Enclosure 3D - Project Summary Form
108
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Utilization and Marketing Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Don Matlick
Oregon Department of Forestry
Phone:
Type of Applicant: (enter appropriate letter in box)
A
503-945-7444
FAX:
503-945-7454
Email:
Dmatlick@odf.state.or.us
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
A. State
B. County
C. Municipal
D. Township
E. Interstate
F. Intermunicipal
G. Special District
Private University
H. Independent School District
I. State-Controlled Institution of Higher Learning
J. Private University
K. Indian Tribe
L. Nonprofit Organization
M. Other (Specify) _______________________
2600 State Street, Salem OR 97310
D. Township
Project
K. Indian
Tribe
Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
E. Interstate
Angie Johnson, National Fire Plan Planning
L. NonprofitCoordinator
Organization
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Intermunicipal
Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Northeast F.
Oregon
District
M. Other (Specify) _______________________
Email:
Phone:
FAX:
541-963-3168
541-962-1058
G. Special District
ajohnson@odf.state.or.us
Project Information
Project Title:
Biomass Utilization for Community Health
Proposed Project Start Date:
October 15, 2004
Proposed Project End Date:
September 30, 2007
Federal Funding Request:
$85,500
Total Project Funding:
$171,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Yes, this is State priority # 8.
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 project seeks funding for the purchase/rental of a mid-size wood chipper and 3 dump-bed
trailers to haul biomass and firewood from fuels reduction sites. Collaboration will take place with
ODF, Powder River Corrections, Department of Human Services, Community Connections,
Neighbor-to-Neighbor, and Eastern Oregon Rental. This is a community effort to address the issue
of biomass removal and utilization in the National Fire Plan 10-Year Strategy. Also of concern, is
the need to address smoke management regulations by using chipping as a viable method for
utilizing fuel that would normally be piled and burned. In addition, chipping would protect forests
from insect damage and create jobs for the community. Fuels reduction can take place during
times that Ips pini would be catastrophic to Ponderosa Pine, increasing the length of time fuels
reduction can take place. The above are also goals of Union County's Community Fire Plan.
Project Location:
County:
Federal Congressional District:
Northeast Oregon
Union and Baker Counties
Oregon 2nd
Name of Federal, State or Tribal contact with whom you coordinated this proposal:
Telephone number of Contact:
USFS-La Grande Ranger District: Patricia Wallace or Larry Aragon
541-963-7186
Enclosure 3D (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:
 Geographic scope of project
Address these
 Is the project linked to a plan?
items as
 Project time frames and partners
applicable:
 Specify types of activities and equipment
used



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:
Geographic Scope of Project: This project will utilize fuel left from existing fuels treatment projects by
providing firewood for low income families and elderly in Northeast Oregon.
Is the Project Linked to a Plan? Indeed it is. Baker and Union Counties are working currently on
Community Fire Plans for their counties, coordinated by Oregon Dept. of Forestry. A main goal that has
been outlined in those plans is the need to utilize fuel by any means available in those counties. At this time,
programs such as Warm Hearts/Warm Homes, is one of the only options.
Project Time Frames and Partners: This project has already begun, however, lacks the equipment needed to
make it productive. It is anticipated that production needs to be increased in order to meet the rising demand
for heat to low income families and elderly. Our partners include Powder River Corrections, Oregon
Department of Human Services (DHS), Community Connections, Neighbor-to-Neighbor, Eastern Oregon
Rental, and USFS-La Grande Ranger District.
Specify Types of Activities and Equipment Used: The types of activities included are processing of
wood/biomass, not suitable for any firewood market, to benefit the low income/elderly, and chip the
remaining material for bedding/compost or nutrient recycling on the forest floor. Chainsaws and pruners are
used currently, however, dump-bed trailers are needed to haul wood more efficiently and a chipper is needed
to complete the utilization of fuel in a project area.
Anticipated Outcomes and Measures of Success: We anticipate continuing a valuable program for this
community by utilizing the fuel from fuels reduction projects currently planned in the Warm Hearts/ Warm
Homes Firewood program for low income families and elderly. At this time, we can produce 100-200 cords
of firewood with the equipment currently available, but this does not come close to meeting demand. We
anticipate increasing production twofold with trailers that will allow more efficient transport of fuel to dropoff sites. With a chipper, the outcomes include comprehensive use of biomass, solution for smoke
management of the airshed, and increase fuels treatment opportunity by eliminating habitat for Ips pini (this
allows us to work before and after beetle hatchings). Social benefits include job skills/jobs for inmates,
provide support to low income/elderly, and improve economy through the support of local business. You
can’t measure some of these social and environmental benefits with a hard and fast number, however any data
that can be collected will be.
How Will the Project Results be Reported? We will report the results on the annual accomplishment report
form, as well as having the results available upon request for our local federal cooperators that need the data
for input into their Federal database (NFPORS).
Special Skills or Expertise Needed to Complete the Work: None. Any special training regarding the use of
the equipment requested in this grant will be given to the inmate crews by Oregon Department of Forestry.
Explain the Level of Cooperation, Coordination or Strategic Planning Through a Local Coordination Group:
This idea was first presented to the Union County Local Coordination group at our annual meeting. From
there, the idea was discussed at our Community Fire Plan Meetings, and then discussed at length with Powder
River Corrections and Eastern Oregon Rental. We feel this project addresses our concern regarding the
preservation of community values and investment into the community. It would be a viable project to invest
in.
Enclosure 3D (Page 2 of 3) - 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:
A. Yes, our primary purpose of this project is to comprehensively utilize waste and non-marketable
material. All material down to 1.5” diameter will be utilized for firewood donated to the Warm
Hearts/ Warm Homes Firewood program for low income families and elderly. Any material left over
would be chipped for bedding for the local feed lot, compost, or for nutrient recycling onto the forest
floor.
B. Yes, the project does improve the local economy in two ways. By working with Eastern Oregon
Rental for the use of a chipper, we will be able to realize improvement to that business. By working
with Powder River Corrections, job skills will be taught to the men on the crews that will benefit them
after their release. This will provide skilled individuals seeking employment as a forest laborer. Also,
a savings for Department of Human Services would be realized by the amount of money saved when a
renewable resource is used for heat rather then spending money on other forms of heat (the wood is
donated for use in the Warm Hearts/Warm Homes program).
C. Jobs will be retained at Eastern Oregon Rental because of the chipper. With the chipper will come
added paperwork created by the special circumstances surrounding its use, maintenance, and possible
increase in equipment cache with the purchase of another chipper for rental (depending on the success
of this program). Also, employment for the inmate crews at Powder River Corrections will increase
due to the added equipment.
D. Yes. We have collaborated with Eastern Oregon Rental on this project. The agreement is to use the
grant money to pay for the rental of the chipper on National Fire Plan Fuels Reduction Projects only.
Eastern Oregon Rental has agreed to give a 10-20% discount when used for National Fire Plan or
Warm Hearts/Warm Homes.
E. Part of the goal of this project is to implement and provide a template for other communities to
effectively, efficiently, and proactively process biomass/wood waste as an asset to a community rather
than a liability. Again, any information regarding success of this project will be available upon
request. Also, this program will be listed as a resource in the Community Fire Plans for Union and
Baker Counties.
F. Business opportunities for biomass utilization are still in development. If a cogeneration plant or
heating unit were to emerge in this area, we would then try to balance our project objectives and
output with their needs.
G. This project will continue as long as Warm Hearts/Warm Homes is in existence and as long as Powder
River Corrections is still looking for employment opportunities for their inmates. It has already
proven itself as a long term, self-sustaining project.
Enclosure 3D (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
2. 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. This was discussed with our Local Coordination Group which consists of USFS, local government,
smoke management, county/city smoke management committees, watershed rep., RFPD’s, and other
ODF units. We also collaborated with a local business (Eastern Oregon Rental), Powder River
Corrections, and DHS.
B. This project is already underway and is a great support to the mission of Oregon Department of
Human Services (DHS). This project has received regional publicity and community support.
C. Eastern Oregon Rental will give a discount of 10-20% off of the daily rate of the chipper when it is
used in conjunction with the scope of this project. Also, Corrections will pay for the crews to work on
this project.
D. Currently, the City of La Grande is considered a PM 10 non-attainment area having not met federal air
quality standards. Smoke from pile burning is a major contributor of PM 10 particles. This project
could dramatically reduce the need for burning slash piles and thus not impact the local airshed.
E. ODF-NEO District has a planning coordinator for National Fire Plan. This employee will maintain
collaboration among the parties involved and aid in improving or developing future projects.
3. 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 were consulted to ensure the best information available was used in designing this project proposal.
Response:
A. This project will serve as an avenue for the disposal of debris created from other National Fire Plan
fuels reduction projects that have been previously funded in this district. Currently, we do utilize
Powder River Corrections on other projects and in conjunction with the Warm Hearts/Warm Homes
program, however, they will be receiving more inmates to their facility. Because of the increase in
inmate numbers and the increase in demand for firewood for the low-income families and elderly, we
are in need of equipment that will increase production and provide for efficient transportation of wood
and chip material. By having more than one wood trailer, we can work in more than one area at a
time. Also, one crew can run the chipper in conjunction with sorting, cutting, and stacking the
firewood.
B. We spoke with agency professionals working in this area as well as agency management at ODF,
DHS, and DOC to design this project proposal. Demand for firewood has increased, inmate numbers
are up and more employment opportunity is needed, and Eastern Oregon Rental has a chipper that was
purchased for this purpose for rent. In addition, we have researched a safe-net in case the rental of the
chipper becomes cumbersome. In that event, we would purchase a chipper and have it housed with
Powder River Corrections to be used with the same intent as mentioned in this proposal.
Enclosure 3D - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Compare cost of chipper with rental of
chipper. Outline partnership with
rental agency.
January 2004 (this task has been
completed)
Mark Jacques, Unit Forester
for Baker and La Grande
Units, Oregon Dept. of
Forestry
Coordinate hazardous fuels reduction
projects with the use of the chipper,
trailers, and inmate crews.
On-going
ODF
Purchase trailers
October/November 2004
ODF
Purchase Chipper if needed
October/November 2006
ODF
Enclosure 4D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Personnel
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Eastern Oregon
Rental
ODF
Powder River
Corrections
7,500
27,295
20,000
7,500
27,295
20,000
3,000
13,431
3,000
13,431
Travel
Total
$54,795
$16,431
2,575
Subtotal
2,575
$2,575
Equipment
75,000
Subtotal
75,000
$75,000
Supplies
Subtotal
Contractual
Discount on Chipper Rental
$14,000
Subtotal
$14,000
$14,000
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
$85,500
$51,500
$14,000
$20,000
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.
$171,000