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):
Mark Jacques, Unit Forester
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Oregon Department of Forestry/ Union and Baker Counties
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
541.963.3168
541.962.1058
mjacques@odf.state.or.us
Project Information
Project Title:
Fuel Treatment Extension in Baker and Union Counties
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
October 2003
December 2008
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$257,000
$353,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Yes – Priority # 10 in Fuels Treatment Category
Brief Project Description:
This project will extend treatment of overstocked forest stands and fuel buildups on private lands
and around homesites in priority areas in Baker and Union Counties. Priority areas are treatment
areas adjacent to BLM and USFS treatment project areas. Community fuelbreaks are designed and
created to be continuous across ownerships in strategic locations. Fire Plan funds will continue to
be used in a cost-share mechanism as incentives for landowners to treat stand densities, fuel
buildups, and homesites. A total of 500 acres and 30 homesites will be treated in 2004, with fiber
from small diameter wood going to local facilities such as energy co-generation plants as much as
is feasible. Current fiber prices are so low that this cost-share is needed. Current National Fire Plan
funded projects have been exceptionally well received by homeowners and landowners. Interest
and demand is high to continue this work in Baker and Union counties to continue to create fuel
breaks across ownerships.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
Northeast Oregon
Baker and Union
2nd Congressional
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:
High priority treatment areas adjacent to BLM and USFS treatment areas in Baker and Union counties
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, 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 extension will provide fire resistant stands and fuel breaks in strategically located areas
to complement federal agency actions to treat conditions across landscapes in priority areas in Northeast
Oregon. This work is identified as very urgent by local communities, economic development plans,
counties/state/federal government agencies. Top priorities will be areas where current NFP-funded project
work is taking place, adjacent to Bureau of Land Management and USFS treatment areas. NFP funds will be
used to treat forest fuels around individual home sites, private land between BLM, USFS and home sites, and
develop water sources located in strategic locations on private land. NFP funds will continue to be used in a
cost-share manner, with individual landowners providing at least a 25% match. Current homeowner and
landowner interest is high in National Fire Plan goals and assistance. This project will capture the momentum
generated by previously funded NFP projects in this area, including both community planning and on the
ground implementation projects, and will produce on the ground results. To date, about 1,900 acres and 90
home sites have been treated with previously funded NFP grants in these two counties.
Project work will be prioritized, selected, set up with site-specific prescription, administered, and
accountability assured by ODF. Landowner objectives will be recognized and woven into the prescriptions.
This will include stand density control, species composition manipulation, fuels treatment and water
development. Ten-year maintenance by the landowner will be required. Project work will be done by private
contractors using both conventional and state-of-the art equipment such as in-woods chippers. ODF will make
payments, report work accomplished, and coordinate with landowners and contractors. Standard accounting
and reporting systems in place for current NFP funded projects will be used by this project.
Project work will begin October 1, 2003 and be completed by December 31, 2008. A total of 500 acres of
private forestland and 30 home sites will be treated, with approximately 12,000 tons of biomass removed.
This small diameter wood will go to local processing facilities in a continuing effort to increase utilization
and economic benefits. Outcomes will include the economic benefits of this biomass removal and the
employment it will provide, as well as the employment in forest treatments, and benefits of reduced fire risks
and healthy long-term sustainable forests. Strategically located water developments will be constructed on 8
sites. Partners include private forest landowners, local businesses, BLM, USFS, ODF, OSU Extension, local
communities, Baker County, Union County, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Powder River Watershed
Council and Grande Ronde Model Watershed, consultants, and contractors. The intermingled nature of
private land with federal land across the landscape defines the need to treat these lands in conjunction with
federal lands treatment. Significant local citizen input went into developing an action plan "Restoring Forest
Health in the Blue Mountains Strategy and Action Plan" to address the overstocked and woody fuel buildup
conditions of private forestlands.
This project will continue work begun with NFP and other assistance funds and implement local community
fire plans. ODF will ensure compliance with the Oregon Forest Practices Act and State Historical
Preservation Office requirements when conducting NFP projects on private land. Required permits will
include Notifications of Operations to ODF, taken out on a site specific basis. ODF will also screen projects
for significant cultural and historic sites. Necessary permits for water developments will be obtained prior to
beginning work. ODF has been doing this for projects funded through other sources (BPA, etc.) in this area.
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 extension will continue to improve local conditions by treating 500 more acres of fuel
buildups in key high hazard areas to reduce risk of catastrophic fires. Fire risk will be reduced by treatment of
overstocked stands, reducing horizontal and ladder fuels, and by fuel treatments such as chipping and removal
on private lands adjacent to federal treatment areas. Resources at risk on those federal lands and adjacent nonfederal lands will be benefited by this treatment. Protection to communities at risk will also be provided. This
project provides incentives, technical assistance, and information to these private landowners to facilitate
their involvement and cooperation in the National Fire Plan. FIREWISE and Living with Fire education
programs have been held in both counties, with high interest and attendance. Outcomes include development
of local fuel treatment plans and community fire strategies. for target areas by local BLM, USFS, ODF, rfds,
counties, and communities. Projects will be prioritized by location, proximity to wildland urban interface and
federal treatment areas, amount and continuity of fuels, and creation of firebreaks across ownerships.
Individual site prescriptions will be written for project work, blending best science for fire risk reduction with
individual landowner objectives, to restore local fire-adapted ecosystems and mitigate current hazardous fuel
conditions. Projects are designed to be as self-maintaining as possible, with landowners providing at least 10
years of maintenance. Other funds, and landowner contributions will be used to complement NFP funds,
accomplishing more work more effectively. Expertise from OSU Extension, USFS, BLM, SWCDs, and
private forest consultants will be included in project implementation.
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 other 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
project is directly tied to local county economic development plans as it continues use of small
diameter wood in local processing facilities, providing incentives for this utilization. Baker and Union County
economic development plans identify small diameter wood utilization as part of their planned strategies. This
project will provide about 12,000 tons of small diameter wood to local processing facilities in Baker, Grant,
and Union counties, depending on current market conditions. Local jobs created and retained by this wood
fiber are estimated in the near term to be 20 in-woods work (local contractors), with another 8 jobs created at
processing facilities, for approximately 5 years. Long term results of this project will be creation and
maintenance of commercial wood harvest and processing jobs resulting from stands put into a sustainable
healthy condition. This project is linked to other NFP funded projects in this area which include educational,
community planning, and on the ground implementation. Employment created in this project will
complement employment created in previous projects to allow more employment year round. These
sustainable economic benefits are especially crucial in this part of the state which is suffering from high
employment, mill closures, and a slow economy. The point of providing cost-share incentives is to leave
forest stands which are diverse, sustainable, and fire resistant where landowners have a direct investment.
This method has the highest success over time.
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
project will continue implementation of local intergovernmental strategies including county
economic development strategies, interagency fuel treatment and community fuel break plans, emergency
service and rfd community fire strategies, watershed council action plans, Blue Mt Demonstration Area action
plans, "Restoring Forest Health in the Blue Mountains Strategy and Action Plan," and the Oregon Salmon
Plan. Each of these plans and strategies identifies the need to treat hazardous fuels, restore local fire-adapted
ecosystems, provide wood material to local processing facilities, and provide incentives with technical
assistance for intermingled private landowners. Many of the individual landowners also have Stewardship
Incentive Plans (10 year action plans) which identify need for this work. Local NFP Coordination Groups in
both counties reviewed and identified this project work as very high priority. These groups include local
BLM and USFS, County commissioners, members of local Forest Restoration Board, rural and city fire
departments, SWCDs, watershed councils, economic develop groups, and private landowners and businesses.
Local Forest Restoration Boards include the above representatives as well as those from the community, other
state and federal agencies, forestry professionals, forest industry, ranchers, and environmental organizations.
Partners will be Oregon Dept of Forestry, OSU Extension, private forest landowners, forest consultants,
private contractors, local USFS, BLM, local SWCDs, Baker and Union County Economic Development, and
local biomass treatment facilities. Current partnerships are in place and working well to implement NFP
work. The level of cooperation in planning and implementing this project is very high.
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: Local
Coordination Groups and Forest Restoration Boards described in (3), have promoted and
provided information to interested parties. Home and landowners in target priority areas are being contacted
through ODF and RFDs to determine interest, offer information, and seek involvement. NFP work where
ODF, BLM, USFS and community organizations such as 4H, industry, and state corrections have cooperated
has been highlighted in local media, such as newspapers. Most effective seems to be neighbors talking with
each other. FIREWISE and Living with Fire workshops have provided information and opportunity for
individuals, groups, and communities to become involved.The extent of local support for this project is very
high, including contractors, forest professionals, BLM, USFS, Baker and Union Counties, rural fire
departments, city fire departments, SWCDs, watershed councils, economic develop groups, and private
landowners and businesses. There is no known opposition. Current landowner interest and demand for this
work is high, with landowners willingly providing at least a 25% match. OWEB (state), Demo, SIP, and
EQIP (federal), have also funded local project work including thinning and fuels treatment at the 75% costshare level. Local ODF, RFDs, and emergency services agree to share costs as budgeted. Environmental
benefits will be sustainable local fire adapted ecosystems with community fuelbreaks across multiple
ownerships. Social benefits will be protection of communities at risk and federal land resources. Educational
benefits will be homeowners, landowners, communities, and general public who are educated and aware of
fire risk and need to maintain healthy local fire adapted ecosystems. Any environmental concerns will be
addressed through Oregon Forest Practices and SHIPO requirements.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Continue to coordinate with BLM, USFS,
RFDs, and Emergency Services in Baker and
Union counties
03/01/03 through 12/31/08
Oregon Department of Forestry,
Rural Fire Departments, Emergency
Services, BLM and USFS in Baker
and Union counties
Continue outreach to landowners and
homeowners in priority areas
03/01/03 through 12/31/08
Oregon Department of Forestry,
RFDs
Signup qualified projects, prioritize and
approve. Obtain necessary permits, screen for
SHIPO
10/01/03 through 10/01/08
Oregon Department of Forestry
Technical layout of project work
Conduct project work (contractors)
10/01/03 through 10/01/08
10/01/03 through 10/01/08
Oregon Department of Forestry
Contractors selected by landowners
Final approval of project work, with payment
GPS and enter maps into existing GIS
10/15/03 through 12/31/08
Oregon Department of Forestry
Work with local media and OSU Extension to
"get the word out", provide tours and
information
10/01/03 through 12/31/08
Oregon Department of Forestry with
RFDs, Emergency Services, OSU
Extension, landowners and
contractors
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
Technical assistance
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Oregon Department
of Forestry
33,322
11,545
Subtotal
33,322
11,545
Fringe Benefits
10,408
3,450
Subtotal
10,408
3,450
Travel
250
105
Subtotal
250
105
Partner 2
Rural Fire Depts &
Landowners/ County Emergency
Homeowners
Services
13,000
Total
57,867
13,858
355
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
1,000
Subtotal
1,000
Contractual
Thin & treat fuels 500 ac,
30 homesites
30Subtotal
homesites
1,000
212,020
67,900
212,020
67,900
279,920
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
$257,000
$15,100
$67,900
$13,000
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.
$353,000