit
Email:
msmith@odf.state.or.us/rwagner@odf.state.or.us
Phone:
503-945-7341
FAX:
503-945-7416
Please Call Ahead for FAX:
Off
Project Information
Project Title:
Biomass Utilization for Community Health and Sustainability
Project Location:
Union and Baker Counties
County:
Baker
Congressional District:
2
Latitude:
44.9604
Longitude:
-117.8398
State the desired outcome in relation to NFP Goals and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Project Objectives:
This project directly accomplishes the goal of biomass utilization identified in both the Baker and Union County CWPP. Utilizing fuel residue directly
relates to the NFP goal to reduce smoke emissions and improve air quality. This project seeks funding for the rental of a large pull-type chipper to produce
chips for Fuels for Schools heating systems and the purchase of three large, tandem-axle dump bed trailers for the Warm Hearts/Warms Homes firewood
program. The Warm Hearts/Warm Homes is a multi-county, community-wide effort that benefits low-income and elderly members of the community. The
chipping would be accomplished with a cost share incentive and discount offered by the chipper rental company to any landowner that participates in this
program. These program additions will enhance and expand the ability to chip and remove, rather than pile and burn, fuel residue created by fuels treatment
activities on private land.
Name of CWPP:
Union County CWPP/Baker County CWPP
Name of Communit(y/ies) at Risk:
Union and Baker County
Proposed Project Start Date:
10/01/2007
Proposed Project End Date:
12/31/2010
Federal Funding Request:
$77,237.00
Total Project Cost:
$122,216.00
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.
The State of Oregon will be submitting multiple projects.
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated
this proposal:
Organization/Jurisdiction:
1) Judy Wing, Partnership Coordinator
Wallowa-Whitman NF
Phone
541-962-8515
2) Marilyn Jones
Phone
Email jwing@fs.fed.us
Oregon Department of Human Service-NE Oregon
541-524-1800 Ext. 403
Email Marilyn.Jones@state.or.us
3)
Phone
Email
Project Planning Information
Name of Local Coordinating Group:
Union County LCG and Baker County LCG
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?
Both LCGs are partners in the on-going success of this project.
List federal lands that are adjacent to the project and proximity.
Wallowa-Whitman NF and BLM-Vale District
Will this project utilize fuels from an adjacent current fuel reduction project on federal lands or to one that is planned within the next three years?
Yes
Please indicate planned treatments and associated acres:
Treatment
Biomass Removal
Acres
750
Treatment
Biomass Removal
Acres
0
Treatment
Biomass Removal
Acres
0
Treatment
Biomass Removal
Acres
0
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. Increasing utilization, management and economic impacts of woody material removed in fuels management and forest restoration
activities (60 points)
A. Will biomass, thinnings or other surplus forest fuels be utilized? If so, in what manner and how much? How many acres will be treated? Are any of these
acres within the wildland-urban interface? If so, how many? (20 points)
Response:
This project will comprehensively and sustainably utilize waste and non-marketable material. All material over 1.5" in diameter will be utilized for firewood
that is donated to the Warm Hearts/Warm Homes Firewood program for low-income families and the elderly. Any material left over would be chipped for
potential Fuels for Schools heating systems, bedding for local feed lots, compost, or for nutrient recycling on the forest floor. The two WUI areas that are
part of the planning for this project include Mt. Emily (Union County) and Face of the Elkhorns (Baker County). Approximately 750 acres will be treated
that would provide fuel residue for this project.
B. Will the project improve the local economy in terms of jobs and sustainable economic activity? If so, how many and what type of jobs will be created or
retained (i.e., wage-scale, full-time equivalent), and for how long? What percent of the jobs are expected to be filled from the local labor force? (10 points)
Response:
Yes. Eastern Oregon Rental will rent a chipper at a reduced cost for the project. Job skills will be taught to inmates at the Powder River Corrections Facility.
It is anticipated that this project will contribute directly to the development of five full-time family wage jobs. Firewood donated for use in the Warm
Hearts/Warm Homes program reduces the amount the Department of Human Services has to spend on other forms of heating assistance.
C. Are there private businesses involved in this project? If so, what are their roles and investment? How will the project be structured to minimize or
eliminate te perception of use of public funding to create an unfair competitive advantage for those private businesses involved? (10 points)
Response:
Eastern Oregon Rental, a local private business, is a partner in this project. They are the only business in the area with a chipper to rent, and will give a 15%
discount on the chipper rental when the chipper is used for NFP fuels reduction projects and Warm Hearts/ Warm Homes projects. Utilizing the inmate work
crew from Powder River Corrections in conjunction with the rental equipment is cost effective for the program. Trailers will be manufactured and/or
purchased locally.
D. If the project involves new product development, what evidence is there for economically viable and sustainable markets? (10 points)
Response:
Local business opportunities for biomass utilization are being developed to locate and install biomass heating systems in local schools (Fuels for Schools).
Once a site is established, additional efforts to diversify sustainable end-uses for biomass waste will follow.
E. Can this project be offered as a model for other communities or businesses? If so, why and how will results of this project be disseminated or made
available? (5 points)
Response:
Yes. The goal of this project is to implement and provide a model for other communities to effectively and efficiently utilize biomass as an asset to a
community. The on-going success of the Warm Hearts/Warm Homes program is an example of community involvement, agency collaboration, and personal
commitment to innovative solutions. This program is listed as a resource in the Union and Baker County CWPP's. Further information regarding the success
of this program is available upon request.
F. How will the project be sustained beyond project timelines? If public funding will continue to be needed, why, how much, and for how long? (5 points)
Response:
This project is designed to become fiscally sustainable after initial seed funds are awarded. The program has already proven itself as a viable, long-term
strategy for utilizing non-marketable biomass as firewood; need has exceeded current structure. The cooperation between the Warm Hearts/Warm Homes
program and the Powder River Correctional Facility provides employment training opportunities outside the correctional facility that benefit the needs of
rural communties with limited resources.
2. Taking Advantage of Existing Networks, previously-funded projects and knowledge. (20 points)
A. How does this project take advantage of relevant, existing networks and the results from previously-funded projects or commercial operations? (10
points)
Response:
The partnership between the Warm Hearts/Warm Homes program and Powder River Corrections has been in place for four years. The use of inmates
provides them with training opportunities the program provides. Because the need for firewood from the program has increased, and there is more emphasis
on utilizing biomass on National Fire Plan projects, this grant will provide capacity to the built-in infrastructure ODF has implemented in Northeast Oregon
for National Fire Plan fuels treatment projects.
B. Who and what (individuals, businesses, organizations, reports, studies, Internet sites, etc.) were consulted to ensure the best information available was
used in designing this project proposal? (5 points)
Response:
This project proposal was designed in cooperation with professionals working with low-income families and elderly (DHS and Community Connection), as
well as Oregon Department of Foresty and the Fuels for Schools website.
C. How did your group arrive at your cost structure for all of the main areas including: personnel, equipment, supplies, and overhead? (5 points)
Response:
Grant costs include the purchase of three dump bed trailers at $13,000 each and the cost-share incentive for chipping rather than burning fuel residue:75%
covered by the grant, 25% assumed by the landowner. Administration of project also.
3. Expanding community participation and collaboration. (20 Points)
A. Who are the partners and community members involved in planning and implementing the project? (5 points)
Response:
Powder River Corrections, Eastern Oregon Rental, Oregon Dept. of Human Services, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Community Connection, Neighbor-toNeighbor, Wallowa-Whitman NF, and the LCGs for Baker and Union Counties.
B. How much cost-sharing is there for this project? (10 points)
Response:
Eastern Oregon Rental gives a discount of 15% off of the daily rate of the chipper when it is used in conjunction with the scope of this project. Oregon
Department of Corrections pays for the cost of the inmate crews. DHS and Community Connection provide the screening services for determining firewood
need. Neighbor-to-Neighbor houses the wood storage site and assists in distribution.
C. What are the direct community benefits that will result from this project? (5 points)
Response:
Decreased smoke impact on air quality, lower heating bills for low-income families and elderly, work opportunities for inmates of Powder River
Correctional Facility, and a potential fuel source for Fuels for Schools are direct community benefits.
Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Finalize agreement with Eastern Oregon Rental
October 2007
Oregon Dept. of Forestry - Rick Wagner
Purchase dump trailers
October 2007
Oregon Dept. of Forestry - Rick Wagner
Coordinate hazardous fuels reduction projects with November 2007-December 2010
the use of chipper, trailers, and inmate crews
Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Powder River
Corrections, Community Connection, and
Neighbor-to-Neighbor
Report Accomplishments to LCGs of Baker and
Union Counties
Oregon Dept. of Forestry - Angie Johnson
On-going
Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Eastern OR
Powder River
Rental
Correct
Landowners
Partner 1
Partner 2
Partner 3
Total
Personnel
Inmate Crews/NRS 2
$4,000.00
$4,000.00
$0.00
$20,000.00
$0.00
$28,000.00
Salem Admin (3%)
$2,317.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,317.00
$6,317.00
$4,000.00
$0.00
$20,000.00
$0.00
$30,317.00
$1,920.00
$1,920.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,840.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,920.00
$1,920.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,840.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$39,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$39,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$39,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$39,000.00
$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
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$7,059.00
$0.00
$0.00
$7,059.00
$30,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$30,000.00
$30,000.00
$0.00
$7,059.00
$0.00
$0.00
$37,059.00
$77,237.00
$7,920.00
$7,059.00
$20,000.00
$10,000.00
$122,216.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Other Payroll Expenses
Subtotal
Travel
State Vehicle @ 1.25/mi
Subtotal
Equipment
3 dump trailers@13,000ea
Subtotal
Supplies
Subtotal
Contractual
Cost-share for Chipping
Subtotal
Other
Discount for Chipper Rent
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.