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:
Watershed Research and Training Center
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
530-628-4206
530-628-5100
wrtc@harfork.net
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
P.O. Box 356, Hayfork CA 96014
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Marcus Kauffman, Stewardship Coordinator
Organization/Jurisdiction: Watershed Research and Training Center, Eugene, Oregon
5249 University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97402-5249
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
541-346-0661
541-346-2040
marcusk@darkwing.uoregon.edu
Project Information
Project Title:
Upper Deschutes Basin Community Fire Plans
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
October 1, 2003
September 30, 2005
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$69,550
$83,2630
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Yes, Dry Forest Mechanized Fuels Treatment Trials is first priority.
Brief Project Description:
The Watershed Research and Training Center, in partnership with Deschutes Project Impact, local fire
protection districts, and several other local organizations and agencies are proposing to undertake a 2-phase
community fire planning process in the Upper Deschutes Basin. During Phase I, we will compile existing
data on fire risk, treatments, and mitigation strategies and fuel reduction activities from the diverse groups
working in the region on fire issues to create a comprehensive picture of fire risk, hazard, and fuel reduction
needs and opportunities. Based on this information, in Phase II, we will partner directly with local fire
departments to create 3 community-level fire plans that: 1) identify gaps in fire management infrastructure
and recommend improvements; 2) identify community values at risk; 3) identify and prioritize potential fuel
reduction projects using extensive community involvement and mapping processes in those three
communities. These three community-level plans would then be linked to the larger landscape plan created in
Phase I.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
Upper Deschutes Basin
Deschutes, Jefferson, Klamath
District 2
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:
Project area extends from Camp Sherman south to Gilchrist/Crescent and east to Redmond and Bend.
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 is a clear need to treat hazardous fuels and reduce fire risk in the wildland urban interface in
Upper Deschutes Basin. Given that fire ignores boundaries, pre-fire treatments need to be coordinated across
the landscape. The federal agencies have done extensive planning and fuel reduction efforts on their lands.
ODF, local fire departments, and private landowners have conducted numerous education efforts and fuel
reduction projects. Yet, there has been little involvement of local fire departments and knowledgeable
community residents in the development of community fire protection plans to ensure that pre-fire treatments
protect the areas of highest importance. Last year’s fires in the area created a groundswell of interest in
community fire protection. This is an unprecedented opportunity to develop comprehensive community fire
plans that link federal, state, and local efforts.
Project Implementation: This project will employ a two-phase approach to: 1) identify landscape scale
issues and strategies and; 2) community-level planning to identify gaps in local fire management
infrastructure, community values at risk, and prioritize potential projects. We will convene a strong local
steering committee comprised of key individuals and organizations to guide the implementation of the two
phases of the project.
Response:
In the first phase of the project, we will create a landscape level map and strategy based on existing
information. This phase will build on the federal agencies’ Central Oregon Fire Management Plan, the
Deschutes Fire Atlas (underway by The Nature Conservancy’s Fire Learning Network), the Defensible Space
in the Urban Interface by Deschutes County, and the fuel assessments of the Oregon Department of Forestry.
In the second phase of the project, the steering committee will select three locations to conduct communitylevel fire protection plans based on the information learned in Phase I. The communities will be selected
based on need, fire risk, and likelihood of success. In this phase, we will partner with the local fire districts to
conduct community outreach about meetings and solicit opinion and insight from professional and volunteer
firefighters and other interested residents and landowners about fire management infrastructure gaps, values
at risk, and potential projects.
Anticipated Outcomes: This project will create:
• A fire management map to assist in prioritizing and coordinating fuel reduction treatments at a
landscape scale.
In each of the three communities:
• Identified community fire management infrastructure gaps and recommendations.
• Identified “community values at risk” in communities
• Prioritized potential projects that link to the larger landscape goals and strategies.
Measures and Reporting: Success will be measured by achieving the described outcomes. Quarterly
progress reports will describe progress and status of the work plan.
Interagency Partners: Central Oregon Fire Management Services, Oregon Dept. Forestry, Deschutes Project
Impact (comm of Deschutes County), The Nature Conservancy—Fire Learning Network, Central Oregon
Intergovernmental Coordinating Council.
Relationship to other fire plans: The project will link the Central Oregon Fire Plan, existing community fire
protection plans, and ODF’s planned fuel reduction efforts in the project area.
Amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc): Over 10,000 residents in three communities.
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:
This project promotes fuel risk reduction in high hazard areas because it proposes a process for identifying
and prioritizing the values of greatest importance and highest risk to local residents. This effort will lead to
decreased fire risk by ensuring that the highest priority areas are treated first and that treatments are
coordinated across the landscape.
This project will also help federal agencies to strengthen their partnerships with local communities. It will
leverage federal resources by ensuring that federal efforts to reduce hazardous fuels and risk on their lands are
matched by complementary efforts on private land. This level of coordination will enable the federal agencies
to spend their resources more efficiently and to collaborate with their community partners in equally strategic
ways.
This project will help protect the safety of the three selected communities in the project area by directing
implementation resources to the areas of highest risk. The project will also help protect communities by
identifying and planning the improvement of fire protection infrastructure, such as roads, water sources, etc.
The main community partner in this effort, Deschutes Project Impact, has been leading a highly successful
Fire Free program in Deschutes county since 2000.
Once completed the planning process will not require additional funding.
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: We are proposing a process
that would increase the ability of communities in the Upper Deschutes
Basin to identify and prioritize needed fire hazard risk and reduction work. This will enable these
communities to compete more effectively for hazardous fuel reduction funding, which can be used to address
community ecological and economic needs.
This project, combined with the Central Oregon Partnership for Wildfire Risk Reduction, will attempt to find
markets for proposed fuel reduction projects.
This project will also promote local economic development by protecting the natural resource base upon
which the tourism industry depends.
This project builds on the pioneering work of the Trinity County Community Fire Plan and the Applegate
Community Fire Plan. It will adapt the model used for more populated and suburban communities and make
the approach available to other communities throughout the region via online publication of the methods and
results.
It is our hope that this process will be the beginning of a series of coordinated community fire protection
plans in the Cascade Front that will eventually lead to integrated landscape-level fire protection planning.
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: This
project will increase interagency and intergovernmental coordination by bringing together
federal, state, and local organizations in the identification of community and landscape-level priorities. In
addition, through this project, we will compiling information in a single place from numerous governmental
and non-governmental sources, and will make it available to all agencies and organizations. This coordination
of information will make it easier for governments and non-profits to coordinate their efforts in the Upper
Deschutes Basin. In particular, if will help coordinate pre-fire resources to ensure maximal effectiveness.
Deschutes Project Impact is a lead local partner on this proposal; they act as the Local Coordination Group. In
addition, committed partners include: The Nature Conservancy, Fire Learning Network, Central Oregon Fire
Management Services, COIC, Central Oregon Partnership for Wildfire Risk Reduction, Oregon Department
of Forestry.
In addition to the partners listed above, a central first task of this project will be to bring additional
organizations into the process including Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, local fire protection
districts, local Forest Service and BLM units, watershed councils, and others.
6.
7.
8.
4. Expanding Community Participation. (15 Points)
To what extent have interested individuals, groups, and communities been provided an opportunity to become informed and
involved in this proposal?
Describe the extent of local support or opposition for the project, including any cost-sharing arrangements.
What are the environmental, social and educational benefits or concerns of the project?
Response:
A wide array of individuals, group, and agency representatives have already been involved in the
development of this proposal including Deschutes Project Impact, Central Oregon Fire Management, The
Nature Conservancy Fire Learning Network, the Central Oregon Partnership for Wildfire Risk Reduction, and
Oregon Department of Forestry. These organizations represent a broad spectrum of public opinion and fully
support the project proposal.
This proposal includes in-kind contributions from Central Oregon Fire Management Services, The Nature
Conservancy, and Deschutes Project Impact.
This project will create environmental benefits by developing three community fire protection plans that will
guide pre-fire treatments toward the highest risk and most valued areas. In addition, we will expand
community participation by recruiting additional partners into the steering committee and through the
community fire mapping processes. We will have extensive local-level involvement by residents, landowners,
professional and volunteer firefighters, and other interested individuals and organizations.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Outreach and recruit steering
committee
Months 1-3
Project manager and partners
Gather and review existing fire risk
data and information
Months 2-3
Steering Committee
Compile landscape-level fire strategy.
Months 2-3
Steering Committee
Select (3) high risk communities for
community-level planning
Month 3
Steering Committee
Create community fire plans
 Partner with local fire departments
to outreach to communities
 Assemble existing fire
management infrastructure data
 Conduct community mapping
exercises to identify gaps in fire
management infrastructure
 Update GIS and maps to show new
information
(The process described on the left
will be completed three times)
Months 3-4
Project Manager/Steering
Committee
Months 4-5
GIS Manager

Conduct community mapping
exercises to identify values at risk
and potential projects
Hold community meetings to
prioritize values and projects
Months 5-6
Project Manager/Steering
Committee
Months 6-7

Update GIS of prioritized areas
Months 7-8
Project Manager/Steering
Committee
GIS Manager

Link community identified
priorities with objective data and
regional plan
Complete development of
community fire plans
Months 8-9
Project Manager/Steering
Committee
Months 9-12
Project Manager




GIS Manager
Month 3-4
Months 4-5
Present plans in local communities Months 13-16
and to project partners
Disseminate hard copies of plan
Months 13-18
and publish on the web
Project Manager/Steering
Committee
Project Manager/Steering
Committee
Project Manager
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
Project Manager
in-kind contributions
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
Project
Impact
COFMS
ODF
TNC
Total
42,000
42,000
900
900
900
900
1080
1080
1350
1350
46,230
Fringe Benefits
Included in above
Subtotal
Travel
5,000
Subtotal
5,000
5,000
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
3,000
Subtotal
3,000
Contractual
GIS Manager
in-kind GIS contributions
Subtotal
15,000
Other
Administration 7%
media & outreach
Subtotal
3,000
6,000
6,000
15,000
21,000
4,550
4,900
3,500
3,500
8,400
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
1
69,550
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.
83,630