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:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources – Resource Protection Division
Phone:
FAX:
360-902-1300
Email:
mark.gray@wadnr.gov
360-902-1757
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
P.O. Box 47037 Olympia, WA 98504-7037
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
James Brog, Fire Fuels Reduction Specialist
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, South Puget Sound Region
Phone:
Email: charles.frame@wadnr.gov
james.brog@wadnr.gov
FAX:
360-825-1631
360-825-1672
Project Information
Project Title:
Phase II - South Puget Sound Fuels Reduction Homeowners Assistance
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
January 2004
Fall 2006
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$250,000
$327,326
Yes. This is a two-phase project.
Phase I (grant submitted) is priority. Phase II is essential for completion of the 2 ½ year plan
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Brief Project Description:
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) South Puget Sound Region will take the lead
in creating a local coordinating group to encourage participation of communities in reducing the risk of
wildfires in Western Washington. Through efforts of state, local, tribal and federal agencies we can predict a
successful resolution to the problems facing communities along the east slopes of the Cascade Mountain
Range. Media campaigns, public service announcements, local fire district involvement, air pollution
authorities, DNR, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, local tribal agencies and solid waste agencies
will be instrumental in achieving these objectives.
This phase of the project deals with fuels treatment and creating defensible space/survivability. Creating
community involvement in work parties, individual property clean up, and fuel breaks around developments
will be promoted. Providing the manpower and equipment to assist in disposal of brush and debris generated
is the objective of this project. The utilization of a tree service contractor(s), Washington State Correction
work crews and volunteer workers will enable a large number of homeowners to prepare for and/or prevent a
disaster from happening. With assistance provided through this grant we can make a difference in these
communities and provide a more fire safe environment.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
East King and Pierce Counties
King and Pierce
Eighth (8)
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:
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
There has been a need for several years to create an acute awareness of the severe fire danger that
exists in Western Washington on the east slopes of the Cascade Range. Our focus is on the communities that
lie at the foothills and into the mountainous areas of east Puget Sound. The project area will extend from the
Interstate 90 corridor near North Bend, south along the slopes to Ashford, near the entrance to Mount Rainier
National Park. These areas have been listed in the Federal Register/Vol. 66, No. 160, as communities in the
vicinity of federal lands at risk from wildfire. These communities include; Ashford, Elbe, Carbonado,
Wilkeson, Enumclaw, Cumberland, Palmer, Selleck, Kerriston, Hobart, Ravensdale, North Bend and
Snoqualmie Pass. Conservatively, we anticipate treating 2500 acres and providing protection to 4500 homes
throughout our project area through cooperative efforts.
Not only are these communities at risk, but also several major watersheds that encompass 239,000 acres of
forested land and serve a population of nearly 1.6 million people. The loss of any portion of this land to
wildfire and firefighting techniques will create a major impact upon our future water supply and will take
many years to regenerate. Not only is our drinking water supply at risk, but also the habitat for fish and
wildlife is disrupted and changed dramatically after a wildland fire. Streams and rivers that are spawning
grounds for many species of salmon will be affected.
Phase I of our project will deal with developing several government and private agencies into a local
coordinating group, whose focus and objective is to bring public awareness and education to these
communities. This group will strive to create solutions to the problems of human caused wildland fires,
reduction of biomass from forest fuels in landfills, new ideas for the utilization of biomass and poor air
quality. We will also educate and encourage the public to create defensible spaces within and around their
communities and to realize the impact wildfires can have upon our lives in Western Washington.
Furthermore, we will work closely with fire districts to increase training and education in wildland
firefighting and the creation of defensible space.
Phase II of the project, for which this grant is submitted, will assist and train the homeowners and
communities in the proper creation of “FireWise” and safe communities. Homeowners who are elderly, low
income or non-ambulatory who have expressed interest in participating will be given the assistance they need
to create the defensible space. Volunteer organizations such as church groups, scout groups, non-profit
organizations and others will be recruited, trained and given the opportunity to perform community service.
The use of inmate camp crews from Washington State Department of Corrections will be utilized to perform
work in many areas, as well as grant-funded tree service contractors. Community work parties will be
provided with personnel and equipment to assist in removing debris and to chip and remove fire fuels.
The reduction and/or elimination of residential outdoor burning will be addressed throughout the program,
and the rationale of clean air quality and the dangers associated with debris burning will be taught. Media
campaigns in print, radio and television will be coordinated continuously throughout the project. As this
project expands, national attention to our efforts will serve to reinforce the message nationwide as to the
importance of fire safety and creating defensible space.
Evaluation as to the effectiveness of this project will be based upon several factors. First, by the number of
participants, individual homeowners and homeowner associations, who work to create a fire safe community.
Second, data collected from pre/post community fire assessment surveys and pre/post homeowner surveys
will provide validation and compliance. These before and after surveys will be entered into a database to
create corroborative support. We will utilize crews from local fire districts to survey their areas of
responsibility and report on the effectiveness and success of the project with forms and surveys provided.
Private and state foresters and fire managers will also assist in the evaluation process.
Response:
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?
Our proposal is designed to extensively incorporate the practices and concepts of the “FireWise”
program. With the successful implementation of Phase I (also a 2004 grant request) and proper training to all
stakeholders, we will have identified areas and homeowners that need financial assistance to complete fuels
reduction.
The west slope of the Cascade Mountains holds several large watershed projects, the Mount BakerSnoqualmie National Forest, Gifford-Pinchot National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park. These areas
are not only beautiful and pristine recreation areas, but they hold significant importance to the citizens of the
largest populous in the state -- their water supply.
In 2002, the South Puget Sound DNR conducted a “FireWise” program near Enumclaw, Washington, which
is approximately 45 miles southeast of Seattle near the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. The local
homeowners were made aware of the fire dangers surrounding their homes, and tremendous community
participation and involvement helped to reduce the fire fuels within the defensible space of many homes.
Through the education and risk assessment process we will impress upon the homeowners the importance of
maintaining their properties. Typically, once the initial work has been completed, maintenance is within the
scope of work for most homeowners.
Response:
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?
As homeowners become aware of the hazards surrounding their properties, they will seek avenues
for the reduction of the fire fuels within their defensible space and their communities. This phase of our
project will contract work to local tree service contractors to assist homeowners. In addition, contractors who
participate in the “FireWise” workshops and receive certification will be listed as available and qualified to
perform work for homeowners who can afford and choose to have the work completed themselves.
Upon completion of this project, it will serve as a premier model to many other communities in Washington
state. Fostering solid media exposure during the entire process will only contribute to increasing fire safety
awareness throughout our state and most likely will become a model for national attention in promoting the
“FireWise” program.
In our first phase of this project, we will have worked towards developing alternative uses for the biomass
generated by the removal and reduction of fire fuels. Reducing landfill disposal and developing sources that
will utilize chipped forest fuel materials will be an objective to achieve.
Response:
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:
Through coordination of fire districts and the process described in the “Phase I - South Puget Sound
Wildland Interface Education and Fuels Reduction” grant request, we will have compiled
information of citizens who need assistance for mitigating the fire fuel hazards around their homes. Those
identified homeowners who are elderly, low income, or non-ambulatory may qualify for assistance in
preparing their homes’ defensible space. We envision utilizing local volunteer groups, Washington State
Department of Corrections inmate crews, and grant funded contractors to perform work as needed.
Meetings with organized homeowners associations will allow us to educate them on means of receiving
financial support from private agencies for fire fuels reduction. It will also create the opportunity to
strengthen the relationship with local fire personnel and the role DNR serves in wildland firefighting, fire
district training and the protection of natural resources. Involving the U.S. Forest Service, U.S Fish and
Wildlife and our local tribal agencies will also show the coordination and cooperative efforts of all agencies
in reducing the loss of life, property and natural resources.
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:
Several agencies have expressed an interest of cooperation and participation through in-kind services with
use of their public education specialists, fire crews, and classroom and meeting facilities. Most insurance
companies currently have programs that provide financial assistance for communities. Developing and
identifying homeowner associations that are 501(c)(3) non-profit, and assisting them in applying for funds
from insurance companies will increase the number of homes that may participate. Grant-funded contractors
will also be useful in providing work crews and fire fuel removal for elderly, low income or non-ambulatory
citizens.
Working closely with volunteer work groups and organizing work parties in various communities will
promote ownership and longevity to the program. Providing the crews and equipment during these work
parties will enhance relationships with government agencies.
As stated earlier, traditional firefighting techniques utilizing class “A” foams and aerial retardant will most
certainly cause serious environmental issues to the drinking water supply in watersheds of local metropolitan
areas. Furthermore, soil erosion and rehabilitation efforts will contribute to environmental concerns. Through
education, fire prevention, fire fuels reduction and eliminating outdoor residential burning, we can reasonably
expect a reduction of human caused wildfires and the potential for disaster.
Our success in 2002 serves as an example of how we have impressed upon the community the importance of
creating defensible space and a “FireWise” Community.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Develop relationships with King & Pierce
County Solid Waste to develop and market
alternatives to burning and resources for
chipped vegetation.
January 2004
DNR Coordinator and staff
Identify and prepare model homes for
defensible space program.
Identify Contractor to perform projects
through DNR direction.
March/ April 2004
DNR Region Coordinator & Fire
Districts
DNR Region
Coordinate with news media.
Compile, coordinate and determine needs
from Phase 1.
June 2004
DNR Olympia
DNR Region /staff
Fire Districts to perform assessments
June thru September 2004
Fire Districts
Compile information from fire districts
and other agencies for elderly, low income
and non-ambulatory homeowners needing
assistance creating defensible space.
September/October 2004
Program Coordinator/staff
Fire Districts
December 2004
DNR Program Coordinator/staff
February 2005
DNR Coordinator, DNR State
Representative
Contractor to begin performing work for
qualified homeowners for fire fuel
reduction. DNR Staff to work closely with
contractor and review compliance.
Gather data from fire district surveys on
pre/post inspections.
April 2005- November 2005 &
March 2006- Depletion of funding
Contractor
DNR staff
Prepare final report and compile necessary
paperwork for final audit.
August 2006
(Or upon depletion of funding)
DNR Program Coordinator
Prepare specification sheet for call for
bids of qualified contractors. Develop
measurable standards criteria.
Award contract to qualified bidder. Prework conference to review measurable
standards criteria and compliance
standards.
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
NR Program Coordinator
Fire District Personnel
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
Applicant
$ 43,074.72 $
Fire Districts
Partner 2
Total
18,252.00
$ 25,000.00
$ 43,074.72 $
18,252.00 $ 25,000.00
$
-
$
$
$
$
61,326.72
25,000.00
86,326.72
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
$
$
-
-
$
$
$
-
-
$
$
$
-
Travel
Subtotal
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
Equipment
Subtotal
$
-
Supplies
Postage & Supplies
FireWise signs
Subtotal
$
$
Contractual
Tree Service Contractors(s) and
Camp Crews
$ 205,000.00
Subtotal
2,000.00
2,000.00
$ 205,000.00
Other
Vehicle Expense
In-kind volunteer work
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income[1]
(using deductive alternative)
$
-
$
2,500.00
$
2,500.00
$
$
-
$
$
$
-
-
-
$
$
$
-
$
$
$
-
$
$
$
$
205,000.00
205,000.00
$
$
$
$
6,500.00
25,000.00
31,500.00
$
327,326.72
6,500.00
$ 25,000.00
$
-
$
$ 250,074.72 $
6,500.00
$
-
$ 25,000.00
27,252.00 $ 25,000.00 $ 25,000.00
$
2,500.00
2,000.00
4,500.00
-
From:
To:
Date:
Subject:
<Der1godrd@aol.com>
<james.brog@wadnr.gov>
2/18/03 1:36PM
National Fire Plan Grant
Good afternoon,
I am writing to give full support for the National Fire Plan for Fire Fuels Reduction in the Puget Sound
Area.
The Nisqually Indian Tribe, Medicine Creek Wildland Fire Crews say yes to this plan and would be a
partner in this group. The Nisqually Tribe has always had a great relationship with Washington Department
of Natural Resources, and other local forest/fire agency's. This would be a great plan for Puget Sound Area.
Derwin Goddard, Fire Coordinator
Nisqually Indian Tribe, Medicine Creek Fire Crews
4820 She-Nah-Num DR, SE
Olympia, WA 98513
(360) 456-5221 ext. 174
(360) 456-9855 Pager
From:
To:
Date:
Subject:
"David F Johnson" <dfjohnson@fs.fed.us>
<charles.frame@wadnr.gov>, <charles.frame@wadnr.gov>
2/18/03 2:26PM
Urban Interface Fuels Management
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie is very much in support of cooperating in the
formation of local coordinating groups for the creation of a comprehensive
plan for community awareness, public education and fire fuels reduction in
the South Puget Sound area of Washington State. Decades of underbrush,
homes being built out into the urban interface and weather conditions have
lead to increased fire potential. By working together we can help each
other solve problems.
(Embedded image moved to file: pic26208.gif)David F. Johnson
Fire & Aviation Staff
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Phone Number: 425-744-3510
Cell Phone 425-239-0946
E-Mail address: dfjohnson@fs.fed.us