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: Partnership for a Sustainable Methow (PSM)
Phone: (509) 997-1050
FAX: (509) 997-3900
Email: forestry@sustainablemethow.org
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip): PO Box 264
Twisp, WA 98856
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title): Christopher Charters/ Program Manager
Organization/Jurisdiction: Partnership for a Sustainable Methow (PSM)
Phone: (509) 997-1050
FAX: (509) 997-3900
Email: forestry@sustainablemethow.org
Project Information
Project Title: Upper Methow Ecosystem Management Project
Proposed Project Start Date: October 1, 2003
Proposed Project End Date: December 1, 2005
Federal Funding Request: $289,000.00
Total Project Funding: $560,700.00
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
NO
Brief Project Description:
This is a request to treat 418 acres for hazardous fuels reduction including non-commercial thinning
and slash disposal. The Upper Methow Ecosystem Management Project (UMEMP) is a
collaborative effort between the landowners, state agencies and NGOs. The implementation of
fuels reduction will tie in with PSM’s efforts begun in 2000 to demonstrate a viable sustainable
forest management model. The UMEMP offers an opportunity to reduce hazardous fuel levels on
land adjacent to federal lands and a residential development, promote wildlife habitat and reduce
the risk of loss of home and property due to a wildfire event for landowners.
Fuels Reduction(com. & non-com thin)
Slash Disposal
Grant Request
$133,000.00
$156,000.00
Project Cost
$404,700.00
$156,000.00
Total
$289,000.00
$560,700.00
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
Mazama, WA
Okanogan
4th
Project Type: Check appropriate project type. More than one type may be checked. If only Box (4) is checked, use Enclosure 4.
(1)
(2)
Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Project
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:
Mazama wildland/urban interface area
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
Response: The project





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
will take place on 418 acres in the Upper Methow Valley, on the former Arrowleaf
Development property, which is part of a conservation buy out conducted by the Trust for Public Lands
(TPL). The area has been divided into 7 parcels, 5 of which are considered in this proposal totaling 418
timbered acres. Conservation easements are in place on each of these parcels. The project area is adjacent to
National Forest land and is across the Methow River from a rural subdivision (Lost River Airport
Association), where fuels reduction funded by the NFP has begun.
The overall project includes two phases. This proposal is requesting funding for phase two of the project.
Phase one will consist of the assessment and planning, scheduled for 2003 with funding separate from this
proposal. Phase one will produce a Stewardship Plan for the entire property with Forest Management Plans
for the individual parcels. Included in these individual plans will be a fire risk assessment and prioritization
coordinated with local fire district and DNR FIRWISE program for fuel reduction activities.
PSM is requesting funding for phase two implementation of hazardous fuels reduction including thinning and
disposal of slash on 418 acres. Specific outcomes are to reduce the stand density levels, create fuel breaks and
dispose of natural fuels to reduce the risk of the stand carrying a crown fire. The stands of this project show a
decline in ponderosa pine and an increased development of dense and suppressed pole stands of Douglas fir.
The major objective for thinning will be to reduce the risk of crown fire. Removal of ladder fuels, creating
canopy breaks, reducing the density of stems per acre and disposing of residual slash will reduce the risk of
the stand carrying a crown fire and benefit the properties in the project area and adjacent federal and private
lands. Phase two would begin in October of 2003 and continue to December of 2005. The project is estimated
to provide a four-person crew 124 weeks of work, or 9-10 person years of employment. PSM will utilize its
crew and small skidder and tractor forwarder (made available impart by NFP funding in 2001) to perform the
commercial thinning on the project. PSM will work with local contractors to implement portions of the noncommercial thinning and slash treatment. Sub-contractors will be offered training opportunities to increase
local capacity to perform forest restoration and fuels reduction.
One of the foremost goals of PSM is to develop a viable business model that can be duplicated in our own
community and communities facing similar issues. The UMEMP will be integrated into PSM’s Forest
Stewardship Project to contribute towards its efforts in developing this model. Activities included in this
project, though not funded by this proposal, will be: workforce training; economic and ecological monitoring;
and community outreach and education including 5 community educational “Walks in the Woods” and two
workshops for community members and local contractors. Workforce training will include structured classes
presenting topics on forest ecology, wildlife habitat, soils, forest vegetation, etc. Monitoring will measure the
ecological effects of our treatments and the economics of conducting the activities.
The results of implementation efforts will be included in an end-of-project report and in a PSM/FSP annual
report documenting the results of all activities for the given year. Annual reports will document work in
each of FSP’s four program areas: Field Work, Training, Community Outreach and Education, and
Monitoring; and be made available to this funding agency, community forestry groups and interested
community members.
This project will work directly with individual property owners, the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife(WDFW), TPL, Pacific Watershed Institute(PWI) and PSM. Coordination with the local Forest
Service District, WA Dept of Natural Resources, Okanogan Communities Development Council, and local
Fire District and other community members will take place in phase one.
An environmental, cultural and historical resource analysis will be conducted in the 2003 planning of phase
one. We will coordinate with the Forest Service to meet SEPA/NEPA 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: Reducing the
risk of crown fire will be accomplished as follows. Removal of the smaller trees with
low crowns will break the vertical continuity of fuels (ladder fuels). Thinning will provide gaps in the canopy
and break the horizontal continuity of crowns. Removing selected trees from the site and treating the thinning
slash (hand-piling and burn) will reduce fuel continuity and quantity on the forest floor and allow the use of
prescribed fire in future treatments. Improving health and vigor will reduce the level of beetle and other
pathogen mortality and the resulting pockets of highly flammable snags. Selected leave trees will be the
larger dominant trees which are more adapted to survive low intensity fires. The more fire resistant ponderosa
pine component will be favored whenever appropriate.
A wildfire inside the project area could threaten public lands as well as adjacent Lost River Airport
development. Reducing the risks of a catastrophic fire on these stands through fuels reduction activities will
minimize the danger of a fire originating on the project site and spreading to adjacent properties, as well as
provide a defensible space to slow the spread of a wildfire originating on adjacent land.
Phase one will coordinate DNR FIREWISE program and local fire district for site assessments for each of the
residences to provide a plan for the landowners for reducing the risk of loss of home in the event of a wildfire
and improve access for initial attack response. Continued PSM educational events will provide a link for
DNR’s FIREWISE program to the community. Future follow-up treatments may include the reintroduction
of fire into the ecosystem through the use of prescribed burns and/or light thinning of natural reproduction.
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: PSM
has been working to create long-term jobs while treating forest health issues since 2000. This
project is a continuation of our efforts and will employ 4 people for 307 days of commercial thinning, 212.5
days of non-commercial thinning and slash disposal. The scope of activities on this project will allow crews
to work through out the year. PSM will use its crew for the commercial thinning and portions of the noncommercial and slash treatments. Local contract ors will be utilized to assist in these activities. We estimate
$160,000 of this proposal going to sub-contractors for services on this project.
PSM is developing a low impact model of forest restoration that can be used in our community and in other
communities facing similar forest health and community economic issues. We have been collecting
information to assess the effectiveness of treatments and the cost associated with such treatments and will use
this project as an opportunity to continue our documentation process.
PSM has worked with the Okanogan Communities Development Council in providing a source of material in
their efforts to develop products to utilize restoration by-products and will continue these efforts through this
project. PSM has also made contact with private entrepreneurs to utilize the sub merchantable material for
firewood. PSM has had a consistent supply of material for utilization efforts over the past three years. The
challenge lies in developing products and associated processing capabilities.
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: The project
will coordinate with the Forest Service and local residential developments adjacent to
the project area during phase 1 planning which will take place in 2003. This coordination will build on other
efforts that have taken place on adjacent properties such as the Lost River Airport Association, and serve as a
model to encourage planning and activities on those properties that haven’t yet taken any action.
Currently the project cooperators include landowners, the Partnership for a Sustainable Methow, the Pacific
Watershed Institute, the Trust for Public Lands, and the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. The National Forest
Service has been a partner with PSM in the past with funding assistance and local participation in educational
events and crew trainings. PSM has also been a participant in the Forest Service’s Hungry Hunter
Stewardship Contracting Pilot Project’s Multi-Party Monitoring Team. We intend to maintain this
relationship and look for opportunities to expand coordination to this project. PSM has worked with the WA
Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) helping landowners to utilize the DNR’s cost share programs. DNR
foresters have led FIREWISE assessments and lectures during PSM sponsored workshops. PSM has and will
continue to work with the Okanogan Communities Development Councils to explore opportunities for
utilization of thinning by-products and to provide a source of materials for utilization.
PSM’s Community Advisory Group, which consists of representatives WSU extension office, Methow Forest
Watch, Methow Conservancy, and other community members, provides input on treatment methods and
serves as a forum where those with differing perspectives on forestry issues can share these differing
perspectives while constructing solutions to forest health issues with broad acceptance.
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?
PSM will maintain its Community Advisory Group, which consists of community members with
diverse interests. CAG members will participate in field tours and discussions on appropriate treatments, and
be invited to address the effectiveness of treatment activities in working toward forest health. Involvement of
our CAG on this project will begin in 2003 during the planning phase . Fourteen private landowners have
materially participated in PSM’s forest treatment activities on their land since 2000. Community education
and outreach activities have attracted over 200 community members and landowners, indicating a high level
of interest and support for the program.
This proposal would reduce the stand densities by thinning suppressed trees and leaving healthier dominant
and co-dominant trees to achieve stocking levels closer to the historical norms of the area. Reducing stand
densities will also allow the development of more diverse under-story vegetation that will enhance habitat for
small mammals, a food source for larger mammals such as lynx and bobcat. Mule deer will also benefit from
more diverse biomass with increased forage.
The jobs sustained by activities will be local in origin and contribute to the overall economy of the
community. The investment in local contractors will increase our community’s capacity to perform
treatments on other projects in the area. Training opportunities for the PSM crew will be made available to
sub-contractors used in the project and other area contractors. Training opportunities will also contribute to
the development of skilled local restoration workforce. PSM educational events will give the community an
opportunity to learn about forest health and management issues, and a forum for active participation in
decision making processes.
Response:
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Non-commercial thinning- removal of
selected material 7” db h and below.
October 2003- October 2005
Partnership for a Sustainable Methow
(PSM)
Commercial thinning- removal of selected
material of commercial value.
October 2003 – August 2005
PSM
Slash Disposal- lopping of tops and nonmerchantable material and hand piling of
material and burning.
June 2004 – December 2005
PSM
Workforce Training
May – November 2004
May – November 2005
PSM
Community Education and Outreach
May – November 2004
May – November 2005
PSM
Monitoring
May – November 2004
May – November 2005
PSM & Pacific Watershed Institute
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
Forest Manager & Field Crew
PSM Exec. Director & Oper. Mgr
PSM/FSP Program Mgr
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
PSM
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
53,880.00
19,350.00
2,873.60
76,103.60
124,329.92
21,029.58
9181.29
154,540.79
Equipment
Maintenance/vehicle exp.
18,175.52
58,071.63
Subtotal
18,175.52
58,071.63
Supplies
PSM Field Work supplies
14,870.88
47,513.16
Subtotal
14,870.88
47,513.16
62,384.04
Contractual
Non-commercial thinning contract
Slash disposal contract
Professional fees
Subtotal
72,600.00
96,600.00
4,200.00
173,400.00
4,564.56
4,564.56
177,964.56
6450.00
7,009.86
6450.00
7,009.86
13,459.86
289,000.00
271,700.00
560,700.00
230,644.39
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Subtotal
Other
Office Exp. / utilities
Insurance
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
1
Timber revenue
76,247.15
Will be reinvested
Into project
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.