Enclosure 3A - Project Summary Form
48
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Treatment Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Phone:
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
A
360-902-1754
FAX:
360-902-1757
Email:
mark.gray@wadnr.gov
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) ___Interagency Cooperators____
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
1111 Washington Street S. E. Olympia, WA 98504-7037
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Chuck Johnson, NFP Grant Coordinator, NE Washington, DNR
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Wa State DNR, NE Region
Phone:
FAX:
509-684-7474
Email:
509-684-7484
chuck.johnson@wadnr.gov
Project Information
Project Title:
Conconully Wildland/Urban Interface Fuels Reduction Project
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
May 2005
Federal Funding Request:
December 2005
Total Project Cost:
$249,000.00
$274,000.00
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please prioritize, and explain if the projects are stand alone, sequential or other:
YES. DNR is applying for numerous other projects, however this is a stand-alone proposal.
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 Washington State Department of Natural Resources is proposing a hazard fuels reduction project for creation of
defensible space around vulnerable properties in the Wildland Urban Interface in Conconully, Washington, approximately
15 miles northwest of Omak, Washington. This proposal is intended to complement the Mutton Project, a planned fuels
reduction project on adjacent federal lands on the Okanogan National Forest. The Forest Service anticipates beginning
implementation in 2005. Funding of this proposal will serve to extend fuels reduction work across the landscape beyond
the national forest boundary by intensive hazard fuels reduction in the immediate vicinity of private improvements.
Project Location:
Conconully, Washington
County:
Federal Congressional District:
Okanogan
5
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Telephone number of Contact:
Loren Torgerson, District Manager, Highland Region, NE, Wa DNR
Cris McCuen, Fire Prevention Specialist, Mt Tolman BIA
Sharon Barton-Wood, Fire Management Officer, Tonasket Ranger District, USFS
Jim Rees, NFP Wildlife Biologist, Spokane District, BLM
509-684-7474
509-634-3157
509-486-5151
509-665-2100
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?
A. The Conconully WUI Fuels Reduction Project area lies approximately 15 miles northwest of Omak, Washington. The
area is nearly surrounded by BLM managed lands and is just south of the Okanogan National Forest, where the Mutton
Project is currently in the planning stage. That project proposes considerable fuels reduction activity. The Conconully
project proposes to complement Forest Service efforts by extending fuels reduction work from the National Forest
boundary outward to where private properties are in need of fuels reduction work to protect over 200 homes and
improvements.
The Conconully proposal involves assisting area neighborhoods plan and develop defensible space around their
homes. An application process would involve selection criteria for selecting home sites for fuels reduction and defensible
space development. Prior to beginning fuels reduction work, a fuels management consultant and the property owner
would conduct an onsite inspection and develop a strategy and work agreement. If tasks are beyond the capabilities of
an owner to do themselves, the work order will be passed to a contract hazard reduction/defensible space development
crew using small, mechanized equipment.
B. There are several anticipated outcomes: reduce fire intensity and torching potential near private improvements, break
up the continuity of hazard fuels conditions across the landscape, provide firefighters with a chance to mount a
reasonable defense against wildfire and build owner awareness of fire hazard mitigation.
C. There are several community partners involved in planning this project. Fire managers from the U.S. Forest Service,
BLM, BIA, and DNR support this proposal. Collaboration and coordination has occurred within the Highland Fire Defense
Team Local Coordinating Group. These people recognize the danger of catastrophic fire in the community and are willing
to bring focus to fuels problems and prioritize mitigation strategies. More partners are expected to become involved once
the project is funded and contacts with groups and individuals occur.
D. There are no community fire plans yet in this community. Fire Districts are staffed by volunteers, and local
governments are understaffed for such a task. An effort has been started to look at a risk assessment for the town of
Conconully. However, local fire managers recognize a critical opportunity in timing a fuels reduction project in conjunction
with the Mutton Project on national forest land. The Conconully project occurs in a recognized high risk area, and fuels
reduction efforts would be well placed even before a Community Fire Plan is completed.
E. It is estimated that there are over 200 homes in the project area. This proposal would treat approximately 200 acres.
These are labor intensive treatments involving, thinning, slashing, pruning, chipping, handpiling, and moving/removing
flammable fuels generated in Fuels Condition Class 2 and 3 stands.
F. Since this project proposes to continue the work of a successful program currently administered by the Wa State DNR,
implementation can start quickly after funding. There are no entities with money to match funding, but agency partners
are available to assist in public relations, fuels education and grant administration.
G. Procedures regarding homeowner applications and screening, fuels consultations, work orders, billing and payments
are already in place. There are experienced consultants and fuels reduction contractors in the area. This project should
be completed within a year.
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 project area is mountainous and wooded. It provides scenic views for the valley around Conconully Lake, a
recreational zone important to the local economy. Much of the project area has been developed by homeowners.
Neighborhoods are served by a network of county roads with parallel power lines. These roads and powerline corridors
also serve as potential fuelbreaks. As the Conconully project proceeds, the consultant will look for opportunities to make
improvements to these corridors where they may work well as future fuelbreaks.
Protecting this area from catastrophic fire is high for water quality reasons. The lake’s water quality is largely
dependent upon a steady supply of good quality water for the health of Conconully Lake and the recreational and
economic opportunities it provides. The lake is a water source for irrigators, residents and recreationists. Water quality is
always a concern expressed by local residents who depend upon healthy watersheds for economic and recreational
support.
B. The proposal will change fire behavior by reducing fuels in the area of private improvements. Contractors will thin
small, overstocked trees, cut brush, prune low limbs, handpile debris, chip larger woody pieces, and/or remove debris to
safe burning areas. This will decrease fire intensity, flame length, and the tendency for fire to ascend into tree crowns.
The overall effect is to reduce Fuels Condition Class from 2 or 3 down to 1. Fuel reduction projects in neighborhoods will
have the broader effect of breaking up the continuity of hazard fuels across the landscape.
The project meets National Fire Plan Implementation Plan goals by: --focusing on treating improvements and hazards
that would most threaten firefighters defending homes, -- increasing homeowner education by distributing FireWise
literature during the risk assessment phase, restores portions of unhealthy forests by reducing fuels condition class from
2 or 3 down to 1, --collaborating across agency lines to prioritize common goals, --achieving fuel reduction goals in the
wildland/urban interface where adjacent to federal lands, --planning cross-boundary fuels work both by this grant and the
Mutton Project on the Okanogan National Forest to achieve a coinciding implementation schedule, --monitoring results so
work can be improved during the project and in the future.
C. Many citizens do not know what a safe fuels condition looks like. Once the initial time consuming and financial
expense of fuels reduction takes place, a public example has been created. Past experience in this program results in
enthusiastic landowners that can see what to do, and why it will lessen fire danger. Homeowners have been much more
willing to do small maintenance chores with weed eater and rake after the big, labor-intensive fuel reduction work has
been completed.
D. The fuels consultant will be required to take before and after photographs of the treatment areas. These will be
compiled with the work orders and costs. A monitoring field trip will be organized during the project. Members of the
Highlands Fire Defense Team, the Project Coordinator, the Fuels Consultant, and local city and county officials will visit
sites to see how the work is progressing. Appropriate changes or recommendations will be incorporated into the project
and noted for inclusion in future projects.
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. The project will benefit the economy by paying local workers. The tasks will likely include equipment rental and repair
at local saw shops. Property values will be increased. The potential economic damage to a weak local economy will be
lessened as the potential for catastrophic fire and it’s effects is reduced.
B. Financial estimations of project costs figure utilizing one Fuels Consultant and a three person work crew for at least
200 days. The work must be done in non-snow months, so the contractor may opt to hire two crews to get the work done
in half the time. The project is seasonal extending for less than 1 year.
C. The consultant and the contract workers will be doing forest maintenance work that is different than typical logging
work. There will be work with chainsaws, pruners, brush cutters, and chippers. They will gain an understanding of the
kinds and volumes of material that can be generated by fuels reduction work mostly involving small diameter vegetation.
As the workers and homeowners see what and how much debris is generated, a greater understanding will develop
about feasibility of any economic utilization.
D. Biomass is beginning to be appreciated locally as landscape mulch and livestock bedding. Such utilization has been
limited to homeowners. The Conconully project may be large enough to spawn some peripheral utilization activities.
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. Please see Page 1, Project Narrative Statement, Paragraph D.
B. The project has been reviewed and prioritized by the Highland Fire Defense Team Local Coordinating Group. This
team is heavily represented by local, state, and federal agencies. Through this collaboration, the group recommended
fuels reduction work adjacent to the Okanogan National Forest’s upcoming Mutton project on adjacent Forest Service
lands.
C. Cooperators/partners are:

U.S. Forest Service, Tonasket Ranger District, Okanogan National Forest

Bureau of Land Management, Wenatchee Office

Highlands District, Northeast Region, Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mt. Tollman Fire Center
D. Local support has been enthusiastic among those homeowners who have been contacted. At least 25 homeowners
have expressed an interest in participating; it is reasonable to expect more public interest and participation as this project
gets underway. A match in the form of outreach, education, publicity, monitoring and grant administration will be provided
by the DNR.
Enclosure 3A - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
April 2005
Grant Administrator
--Begin advertising for clients
--Begin taking applications
May 2005 and ongoing
Grant Administrator
Fuels Consultant
--Begin Risk Assessments and
Fuel Reduction Plans with
homeowners
May 2005 and ongoing
Fuels Consultant
--Implement fuel reduction work
orders.
May 2005 and ongoing
Fuels Reduction Contractors
June 2005
October 2005
Grant Administrator
Highlands Fire Defense
Team
December 2005
Grant Administrator
--Obtain funding
--Obtain the services of a Fuels
Consultant
--Obtain the services of fuels
reduction contractors
--Monitoring visits to treatment
areas
--Project completion and
accomplishment report
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
WA State DNR
Personnel
Grant Administration
$20,000.00
Subtotal
$20,000.00
$20,000.00
Fringe Benefits
$4,000.00
Subtotal
$4,000.00
$4,000.00
Travel
$1,000.00
Subtotal
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Media/Education Materials
Mailing & Newspaper
Subtotal
$2,000.00
$1,000.00
$3,000.00
$3,000.00
Subtotal
$30,000.00
$216,000.00
$246,000.00
$246,000.00
Contractual
Fuels Consultant
Fuels Contractors
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
$249,000.00
$25,000.00
$274,000.00
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.