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:
Cindi Confer, L.T. Murray/Wenas Wildlife Area, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(509) 925-6746
(509) 925-4702
confecjc@dfw.wa.gov
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
201 N. Pearl St. Ellensburg, WA 98926
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Cindi Confer, Manager L.T. Murray/Wenas Wildlife Area (W.A.)
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(509) 925-6746
(509) 925-4702
confecjc@dfw.wa.gov
Project Information
Project Title:
L.T. Murray W.A. Initial Fuels Management Project
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
April 1, 2004
May 31, 2006
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
Yes, this one and a larger one which
includes more extensive planning/implementation for the W.A.
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Brief Project Description:
Reduce catastrophic fire hazard and improve forest health through the use of mechanical thinning,
slash piling, and burning near and along the interface between Wenatchee National Forest and the
L.T. Murray Wildlife Area. These fuels treatments will reduce the impacts of potential wildfires and
benefit wildlife and vegetation dependent on a high-frequency low-intensity fire regime.
Additionally, the project will reduce fire danger in surrounding communities.
Corridors and breaks will be developed based on the natural topography to establish areas that will
help contain wild fires, and also open up and enhance wildlife habitat. This modification of fuels will
protect the L.T. Murray W.A.; the cities of Cle Elum and Thorp; and the surrounding developments
of Sky Meadows, Elk Heights, and Sunlight Waters. It will serve as the initial fuels management
effort on the L.T. Murray W.A. and complement similar U.S. Forest Service and Washington
Department of Natural Resources projects that have been completed in the area.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
T 19 N, R 16 E, Sections 19 and 20.
Kittitas
14th
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)
Community Planning for Fire Protection Project
(4) X Fuels Utilization and Marketing Project
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, approximately 15 miles west of Ellensburg, WA. (see attached map).
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:
 Project Location: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area (W.A.) is located East of the Cascade Crest in Central
Washington, approximately 15 miles West of the city of Ellensburg. It lies South of the communities of Cle Elum,
Thorp, and the Elk Heights, Sunlight Waters, and Sky Meadows developments. Near the Eastern borders of the W.A.
are the Circle H Holiday Ranch, Lazy F Youth Camp and Retreat Center, Manastash Ridge trails system, and the
Manastash, High Valley, and Meadowview development properties. U.S. Forest Service lands form the Western
border. This project will occur in the northwest corner of the W.A.
 Project Implementation: Geographic areas will be identified in Township 19 N, Range 16 E, Sections 19 and 20 that
will be compatible with the plan to create corridors, breaks, and varied spacing of timber stands to help contain
wildfires. One goal will be to avoid creating linear, boundary like areas, but rather more natural, irregular shaped bands
of defensible space. Use of the natural topography in the marking of areas to be thinned will aid in the transitions
between untreated fuels, newly spaced fuels treatments, and corridors. These areas will be marked on the ground, then
a legal agreement drawn up for a contractor to mechanically or hand thin, pile, and burn as prescribed. Additional
funding will be sought through the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) for prescribed broadcast burning of
thinned stands located within the dry plant association series, and for some Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
mapping. Data gathered during the course of the project and in subsequent monitoring efforts will be incorporated into
the GIS layers for the W.A.
 Anticipated Outcomes will be the reduction of both wildfire potential and risk to high hazard communities (see the
ones listed above under location), as well as the enhancement of wildlife habitat. The reduction of these fuels loadings
and increased fire safety are primary concerns for the entire L.T. Murray W.A., and this project will serve as the initial
step in that direction, as well as a demonstration of what can be achieved.
 Measures and Reporting: The W.A. Manager will be responsible for the submission of annual progress reports, and
costs and expenditures will be tracked through the WDFW FASTRACK Financial Program.
 Interagency Partners: United States Forest Service (USFS), Washington Department of Natural Resources
(WDNR), Washington Conservation Corps (WCC), Kittitas County Department of Building and Fire Safety, Kittitas
county fire Districts 1-8 (mutual aid agreements with the cities of Ellensburg, Kittitas, Cle Elum, South Cle Elum, and
Roslyn).
 Project Relationship to Community or Natural Landscape Fire Plans: The project will be based on landscape
level planning, utilizing the natural topography and reduced fuels loading to minimize the potential for a catastrophic
fire impacting communities within the area. It will complement countywide fire planning.
 Project Time Frames and Income: The project will begin in the spring of 2004 with the marking of areas for
treatment, and will be completed in the spring of 2006 with final burning of treated fuels material.
 Specify Types of Activities and Equipment Used: Mechanical thinning equipment will be used where terrain
permits (on lesser slopes a feller/processor, and on slopes from about 15% to 45% a feller/buncher). Some steeper and
rougher terrain will require hand thinning. A chipper may be utilized to additionally reduce fuels loading after thinning.
 Amount or Extent of Actions (acres, number of homes, etc): This project will occur on WDFW lands located in
Township 19 N, Range 16 E, Sections 19 and 20. Within these two sections (1280 acres) it is anticipated that
approximately 400 acres will be treated. There is the potential to protect many thousands of acres and hundreds of
homes in the surrounding communities.
 Environmental, Cultural, and Historical Resource Requirements: State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) rules
will be followed. An Archaeologist will be contracted to assess the cultural and historical resource requirements.
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:
A. The W.A. has been rated “HIGH RISK” under the Federal Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies (Jan.
2003). Landscape-level planning will incorporate the goal of reducing the risk in the communities of
Ellensburg, Cle Elum, Thorp, and residential development areas by properly managing the fuels on the W.A.
B. Complementary thinning projects are complete on some WDNR lands within the W.A., and on some USFS
lands along the western border. Reducing the risk of catastrophic fire on the W.A., providing bands of
defensible space to allow fire control, and positioning buffers in areas near development will promote the safety
of nearby communities as well. These agencies will cooperate in encouraging similar efforts nearby.
C. This project is part of a long-range fuels treatment plan and fire strategy for the W.A. To be successfully
implemented, it must be a cooperative effort involving agencies and communities impacted by it.
D. WDFW has been in contact with the Kittitas County Dept. of Building and Fire Safety and the Central Cascade
Local Cooperation Group regarding the proposed project. Both will be consulted where FIREWISE and the
fuels education component is concerned. Interpretive signs and visits to the project area are planned.
E. Fuels treatment and restoration of fire to the landscape will reduce the potential for dangerous stand
replacement type wildfires, and enhance wildlife habitat that has deteriorated due to 100 years of fire exclusion.
F. Over time the fire regime indigenous to the vegetation types of the W.A. will be maintained through the use of
prescribed fires, thinning, and other fuels manipulation tools. An effective monitoring protocol will be key in
the efficient maintenance of treatments.
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:
A. The proposal will improve the local economy by the presence of individuals involved in the implementation of
the project. These contractors and employees will purchase goods and services from the surrounding
communities (Ellensburg, Thorp, Cle Elum, and the rest of Kittitas County). The expected utilization of small
diameter timber will further increase local capacity. The long-range goal is to complete fuels management
planning and implementation for all of the 33,000 timbered acres on the W.A. over the next 10 to 15 years. It is
anticipated that this initial project might address fuels treatments on approximately 400 acres of the W.A.
Continued implementation projects beyond 2006 will produce further economic benefit to the surrounding
communities. Improved fire safety will contribute to the economy in the form of higher property values.
B. This project will serve as a demonstration of what can be achieved in small rural communities in the Northwest.
Similar landscape level plans and projects to reduce wildfire potential and enhance wildlife habitat will be
considered for other locations as a result of public involvement, and regular visitors to the L.T. Murray W.A.
viewing the progress. Several hundred thousand people visit the L.T. Murray W.A. annually for recreation,
hunting, and fishing.
C. Fuels treatment will enhance the forage habitat for elk and mule deer, opening up presently overstocked,
overcrowded stands for their grazing utilization. It is expected that the small diameter timber will be utilized
for chips, pulp, and other market processes as well.
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:
A. This project will complement similar work already completed in adjacent or nearby areas by USFS
and WDNR. The USFS Cle Elum Ranger District and the Regional WDNR Forester will be consulted
for regular input as the project progresses. The incorporation of this project into existing fire plans
will be facilitated through the Central Cascade Local Cooperation Group and the Kittitas County
Department of Building and Fire Safety, both of whom have been contacted about the project. The
GIS layers to be completed for the project will dovetail with work already done in Kittitas County
(project 01-010) as an addition to countywide fire planning and tracking of fuel reduction/mitigation
projects.
B. Input will be solicited from local government, community organizations, tribal entities, and other state
and federal agencies. Expected participants would include, but not be limited to, a representative of
Kittitas County government (Kittitas County Fire Marshall has been contacted), the Kittitas County
Field and Stream Club, Kittitas Audubon Society, Central Cascade Local Cooperation Group, Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), Central Washington University (CWU), and the Boise Timber Co.
(all of which have been contacted concerning the project). Additionally planned to be included are the
US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), Yakama Indian Nation, Sky Meadows Homeowners Association,
Elk Heights Homeowners Association, High Valley Development, and Meadowview Development.
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:
A. This project will continue to draw in participants as it progresses. We are currently making contacts
with groups and individuals to begin to provide that opportunity. Contacts already made and those yet
to be contacted are listed above in 3.B. Letters of support have been received for our related larger
project application/submission from some that we know should be informed and involved. The writers
of those letters are supportive of this smaller proposal as well. Others will surface as the process
continues.
B. Local support has been good in these initial stages. No public opposition to such a project has been
encountered and feedback from the above listed groups and agencies has been very positive.
C. Environmental benefits will be revealed, as a result of this planning effort, through increased quality and
quantity of forage for big game, protection of soil and water resources, improvement of vegetation
health, disease control, retention of thermal and hiding cover, and other habitat enhancements. Social
benefits will be in the form of temporary jobs in the implementation of the project, improved hunting
and fishing resulting from habitat improvement, and the purchase of goods and services in Kittitas
County by those involved in this project. Education of the public as to the beneficial components of the
plan will be a primary concern to be addressed by visits to the W.A. and interested group involvement in
some volunteer work (both interpretive and labor oriented). A further benefit will be the reduction of
risk for stand replacement type fires in this area and the limiting of damages to the watershed.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Public Involvement
February 2004 through September
2004
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife
Air Photo Work, Layout Property
Boundaries, Field Measurements
March 2004 through June 2004
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife, CWU Students
Write Stand Prescriptions, Develop
Operational Contract
June 2004 through August 2004
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife
GIS Mapping
June 2004 through August 2004
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife, CWU Students
SEPA, Forest Practice Application
August 2004
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife
Advertise Project, Accept and Award
Bids
October 2004
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife
Hire Contractors
November 2004
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife (WDFW)
Begin Contract Work, and Administer
Contract Compliance
March 2005 through May 2006
Work will be completed by the
successful bidder (some labor
by WCC Crew), and the
Administration of the Contract
will be by WDFW
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
WDFW, WCC
WDNR, Fire Crew
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
NFP
6,896
4,365
11,261
Applicant
WDFW
11,418
11,418
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
WDNR
1,221
1,221
18,314
5,586
23,900
936
936
3,312
936
4,248
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
WDFW, WCC Mileage
WDNR, Fire Crew Mileage
Subtotal
3,312
3,312
Equipment
3 Chainsaws, 3 Drip Torches
ATV, Seeder, and CMT w/gps
Subtotal
2,100
600
2,700
2,100
600
2,700
Supplies
Copy/Phone/Fax
Native Seed Mix
Subtotal
500
15,000
15,500
500
15,000
15,500
Contractual
Thinning Contract
32,000
32,000
32,000
32,000
Subtotal
Other
Indirect Charges
14,691
4,358
540
19,589
Subtotal
14,691
4,358
540
19,589
Total Costs
73,452
21,788
2,697
97,937
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.