2006-108
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN-INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Treatment Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Oregon Department of Forestry/N East Oregon Dist./Pendleton
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111) Type of Applicant: ( enter appropriate letter in box )
503-945-7341
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
503-945-7416
Please Call Ahead For FAX
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip) :
2600 State Street Salem, OR 97310
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
A
H. Independent School District
I. State-Controlled Institution of Higher Learning
J. Private University
K. Indian Tribe
L. Nonprofit Organization
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Mary Helen Smith Grant Coordinator/Angie Johnson Field Coordinator
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Oregon Department of Forestry-NEO District, Pendleton Unit
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
503-945-7341
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
503-945-7416 Call Ahead For FAX
Project Information
Project Title:
Umatilla County Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Proposed Project Start Date:
06/01/2006
Project Coordinator
Email: msmith@odf.state.or.us
Proposed Project End Date:
09/30/2008
Federal Funding Request:
$ 205,134
Total Project Funding:
$
464,168
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).
This project will directly address a goal of the Umatilla County Community Wildfire Protection Plan [CWPP]. The plan stresses the importance of working collaboratively with all land and fire managers within the county to identify and prioritize areas for hazardous fuels reduction. The risk assessment conducted by the collaborative group [LCG] that developed the Umatilla Co. CWPP resulted in the following four high-risk areas requiring emphasis to treat fuels to reduce risk of wildfire [other at-risk areas are also mentioned in the plan, but not covered by this proposal]: Mill
Creek area [community adjacent to municipal water source], Meacham/Poverty Flats, I-84 Corridor, Lehman Springs, Weston Mountain, and
Tollgate.
Project Location:
Latitude: 45.9863 Longitude: 118.085
County:
Umatilla County
Federal Congressional District:
2
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal: Telephone number of Contact:
Tom Habberstroh, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Jeff Blackwood, Forest Supervisor, Umatilla Nat. Forest
Jim Beekman, Forestry Tech., Walla Walla Ranger Dist.-USFS
541-278-3788 Ext.
541-278-3752 Ext.
509-522-6284 Ext.

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:
Address these items x project location (e.g., Watershed, neighboring community) as applicable: x anticipated outcomes x community partners and their role(s) x x x x project relationship to the community risk assessment and mitigation plan amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc.) project timeline and matching or contributed funds 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?
Yes, a high level of planning and coordinating has taken place with the LCG that developed the CWPP.
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)
Yes
Please indicate planned treatments and associated acres:
* Treatment Acres Treatment Acres 180
0
If you have a treatment type other than standard types above:
Project Location- Private forestland in Umatilla County, in and around communities and wildland urban interface areas at risk as identified in the
Umatilla County Community Wildfire Protection Plan [CWPP]. Targeted areas for this project include Mill Creek area directly adjacent to Mill Creek
Watershed [which serves the City of Walla Walla], communities of Meacham, Meacham Lake, Poverty Flats, and Papoose Acres within the I-84
Corridor, Lehman Hot Springs, Weston Mountain, and Tollgate.
Anticipated Outcomes: This project will help to improve forest condition on approximately 360 acres of private forestland that is near or adjacent to tribal and federal forest areas. Landowner education and the reduction of vegetation and biomass will decrease the number of fire starts, reducing the threat to life and property from wildfire. In addition to reducing starts and losses, greater safety will be provided for landowners and firefighters.
Community Partners: Landowners will be responsible for providing 25% of the total cost for fuel treatment. Oregon Department of Forestry [ODF] will provide technical assistance directly to landowners and contractors. ODF will track accomplishments, prepare reports, and provide administrative services for the project. ODF will also continue to coordinate with Umatilla National Forest, Bureau of Indian Affairs, local tribal agency and Umatilla County Local Coordincation Group.
Relationship to Community Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan: This project is a listed priority in the Umatilla County Community Wildfire
Protection Plan [CWPP]. The topography, fire occurence, fuel hazard, and overall fire protection capability of the Mill Creek community and adjacent watershed, the Meacham/Poverty Flats area of the I-84 Corridor, Lehman Hot Springs, Weston Mountain, and Tollgate, is of high concern for the
LCG that developed the CWPP. The data derived from the risk assessment conducted for the foothills and Blue Mountains of Umatilla County ranks each hazard [fuel, topography, etc.] and risk of ignition based on fire history for the last 10 years. These areas scored high in all categories.
Amount or Extent of Actions: This project will treat 360 acres of strategically located forestland within the five areas mentioned above. These acres will be part of a coordinated landscape-level fuel treatment.
Project Timeline/Matching Funds- Timeline will include approximately 14 months of field work within the entire project period of October 15, 2005 through September 30, 2007. Matching funds are in the form of in-kind work and costs by ODF to assume collaborative and administrative duties.
Landowners will contribute 25% of the cost to treat fuels on their property.
Proponent's Ability to Complete Project- Adequate funding will allow continuation of ODF's three-year long fuels reduction cost-share program that is established. Additional landowners have expressed interest, but funds are running out. Infrastructure to handle hazardous fuel reduction projects through National Fire Plan funding, from local collaboration to local contractors providing service, has been established. Landowner interest established was accomplished through door-to-door contacts, large landholding contacts, community meetings, and local media. ODF has a long standing history of successful NFP grant implementation.

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 municipal watershed that provides city water to Walla Walla, Washington [population 44,000], a major interstate [I-84], a major highway [203], major transmission lines, and a Union Pacific rail line will be protected [UP has set up an agreement with us to take care of their maintenance and treatment along the line within the Meacham Canyon area; this demonstrates a strong commitment to work with us on protecting the I-84 corridor and communities of Meacham and Poverty Flats from wildfire]. Also, the homes within the communities of Mill Creek, Meacham, Poverty Flats, Weston Mtn., and Tolgate, as well as federal and tribal land adjacent to these areas will be protected.
B. Umatilla County is a region in the state which has a fire-dependent ecosystem, a history of large fires, heavy fule loading
[condition class 2 and 3], and many of the communities protected are listed on the Federal Registry. Additionally, these communities are adjacent to, surrounded by, or are near federal and tribal lands. The results of this project will aid in protecting the resources of these communities through the use of awareness and mitigation of risk. The fuels that will be removed are heavy as a result of winthrow left over from sever winter storms, logging slash, and overstocked stands. We will work with the landowner to treat the heavy fuel using techniques like pre-commercial thinning, pruning, chipping, pile and burn, and/or slashbusting. We have witnessed results with these methods and will continue to use them in the future. By having a variety of treatments available, we are able to work year-round.
C. When landowners take advantage of the grant money we have received from National Fire Plan to be used as a cost-share incentive, they sign a document that indicates it is their responsibility to maintain the treatment area for 10 years. Additionally, these projects are designed and implemented to minimize the fire threat for at least 10 years. Another program that will intensify a maintenance program is the implementation of Oregon SB 360 in which landowners living in forested urban interface areas will be tasked with certifying their property as "clean and green."
D. We will use the Local Coordination Group and the CWPP to achieve multi-party monitoring goals. The CWPP states that project review will take place annually with all of the partners. At that time, the group may propose to revise the goals and objectives set forth for fuels treatment in high-risk WUI areas as a way to improve the implementation of future projects.

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:
A. Several local forest operators and forest consultants have invested substantial time and money to enable them to effectively perform fuels reduction projects. Specialized equipment has been purchased by these operators and is in high demand. This project would allow these individuals to stay in the forest products profession and perform a valuable service to forest landowners.
B. This project will create new jobs on a project-by-project basis. The trend with landowners has been to hire a contractor to complete the fuels reduction on the property. Indirect employment will occur as a result of consultant/contractor and landowner involvement. Collectively, the grant will create approximately 210 person-days of family wage employment.
C. Contractors will gain skill and knowledge in specialized equipment use, wildfire risk assessment, and forest fuels reduction techniques. Forestry knowledge and skills will be taught and utilized by landowners and operators when developing a fire-adaptive ecosystem.
D. Biomass is utilized where feasible. The closest biomass facility in operation has closed [Heppner, OR] and one is located farther away [Prairie CIty, OR], but only takes local fuel. An ethanol plant is still being proposed in Boardman, OR, but no action has been taken to move any closer to production. We will be keeping abreast of any developments in Boardman because biomass utilization is ideal when putting together a complete fuel reduction project.
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:
A. Fuel reduction is a primary strategy for implementation of the Umatilla County CWPP. The first draft was prepared on Januay
11, 2005. It is now in its 2nd revision. Contact Marty King, Oregon Department of Forestry, at [541] 276-3491, or download a copy at www.odf.state.or.us/areas/eastern/northeast/umatco_cwpp.htm.
B. City of Walla Walla, Washington, is developing a CWPP for the Mill Creek Watershed with their own local coordinating group; this plan will be referenced in the Umatilla Co. CWPP. We will coordinate efforts with this group to complete any of the Umatilla
County CWPP projects in the Mill Creek area. We will Coordinate with private and public landowners, Confederated Tribes of the
Umatilla [CTUIR], Bureau of Indian Affairs [BIA], and the Umatilla National Forest Ranger Districts in the Meacham/Poverty Flats area of the I-84 Corridor, the Weston Mtn./Tolgate area, and in the Lehman Hot Springs area as appropriate in the implementation of the fuels reduction plans adjacent to and affecting their ownerships.
C. Cooperators include Umatilla National Forest district staff - Jim Beekman and Randy Fitzgerald; BIA-Tom Habberstroh; CTUIR staff,and other landowners in Umatilla County.
D. Support and interest is very high with landowners, forest operators, fire managers, public officials and the general public for this type of grant. We will continue using the same cost-share incentive program that was developed for other fuels reduction projects that were successfully completed.

Tasks
Contact landowners for projects that are strategic.
Time Frame
June 2006-Dec 2006
Distribute fire prevention materials to affected homeowners.
Provide technical assistance with fuels treatment and silviculture.
June 2006-Sept 2008
Landowners to complete fuels reduction.
Provide accomplishments for NFPORS to
Salem Headquarters.
Sept 2006, Sept 2007, and Sept 2008
Responsible Party
Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Oregon Dept. of Forestry-
Landowners
Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Provide end of project report to LCG of
Umatilla County (for CWPP evaluation).
Sept 2007 and Sept 2008
Oregon Dept. of Forestry
LCG for Umatilla County same group that developed CWPP
LCG to monitor project.
Nov 2006 to Sept 2008
LCG to evaluate project and revise objectives for project areas listed in CWPP, if necessary.
Sept 2008
LCG for Umatilla County, same group that developed CWPP

Landowners
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
Federal
Agency Applicant Partner 1 Partner 2 Partner 3
Total
Forest Officer-14 months
Direct Supervision/Admin
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Forest Officer-14 months
Direct Supervision/Admin
Subtotal
Travel
Truck approx. $180/mo.
$18,194
$0
$18,194
$8,006
$0
$8,006
$170,000
$22,500
$192,500
$0
$9,000
$9,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$188,194
$22,500
$210,694
$8,006
$9,000
$17,006
$2,000
$0
$2,000
$2,500
$0
$2,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$4,500
$0
$4,500 Subtotal
Equipment
None Anticipated
$161,500
$0
$161,500
$0
$0
$0
$150
$150
$300
$1,200
$0
$1,200
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$53,834
$0
$53,834
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,350
$150
$1,500
$215,334
$0
$215,334
$0
$0
$0
Subtotal
Supplies
Living w/Fire Newspapers
Fire Resist. Landscape Br
Subtotal
Contractual
Forest Operator/Consult.
(365 acres)
Subtotal
Other
Salem 6%(Prot+Financ)
Admin-Unit Office
Subtotal
$12,308
$2,826
$15,134
Total Costs
Project (Program)
Income
1
$205,134
$0
$205,200
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$53,834
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$12,308
$2,826
$15,134
$0 $464,168
$0 $0
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.