Enclosure 3A - Project Summary Form
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Wildland Urban Interface Fuels / Education and
Prevention / Community Planning for Fire Protection Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Oregon Department of Forestry
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
503.945.7341
503.945.7454
Sboro@odf.state.or.us
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
2600 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97310
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Gordon Foster, Unit Forester, John Day
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Oregon Department of Forestry, Central Oregon District
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
541.575.1139
541.575.2253
Gfoster@odf.state.or.us
Project Information
Project Title:
Mitchell Strip Community Vegetation Management
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
October
1, 2003
\
September 30, 2006
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$100,000
$100,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Yes – Priority # 20 in Fuels Treatment Category
Brief Project Description:
This National Fire Plan project would provide financial assistance to non-industrial landowners in
the Mitchell area to create defensible space around homes, reduce fire hazard and improve forest
health in the adjoining timber stands. The funds would be used as a cost share incentive to assist
landowners in the over all treatment of their forested stands.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
John Day area
Wheeler
Walden, #2
Project Type: Check appropriate project type. More than one type may be checked. If only Box (4) is checked, use Enclosure 4.
(1) X Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Project
(2)
Wildland Urban Interface Education and Prevention Project
(3)
(4)
Community Planning for Fire Protection Project
Fuels Utilization and Marketing Project
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
Near the community of Mitchell in Southern Wheeler County
Enclosure 3B (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, and 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:
Project Location: The project areas are located in and around the community of Mitchell, adjoining the
Ochoco National Forest.
Project Implementation: In this area, the commercial timber harvest provides little in the way of profit to the
landowner. Sometimes a commercial thinning creates a small profit. This leaves other activities such as precommercial thinning and fuel hazard reduction incomplete, which will lead to continued fuel buildup and a
decrease in forest health. NFP funds would be used to cost share with the landowner the total treatment of the
site with the objective of reducing the fuel hazard and improving forest health. The cost share would only be
applied to the portion of the project that would not generate a profit from commercial harvest. Cost share
incentives would have a base rate of 80%, with additional incentive up to 95% if landowners work together,
utilize material rather than burn debris, use local contractors, and create defensible space around
improvements. Letters will be sent to each timber landowner in the project area describing the grant program
and arranging for informational meetings. When a landowner expresses an interest in participating in the
program a forester will meet with the landowner and decide what type of work is to be done. The landowner
will sign an agreement that describes the work to be done and agree to maintain the practice. Project work
will be reviewed before final approval and payment is given.
Project Outcome: The outcome of this project will be to reduce the fire hazard and improve forest health on
approximately 5,000 acres and directly/indirectly protect about 100 rural ranches and full time residences
from the threat of wildfire. This project will also serve as a model for landowners and encourage them to take
action to protect their personal investments.
Project Measures & Reporting: Each landowner will sign an agreement that will outline the work to be
accomplished. This process will record the work items accomplished, acres treated and funds allocated.
Partners: Partners include local landowners.
Project Time Frames: This work would be accomplished between October 2003, and September 2006.
Activities & Equipment Used: Activities would include pre-commercial thinning, pruning, material
utilization such as poles and posts, chips, hog fuel, and firewood. Slash disposal methods would include
chipping, piling and burning. Burning will be discouraged unless it is the only method available to dispose of
slash. Equipment used will range from mechanical harvesters, chippers, chainsaws, grapple pilers, and
dozers.
Extent of Actions: The actions would effect approximately 5,000 acres and directly and indirectly protect
about 100 rural ranches and full time residences.
Environmental, Cultural, and Historic Resources: This land has been intensively managed for timber and
grazing resources. Most stands have had the merchantable timber removed and are in need of thinning and
slash removal. The Oregon Department of Forestry will comply with the state Forest Practices Act and SHPO
requirements when conducting National Fire Plan activities including hazardous fuels reduction on private
land.
Enclosure 3B (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. Reducing Fire Risk. (40 points))
A. Describe how the proposal promotes reduction of risk in high hazard areas or communities, or natural landscapes.
B. 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 to what extent the affected community or proponent has been involved or plans to involve the affected community in a
qualified fuels education program (e.g., FIREWISE).
E. 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 fuel conditions.
F. How will the proposed treatments or programs be maintained in future years?
Response:
This project will directly reduce the fire risk by reducing the amount of fuel in the affected area. The primary
action will be to create defensible space around homes by removing fuels in the immediate area and then
directly beyond defensible space. By reducing the stand density, we can move the forest towards a healthy
state. The forest will then be more able to withstand a moderate intensity fire. This project will directly
reduce the risk of high intensity wildfire and thereby reduce the risk of loss to nearby affected communities.
The potential for removal of biomass will depend on the specific site. Estimates range from 50 to 100 tons
per acre available for use as pulp or fuel for a co-generation plant.
Coordination has taken place with the Malheur and Umatilla National Forests. This project covers the fringe
of private timberlands that lies between the valleys and national forests. This is an extension of existing NFP
grant projects in the area.
The John Day community has been involved in the Firewise Communities and Living with Fire programs.
Public meetings, demonstrations, newspaper articles, and fair displays have all recently publicized the issues.
Currently there are seven funded grants projects in the John Day area that are tied directly to improving fuels
hazards near Communities at Risk.
It is estimated that in this dry site pine and mixed conifer ecosystem, the fuel hazard mitigation projects will
last for 10 plus years. Landowners are strongly encouraged to maintain the fuels reduction work.
2. Increasing local capacity. (30 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 yearround and seasonal jobs)? How will this proposal link to together projects (or proposed projects) to create year-round jobs?
B. To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities or natural landscapes?
C. Will biomass or forest fuels be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
Response:
This grant will stimulate the landowners to explore alternatives for the treatment of hazardous fuels on their
land. The local community is very aware and concerned of the potential for disastrous wildfire. This NFP
project will be a great boost to help them make a positive change towards reducing the fire hazard in and
around communities and improving the overall forest health. One of the methods of fuels treatment will be to
grind the debris on site and supply it to the local co-generation plant in Prairie City and Heppner. Utilization
of the slash debris may possibly help with the declining economies in Grant and Wheeler Counties.
Diversification may improve the wood products industry outlook if small material utilization becomes more
economical.
These types of NFP projects could potentially keep 50 to 75 people seasonally employed for approximately
three years.
Enclosure 3B (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
3. Increasing interagency and intergovernmental coordination. (15 Points)
A. Describe how this project implements a local intergovernmental strategy or plan, or creates such a plan. Describe the plan if it
already exists.
B. 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. List the cooperators (a detailed list
of cooperators will be required for projects that are funded).
Response:
This grant proposal is part of a strategy in the John Day Unit to fund fuels reduction projects in all identified
Communities at Risk. This strategy has been coordinated with the County Courts in Wheeler, and Harney
counties; the County fire chiefs in Grant and Wheeler counties; Grant and Wheeler county Soil and Water
Conservation Districts; Malheur and Umatilla National Forests; Prineville District BLM; North Fork of the
John Day Watershed Council; and Grant County Economic Development.
The Umatilla and Malheur National Forests and Prineville BLM are working to connect their fuel hazard
mitigation projects to the work that is being done on adjacent private lands.
4. 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:
There has been a series of Firewise Communities workshops held in Central and Eastern Oregon, in which
people from Grant, Harney and Wheeler counties have participated. Locally, Living with Fire presentations
have been made to the Small Woodland Owners Association and other groups. There have been displays at
the county fairs, direct mailings to the landowners in the grant areas, public meetings, newspaper articles,
Living with Fire newspaper inserts, and meetings with service providers. Local government, economic
development, state and federal agencies have met to coordinate opportunities with the National Fire Plan
grants. The counties have received grant money for fuels reduction and are working in coordination with this
efforts as well as the National Forests, BLM and the Oregon Department of Forestry.
The benefits of this project will include: direct fire hazard reduction of fuels around homes, improved forest
health, local economic stimulation, biomass utilization, and local government coordination. These projects
have proved a positive stimulus for collaboration between many different agencies.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Identify specific landowners and
direct mail the grant information; set
up a meeting for landowners in the
grant area
October 2003
John Day Unit Forester
Sign up landowner in the program,
arrange for a site visit with the
landowner and do a hazard
assessment, determine what activities
need to take place, sign an agreement
for the work and authorize the project.
Monitor work projects, document
activities for future educational
opportunities, check for compliance
with agreement, verify work has been
accomplished, process final payment
record and submit for payment.
Use projects as an example of fire
hazard reduction and improvement of
forest health.
October 2003 and ongoing
Service Forester
October 2003 and ongoing
Service Forester
October 2003 and ongoing
Service Forester and Unit
Forester
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Personnel
10,584
Subtotal
10,584
Fringe Benefits
4,466
Subtotal
4,466
Travel
Vehicle
Subtotal
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
10,584
4,466
1,500
1,500
1,500
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Service and Supply
500
Subtotal
500
500
Contractual
Landowner cost share agrmts
82,950
Subtotal
82,950
82,950
$100,000
$100,000
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
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.