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:
Phone:
Mason Conservation District
360.427.9436
FAX:
360.427.4396
Email:
mcd@olywa.net
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
1051 SE Hwy 3, Suite G, Shelton, WA 98584
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Phone:
Mike Madsen, District Manager
Mason Conservation District
360.427.9436
FAX:
360.427.4396
Email:
mcd@olywa.net
Project Information
Project Title:
Portable Roundwood Processor for Value-Added Products
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
July 1, 2003
December 31, 2004
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$ 55,551.90
$ 55,551.90
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
To staff, field test, refine and demonstrate (local and intra-state public venues) the Portable
Roundwood Processor, which was designed and built under the auspices of National Fire
Plan Grant
# WNFP-01-019.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
Shelton, WA
Mason
6
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
N/A
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:
The project addresses two urgent societal needs.
1) There is a critical need to develop value-added products from small diameter materials collected from fuel
reduction thinning projects. Revenues from sale of thinning materials provides economic incentive for
landowners and enables treatment of additional acres for agencies with fixed budgets. As the USDA
Forest Products Laboratory and others develop value-added products, there is an emerging need for
specialized manufacturing equipment to economically produce products and their technical components.
2) Timber-dependent communities need to diversify the employment base and transition to products from
small diameter timber, such as is available from thinning programs. They have a willing workforce that
desires forestry and forest products based employment.
A prototype for an easily transportable small-wood manufacturing center was developed under the auspices of
National Fire Plan Grant # WNFP-01-019 by Forest Concepts LLC in Federal Way, WA.
The prototype includes a fifth-wheel trailer, articulated log handler, hydraulic power system, and hydraulic
power tools. The machine was developed for local manufacture of components and structures utilizing
roundwood poles 3 inches to 10-inch diameter. Initial capabilities include cutting, drilling, tapering and
notching of materials.
The Mason Conservation District has been given this prototype by Forest Concepts, with the approval of the
US Forest Service. The Districts’ mandate upon receipt of this machine is to continue to demonstrate this
machine and conduct field tests to refine the equipment.
The machine at this point has had limited public exposure and field-testing. The Mason Conservation District
(MCD) would like to take the prototype machine from developmental testing to operational testing. This
continued refinement would provide information necessary to facilitate the development of successor
technologies and additional capabilities (modules).
Further testing will allow the development of additional products, include involvement in MCD ventures
including project work and public demonstrations.
Increasing public exposure will bring awareness to the value of pre-emptively reducing fire hazard in forest
through the harvest of small diameter “fuel wood”.
Further field trials will provide the opportunity to refine the machine, more fully develop the operators
manual and capture lessons learned, which will lead to recommendations for the development of a second
generation machine.
The MCD intends to utilize this machine under field conditions in conjunction with district sponsored
projects. The machine will also be on working display at a minimum of six (6) venues during the life of this
new grant.
This grant will provide for a part time equipment operator/demonstrator, technical support, operation and
maintenance, materials and consumable supplies.
The applicant is prepared to begin the project upon approval and release of funds. It is expected that
completion of refinements, field trials and demonstrations will be completed by December 31, 2004.
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:
Mason County is and has always been closely tied to the timber industry. Economic downturns, changes in
import/export treaties and foreign markets all have a direct and immediate effect on the economic well being
of the residents. The local residents have been dependent upon a viable timber industry for generations.
Local strategy is dedicated to the development of new and diverse industries within MC, which will help
mitigate this wide fluctuation of employment in the volatile timber industry. The development of a small
wood processor is a natural fit within the labor demographic of the county. This machine will provide for
some of the residents of MC, who are struggling with these changes in the timber industry, a viable
alternative to "large”, tree harvesting. It is unknown as to the exact number of jobs, which will or could be
created by the introduction of such a machine; however, the local market could certainly support several of
these processing operations for many years. The successful development of such a piece of equipment would
provide a public domain design which could be utilized by individuals throughout the NW to expand
harvesting and thinning operations, thus providing employment and income for depressed timber
communities. This piece of equipment will have the potential to affect the economies of communities
throughout the area.
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:
The project will stimulate additional production and sale of products utilizing small-diameter materials from
fuel-reduction projects. Many products will have the potential to be sold back into the community,
recreational sites and local natural resource agencies. Marketing of products will increase awareness of fuel
reduction programs among citizens. Revenues to landowners from sale of fuel reduction thinning materials
will encourage treatment of additional acres.
Small diameter material will be converted into technical structural components, roundwood structures as
developed, watershed products, bioengineering structures and landscape materials.
The geographic scope of this project includes all of the managed forest lands in North America. Of particular
interest are those regions in need of fuel reduction and forest health thinning.
No special permit or clearances are needed for this project.
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:
This machine has been demonstrated at two (2) public venues since its’ completion. A demonstration was
also held in Mason County, unfortunately it was not very well attended. When displayed at the Washington
Association of Conservation Districts annual meeting, a lot of interest was shown by neighboring
conservation districts for the possible incorporation of the machine into their services offered to landowners.
Representatives of both Simpson Timber and Port Blakely Tree Farms have expressed interest in the machine,
however, funding has not been available to sponsor a field trial for these commercial interests.
Public demonstrations will be a large component of this grant with an eye to increasing awareness not only of
the machine, but also the value of small diameter timber.
Potential Public venues for demonstrations include, but are not limited to: American Foresters, Washington
Farm Forestry Association, Forest Stewards Guild, Mason Countys’ Forest Festival, Mason Countys’ “Old
Timers” Historical Fair in Matlock, Mason County, and the Washington Association of Conservation
Districts annual meeting.
Updates of the results of field trials and refinements of the machine will be posted on the Districts’ web page
www.olywa.net/mcd. Press releases will be provided to appropriate media.
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:
The original project and the development of the prototype was the result of a public-private effort including
the Mason Conservation District and two private firms. Forest Concepts (one of the partners) held meetings
with USDA Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, USDA Forest Products Laboratory, University
of Washington, University of Idaho, Idaho Department of Economic Development, Washington State Dept.
of Natural Resources, the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups among others to develop a clear
understanding of the need and opportunity.
Forest Concepts will be an informal partner in this further development both in the capacity of providing
technical support and being the recipient of data gathered as the machine is further refined.
It is anticipated this phase of the development will include expertise from the Washington Dept. of Natural
Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, commercial timber companies and local small
forest landowners.
Enclosure 4C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Demonstrations (minimum 6)
Anticipate 1 per quarter
MCD
Field Tests (minimum 4)
Course of grant
MCD
Product development (roundwood)
Course of grant
MCD
Creation of construction plans for
products developed
Course of grant
MCD
Product improvement progress reports
Quarterly report to USFS
MCD
Mechanical refinement of machine
Course of grant
MCD
Refine “Operators Manual”
12/31/04
MCD
Final Report
12/31/04
MCD
Enclosure 4D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
Personnel
Technical Staff
Administrative staff
Subtotal
2,279.70
1,268.10
3,547.80
2,279.70
1,268.10
3,547.80
Fringe Benefits
Technical staff
Administrative staff
Subtotal
1,448.10
756.00
2,204.10
1,448.10
756.00
2,204.10
Travel
Per diem
Mileage
Subtotal
1,000.00
1,000.00
2,000.00
1,000.00
1,000.00
2,000.00
Equipment
Maintenance/operations
5,000.00
5,000.00
Subtotal
5,000.00
5,000.00
Supplies
Consumables(raw materials, gasoline)
3,000.00
3,000.00
Subtotal
3,000.00
3,000.00
Contractual
Operator/Demonstrator
37,800.00
37,800.00
Subtotal
37,800.00
37,800.00
Other
Overhead
2,000.00
2,000.00
Subtotal
2,000.00
2,000.00
Total Costs
55,551.90
55,551.90
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.