Project Summary Form
Id Number 2006-186
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN-INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Treatment Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
City of Roslyn, WA
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
C
509-649-3105
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
509-649-3174
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):
P.O. Box 451 Roslyn, WA 98941
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Mr. David Gerth Executive Director
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Kittitas Conservation Trust
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
509-649-2951
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
509-649-3565
Call Ahead For FAX
Email:
kct@inlandnet.com
Project Information
Project Title:
Roslyn Shaded Fuel Break Optimize
Proposed Project Start Date:
03/01/2006
Federal Funding Request:
$ 12,500
Proposed Project End Date:
10/30/2007
Total Project Funding:
$
17,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
One project only.
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).
The City of Roslyn, partnered with the Kittitas Conservation Trust, a 501c3 conservation organization, proposes to restore the effectiveness of a 30
acre shaded fuel break that protects more than 700 homes and 25 commercial structures in the Roslyn National Historic District.
Hazardous ground fuels will be organically removed from the fuel break by systematically grazing goats across the defensible space created in 2001
under a National Fire Plan community protection plan. Fuels reduction grazing will occur during April through September in 2006 and 2007.
The value of the infrastructure protected by the Roslyn shaded fuel break has escalated dramatically since 2001 due to development of the 6,000
acre SUNCADIA resort community adjacent to Roslyn. This fuels reduction project will restore full function and effectiveness to a prefire mitigation
feature by organically removing hazardous ground fuels from the wildland urban interface at a high risk location.
Project Location:
Latitude: 47.299
Longitude: 121.0
County:
Kittitas
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Federal Congressional District:
4
Telephone number of Contact:
Len Riggins, WA Dept. of Natural Resources
509-925-0969 Ext.
Matt Eberlein, WA Dept. of Natural Resources
509-674-4366 Ext.
Derald Gaidos, Kittitas County Fire Marshal
509-962-7000 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?
Supported by Kittitas County Fire Prevention Cooperative, DNR,BLM,WDFW,YakamaNat,Kittitas Cty
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 Mastication/Mowing
Acres 30
Treatment
Acres 0
Treatment
Acres 0
Treatment
Acres 0
If you have a treatment type other than standard types above:
Other 1 Goat grazing
Acres 30
Other 2
Acres 0
The City of Roslyn and the Kittitas Conservation Trust are partnered on this proposal to restore effectiveness to 30 acres of shaded fuel break
around Roslyn and optimize the benefits of the defensible space created in 2001. Ground fuels in the shaded fuel break have regenerated and
significantly reduced the effectiveness of the defensible space, while the value of the protected infrastructure has escalated dramatically. Originally
designed to protect 720 homes and 25 commercial buildings in the Roslyn National Historic District, the shaded fuel break now benefits the 6,000acre SUNCADIA master planned resort adjacent to Roslyn, where ongoing development of high value homes, lodges, hotel, and visitor
accommodations is proceeding.
This project would restore maximum effectiveness to the fuel break by systematically grazing goats across the defensible-space shaded fuel break
and organically remove ground fuels from the shrub layer.
The objective of the shaded fuel break was to alter the fuels in a way that would force migrating wildland fires out of the crown layer and onto the
ground, thereby reducing the fires intensity. Local fire suppression resources could then have a reasonable chance for control until reinforcements
arrive. Preventive reduction of ground fuels is crucial to this National Fire Plan strategy, and this project will systematically remove ground fuels from
the 30 acre shaded fuel break and optimize the pre-fire mitigation.
Goat grazing is a proven cost effective ground fuel removal technique that organically converts shrub layer fuels into fertilizing soil amendments for
the benefit of the herbaceous grass layer. Approximately 20 goats will be grazed within a portable 1-acre electric fence system that will be
systematically moved through the shaded fuel break. Goats prefer the broad-leafed woody brush, which is the hazardous fuel targeted for reduction,
and calculations show that 20 goats will effectively graze the 30-acre defensible space in 150 days. The fuels reduction grazing will occur during the
April through September time period when shrub fuels are most attractive as forage. This project would be implemented during the two grazing
seasons of 2006 and 2007 giving a full demonstration of the effectiveness of the grazing technique. Between grazing seasons the goatherd will be
sold at market and the proceeds devoted to restocking the herd for the next year.
Federal funds are being requested for acquisition of the fencing system, original goatherd stocking, and funding a contract for services with the goat
shepherd. The service contract will include a work plan with project deliverables. Fuels reduction grazing progress and quality assurance will be
monitored by the Project Coordinator. Action items in the goatherd shepherd work plan will include portable electric fence deployment and
maintenance, twice daily herd watering and inspection, and weekly progress reports to the Project Coordinator. The Project Coordinator will be
responsible for fencing system and goatherd acquisition, executing the shepherd services contract, hazardous fuels reduction quality assurance,
monthly progress reports, and the final project report.
The City of Roslyn has become the property owner of the forestland where most of the shaded fuel break is located, eliminating private property
access issues. During the term of the project Roslyn will contribute funds administration services valued at $1,000, including direct and indirect
costs. Roslyn will also supply the water needed for herd maintenance, valued at $500.
The Kittitas Conservation Trust will contribute the services of its Executive Director, David Gerth, to accomplish the duties of the Project
Coordinator, valued at $3,000, including travel expenses. Gerth was the Mayor of Roslyn in 2001 when the shaded fuel break was created and has
a track record of completing projects on-time and on-budget. Roslyn and the KCT anticipate executing a conservation easement on the forestlands
that contain the 30 acres of defensible space fuel-break, for the purposes of protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat, open space, recreational
assets, and the forestland ecosystem located in the wildland-urban interface.
The Roslyn shaded fuel break project demonstrated how implementation of a community protection plan to reduce wildfire risks in the wildland-urban
interface can be an effective pre-fire mitigation. The Roslyn defensible-space project spawned the formation of the local Kittitas County Fire
Prevention Cooperative, a multi agency focus group emphasizing pre-fire planning and fuel-break advocacy.
This project is strongly supported by this Local Coordination Group as an example of community action and response to a changing risk
assessment.
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:
The Roslyn project will optimize and restore the effectiveness of 31 acres of shaded fuel break designed to protect 720 homes and
1 school campus. The defensible space created in 2001 to protect this infrastructure has become reloaded with ground fuels due
to shrub layer growth. The value of the protected infrastructure has escalated dramatically since 2001 with the ongoing
construction of homes, lodges, hotel, and golf courses at the adjacent 6,000 acre Suncadia Master Plan Resort [formerly
Trendwest/MountainStar].
The Roslyn fuel break was the poster-project for the 2001 FireWise Kittitas County Project that put the concept of "Defensible
Space" on the national radar screen by garnering press coverage from CNN, NPR, CBC, NBC, and a wide variety of national,
regional, and local print media.
Roslyn was chosen as a defensible space demonstration project for three important reasons:
-The town's structures are closely spaced old wooden buildings that are adjacent to forestlands with high concentrations of
hazardous fuels
-The area has an active wildland fire history
-Fire suppression reinforcements must travel a long distance.
The objective of the Shaded Fuel Break was to alter the fuels in a way that would force migrating fires onto the ground and reduce
their intensity.
Fuel Break effectiveness has been significantly reduced by renewed concentrations of shrub layer ground fuels in the defensible
space.
Accumulated shrub layer fuels, especially broad leafed woody brush, will be removed from the hazardous fuels equation by
introducing a small herd of goats [~20] that will systematically graze the 30 acres of shaded fuel break. Goat grazing across the
fuel break is a proven restoration technique that is cost effective, catalyzes beneficial growth of the herbaceous/grass layer, and
removes hazardous ground fuels from the site.
Ground fuels will be removed organically, instead of mechanically, and herbaceous ground cover and native grasses will be
fertilized and cultivated by the grazing technique.
Grazing will occur during the May - October period when the shrub layer fuels are most attractive as forage. Electric fencing will
be used to define a 1-acre pen that will systematically be moved through the firebreak to graze off the ground fuels. Calculations
show that 20 goats will graze off hazardous ground fuels from the entire fuel break in 150 days. One person will be contracted to
tend the herd as shepherd, water the animals twice daily, move the pen, maintain the electric fence, and make progress reports to
the Project Coordinator. At the end of the first year the goatherd will be sold at market and the proceeds dedicated to restocking
the herd for the second year of the fuels reduction project.
The fuel break grazing will be repeated in the second year of the project [2007], demonstrating the effectiveness of the goat
grazing technique. The forestland property owner [City of Roslyn] will make every effort to continue the fuels reduction project into
subsequent years by using the portable electric fencing, goat re-purchase fund, and the shepherding expertise gained from two
years of operational success.
Multi-party monitoring will be accomplished by a collaborative effort of the City of Roslyn, the Kittitas Conservation Trust [KCT],
Kittitas County Fire Marshal, and WA Department of Natural Resources [DNR]. Roslyn and the KCT anticipate executing a
conservation easement agreement for forestlands on which the shaded fuel break is located. Monitoring of the conservation
values on the fuel break, including wildlife habitat, open space and recreational assets will be performed by the KCT with
consultation from the County Fire Marshal and DNR. The KCT will contribute the services of the Project Coordinator as part of the
overall scope of the project that includes protecting and enhancing the forest ecosystem and the adjacent communities that define
the wildland-urban interface.
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:
A. The Roslyn fuel break project received national attention as a demonstration of the wildland-urban interface "defensible space"
concept. Demonstration of a unique and creative maintenance technique for ongoing fuels reduction in the fuel break would re-focus
attention to Roslyn as being a great place to visit. Roslyn's economic development plans stress cultivating a visitor oriented
commercial strategy.
B. Direct job growth benefits from this project include one part time seasonal position. The success of this project could lead to this
temporary part time position becoming a permanent seasonal job, which will likely push that worker above the poverty level.
C. The rudimentary tools acquired for this project, including portable electric fencing, will be reused in subsequent years for ground
fuels reduction and fuel break maintenance. Goatherd management skills acquired during this project will be carried forward for use
in subsequent herd deployments. Project progress reporting skills will be required to document fuels reduction success.
D. Biomass will be organically converted onsite into a natural fertilizer. The digestive processes of the goats grazing the 30-acre fuel
break will systematically convert hazardous ground fuels to beneficial soil amendments in the form of goat manure. Goats prefer
broad-leafed shrubs and brush as forage, and will provide nutrients and cultivation for the benefit of natural grasses on the site.
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 City of Roslyn has long been protective of its forested perimeter and adjacency to wildlands that lead to the wilderness. The
Western wildfire season of 2000 prompted local government to seek help in devising a pre-fire mitigation plan for protection of
public and private resources. The FIREWISE KITTITAS COUNTY Project of 2001 filled that need with a comprehensive plan and
project description that included the Roslyn Shaded Fuel Break Prescription. Roslyn proposes to restore the effectiveness of the
shaded fuel break prescribed in the FIREWISE Plan by removing hazardous ground fuels in the defensible-space around the city.
The community risk assessment and mitigation plan is contained in the FIREWISE KITTITAS COUNTY PROJECT FINAL
REPORT, Fall 2001, available from Derald Gaidos, Kittitas County Fire Marshal; or David Gerth, Project Coordinator.
Most of the 30 acres of the shaded fuel break proposed for ground fuels reduction activity are owned by the City of Roslyn.
Adjacent landowners fully support optimizing the effectiveness of the shaded fuel break, as do interested public agencies including
Kittitas County Fire Marshal, Dept. of Natural Resources, and the local USFS Ranger District.
The City of Roslyn and the Kittitas Conservation Trust are partnered on this proposal to remove hazardous ground fuels from the
Roslyn defensible space shaded fuel break. The KCT is a 501c3 conservation corporation, based in Roslyn, whose mission is to
protect and enhance the forest ecosystem, wildlife habitat, open space, and recreational assets in Kittitas County. Roslyn will
contribute administrative services and stock water to the project with a value of $1500.The KCT will contribute Project Coordinator
services to the project, including travel, with a value of $3,000.
Project Work Form
Tasks
Execute Project Agreement including Water
Supply Commitment between City of Roslyn
and Kittitas Conservation Trust
Time Frame
Responsible Party
City of Roslyn, Kittitas Conservation
Trust
March 2006
Execute Service Contract with Goat Shepherd
including project deliverables and work plan
City of Roslyn, Project Coordinator
April 2006
Acquire and deploy portable electric fence
and ~20 goats.
Project Coordinator
April 2006
Project Coordinator
Submit monthly progress reports
May - October 2006
Market herd, establish stock replenishment
fund,1st year progress report
Project Coordinator
October 2006
Project coordinator
Reacquire and deploy goat herd
April 2007
Monthly progress reports
Project Coordinator
May - October 2007
Project coordinator
Final project report
October 2007
Project Budget
Kittitas Conse Trust
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
Partner 3
Personnel
Clerk
$650
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$2,750
$0
$0
$2,750
$0
$650
$2,750
$0
$0
$3,400
$0
$0
$350
$0
Project Coordinator
Subtotal
$650
Fringe Benefits
Clerk
Subtotal
$0
$350
$0
$0
$0
$350
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$350
$0
$0
$250
$0
$0
$250
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$250
$0
$0
$250
$2,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$2,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$2,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$2,000
$0
$500
$0
$0
$0
$500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$500
$0
$0
$0
$500
$9,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$9,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$9,000
$0
$0
$0
$9,000
$1,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,500
$12,500
$1,500
$3,000
$0
$0
$17,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Travel
Project Coordinator
$0
Subtotal
Equipment
Electric fencing
Subtotal
Supplies
Water
Subtotal
Contractual
Shepherd
Subtotal
Other
Goats
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.