Enclosure 4A - Project Summary Form
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Utilization and Marketing Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Illinois Valley Community Response Team
Phone:
541 592-4440
FAX:
592-4106
Email:
ronphillips@ivcrt.org
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
200 C Lister St, Cave Junction, Or 97523
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Ronald Phillips, Executive Director
Organization/Jurisdiction:
IVCRT
Phone:
541 592-4440
FAX:
592-4106
Email:
ronphillips@ivcrt.org
Project Information
Project Title:
Biomass Power Generation Feasibility Study
Proposed Project Start Date:
11/01/03
Proposed Project End Date:
6/30/04
Federal Funding Request:
$30,000
Total Project Funding:
$31,750
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Yes; priority # 2
Brief Project Description:
This project is intended to lay the ground work for creating large demand for small diameter, brush, and other
forest waste products through conducting a feasibility study for a 20-35 megawatt biomass co-generation
plant in the Illinois Valley. Current users of small diameter material (i.e. for furniture and other consumer
items manufacturers) are an important but small market; if there is going to be lowered extraction costs and
increased incentive to property owners to have the fire hazard reduction thinning done, then a significant
demand must be created. The cogeneration plant represents an opportunity for this level of demand creation.
With the California requirement that 20% of power be generated from renewable sources by 2017 and
pending legislation in Oregon, the market for co-generated electric power is beginning to develop. The
feasibility study would include: a> Forest Biomass fuel resource assessment; and b> critical flaw analysis
and financial projections. The Rough & Ready Mill site, under serious consideration for an ESOP buy-out)
would be an excellent site to house this venture should it prove feasible.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Josephine
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
Illinois River Valley: Hayes Hill to Ca line
Congressional District:
Two
Enclosure 4B (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
Address these
 project implementation
items as
 anticipated outcomes
applicable:
 measures and reporting
 interagency partners





project relationship to community or natural landscape fire plans.
project time frames and income
specify types of activities and equipment used
amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc)
environmental, cultural and historical resource requirements
Response:
This project will fund a feasibility study conducted by a qualified firm or consultant on the viability of
constructing a biomass cogeneration plant in the Illinois Valley at the Rough & Ready Lumber mill site. The
Study will assess: 1> quantity, quality and expense to collect, process and transport forest biomass that will
be generated from forest treatment activities as a result of plans to implement the National Fire Plan and other
FS and BLM treatments and/or sales on public/private lands; 2> quantity, quality and expense to collect,
process and transport biomass that could be generated from other wood waste recovery activities (e.g. from
mills, veneer plants and green waste within 100 mile radius); and 3> the possibility of utilizing one of two
technologies: cogeneration ( production of power & offsite sale with process steam for on site use) and
generation.. This study will determine the feasibility of constructing a power generation plant in the IV.
The study will take approximately 3-4 months to complete after awarded. A preliminary report will be
furnished for comment before the final report is submitted.
Enclosure 4B (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 Local Capacity (35 Points)
A. How would the proposal improve or lead to the improvement of the local economy in terms of jobs and sustainable economic
activity? How many jobs are expected to be created or retained and for how long (please distinguish between essentially
year-round and seasonal jobs)? How will this proposal link to other projects (or proposed projects) to create year-round jobs?
B. Will biomass or forest fuels be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
C. Which, if any, private businesses will participate?
D. To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities or businesses, or natural landscapes?
Response:
The construction of a power generation plant in the IV would involve a significant level of investment ($20
million) and create 15-18 full time jobs. This plant – if located on the Rough & Ready site – would contribute
to the viability of that business through lease payments and lowered energy costs, helping to retain another
150 jobs. Finally, by providing a market for otherwise waste material that is either left or burned on site from
thinning and logging operations, the plant would contribute to the income of local contractors and logging
companies. (e.g. CA biomass plants pay up to $35/BDT for whole wood chips from forest based operations).
Biomass will be utilized as fuel for the generation plant.
Maintaining existing lumber mills is an issue throughout the West; diversification is a key strategy in their
remaining financially viable. With California having a 12% Renewable Portfolio Standard (to increase to
20% by 2017) and a proposal under consideration in the Oregon Legislature, biomass power generation could
become an option for other communities. This process would be documented and shared as needed.
2. Reducing fire risk. (30 points)
Describe how the proposal promotes reduction of risk in high hazard areas and communities or natural landscapes.
Describe how the proposed project benefits resources on federal land or adjacent non-federal land, or how it protects the
safety of communities.
C. To what extent does the project implement or create a cooperative (1) fuels treatment plan or (2)community fire strategy
(include evidence of the plan if it already exists)?
D. Explain how the proposal (1) leads to, enhances or restores a local fire-adapted ecosystem, and/or (2) mitigates or leads to the
mitigation of hazardous fuels conditions.
A.
B.
Response:
By creating demand for logging slash and thinning by-product material, a biomass generation plant would
help reduce the cost for having this type of work performed and provide an incentive for its removal thus
reducing the fuel mass in private and public forests that increase the intensity of any wildfire that happened to
occur. Given the buildup of fuels and overgrowth from decades of fire suppression, this project would
accelerate their return to a more fire-adapted ecosystem.
Although this facility does not create a plan or strategy, it does contribute to their being implemented by
creating lowering the costs of necessary fuels reduction work.
Enclosure 4B (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
3. Expanding Community Participation. (15 Points)
A. To what extent have interested individuals, groups, and communities been provided an opportunity to become informed and
involved in this proposal?
B. Describe the extent of local support or opposition for the project, including any cost-sharing arrangements
C. What are the environmental, social and educational benefits or concerns of the project?
Response:
The concept of building a biomass generation plant in the IV has been discussed at numerous CRT
Committee meetings with the general consensus favoring such a project. It was also identified by the Biscuit
Fire Recovery Task Force as an important project to pursue. By specifying details and figures, the proposed
study would provide the level of information needed for a more formal community assessment and public
hearing. Given the fact that co-generated power is a renewable resource and the potential contribution to the
Valley’s economy and positive impact on Rough & Ready, the probable community response would be very
supportive.
4. Increasing interagency and intergovernmental coordination. (20 Points)
A. Explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning through a “Local Coordination Group” for wildland fire
activities, or among federal, state, tribal, local government and community organizations in developing this proposal. List the
cooperators (a detailed list of cooperators will be required for projects that are funded).
B. Describe how this project implements a local intergovernmental strategy or plan, or creates such a plan. Describe the plan if
it already exists.
Response:
Following the Biscuit Fire last year, an IV Fire Recovery Task Force was established to identify ways in
which the community could take advantage of opportunities created by the fire and protect itself against
future wildfire danger. The Task Force was composed of organizations (Forestry Action Committee, Siskiyou
Project & Field Institute, Kerbyville Museum, Grange, IV Medical Center, CRT), businesses (Century 21,
Oregon Mt Real Estate, Holiday Motel, Rough & Ready, OttoCreek Transportation), concerned citizens,
agencies (Forest Service), and local government elected officials Cave Junction). A biomass power
generation plant was one of the projects identified by the Task Force as one worth pursuing.
Although this facility does not create a plan or strategy, it does contribute to their being implemented by
creating lowering the costs of necessary fuels reduction work.
Enclosure 4C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Prepare SOW
Time Frame
Month 1
Responsible Party
CRT
Prepare and release tender
Month 1
CRT
Select winning bid
Month 1
CRT
Conduct Study & prepare
Report
Submit preliminary report
Months 2-4
selected firm/consultant
Month 4
selected firm/consultant
Review & comment on report
Month 5
IV Fire Recovery Task Force
Hold public hearing (if appropriate)
Month 6
IV Fire Recovery Task Force
Enclosure 4D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
Project Manager
Project Administrator
Planning & Review
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
Applicant
250
450
700
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
IV Fire Recovery
Task Force
IVCRT
(in-kind)
500
500
900
900
750
450
900
2,100
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Subtotal
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Subtotal
Contractual
Conduct feasibility study
29,300
29,300
Subtotal
29,300
29,300
Other
Advertising tender
350
350
Subtotal
Total Costs
30,000
850
900
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.
31,750