Enclosure 3A - Project Summary Form
35
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Treatment Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization: Wilson Ranch Properties Owners Association
Phone: 509-996-3163
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
L
FAX: 509-996-3411
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
F. Intermunicipal
G. Special District
Email: gregg@methownet.com
H. Independent School District
I. State-Controlled Institution of Higher Learning
J. Private University
K. Indian Tribe
L. Nonprofit Organization
M. Other (Specify) _______________________
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip): 18599 hwy 20, Winthrop WA 98862
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title): Jim Gregg, Property Owner Manager
Organization/Jurisdiction: Wilson Ranch Property Owners Assoc. (WR-POA)
Phone: 509-996-3163
FAX: 509-996-3411
Email: gregg@methownet.com
Project Information
Project Title: Wilson Ranch boundary Fire Wise thinning
Proposed Project Start Date: May 10, 2005
Proposed Project End Date: November 1, 2005
Federal Funding Request: 80%
Total Project Cost: $16,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please prioritize, and explain if the projects are stand alone, sequential or other:
This project stands alone. It ties to a Fire Wise project nearby that was completed in 2002.
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 WR-POA is an organization established to manage the private properties and common open space within the 175
acre Wilson Ranch/Freestone Inn Resort community. The community is adjacent to National Forest system lands near
the base of the eastern North Cascade mountains. The project is located in the upper Methow Valley near Mazama, 16
miles from Winthrop, along Highway 20. It is proposed to thin, (make fire safe) approximately 16 acres along the
National Forest boundary. A Fire Wise thinning would be done on common open space and private ownership. The
result will reduce fire risk to the private land as well as nearby National Forest.
Project Location:
Sec. 25 &26 T.36N., R.19E.W.M.
County:
Okanogan County
Federal Congressional District:
5
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Telephone number of Contact:
Chuck Johnson, Urban Interface Fire Management, Dept Natural Resources
509-684-7474
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?
Project location: This project area is within the Upper Methow Watershed Planning Unit, at the foot of the
North Cascades. Mazama is the closest community. The project lies within a narrow peninsula of private
land that penetrates into the National Forest. The project is within the Wilson Ranch Planned Development
which is an approved planned development for the Freestone Inn (21 rooms and 15 cabins and 27 privately
owned lots).
Anticipated outcomes: It is proposed to thin, (make fire safe) approximately 16 acres along the National
Forest boundary. This will reduce wildfire risk from reaching the adjacent National Forest as well as
reducing the risk of fire coming from the National Forest and reaching private land.
Partners: The action proposed with this grant could support the Forest Service in completing similar work
on their side of the boundary. Such a project in this resort type setting could demonstrate to many, a desirable
outcome from urban interface fire prevention. In January 2004, an action item at the WR_POA meeting was
to seek opportunities for forest thinning. A limited amount of marketable timber would be made available for
local log manufacturing. Firewood would be made available to the community. Private owners constructing
homes may utilize some of the larger materials.
Risk assessment: Fire has had an active role in the area for many years. Past fires have burned in the area
but more recently a build up of fine fuels has occurred. With a wind driven weather event, much of the
private land in this area is at risk of catastrophic wildfire. In addition, the visitor oriented tourist business can
cause a certain risk of human caused fire by those who are unaware of how easily a wildfire can start.
Extent of action: The non-profit WR-POA serves the interest of all owners of the Wilson Ranch. A
complete description of the Wilson Ranch including maps, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Covenants
Conditions & Restrictions, and Design Guidelines can be found at www.wilsonranch.com. These documents
along with the Landscape/Habitat Management Plan and a Forest Management Plan, filed with the planned
development in 2003, support this grant application to improve the natural forest setting in the area
Timeline and match: It is anticipated to complete this grant project as soon as possible, once snow leaves
the area in 2005. The WR-POA manager who will coordinate the project is trained in forestry and has
worked for the Forest Service for 30 years. The WR-POA proposes to match the thinning project by
establishing a fire education program for residents and employees, and by constructing two wild fire tool
caches on the property. The association also proposes to purchase a portable pump for basic wildfire control.
In addition, it is proposed to establish a limited irrigation plan to maintain green areas strategically located
through out the property.
(Contact has been made with the local coordination group to include this grant as a consideration. (We were
not aware of the original rating meetings)
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?
Response:
A. The Primary reason guests come to the Freestone Inn and Wilson Ranch is to enjoy and participate in the
natural environment of the area. The Inn, cabins and individual homes have all been architecturally designed
to complement this forested setting. Landscaping has been created to support the natural setting and
contribute to the aesthetics of the site. The community includes a 3-acre lake with fishing, a wetland area, a
full service restaurant, a recreation center, pool, convention facilities and interpretive trails. Facilities also
exist for hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. The importance of maintaining a healthy
natural forest setting that is fire safe is critical to the survival of our tourist-oriented business.
B. A mixture of Douglas-Fir and Ponderosa Pine exists in the project area. With out disturbance, these
stands have become dense with the fir invading the pine stands and creating a major fuel base for wildfire.
The proposal would involve a heavy thinning to allow Ponderosa Pine to thrive and remove hazardous ladder
fuel. Important would be removal of the fine fuels by chipping or hand piling and burning. The importance
of high value real estate and residential screening will be a factor in guiding the level of thinning. A diversity
of landscape that meets wildfire needs will necessitate adjustments to a strictly siliviculturally oriented
thinning.
C. Additional treatments near the actual residential building envelopes will take place by the property owners
as residences are built.
D. All of the lot area and the common open space near the lots are controlled by the Wilson Ranch Property
Association (WR-POA). All cutting of trees and modifications of a residential site must be approved by the
Wilson Ranch Design Review Community. The direction of the Forest Management Plan and the Design
Guidelines will provide the framework for future forest improvements.
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?
Response:
A. Due to its remote location and small size the resort has had difficulty competing with larger facilities
closer to metropolitan areas. I t is anticipated that once a residential community is built and established it will
allow the resort to stand on its own. Sixteen of the private lots have been sold and 6 have built residences. It
is anticipated that most of the remaining lots will be built on soon. If, on the other hand, wildfire were
allowed to negatively impact the area, the success of the resort would be at risk. Freestone Inn Wilson Ranch
is the largest employer in the upper valley with 30 - 40 employees.
B. A contract is anticipated to implement the project. A seasonal contract crew of five for 40 days would
complete the cutting, liming and fine fuel treatment.
C. A continues awareness for wildfire would be generated among the lot owners. Guests, through selfinterpretive trails and guided nature walks, both winter and summer in the area would also create additional
awareness.
D. Fine material would be either chipped or piled and burned. Larger logs would be made available for
firewood. Saw logs would be used for residential construction by the owner or made available to local log
manufactures.
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. Lorah Waters is the coordinating person. Although the Freestone Inn Wilson Ranch was not involved in
the initial project rating for this grant, we have since requested to be involved. There is a local forest
practices group that is involved in helping private landowners address forest management.
B. Discussions have taken place with the Methow Ranger District including a site visit. The Department of
Natural Resources was involved in completing an initial thinning a portion of the resort property.
C. The local Forest service is aware of the need to do a project in this area and is planning to address thinning
on the National Forest adjacent to this project. No other landowners are nearby.
D. The WR-POA proposes to match the thinning project by establishing a fire education program for
residents and employees, and by constructing two wild fire tool caches on the property. The association also
proposes to purchase a portable pump for basic wildfire control. In addition, it is proposed to establish a
limited irrigation plan to maintain green areas strategically located through out the property.
Enclosure 3A - Project Work Form
Tasks
Treat (Fire Wise) 16 acres
Time Frame
Responsible Party
May 2005 –November 2005
Contract
Purchase fire cache equipment and pump
Irrigate green belt.
April 2005
applicant
Establish/distribute interpretive signs on trail
and educational flyer for owners
June 2004
applicant
Home owner fire safe
Fall 2005 and on going
Home owners
Cutting , liming, and chipping or piling and
burning (which ever is least expensive)
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
Personnel
WR-POA
Interpretive/educational
Subtotal
1,200
1,000
1,200
1,200
1,000
1,200
5,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Subtotal
Equipment
fire cache
Subtotal
Supplies
Subtotal
Contractual
Thinning crew
Subtotal
16,000
16,000
16,000
16,000
Other
16 Individual landowners
Subtotal
Total Costs
16,000
6,200
4,500
4,500
4,500
4,500
4,500
26,700
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
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.