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:
Pomeroy Ranger District- Umatilla National Forest
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509-843-1891
509-843-4635
msmartin@fs.fed.us
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
71 West Main Pomeroy, Washington 99347
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Melinda Martin, Fuel Technician
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Pomeroy Ranger District - Umatilla National Forest
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509-843-4631
509-843-4635
msmartin@fs.fed.us
Project Information
Project Title: Arbothknott Fuel Break and Maloney Mountain Fuel Breaks
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
5/01/03
Federal Funding Request: Total - $332,450
Arbothknott -$141,700 Maloney Mountain - $190,750
9/30/04
Total Project Funding: Total - $989,090
Arbothknott- $333,700 Maloney Mountain - $655,390
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Yes, Arbothknott and Maloney Mountain Fuel Breaks. These projects are in different locations but are of the same nature and on the
same timeline. Arbothknott is the priority because there are more participating private landowners in this project area.
Brief Project Description:
We are requesting funds to implement fuel reduction treatments to mitigate wildfire risk on the private lands within the Arbothknott
and Maloney Mountain Fuel Break Project Areas. Both project areas include private land and Forest Service land within ½ mile of
the Forest Boundary. The private land within both project areas includes many small parcels of land with different owners. The land
is mostly used for recreational purposes and many of the properties have cabins and/or other structures.
Within the Arbothknott project area, there are 30 participating landowners with 260 acres of forested property that would receive fuel
reduction treatments. On Maloney Mountain, there are 11 participating landowners with 350 acres that would receive fuels reduction
treatment.
The general treatment that is proposed for these areas is includes ladder fuel reduction by removing 8” dbh and smaller trees to a
16’ by 16’ spacing. Residual trees species preference will be toward the fire resistant species. Created slash material would be
handpiled and burned. Where feasible, larger material would be excluded from piles so that it can be utilized as firewood.
In recent years there has been significant fuel reduction treatments implemented under the National Fire Plan on the Forest Service
lands within the project areas. These projects would essentially finish up a fairly continuous fuel break along the Forest Boundary on
National Forest land and begin extending the fuel break into the private land.
In recent years there has been significant fuel reduction treatments implemented under the National Fire Plan on the Forest Service
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable): County: Maloney Mtn- Columbia
Congressional District:
lands within the project areas. These projects essentially finish up a fairly continuous fuel break along the Forest Boundary on
Arbothknott-Garfield
5th Congressional District
National Forest land and begin extending the fuel break into the private land.
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:
Pomeroy Ranger District
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:





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
The Arbothknott and Maloney Mountain Fuel Break Project Areas are located on or adjacent to the Pomeroy
Ranger District on the Umatilla National Forest. The Arbothknott project area is in Garfield County in
sections of T. 9 and 10 N., R. 42 E., WM. It is within the area known as the Baker’s Pond area on the main
road entering the National Forest from Pomeroy, Washington. Maloney Mountain project area is in
Columbia County in the area known as Maloney Mountain area on one of the main roads entering the
National Forest from Dayton, Washington. The project is located within sections of: T. 9 N., R. 41 E.,; T. 10
N., R. 41 E.; and T. 10 N., R. 40 E., WM.
Both project areas include private land and Forest Service land within ½ mile of the Forest Boundary. The
private land within the project areas includes many small parcels of land with different owners. The land is
mostly used for recreational purposes. Many of the properties have cabins and/or other structures.
Within the Arbothknott project area, there are 30 participating landowners with 260 acres of forested property
that would receive fuel reduction treatments. On Maloney Mountain, there are 11 participating landowners
with 350 acres that would receive fuels reduction treatment. Each of the participating landowners has a cabin
or home on their property (41 structures).
The general prescription for the fuel reduction treatments is to reduce ladder fuels by cutting 8” dbh and
smaller trees to a 16’ by 16’ spacing. Created and existing slash material would be handpiled and burned.
Larger material would be excluded from piles so that it can be utilized as firewood where it is feasible to do
so.
The outcomes of the projects would include reducing the risk to and preventing damage from wildfire to
private residences and/or property within the project areas, increasing firefighters capabilities to facilitate the
control of wildfires that occur, allowing safer access for fire suppression forces during wildfire, and creating
defensible space around structures and the recreation resident communities.
In recent years there has been extensive fuel reduction treatments implemented under the National Fire Plan
on the Forest Service lands within and adjacent to Arbothknott and Maloney Mountain project areas. These
treatments have included ladder fuel reduction, handpiling, grapple piles, pile burning, and prescribed fire
treatments. There are still some areas in need of treatment in these areas. The implementation of these two
projects will essentially finish up a fairly continuous fuel break along the Forest Boundary on National Forest
land and begin extending the fuel break into the private land.
Although the project includes both National Forest land and private land, we are seeking funding only for the
private land. Treatment on Forest Service land will be implemented using the district’s hazardous fuels
project funds. Treatment of the private land will be accomplished with careful coordination with the land
owners and Washington State Department of Natural Resources using National Fir Plan grant funds.
NEPA for both projects will be completed by April 1, 2003. We will be contracting the Forest Service portion
of the projects in May 2003 and expect it to be completed by the fall of 2003 (at least those portions that we
are able to fund this fiscal year). If we receive grant money, the contract for the private land will be
advertised by May 2004 and work should be complete by September 30, 2004.
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:. Both the Arbothknott and Maloney Mountain project areas are part of fire adapted ecosystems that have become out of
balance over the last several decades. Much of the project areas, because they are at lower elevations and on drier sites, would have
historically been primarily dominated by ponderosa pine. But, after decades of fire exclusion and in some instances, misguided
forest management, much of the area now enveloped by a thick understory of fir trees that creates treacherous ladder fuel
conditions.
The private land in the project areas is divided into a patchwork of landowners including: private landowners, most of who use their
land for recreational purposes and have structures on their property; land developers, some of who have logged the land and left the
slash untreated; and some commercial forest landowners with varying degrees of quality in the management of their land.
Arbothknott and Maloney Mountain Fuel Break projects reside in two of the most populated areas adjacent to the National Forest
on the Pomeroy Ranger District. This combination of many structures with seasonal inhabitants, high value recreational and timber
land, difficult road access for wildfire control, and vegetation and fuel conditions with the potential for extreme fire behavior has
created situation on which we have been focusing our efforts for some time. As mentioned previously, we have done extensive
work on Forest Service land in these areas. This project will give us the opportunity to implement these treatments on private land
where we can make even greater contributions in reducing the risk to and preventing damage from wildfire to private residences
and/or property, increasing firefighters capabilities to facilitate the control of wildfires that occur, and creating defensible space
around structures and the recreation resident communities.
We contacted nearly 300 landowners in the two project areas, and 41 landowners have expressed a willingness to participate in the
project (most landowners will only be able to participate if we are able to provide most or all of the funds required). It is our
expectation that as the other landowners observe the results of the work done on their neighbor’s property, their interest and desire
to provide the same protection for their property will increase. Although we don’t have a qualified fuels education program, each
contact, both oral and written, with the landowners as we work with them to plan and implement this project is an opportunity for
fuel education.
.
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 toher 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:
The work from these projects would create approximately 12 seasonal jobs for a period of one year. Dayton and Pomeroy would
both benefit as workers spend money to pay for food, lodging, and recreation in these communities for the time they are working on
the projects.
A small operator who desired to do so could certainly combine this project with the other current and proposed fuel reduction
projects on the Pomeroy Ranger District to provide enough work for an operation with approximately 6 employees to operate year
round for at least the next four years.
It is our desire for these projects to be a model for all the WUI type areas adjacent the Pomeroy Ranger District Forest Boundary.
The work that is done will be showcased at public meetings, landowner field trips, and other fuel treatment education meetings.
They are in very visible and highly traveled locations so they will showcase themselves to a large extent.
This project will utilize forest fuel as firewood where it is feasible to do so. Terrain and access make this impossible in some areas
without the use of mechanized equipment.
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 private land in the Arbothknott and Maloney Mountain project area is within the Snake River Unit of Washington State
Department of Natural Resources fire protection area. Many of the land owners currently within the project areas have cost share
agreements with the DNR to do fuels and vegetation treatment work. We will be coordinating very closely and working very
carefully with the DNR as this project is implemented.
The Southeastern Washington Resource Advisory Committee is also a sponsor of these projects. They have contributed $5000 to
the implementation of each of the projects on the Forest Service land.
Currently, there is not a local intergovernmental strategy or plan in place. We are going to try to utilize this project as the spark to
ignite the interest of other agencies and landowners to cooperate with us in creating a strategy and plan.
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:
We went to great measures to inform and involve interested individuals and groups. In addition to the nearly 300 landowners that
we sent scoping letters, information letters, reply forms, and self-addressed stamped envelopes to, we also sent scoping letters
letters to over 150 additional groups and individuals.
We have had overwhelming support for the project from nearly everyone who responded to our scooping process. Additionally,
similar work that we have done in the vicinity of the project areas has received considerable praise from both within the Forest
Service and from the outside public interests. Granted, we did anticipate that more landowners would be interested in participating.
After these first landowners begin implementation, we expect other landowners interest will increase and they will want to begin
participating as well. We are also excited to have the Southeastern Washington Resource Advisory Council supporting the projects
with a $10,000 grant.
The benefits of this project will be enormous from an environmental, social, and educational standpoint. Environmentally, it will
begin restoring fire adapted ecosystems to its historical species composition and structure as well as protecting the natural resources
in the area from the potentially damaging effects of high intensity wildfire. Socially, in additional to providing some local jobs and
income, these types of projects are esthetically pleasing to the public. The public is also always appreciative to see Federal dollars
put to work in a way that benefits them directly. Educationally, the projects are in very visible, well traveled areas. Landowners
and the general public will be able to observe first hand the type of work that is required to make our forestland fire safe.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Complete NEPA requirements,
analysis, and prepare CE
April 1, 2003
Melinda Martin/Tara Hanger
Complete unit layout and prepare
contract package for Contracting
Officer for Forest Service portion of
the project
May 1, 2003
Melinda Martin/Tara Hanger
Advertise and award contract for
Forest Service portion of the project
June 1, 2003
Gary Dillavou
Ensure satisfactory work completion
by contractor on Forest Service land
September 30, 2003
Steve Carlson
Notify all participating land owners of
funding approval for projects and
begin coordination for project
implementation
May 15, 2003
Melinda Martin/Tara Hanger
Complete unit layout and prepare
contract package for Contracting
Officer for private land portion of the
project
February 1, 2004
Melinda Martin/Tara Hanger
May 1, 2004
Gary Dillavou
September 30, 2004
Steve Carlson
Advertise and award contract for
private land portion of the project
Ensure satisfactory work completion
by contractor on private land
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
For Private Land Projects only
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
Project mgmt., layout and contract
admin
administration
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
$30,500
$30,500
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Subtotal
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Subtotal
Contractual
Surveys
Fuel reduction and handpile
Subtotal
$27,450
$274,500
$301,950
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
$332,450
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.