Project Summary Form
Id Number 2006-055
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN-INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Treatment Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
State of Oregon Department of Forestry/SWO/Grants Pass Unit
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
A
503-945-7341
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
503-945-7416
Please Call Ahead For FAX
H. Independent School District
I. State-Controlled Institution of Higher Learning
J. Private University
K. Indian Tribe
L. Nonprofit Organization
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
2600 State street Salem, OR 97310
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Ms. Mary Helen Smith Grant Coordinator
Organization/Jurisdiction:
OR Department of Forestry/SWO/Grants Pass Unit
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
503-945-7341
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
503-945-7416
Call Ahead For FAX
Email:
msmith@odf.state.or.us
Project Information
Project Title:
Rogue Community College-Midway Connection
Proposed Project Start Date:
01/03/2006
Federal Funding Request:
$ 308,483
Proposed Project End Date:
12/30/2007
Total Project Funding:
$
681,206
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Brief Project Summary: Who, What, Where, Desired Outcomes in relation to NFP Goals and Community Risk Assessment and
Mitigation Plans (This should summarize page 2).
Oregon Department of Forestry[ODF] Stewardship Forester/Forest Officers will be responsible for contacting the 175 private landowners in the
proposed area and developing the treatment plans for the private landowners that request to participate. An informational meeting will also be held
at Rogue Community College demonstration area to explain the need, process and the standards.
This project is located in a moderately high risk Urban Interface area, where one resdidence and several outbuildings were destroyed in the 2002
Campus View Fire. This project will be a collaboration between ODF, ODOT, County Roads, and private citizens. The need was identified in the
Josephine County Hazard and Risk Assessment plan of 2004. The desired outcome to is reduce the threat of a catastrophic fire on a total of 1,200
acres of private land and to increase public awareness and knowledge and continue to "Build the Community" through participation in this much
needed fuels treatment project.
Project Location:
Latitude: 42.4079
Longitude: 123.401
County:
Josephine
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Tim Gonzales-BLM
Federal Congressional District:
2
Telephone number of Contact:
541-471-6943 Ext.
Ext.
Ext.
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:
x project relationship to the community risk assessment and
x project location (e.g., Watershed,
Address
mitigation plan
neighboring community)
these items
as applicable: x anticipated outcomes
x amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc.)
x project timeline and matching or contributed funds
x community partners and their
role(s)
x proponent’s ability to complete project
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?
The LCG for Jackson and Josephine County reviewed and prioritized this project
Is this project adjacent to a current prescribed burn project on federal lands or to one that is planned within the next
three years? (Yes/No) No
Please indicate planned treatments and associated acres:
* Treatment Thinning
Acres 700
Treatment Mastication/Mowing
Acres 500
Treatment Hand Pile Burning
Acres 400
Treatment
Acres 0
If you have a treatment type other than standard types above:
Other 1 Chipping
Acres 300
Other 2
Acres 0
The project is located in a high fire prone area of Josephine County. This area's growth and proximity among rural residents increases the Urban
Interface concern. The proposed project is in the Applegate Watershed and is four miles southwest of Grants Pass. The project is adjacent to
Highway 199 a designated Scenic Highway. Route 199 is heavily used by tourists travelling south to view the Redwoods in northern California.
Threat to structures and the difficulty in suppressing wildfires was evident in the 2002 Campus View Fire which burned 20 acres, one structure,
several outbuildings and threatened the RCC structures and grounds,as well as several dozen residences. Major reasons why more structures
were not destroyed can be attributed to the fact that several residences had completed fuels treatment around the structures and there was an
abundance of fire fighting air resources that were suppressing the U.S. Forest Service Biscuit Fire, approximately 20 miles south. The Josephine
County Fire Risk Assessment plan also identified the area as one of the top areas requiring treatment.
This fuels reduction project will build on the accomplishments of the Rogue Community College fuels reduction project [Phase I] and projects on
BLM, Grants Pass Resource Area and Josephine County Forestry lands. Both manual and mechanical treatments will be used along with a variety
of slash disposal methods. There are 175 private landowners owning approximately 1,200 acres that would be eligible for this project. Landowners
may do the work themselves or hire a local contractor. The average taxlot sizes vary from 3 acres to almost 10 and the intent is to treat up to 5
acres on each parcel. Burning, chipping or utilizing the cut material will be the standard. No lopping and scattering will be allowed. Public roads
border the project area and thus provide an open area for a human caused fire. Requests will be made for the OR Department of Transportation
and Josephine County Road Department to perform the fuels reduction within their legal right-of-ways. This project will result in the collaboration
between Oregon Department of Forestry [ODF], County and State Road Department, Josephine County Commissioners and Planning Department,
Rural Metro Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management, Josephine County Forestry, Department of Environmental Quality and possibly 175
private landowners.
RCC- Midway project will begin with a mass mailing to the private landowners within the project area. OR Department of Forestry will use their
internal Public Information Officer to coordinate and communicate the project goals and objectives through mass media. A public meeting will be
held on the RCC campus to explain the goals, objectives, funding and timelines. Throughout the project, ODF will provide the media with updates to
keep the public informed as well as two or three field trips to view the existing conditions and completed projects. The ultimate goal of the project is
to have approximately 1,400 acres of completed fuels projects in a blocked area and education of County Commissioners and citizens. The project,
when completed, will also serve as an extension of the green area for the city of Grants Pass allowing them to focus on other areas of high priority
and concern.
The proposed timeline is
>February-March 2005 ODF will coordinate with OR Department of Transportation and Josephine County Roads Department regarding fuels
treatment on their respective right-of-ways
>November 2005- ODF will contact landowners whose property is adjacent to RCC for interest. Informational/educational meetings held on
campus.
>November 2005- March 2006 treatment plans are prepared for private landowners by OR Department of Forestry personnel
>May 2006 - December 2007 Landowners and/or their contractors will implement the fuels treatment plans
>November 2007-December 2007 Landowners and/or their contractors will complete all fuels treatment
Matching funds will come from the following sources
>Landowners will only be reimbursed for 75% of the actual cost or paid from an established rate. The rates are the 2004 Forest Land
Enhancement Program cost share rates. This will amount to $107,950.00 of in-kind matching from the private landowners.
>OR Department of Transportation and Josephine County Roads department will be asked to treat their respective right-of-ways within the project
area estimated cost $10,000.
Project Evaluation Criteria
Applications for funding must include narrative responses that address the following three criteria. Be sure you address every one
briefly, yet thoroughly. Limit your responses to the area provided.
1. Reducing Hazardous Fuels (50 points)
A. Describe the community infrastructure that will be protected.
B. Explain how the proposal reduces fire behavior in high hazard areas by describing the fuels to be disposed or
removed, and the techniques and timing of the treatments.
C. How will the proposed treatments be maintained in future years?
D. How will you use multi-party monitoring to improve this and future projects?
Response:
A. A total of 175 primary residences are located in the project area with at least that many outbuildings. The residences vary from
mobile homes to 2-3,00 sq. ft. custom-built homes with views of the valley. The proximity of rural residences to Rogue Community
College presents a threat of human caused fire ignition and the potential number of people present during the critical times of the
year pose a threat to the private landowners. Also the Jerome Prairie lateral canal is the primary source to meet the irrigated
water rights demands on the private land.
The 2002 Campus View fire burned a total of 20 acres and one structure and several outbuildings where no fuels treatment had
been completed along the access road or the structure denying fire fighters access. Several structures however were saved
because fuels treatment had been performed and maintained. There also was an abundance of air resources available 20 miles
south on the U.S. Forest Service Biscuit Fire.
B. The fuels consist of three types. A majority of the fuel [approximately 45% is brush and hardwood], with scattered overstory of
Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine or Pacific madrone. The major brush species is mature manzanita, buck brush, poison oak, Pacific
madrone and California black oak. This fuel type is extremely volatile has 5.3-8.2 tons/acre of dead and down material. The
continuity, arrangement, composition, vertical and horizontal structure of the fuels in this type is conducive to a rapidly spreading
ground fire easily progressing to and sustaining a crown fire with serious potential for loss of life, natural resources and property.
This fuel type was present along the access road and the resultant fire behavior denied fire personnel access to defend all
structures during the 2002 Campus View fire.
Approximately 35% of the area consist of mixed conifer/ hardwood. Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine are the dominant conifers and
Pacific madrone and California black oak are the dominant hardwoods, with approximately 2.5 -6 tons/acre of dead and down
material. The understory of brush, conifer and hardwoods provide an overabundance of ground fuel and ladder fuels that would
perpetuate a running ground or stand replacement crown fire and severely threaten life, natural resources and property.
Ponderosa pine pole stands of 1 to 11 inches diameter at breast height represent the remaining 20%. These stands are grossly
overstocked and have plenty of fuel to perpetuate a crown fire or serious ground fire with 10-14.2 tons/acre of dead and downed
material.
A majority of the roads in the project area deadend at a small turn around or at private residences creating safety concerns for fire
fighters. This coupled with the fact that the slopes on approximately 25% of the area are greater than 15%, would make it very
difficult to suppress a wildfire while providing for the safety of fire fighters and the residents.
Treatment will consist of manually or mechanically treating the fuels and utilizing, chipping or burning the slash. No trees larger
than 8 inches d.b.h. will be cut as part of this project.
C. The application form [existing Forestry Assistance application] that the landowner signs indicates that they agree to maintain the
project on their property for 10 years with no additional funds. ODF will perform spot monitoring from public roads and coordinate
with landowners whose property does not appear to be maintained.
D. Monitoring will be a multi-party effort consisting of ODF, County Coordination Group members, County Commissioners and
interested citizens to verify the accomplishments. The Grants Pass Unit has implemented a policy of documenting with photos the
pre and post site conditions. ODF will conduct an on site visit to ensure that the standards are met before making cost
reimbursement
Project Evaluation Criteria
2.
Increasing Local Capacity (25 points)
A. How would the proposal improve or lead to the improvement of the local economy in terms of jobs and
sustainable economic activity?
B. How many jobs are expected to be created or retained and for how long? (Please distinguish between
essentially year-round and seasonal jobs).
C. What tools and skills will be gained or utilized as a result of this project?
D. Will biomass be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
Response:
Landowners will have the option to complete the work themselves or to hire a local contractor of their choice. Landowners doing the
work will be reimbursed using established cost share rates. This will provide temporary employment opportunities lasting no longer
than 18 months for several small crews of 4-5 personnel with equipment or several large hand crews of 10-20 personnel. Some
equipment will be purchased locally, but at a minimum servicing of equipment used by contractors or private landowners will provide
economic gain for the companies that provide those services and consumer goods. Three to four seasonal ODF personnel will also
be employed assisting with the development of treatment plans and performing inspections on private land for approximately 8
months per year.
The skills that will be obtained and utilized as a result of this project are equipment operation, non-commercial thinning and fuels
treatment. These are skills that are in high demand as more landowners are seeing the benefit of doing such projects and the
resources are not readily available. ODF personnel will continue to communicate with stakeholders throughout project
implementation.
All landowners will be encouraged to utilize a majority of the material that is 4-7" dbh. Opportunities for utilization include firewood,
fence post or rails, tepee poles, the chips may be used for landscaping or fertilizer and bird perches from the manzanita.
3.
Demonstrating Community and Intergovernmental Collaboration (25 Points)
A. How will this project implement a community risk assessment and mitigation plan? Include name of plan, date
it was prepared, and local contact to get a copy of the plan if requested.
B. How has this treatment been coordinated with adjacent landowners and local/State/Tribal/Federal agencies?
C. Identify the cooperators/partners involved in implementation of this project.
D. Describe the extent of current local support for the project, including any cost-sharing agreements.
Response:
The project is in an area that is classified as moderately high to high risk based upon the 2004 Josephine County Hazard and Risk
Assessment. The 2002 Campus View fire indicates that this area has the fuel concentrations and type that are conducive to
extreme fire behavior capable of threatening and destroying structures. A copy of the Josephine County Hazard and Risk
assessment may be obtained by contacting the Josephine County Planning Department at [541] 474-5421 or via the internet at
http://cwch.uoregon.edu/CCWP/JCIFP.
The 175 landowners will be mailed an informational flier and application to determine their interest in participating in the program.
Follow-up phone calls will be made to these landowners as well as an educational/informational meeting to be held at RCC. This
project connects to the BLM Midway project and Josephine County Forestry's Midway project. Coordination with the Local
Coordination Group will be conducted as well as County Commissioners, County Planning, Rural Metro fire department and the
local media.
Other partners/cooperators include ODOT and County Roads for treating fuels within their respective right-of-ways as in-kind
support, County Commissioners, BLM and Josephine County Forestry. A majority of the partners will be the private landowners
that choose to participate. The contractors that perform the work will be educated regarding the goals and objectives prior to
commencing any work.
The 2002 Campus View made a big impression on most of the residents regarding the need to perform fuels reduction and
maintenance activities to reduce the the potential devastion from fire.
Project Work Form
Tasks
Contact landowners, ODOT, County Roads
and County Commissioners regarding support
or participation in the project. Use mail and
media to communicate.
Prepare the fuels reduction plan for private
landowners that expressed interest and are
willing to maintain the project on their property
for 10 years
Fuels projects commence. Individual
landowners are responsible for doing the work
on their property or hiring a contractor of their
choice
Time Frame
Responsible Party
ODF Stewardship forester or support
staff from the Grants Pass Unit
FEB 05-FEB 07
NOV 05 - FEB 07
Upon grant award-DEC 07
Complete all slash treatment requirements.
NOV 07 - DEC 07
ODF personnel develop a site
specific plan for every landowner.
Initial documentation includes digital
photography
Private landowners that have applied
an been approved for participation in
the project
Private landowners and/or their
contractors with oversight from ODF
personnel. Done in complaince with
DEQ Rogue Burn Basin Guidelines
Project Budget
Private Landowners
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
ODOT
Partner 1
JosephineCo Road Dpt
Partner 2
Total
Partner 3
Personnel
Field Administration
Field Personnel
Subtotal
$1,942
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,942
$51,072
$261,623
$0
$3,000
$5,000
$320,695
$53,014
$261,623
$0
$3,000
$5,000
$322,637
$21,960
$31,960
$0
$1,290
$2,150
$57,360
$0
$0
$31,960
$0
$0
$0
$0
$21,960
$0
$1,290
$2,150
$57,360
$3,500
$3,500
$0
$250
$500
$7,750
$0
$0
$0
$3,500
$0
$3,500
$0
$0
$250
$500
$7,750
$0
$0
$0
$2,000
$3,000
$5,000
$0
$0
$0
$2,000
$4,000
$6,000
$0
$0
$0
$4,000
$7,000
$11,000
$1,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
$115,500
$0
$28,700
$0
$0
$144,200
$95,000
$0
$0
$23,750
$0
$0
$118,750
$210,500
$52,450
$0
$0
$262,950
$18,509
$0
$0
$0
$0
$18,509
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$18,509
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$18,509
$308,483
$297,083
$52,450
$8,540
$14,650
$681,206
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Fringe Benefits
Insurance/retirement
Subtotal
Travel
Government vehicle
$0
Subtotal
Equipment
large -chipper,brush hog
chainsaw/ pruner
Subtotal
Supplies
photo paper, memory chip
Subtotal
Contractual
hand crew
mechanical
Subtotal
Other
Salem 6%(Prot&Fin)
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program)
Income1
___________________________________
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.