Project Summary Form
Id Number 2006-225
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN-INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Treatment Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
City of Sisters
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
C
541-549-6022
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
541-549-0561
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):
PO Box 39 Sisters, OR 97759
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Ms. Eileen Stein City Manager
Organization/Jurisdiction:
City of Sisters
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
541-549-6022 1
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
541-549-0561
Call Ahead For FAX
Email:
estein@ci.sisters.or.us
Project Information
Project Title:
Sisters-Area Urban Interface Fuels Treatment Project
Proposed Project Start Date:
03/01/2006
Federal Funding Request:
$ 119,850
Proposed Project End Date:
06/30/2008
Total Project Funding:
$
160,844
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
The City of Sisters will be submitting only this application.
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).
Due to several catastrophic wildfires that have recently occurred around the City of Sisters, concern among city residents and surrounding
landowners has drastically risen and fuels treatment has become a top priority for the city. As a result of the heightened concern and danger to the
community, Sisters is participating as one of two projects being implemented by the Watershed Research Training Center. This project is resulting
in the development of the Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which will guide the efforts of the City of Sisters and local
partners in mitigating future fire threats. The purpose of this funding request is to implement the fuels treatment strategies in critical areas that will
be identified in the Greater Sisters Country Community WildfFire Protection Plan. This project will treat fuels on approximately 260 acres in and
around the Sisters Community. The Greater Sisters Community Wildfire Plan will be completed by March, 2005.
Project Location:
Latitude: 44.29648
Longitude: -121.54
County:
Deschutes
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Lisa Clark, Fire Mitigation Specialist
Federal Congressional District:
2
Telephone number of Contact:
541-416-6864 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?
City of Sisters participates on the Central Oregon Project Wildfire Steering Committee.
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 260
Treatment
Acres 0
Treatment
Acres 0
Treatment
Acres 0
If you have a treatment type other than standard types above:
Other 1
Acres 0
Other 2
Acres 0
The project location will consist of non-federal lands identified in the Greater Sisters Country Community Fire Protection Plan as the highest priority
for immediate treatment. Based on preliminary evaluation by the City of Sisters and project partners there are several areas that are likely to be
considered as high priority. These include areas within the city limits near Sisters High School and the sewage treatment plant; areas within or
adjacent to Black Butte Ranch, the Tollgate community, and Cascade Meadows Ranch to the northeast of Sisters; and the Crossroads and
Edgington Road communities to the east of the city.
The Sewer Treatment plant is considered a high priority because the area is sprayed with the Cityâ??s effluent, which results in robust biomass
growth [effluent serves as a plant fertilizer]. The City recognizes that the treatment plant could be a severe wildfire threat if left untreated. However,
if grant funds are accessed and the Sewer Treatment plant is treated, the area can serve as a fire break for neighboring high-priced homes.
This project will implement fuels treatments recommended in the Greater Sisters Country Community Fire Protection Plan that meet or exceed the
standards of Senate Bill 360 to protect residential, commercial, and publicly-owned properties in the wildland urban interface.
The City of Sisters and the Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD will collaborate on project management and coordination. The Heart of Oregon Corps will
conduct the majority of the fuels treatment labor. The Watershed Research and Training Center will act in an advisory role on site selection and
treatment methods while the U.S. Forest Service, Departments of Forestry and Fish and Wildlife, Cloverdale RFPD, and Black Butte Ranch RFPD
will serve in advisory roles throughout implementation.
This project will directly implement the 2005 Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan which is currently under development.
The budget proposed in this application will enable fuels treatment on approximately 260 acres in priority areas identified in the Greater Sisters
Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The City anticipates that one of the highest priorities will be the treatment of 160 acres of city-owned
property that is used for effluent discharge from the sewage treatment plant. This area serves as a buffer between federal land in the Deschutes
National Forest and residential areas, including some of the highest valued real-estate in the city. The City also anticipates that approximately 20
acres adjacent to Sisters High School will be identified as a high priority for treatment. This area to the north of the high school would serve as a
buffer between the Deschutes National Forest and the school, as well as residential neighborhoods surrounding the school. The City anticipates the
remainder of the funds to be used to treat privately-owned properties within the identified project area.
Project Timeline: Implementation of the project will be carried out from March 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008. Treatment activities will be carried out in
accordance with the Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan beginning with the areas with the highest level of fire hazard.
The City of Sisters and the Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD will contribute $28,244 in staffing, materials, and transportation toward project
implementation. Participating private landowners will be required to provide up to 50 percent of the cost for treatment on their property.
The City of Sisters has the fiscal, administrative, and professional expertise to carry out this project, and partners have considerable wildfire risk
reduction planning and implementation experience to help guide project activities. Matching personnel funds identified in this grant application will
provide the necessary staffing to administer and coordinate project activities. The City is actively participating with the Greater Sisters Community
Wildfire Plan steering committee. The City of Sisters also participates on the Central Oregon Project Wildfire Steering Committee. That group is
overseeing the submission of a NFP grant for fire risk reduction education activities, which is intended to coordinate risk reduction efforts. The City
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:
Community Infrastructure Protected: Fuels treatments will help to protect the commercial core in the City of Sisters and vital public
facilities such as the sewage treatment plant, Sisters High School and Sisters Middle School. In addition, treatments implemented
in the project area will help to protect approximately 2,430 homes with a cumulative value of over $700 million. The breakdown of
homes in potential project locations are as follows: City of Sisters - 600 homes; Black Butte Ranch - 1200 homes; Tollgate - 400
homes; Crossroads - 150 homes; Edgington Road - 50 homes; and Cascade Meadows Ranch - 30 homes. The average value of
homes in each community ranges from $200,000 to $400,000. Fuels treatments will also ensure that Squaw Creek is protected as
a valuable water resource for the City.
Reduction of Fire Behavior: This proposal will reduce fire behavior in wildland urban interface areas by removing small diameter
forest fuels and underbrush. The specific techniques and timing of the treatments will be applied in accordance with the Greater
Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The primary strategy will be to remove ladder fuels to decrease the intensity
of future fires and to ensure fires do not reach the tree crowns in order to avoid stand-replacing fires. The treatments will help to
prevent fires and mitigate damages of those that do occur by decreasing their intensity, slowing the movement of the fire, and
keeping the flames low to the ground.
Maintenance of Treatments: The City anticipates that treated areas will require maintenance every five years. Maintenance will
include mowing of underbrush and removal of branches. This will be funded through a combination of city resources, other local
contributions, and future grant funding.
Multi-Party Monitoring: All work completed on this project will be entered into the Central Oregon Fire Atlas which is monitored by
the Project Wildfire Steering Committee. This system will track both the type and frequency of treatments completed in the Sisters
area. The data from this Atlas will be used in making decisions for future treatment activities to maximize the benefits of this and
future projects. The City will also work with the U.S. Forest Service, Central Oregon Fire Management Services, Black Butte
Ranch RFPD, and other fire protection districts in the area for on-site monitoring of project implementation and evaluating the
impact of these fire hazard mitigation efforts. This data will also be used to update the Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire
Protection Plan which will continue providing guidance on future fuel treatment areas in the plan boundaries.
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:
Recent fires, such as the Cache Mountain Fire in 2002, and the Link and B&B Complex fires in 2003, have had a damaging impact
on a local economy highly dependent on tourism, particularly in the summer months when fire risk is greatest. Greater fire protection
from treatment within the wildland urban interface will have the longer term impact of stabilizing the community by ensuring a safe,
stable, and uninterrupted business climate that will encourage entrepreneurs to locate businesses and homes in the community. The
Heart of Oregon Corps estimate that this project will employ 12 youth and two supervisors on a part-time basis for approximately two
years. For work that the Heart of Oregon Corps does not have the capacity to handle, the City will hire a commercial contractor. By
using youth crews to implement the treatment, this project will help participating youth and supervisors gain job skills and expertise
related to fuels treatment. The project will also allow the community to explore the benefits of fuels utilization through the high school
wood shop. In addition, this project will help build the capacity of the City and local partners to collaborate with federal land managers
on fuels treatment and utilization projects. Project treatments proposed for private lands will complement future treatments proposed
for federally owned lands around Sisters. The biomass can be used in the school's woodshop. Underbrush and unusable timber will
be used for compost by the City.
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:
This project will directly implement the strategies defined by the 2005 Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan,
which will be completed by March, 2005. The City of Sisters is working closely with the U.S. Forest service to identify potential
areas for treatment. The Greater Sisters Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan involves the cooperation of a broad range of
agencies and interested parties in developing strategies to address fuels treatment, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Oregon
Department of Forestry, and area land owners. Project collaborators are as follows: City of Sisters [project management and
coordination]; Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD [co-leader for project implementation]; Cloverdale RFPD and Black Butte Ranch RFPD
[advisory role for implementation of fuel treatments in their districts]; Heart of Oregon Corps [majority of fuels treatment labor];
Watershed Research and Training Center [advisory role on site selection and treatment methods]; Deschutes County, U.S. Forest
Service, the Department of Forestry and Fish and Wildlife [advisory]; and landowners including Deschutes Basin Land Trust and
homeowners associations [financial contribution and feedback]. The impetus for this project originated with local property owners,
homeowners associations, and fire districts that were concerned with the increased threat they have experienced in recent years.
The communities in Black Butte Ranch and Camp Sherman have both been evacuated in the past two years and the residents
understand the severity of risk they are facing and are fully in support of fuels treatments.
Project Work Form
Tasks
Develop the Greater Sisters Country
Community Wildfire Protection Plan through
the Upper Deschutes Basin Community Fire
Plans Project.
Selection of fuel treatment sites from priority
areas identified in the Greater Sisters Country
Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Time Frame
2/2004 through 3/2005
Responsible Party
Watershed Research and Training
Center; City of Sisters; USDA Forest
Service; Local RFPDs; Landowners
and Homeowner Associations.
City of Sisters; Black Butte Ranch
RFPD; USDA Forest Service.
2/24/2005
Bidding for commercial contract; Contract
negotiations with Heart of Oregon Corps.
4/1/2006 - 4/30/2006
City of Sisters; Sisters-Camp
Sherman RFPD; Heart of Oregon
Corps.
City of Sisters; Sisters-Camp
Sherman RFPD.
Contract negotiations with commercial
contractor.
5/1/2006 - 5/31/2006
Fuels Treatment of project area: Removal of
small diameter timber; Mowing and removal of
underbrush; Other treatments as
recommended in the Plan.
Fuels utilization: Transport to recycling center
or high school workshop; Composting at
recycling center; storing for future use by high
school shop.
Heart of Oregon Corps; Commercial
contractor.
6/1/2006 - 5/31/2008
Heart of Oregon Corps; City of
Sisters; Sisters High School.
Ongoing
Consultation and advice.
Ongoing
Project Assessment
6/1/2008 - 6/30/2008
USDA Forest Service; Local RFPDs;
Watershed Research and Training
Center; Oregon Department of
Forestry; Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife.
City of Sisters; Sisters-Camp
Sherman RFPD; USDA Forest
Service.
Project Budget
Sisters/Cmp Sh.
RFPD
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Private Landowners
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
Partner 3
Personnel
Grant Admin, Comm. Mtg
Subtotal
$0
$8,739
$4,627
$0
$0
$13,366
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$8,739
$4,627
$0
$0
$13,366
$0
$0
$4,678
Fringe Benefits
Benefits @35% of salary
Subtotal
$0
$3,059
$1,619
$0
$0
$3,059
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,619
$0
$0
$4,678
$0
$2,550
$2,550
$0
$0
$5,100
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$2,550
$0
$2,550
$0
$0
$5,100
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5,100
$0
$0
$0
$5,100
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5,100
$0
$0
$0
$5,100
$119,850
$0
$0
$12,750
$0
$132,600
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$119,850
$0
$12,750
$0
$132,600
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$119,850
$19,448
$8,796
$12,750
$0
$160,844
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Travel
Site Visits
$0
Subtotal
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Meeting Materials/Mailing
Subtotal
Contractual
Fuel Treatment@ $510/ac
Subtotal
Other
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.