Enclosure 3A - Project Summary Form
24
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Treatment Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Pine Forest Owners Assoc.
Phone:
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
Organization
206-232-6228
Non-Profit
L
FAX:
206-232-6228
Email:
lynnML@comcast.net
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
F. Intermunicipal
G. Special District
H. Independent School District
I. State-Controlled Institution of Higher Learning
J. Private University
K. Indian Tribe
L. Nonprofit Organization
M. Other (Specify) _______________________
8412 SE 47th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Lynn Lewicki, PFOA Responsible Official
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Pine Forest Owners Assoc. (PFOA)
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
206-232-6228
206-232-6228
lynnML@comcast.net
Project Information
Project Title: Complete Fuels Treatment and Maintain Treatments for Pine Forest Community
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
10/1/04
12/31/05
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Cost:
$85,000
$91,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please prioritize, and explain if the projects are stand alone, sequential or other:
Fuels Treatment – Priority #1
Risk Assessment & Planning – Priority #2
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 is a continuation of a 10-year fuels treatment program supported by the FS, BLM, WA-DNR,
Fire District and local entities. Over $260,000 has already been invested towards making this
community more fire safe. This request is to treat pockets on private property and common areas
that were previously untreated and to address heavy bitterbrush fuels. It also moves the project
into the maintenance phase by treating ingrowth along the roads and initiating a demonstration
prescribed burn. The Methow Fire Plan Coordinating Group has ranked this project as #2 for fuels
treatment in the Methow Valley.
Project Location:
County:
Federal Congressional District:
Winthrop, WA
Okanogan
5th
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
John Newcom, District Ranger, Methow RD
Telephone number of Contact:
509-996-4060
Enclosure 3A (Page 1 of 3) - 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:
 project location (e.g., Watershed,
Address
neighboring community)
these items
as applicable:  anticipated outcomes

project relationship to the community risk assessment and
mitigation plan
 amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc.)
 community partners and their
 project timeline and matching or contributed funds
role(s)
 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 haven’t worked with a local coordination group, why not?
Pine Forest is a 180-parcel subdivision developed in the 1970’s south of Winthrop, WA It is in a dense forest
and was recognized at the outset to have a potentially severe fire risk. It is within a volatile fire disturbance
area and future fire, events are inevitable. The subdivision lies directly below National Forest lands.
The Forest Service, DNR and Fire District conducted a fire simulation exercise in 1995, which aroused the
landowner’s concern about the fire risk. A fuels treatment program was initiated in 1999 with development of
a Forest Stewardship Plan and was implemented through commercial thinning, hand piling and burning. To
date about 150 acres have been treated. Investments in the project include PFOA timber revenues and
donations $160,000, 2 NFP Grants $108,200, and SIP funding $6,000.
This request is to complete treatment on pockets that were previously untreated and to trim back bitterbrush
on hillsides not previously treated. It also includes moving into a maintenance phase where ingrowth along
the road system, used as a fuel break, will be mowed and a demonstration prescribed burn will be initiated
along the National Forest boundary to complement the Forest Service actions there. A total of 70 acres will
be included in these actions. The work will be begin as soon as the grant is approved and will be completed
by the end of 2005.
PFOA, the duly formed non-profit organization, representing the entire Pine Forest community, makes the
request. In addition to benefiting the landowners the project also provides public benefits; increased safety
for firefighters and reduced risk of fire escaping onto National Forest and surrounding land. It was the initial
fuels treatment project in the Winthrop and Twisp WUI’s and is shown as an example of what can be done.
Long-time partners are: Methow Ranger District, Forest Service (initiated action, provided project and grant
support and treated adjacent lands), BLM (provided grant support), WA-DNR (initiated action , provided
project support and SIP funding), Winthrop RFD ( initiated action and provided project support), and Sun
Mountain Lodge (adjacent landowner allowed treatment of fuel break).
PFOA is participating with the Methow Valley Fire Plan Coordinating Group to develop a Methow Valley
Fire Plan. This Coordinating Group ranked this request as #2 in the Valley for fuels treatment.
Enclosure 3A (Page 2 of 3) - 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?
Pine Forest is a 180-parcel subdivision with over 60 homes, many of which are significant
structures The community has strict covenants. Treating the fuels will not only protect the community but
also the surrounding developed areas, including the Sun Mountain Resort. These are all within the WinthropTwisp WUI’s.
Response:
Fuel treatment objectives are to (1) reduce the ground fuels so flame lengths remain below 4 feet, (2)
eliminate ladder fuels so fire stays out of the crowns, and (3) reduce bulk density in the crowns so any fire
getting to the crown would involve only a single crown or patch. This is done by a combination of thinning
from below and then removing the ground fuels. With these treatments suppression forces can make direct
attack on fires and control them before they engulf the entire community or spread to surrounding lands. This
request is to treat the fuels on private lots and common areas that were not previously treated and to trim back
bitterbrush slopes to meet the flame length objective. This will be done with a combination of mechanical
and hand work. As much of the material removed as possible will be utilized and the remaining slash burned
or chipped. A second part of the request is to begin a maintenance program. The road network is being
utilized as a fuel break system. These roadsides have been treated for 5-6 years and there is the need to trim
back the ingrowth by mowing. Fire is a natural disturbance in this ecosystem and the request includes
conducting a demonstration prescribed fire with Forest Service assistance in some of the treated areas
adjacent to the National Forest land.
The Methow Fire Plan Group is developing monitoring techniques as a part of the Methow Valley Fire Plan.
PFOA is involved with this effort and will participate with monitoring actions within the development to
improve techniques and results.
Enclosure 3A (Page 3 of 3) - 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?
This proposal will employ a five-person crew for a full season, or 3-4 years of employment. The
indirect benefits are huge in this valley that is dedicated to tourism. Catastrophic fires are a disaster to the
tourism industry and to the local economy. Pine Forest is looked at as a model for achieving fuels treatment
and reducing fire risk. Other communities and groups are now picking up the ball. This will spawn a new
industry, involving at least 4-5 crews on essentially a full-time basis, to treat these fuels within the Methow
Valley. With the current backlog, this work will continue for the foreseeable future. Reduced fire risk will be
a major benefit not only to the homeowners but also to the entire Methow economy.
Response:
New techniques and equipment are coming into play. Chippers, small skidders and mechanical wood cutting
machines are being used. An estimated 20 thousand board feet of merchantable timber will be removed along
with considerable smaller material. This will be utilized for firewood or other uses. The Small Diameter
Utilization project in the Valley has been contacted to see if there are additional uses for this material. The
estimated $6,000 in timber revenues will be donated back to the proposed Pine Forest project to reduce
overall costs. Only the limbs and tops will be chipped or burned.
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.
PFOA is participating with the Methow Valley Fire Plan Coordinating Group. The Pine Forest Fire
Plan will be an integral part of the Methow Valley Plan. Although the Methow Valley planning effort is just
beginning, the relative wildfire risks in the valley were evaluated. This proposal was ranked by the Group as
#2 for fuels treatment within the Methow Valley.
Response:
Pine Forest lies directly below National Forest land. The Forest Service has treated some of the adjacent land
with prescribed fire. With this proposal additional coordinated treatments are proposed. Sun Mountain, an
adjacent landowner, allowed treatment of adjacent land to develop a fuel break along the north boundary of
the development. The project is recognized as a model for reducing fire risk and it has been shown to
numerous agencies and organizations. Over $260,000 has already been invested in the project which has
strong Pine Forest and local community support.
Long-time partners in the project include:
 US Forest Service – Initiated action, coordinated projects, and provided project and grant support.
 Bureau of Land Management – Provided grant support.
 WA-DNR – Initiated action, provided project support and SIP funding.
 Winthrop Rural Fire Dist. – Initiated action and provided project support.
Enclosure 3A - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Treat fuels on additional lots.
(30 Ac.)
Fall 2004 & Spring/Summer 2005
PFOA & Cascade Woodlands
Trim bitterbrush.
(10 Ac.)
Spring & Summer 2005
PFOA & Cascade Woodlands
Mow roadside vegetation.
(20 Ac.)
Spring 2005
PFOA & Cascade Woodlands
Conduct demonstration prescribed
fire.
(10 Ac.
Spring 2005
PFOA, FS & Cascade
Woodlands
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
Personnel
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Subtotal
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Subtotal
Contractual
Treatment Operators
$85,000
$6,000
$91,000
$85,000
$6,000
$91,000
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
1
$6,000 Timber Revenue
Invested Back
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.
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