Project Summary Form
Id Number 2006-157
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN-INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Utilization and Marketing Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Okanogan Conservation District
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
G
509-422-0855 100
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
509-422-0532
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):
1251 S. 2nd Ave Okanogan, WA 98840
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Ms. Laura Clark Administrative & Education Coordinator
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Okanogan Conservation District
Phone: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
509-422-0855 100
FAX: (111 111-1111 x 1111)
509-422-0532
Call Ahead For FAX
Email:
laurac@okanogancd.org
Project Information
Project Title:
Okanogan County Biomass Demo Project
Proposed Project Start Date:
04/01/2006
Federal Funding Request:
$
187,550
Proposed Project End Date:
03/31/2008
Total Project Funding:
$
235,450
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
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 Okanogan Conservation District, the Okanogan Communities Development Council, the Okanogan County PUD, WA
Department of Ecology Air Quality Program, and the Okanogan County Electrical Cooperative will form a steering committee to
guide a separate feasibility study and this demo project for biomass conversion to electricity and/or biofuels. Based on the
feasibility study findings and a separate field testing of a conversion machine, practical field work will be done to prove economic
feasibility of using waste material from a log processing center, hazardous fire fuels removal as opposed to burning emissions, and
potentially US Forest Service forest thinning waste.
Project Location:
Latitude: 48.339
Longitude: -119.54
County:
Okanogan
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Federal Congressional District:
5
Telephone number of Contact:
Brad Flatten, US Forest Service
509-826-3066
Sue Billings, WA Dept of Ecology Air Quality Division
509-575-2486
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 Geographic scope of project
Address these
x Is the project linked to a plan?
items as
x Project time frames and partners
applicable:
x Specify types of activities and equipment used
x
x
x
Anticipated outcomes and measures of success
How will the project results be reported?
Special skills or expertise needed to complete the work
For this project, explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning, through a “Local Coordination
Group.” If you haven’t worked with a local coordination group, why not?
Response:
The Okanogan County Biomass Demo Project work will be completed in Okanogan County, Washington. The Methow Local
Coordinating Group has identified a need for biomass utilization, hazardous fuels reduction, reduction of wildfire hazard [natural
or human caused] to communities at risk, and addressing air quality issues from prescribed burning and wildfires. Although the
Methow LCG Community Fire Plan is in its summary phase, this plan continues to be developed and should be completed in
the next two years pending funding. The Okanogan County Biomass Demo Project will be completed over the course of two
years. The Okanogan Conservation District will partner with the Okanogan Communities Development Council in their Small
Diameter Log Merchandising and Processing Center [2005 & 2006 NFP applications] to obtain residual biomass not currently
being utilized. This source of materials will be obtained during the first season of the project, pending funding. The US Forest
Service partnership will consist of technical assistance and has the potential of providing biomass from their forest thinning
projects. This source of materials, although abundant, will take more coordinating, be done through a competitive process, and
will require a large-scale operation of removal to processing locations, both the Processing Center or a nearby field processing
machine. This may begin during the first season, but the majority of the work would probably occur during the second season.
Partnering with the Okanogan County PUD and the Okanogan County Electrical Cooperative will occur by either converting
biofuels directly to electricity and feeding it into the existing power grid or by storing biofuels fo use at peak usage hours or
possibly sold on the market at peak rates to ensure the greatest return on investment. Okanogan County PUD has diesel
generators geared towards feeding electricity directly into the power grid. These diesel generators can be used in the demo
project. The Washington Department of Ecology, Air Quality Division is also interested in reducing burning emissions and as
such may be able to leverage some funding in their upcoming biennium [July 2005 to June 2007] according to Department staff
during ongoing discussions on air quality programs in Okanogan County. Currently we are completing a grant application that
will be submitted to the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grants for a biomass feasibility study. These funds, if obtained, will be
available this summer allowing the feasibility study to be completed prior to or during this grant's early stages. The feasibility
study will address: the various conversion equipment that could be used in the field; existing electricity transformer and
substation locations; and biomass sources, locations, and fuels sustainability. A steering committee will be formed consisting of
representatives from the Okanogan Conservation District, the Okanogan Communities Development Council, the Okanogan
County PUD, the Washington Department of Ecology, the Okanogan County Electrical Cooperative, and others that may be
identified, during the feasibility study process. They will guide the activities of the feasibility study and subsequently the demo
project including hiring of a consultant or other necessary personnel, to determine the parameters of any necessary permitting
and contracts, determine which machinery will be used, determine site specific processes of either direct electricity conversion
or biofuels creation and transportation, and guide marketing strategies. The Institute for Washington's Future and Bear Fight
Institute are currently making application to the Department of Energy's Research and Development grant program to take lab
developed equipment and field test it to determine feasibility, efficiency, biodiesel output statistics based on fuel types and
seasonal water content, and marketability and processing of residual carbon. If this funding is obtained, it will be available this
summer allowing the field testing to be completed prior to or during this grant's early stages. Based on the results of the
feasibility study's findings regarding appropriate equipment, biomass conversion equipment will be purchased. Agreements
and/or contracts will be obtained for biomass supply, necessary transportation of biomass and biofuels, and utilities/end users
transfer of electricity and/or biofuels. Based on the results of the field testing project, that equipment will be considered and the
carbon market explored further as necessary. The outcome of the demo project will be to prove economic feasibility and
biomass sustainability. Measurement of the success of the project will be based upon conclusions of economic feasibility and
biomass sustainability after potential sources and end users have been identified. Project results of biomass consistent
sustainability, transportation alternatives and their costs, equipment maintenance needs and anticipated depreciation or
alternative equipment needs, and the market value of generated electricity or fuels will be reported. The Okanogan
Conservation District has a proven ability to administrate, facilitate, cooperate and motivate personnel, meetings/groups and
grants and funding source personnel. A Request for Proposals or bid process will be used for necessary equipment,
transportation, and outside personnel as needed. Biomass conversion equipment will be purchased under guarantee and with
an agreement for the manufacturer to assist with any problems that may arise.
Project Evaluation Criteria
Applications for funding must include narrative responses that address the following four criteria. Within each criterion, subcriteria are listed in descending order of importance. Limit your responses to the areas provided.
1. Increasing Economic Utilization of Woody Material Removed in Fuels Management and Forest Restoration
Activities (50 Points)
A. Will biomass or forest fuels be utilized? If so, in what manner and how much?
B. Will the project improve the local economy in terms of jobs and sustainable economic activity?
C. How many jobs are expected to be created or retained, and for how long?
D. Are any private businesses involved in this project? If so, what are their roles?
E. Can this project be offered to serve as a model to other communities or businesses? If so, why and how will the model be
conveyed or made available?
F. If the project involves new product development, what evidence is there for appropriate markets and end-users?
G. How will the project be sustained or carried forward beyond the project timelines? Will it depend on public funding sources?
Response:
This project is a demonstration of biomass conversion to biofuels and electricity. Both options will be explored for economic
viability, markets and sustainability. Biomass materials will be collected at and through the Small Diameter Log Processing
Center from materials they would have to normally discard and from communities at risk though their hazardous fire fuels
removal processes. Potentially, slash from US Forest Service may also be utilized.
This project will contract services for transportation of biomass and consultation of experts on biomass conversion machinery
and processes through local private businesses where possible. The Small Diameter Log Processing Center staff will be
retained through the expansion of usable biomass. The Okanogan County PUD staff will be retained through site assistance in
feeding excess electricity into the power grids. These jobs would only be continued throughout the time period of the project
unless it is determined to be economically feasible and then the project and jobs would continue through the projectâ??s selfsustainability. Independent logging and thinning crews would have work through the hazardous fire fuels reduction processes,
but that work will occur regardless of whether or not the biomass project work is done.
This project would serve as a model to other communities on biomass utilization and partnerships. Communities interested in
continuing, strengthening and expanding their partnerships would perhaps gain insight on innovate ways to utilize those
partnerships. The project results will be shared within our county by reports provided to the Local Coordinating Groups. The
results will also be posted on the internet through the Okanogan Communities Development Council and other websites.
If the demonstration project proved to at least be self-sustaining, the various agencies and organizations involved are
committed to its continuance and refinement. The agencies and organizations involved would continue to provide technical
support to seek efficiency improvement and better understanding of how the program can be replicated in other areas.
Project Evaluation Criteria
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
1. Expanding community participation and collaboration. (30 points)
Identify the partners and community members involved in planning and implementing the project.
Describe the extent of local support for this project.
How much cost-sharing is there for the project? Who are these partners and what are the arrangements?
What are the direct community benefits that will result from this project?
How will you use multi-party monitoring to improve this and future projects?
Response:
A steering committee will be formed during the feasibility phase, continue through the demo phase, and will consist of
reps from Okanogan Conservation Dist., Okanogan Communities Development Council, Okanogan Co. PUD,
Okanogan Co. Electrical Coop and WA Dept. of Ecology with additional technical expertise from the US Forest
Service. Other organizations including the Methow Conservancy, Partnership for a Sustainable Methow, Methow
Forest Owners Cooperative, and Bear Fight Institute are all supportive of this effort. The WA Department of Ecology Air
Quality Division is actively seeking funds to assist in the feasibility and demonstration phases. Other partners have
committed to seeking additional financial support and/or have committed to participate on the steering committee. The
community will benefit by removing hazardous fire fuels from public and private land that would otherwise be burned
and create air quality issues, being involved in the removal process and news coverage. Electricity generated through
this process will reduce the burden on the utility companies. The strengthening of existing partnerships and expansion
to new partnerships will be mutually beneficial. The diverse steering committee will evaluate the effectiveness of the
project, work with experts in the field of biomass to identify possible efficiency improvements and develop a final report
with conclusions on the effectiveness and future possibilities for continuing a biomass program.
2. Taking Advantage of Existing Networks, previously-funded projects and knowledge. (20 Points)
A. Describe how the proposed project takes advantage of relevant, existing networks and previously-funded projects.
B. Describe who and what (reports, studies, internet sites, etc.) were consulted to ensure the best information available was used
in designing this project proposal.
Response:
The Okanogan County Biomass Demonstration Project steering committee will be comprised of representatives from
the Okanogan Conservation District, the Okanogan Communities Development Council, the Okanogan County Public
Utilities District, the Washington Department of Ecology Air Quality Division, and Okanogan County Electrical
Cooperative. The three National Fire Plan local coordinating groups within the county will give input to the feasibility and
demonstration phases. The OCDC Small Diameter Log Merchandising and Processing Center will be utilized.
This project will use the existing knowledge base and expertise of local foresters, agriculturists, marketing specialists,
and the PUD to develop and implement a biomass demonstration project in Okanogan County. The project will use
existing biomass in Okanogan County which will include bi-products of forest thinning and harvesting, agricultural waste,
and other sources as may be identified. The project is intended to use the existing electrical grid for distribution of
generated electricity to customers.
This demonstration is intended to be the culmination of a multi-year process several of the above mentioned entities and
private landowners have been engaged in to identify, develop and implement biomass to energy projects. Currently a
feasibility study is being developed and, with funding from a different source, will be completed prior to during this grants
early stages. That study, in concert with the extensive knowledge of committee members and research on the subject,
will guide the implementation of this demonstration project.
Project Work Form
Tasks
Hire Field Crew & Machine Operators
Create Agreement with US Forest Service for
Tech Asst
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Okanogan Conservation District
4-1-06 to 3-31-08
Facilitate Steering Committee
Supervise Personnel
Okanogan Conservation District
4-1-06 to 3-31-08
Review Feasibility & Field Test Reports
Determine Specific Biomass Removal Sites
Determine Equipment Purchases/Rentals
Publish Requests for Proposals
Determine Transportation & Other Contractors
Enter Into Necessary Contracts
Obtain Necessary Permits
Steering Committee
4-1-06 to 3-31-08
Steering Committee
7-1-06 to 3-31-08
Research Markets
Steering Committee
4-1-06 to 3-31-08
Okanogan Conservation District
Produce Final Report
1-1-08 to 3-31-08
Project Budget
OCDC
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Dept of Ecology
Partner 1
OCEC
Partner 2
Total
Partner 3
Personnel
Laura Clark &Craig Nelso
Field Crew & machine op
Subtotal
$0
$30,000
$12,000
$20,000
$12,000
$74,000
$0
$50,000
$0
$0
$0
$50,000
$0
$80,000
$12,000
$20,000
$12,000
$124,000
$0
$0
$10,000
Fringe Benefits
Laura Clark
Field Crew
Subtotal
$0
$10,000
$0
$0
$12,000
$22,000
$0
$0
$0
$12,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$22,000
$0
$4,050
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$7,050
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$4,050
$0
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$7,050
$0
$50,000
$0
$0
$0
$50,000
$0
$5,000
$0
$0
$0
$5,000
$0
$55,000
$0
$0
$0
$55,000
$0
$500
$200
$500
$200
$1,400
$0
$1,000
$0
$0
$0
$1,000
$0
$1,500
$200
$500
$200
$2,400
$0
$20,000
$0
$0
$0
$20,000
$0
$0
$20,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$20,000
$0
$5,000
$0
$0
$0
$5,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5,000
$0
$0
$0
$5,000
$0
$187,550
$13,200
$21,500
$13,200
$235,450
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Travel
10,000 miles x .405
$0
Subtotal
Equipment
Biomass Conversion Equ
Laptop,camera,field equip
Subtotal
Supplies
Office supplies
Copies
Subtotal
Contractual
Biomass Transportation
Subtotal
Other
Training
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.