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:
Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(509) 382-8968
(509) 382-8970
Lisa.naylor@wa.usda.gov
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
527 Cameron, Building #3 Dayton, WA. 99328-1279
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Lisa Naylor, Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(509) 382-8968
(509) 382-8970
Lisa.naylor@wa.usda.gov
Project Information
Project Title:
Fuels for Schools and more! in Dayton, Washington
Proposed Project Start Date:
November 1, 2003
Proposed Project End Date:
September 30, 2004
Federal Funding Request:
$40,000
Total Project Funding:
$48,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
The Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council seeks funding from the
National Fire Plan through USDA Forest Service to examine options for utilizing biomass to fuel a
hot water space heating system. The heat system would operate in the Dayton School District
school buildings.
A report will be prepared, consisting of 1). A “Biomass Feed Stock Assessment,” which will
examine and assess the availability of forest thinnings from public, private, Confederated Tribes of
the Umatilla Indian Reservation lands, wheat, straw waste and manufacturing residue, and 2).
Technical and financial feasibility of converting the current hot water heating system. The report
will include clearly defined next step actions and potential sources of available funding.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
Dayton, Washington
Columbia
5th
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
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:
Project location: Downtown Dayton, Washington, Columbia County, SE Washington State.
Project implementation: A private consulting firm will be hired to investigate economically feasible
options to retrofit a school district heating system to utilize biomass as energy. Implementation would reduce
dependency on fossil fuels, namely diesel.
Anticipated outcomes: 1). Identification of economically feasible options to utilize biomass for hot water
heating in Dayton public schools. 2). Reduced reliance on foreign fossil fuels. 3). Improved utilization of
small diameter forest thinnings. 4). Potential utilization of wheat straw waste and manufacturing residue.
5).There are no firm job creation or job retention numbers for this project. Our best guess is 2-3 full time
equivalents at a full build out, dependent upon the source and availability of raw material. These statements
are based on discussions with Sue LeVan, Forest Products Lab, Madison, WI., and Larry Swan, Forester,
Winema National Forest.
Measures and reporting: Brief, periodic updates from contractor’s will be required every 30 days, as well
as draft and final reports which summarize results, recommendations and logical next steps. Presentations to
elected officials, local school board, boards of sponsoring organizations and the general public will be
required.
Interagency partners: Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council, Dayton Economic
Development Group, Dayton School District, Columbia County Commissioners, Seneca Foods. Other
interested potential partners include Dayton General Hospital, Booker Rest Home, Dayton Clinic, and
McGregor, Inc. USDA Rural Development, Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency are potential federal partners.
Project relationship to community or natural landscape fire plans: The Dayton School District,
community groups and local businesses support this project. The District recently received a school and
community grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Creating opportunities for meaningful
coursework, exploring matching fund options tied to real-life applications is a smart fit for this project.
Project time frames and income: Time frame of less than six months is planned and no income is expected.
Specify types of activities and equipment used: Activities consist primarily of those related to biomass
feed stock assessment and technical/economic feasibility studies. Consultation with forest landowners,
(Forest Service, CTUIR and private landowners), nearby private businesses and wood products manufacturers
will be necessary.
Amount or extent of actions: This project will not immediately produce acres of small-diameter thinned
material or a set number of homes. If the project is successful, it will assist local forest managers reduce
wildfire risk by creating a market for small diameter forest thinnings and other biomass fuels.
Environmental, cultural and historic resource requirements: This preliminary study and assessment will
not require environmental, cultural or historic review requirements.
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:
A. Local Economy: The proposal has the potential to retain jobs, dependent upon the source of raw
materials. It may also assist the local school district reduce its energy costs. Retrofitting the school to
utilize wood and straw for energy may result in surplus heat which would be available to the nearby
asparagus cannery. Potential fuel sources include a combination of forest thinnings and straw waste from
area farmers and manufacturing residue.
B. Biomass Utilization: Straw-fired plants average 3 megawatts, while converted plants generate roughly 5
megawatts. Options to add value to biomass and smaller diameter logs are needed due to the weak chip
market.
C. Private Business Participation: Boardman Chip Company, Seneca. Potentially Dayton General Hospital,
Booker Rest Home Convalescent Annex, Blue Mountain Home Health, Booker Assisted Living, and
Columbia Family Clinic.
D. Model Potential: This project will serve as a successful model of a non-profit, school district utilizing an
existing hot water piping system to deliver heat using biomass; wheat straw waste and manufacturing
residue.
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:
A. Hazardous Fuels Risk Reduction: Woody small material from National Forest, private and tribal lands is
one part of the biomass planned for utilization under this proposal. The Blue Mountains are well known
for their overstocked stands of true firs and Douglas fir. Federal and tribal agencies have spearheaded
efforts to create more “fire-proof” stands through stand manipulation and prescribed fire.
B. Resource Benefits: Removing small diameter material where there are excessive fuels loads result
benefits wildlife habitat, fish passage and improves the health of the residual forest stand. Stocking
control in forest stands in the Blue Mountain region protects rural communities and enhances recreation
opportunities.
C. Cooperative Fuels Treatment Plan and Community Fire Strategy Plans: An unknown percentage of
material may come from the Maloney Fuel break Plan. The plan addresses fuel treatment options on
federal, state and private land. The plan involves thinning and burning piles on Forest Service land.
D. Restoration and Mitigation of Hazardous Fuels Conditions: The Fuel break plans (above) address
restoration and mitigation of hazardous fuels conditions. Thinning will reduce fuel loading and improve
forest health. Value-added options will preserve public/private treatment options and markets.
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:
A. Community Involvement: The proposal has the unqualified support of the Dayton Economic
Development Committee, Palouse Economic Development Council, Dayton School District, Seneca, City
of Dayton, Columbia County and Coyote Engineering. General knowledge of the project has been shared
word-of-mouth and will be made public when the assessment is complete.
B. Local support and Cost-Sharing: Local interest in this project is strong. Opportunities to utilize straw
waste are attractive to area producers and actions that reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire in rural areas
are a priority. Cost-Share opportunities are being explored with Columbia County commissioners, the
Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council, Seneca and other private businesses.
The Blue Mountain RC&D has access to grant search software reaching 56,000 private foundations,
nation-wide.
C. Environmental, Social and Educational Benefits: Utilization of straw waste in combination with wood
chips balances the demand of raw material to generate energy. During late summer and fall, following
harvest, straw waste may be used, supplemented with wood chips during other seasons. The social
benefits include retention or possible creation of 2-3 jobs, dependent upon the source of raw material.
Educational benefits can be enormous as Dayton Schools recently landed a school-community grant from
the Gates Foundation. Opportunities for applied learning, involving students in decision-making,
focusing on projects that affect student’s daily lives and involving community businesses as part of the
learning team incorporate educational benefits. Matching funds benefit social, educational possibilities.
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:
A. Interagency cooperation and coordination: Rural communities in SE Washington have coordinated
wildland fire and fuels treatment activities with Forest Service officials, the Department of Natural
Resources, representing private landowners and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian
Reservation. Volunteer fire departments in Pomeroy, Dayton are part of the Incident Command System
(ICS) and coordinate with other regional fire suppression entities.
B. Local Strategic Plans: This project implements the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
(CEDS), encompassing Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Whitman counties, also known as the Palouse
Economic Development District (PEDD). The CEDS is an ongoing, economic development planning and
implementation process, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, designed to guide and coordinate
the economic development efforts in this region. The CEDS accomplishes the following:
 Addresses the problems, needs, potentials and resources of the region.
 Outlines the region’s vision and goals.
 Creates a strategic direction for the district.
 Establishes priority programs and projects for implementation.
 Sets criteria for evaluating the process and periodically updates this document.
Enclosure 4C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Completion of Contract with the
Forest Service and preparation and
advertisement of Request for
Proposals
November 1 – November 30, 2003
Blue Mountain RC&D
Council, Dayton Economic
Development Council, with
assistance from Coyote
Engineering, USFS
Award Contract following review of
responses to the Request for Proposals
January 1 – January 30, 2004
Blue Mountain RC&D Co
Dayton Economic
Development Council, with
assistance from Coyote
Engineering
Contract administration and monthly
progress reports.
February 1 – April 15, 2004
Same as Above
Preparation and Submittal of Draft
Final Reports
April 16, 2004 – April 30, 2004
Same as Above
Conduct briefings for board members
of partner organizations, elected
officials and public meetings if
interest and results warrant such
action.
April 16, 2004 – June 30, 2004
Blue Mountain RC&D
Council, Dayton Economic
Development Council with
input from contractor.
Draft Final Report Review with
Cooperators and Completion of Final
Report with suggested revisions
June 1 – June 30 ,2004
Blue Mountain RC&D Council,
Dayton Economic Development
Council with assistance from
Coyote Engineering, USFS,
Dayton School District.
Enclosure 4D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Personnel
Project Coordination/Admin.
Engineer @ $50/hr (40 hrs)
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Admin assistant, ($250/mo.
Benefits, and payroll taxes, 2 mo.)
Subtotal
Applicant
Blue Mountain
RC&D
$500.00
Partner 1
Columbia County
Commissioners
Gates Foundation
$4,500.00
$500.00
$4,500.00
Partner 2
Total
Coyote
Engineering
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
$7,500.00
$500.00
$500.00
$500.00
Travel
1400 miles, 2 vehicles @$0.36/mi.
$1,000.00
Subtotal
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Subtotal
Contractual
$38,000.00
Subtotal
$38,000.00
Other - Personnel
Admin. Assistant 2 mo. Salary@
$750.00/mo.
Subtotal
Total Costs
$38.000.00
$1,500.00
$1,500.00
$40,000.00
$1,500.00
$1,500.00
$4,500.00
$2,000.00
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.
$48,000.00