United States
Department of
Agriculture
Forest
Service
Pacific
Northwest
Region
File Code:3000/3610
Route To:
333 SW First Avenue
P. O. Box 3623
Portland, OR 97208-3623
Date:June
12, 2002
Subject:Call for Applications for Community Assistance and Wildland Urban Interface
Projects
To:All Parties Interested in Helping Implement the National Fire Plan
REPLY DUE: June 14, 2002
This letter is a request for applications for grants and agreements for the Community
Assistance program components of the National Fire Plan being delivered through the
USDA-Forest Service (FS) and the USDI’s National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
in the Pacific Northwest. Congress designed these programs to support community
planning for fire protection, to facilitate the economic use of woody materials removed
during fuels management activities, and to complement the activities of state and federal
land management agencies engaged in implementing the National Fire Plan. This letter
and enclosures describe the programs, eligible projects, eligible applicants, application
process, timelines, and evaluation criteria that will be used to select and fund program
activities. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis.
The programs included in this request for applications are:
(1) “Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Projects” of all participating federal agencies;
(2) “Fuels Utilization and Marketing Program” of the USDA Forest Service;
(3) “Wildland Urban Interface Education and Prevention Projects” of all participating
federal agencies; and
(4) “Community Planning for Fire Protection Program” of all participating federal
agencies.
The combined National Fire Plan federal funding for these programs in Oregon and
Washington is approximately seven to nine million dollars. Of this amount, about one
million dollars will be allocated to the Fuels Utilization and Marketing Program.
The amount of funding tentatively targeted for Education and Prevention projects is five
per cent of the combined total. The amount of funding tentatively targeted for Community
Fire Planning projects is ten per cent of the total. The actual allocation to these programs
will be based on the applications received and the overall program needs.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
 Reducing fire risk in the wildland urban interface. Encourage programs and
activities that will reduce the risk of fires to communities.
 Increasing local capacity. Build on local community action plans or develop new ones that
allow communities to respond quickly and effectively to fire hazards and risk situations, and
provide the technical and financial assistance to carry out these plans.
Caring for the Land and Serving People
Printed on
Recycled Paper
3000/3610
Page 2
 Expanding community participation. Expand the participation of local communities and
businesses in efforts to reduce fire hazards and use local labor for fuels treatment, restoration
work and finding economical uses for small diameter wood.
 Increasing interagency coordination. Partner with other federal, state, local, and volunteer
efforts to reduce local fire hazard risks.
The evaluation will also consider cost-effectiveness, likelihood of success (in terms of the
applicant’s ability to carry out the proposal, to meet regulatory requirements, and to meet
environmental needs), reasonability of the proposal, and the clarity and completeness of the
proposal and its outcomes.
Awards may be made to maximize the number of high-hazard communities that will benefit
from these programs. A map and list of high-hazard communities can be viewed at this
web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/coop/
Project applications should focus on community-based fire planning, strive for increased
utilization of small diameter and other material created by fuels treatments, and plan
and/or implement projects for reducing fire hazards in or adjacent to communities,
watersheds, and threatened or endangered species within high fire threat zones. Projects
can be interagency in nature and should be coordinated with FS, NPS, FWS, BLM, BIA
and state and other partners’ projects wherever practical. Projects should emphasize local
employment and be coordinated with human resource programs where appropriate.
Eligible projects may include development of strategic community fire plans and
hazardous fuel reduction project plans; implementation of fuels treatments in the wildland
urban interface; studies of wood utilization options for small diameter forest products;
small diameter utilization marketing and business plans; business feasibility studies to
utilize materials from fuels treatment projects; training in small diameter utilization
opportunities; small diameter utilization demonstration projects; resource inventory and
assessment; wood processing equipment design and demonstration; and wildland urban
interface fire prevention and education efforts.
Applications for construction of facilities or acquisition of real estate will not be considered.
These programs may share funding with federal, state, tribal, local agencies and non-profit
organizations where appropriate. For the Fuels Utilization and Marketing Program
projects, funds will be distributed via grants and the federal contribution may not exceed
80% of the total project cost. Assistance agreements will be used for the Department of
Interior's Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Projects, with no requirement for matching funds.
Matching funds are encouraged and will be considered.
Projects involving habitat or ground-disturbing activities may trigger a requirement to perform
appropriate National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) analysis, Section 7 consultation
procurement under the Endangered Species Act, and National Historical Preservation Act
deliberation. The project may also need some level of analysis to meet State standards. Applicants
are encouraged to contact local offices of participating state and federal agencies early in the
application process.
3000/3610
Page 3
The Forest Service is serving as a clearinghouse for this call for applications. Information
on the National Fire Plan including required grant application forms, assurances and
certifications are available on the Forest Service Internet site at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/coop/. The following items are enclosed to assist proponents in
preparation of complete proposals under the Community Assistance Program of the
National Fire Plan:

Program Fact Sheet -Enclosure 1

How to Apply - Enclosure 2

Grant Application Forms -Enclosure 3 for Wildland Urban Interface Fuels projects,
Education and Prevention projects, and Community Planning for Fire Protection projects;
Enclosure 4 for Fuels Utilization and Marketing projects.
A request for applications for 2003 grants and agreements will likely be sent out in the
spring or early summer of 2002, with proposals to be submitted in August.
/s/ Charles F. Krebs
CHARLES F. KREBS
Director, Cooperative Programs
Enclosure 1 - Program Fact Sheet
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN
Community Assistance and Wildland Urban Interface Projects
Introduction: National Fire Plan funding in the Pacific Northwest is intended to support strategic community
fire planning in high-risk areas and to cost-share forest products utilization and marketing projects and
demonstrations that explore value-added uses for small diameter wood. Existing program requirements and
guidelines apply.
Funding is available from the FS, NPS, FWS, BLM, and BIA as part of the Wildland Urban Interface Fuels
program to implement projects on non-federal lands for reducing hazardous fuels that may threaten
communities and critical ecosystems within the wildland urban interface.
Eligibility:
Counties, cities, federal, state and local governmental agencies, federally recognized tribes,
universities and colleges, school districts, and state-chartered non-profit organizations may apply. Solicitations
from businesses organized for profit or individuals will not be accepted. Private entities wishing to participate
are encouraged to work with and through their local government or community development organization.
Eligible Projects under “Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Projects”: Funding is available to plan and
implement fuel treatments to mitigate risk in the wildland urban interface (WUI) where FS, NPS, FWS, BLM, or
Indian trust lands are adjacent to the WUI; education and prevention efforts in WUI areas; and plans,
inventories, and assessments in WUI areas where NPS, FWS, BLM, FS or Indian trust lands are adjacent to
WUI lands. Hazardous fuels reduction includes the cost of implementing fuels treatments, including prescribed
fire, mechanical, and other treatments that reduce hazardous fuels in the WUI. Emphasis is placed on projects
where fuels treatment can be accomplished on adjacent state, private, and other non-federal lands so as to
extend greater protection to communities. The project may include the cost of providing incentives, technical
assistance, and education programs to communities and private landowners to encourage reduction or
elimination of hazardous fuels around homeowner properties.
Eligible Projects under the “Fuels Utilization and Marketing Program”: A need exists to transfer and
commercialize new technology that develops or expands uses and markets for low-value woody material,
including small diameter trees removed in fuels treatments projects. Proposals must have the potential to
reduce fire hazards by providing incentives for economic use of small diameter and underutilized forest
products, including efforts to help offset the costs of forest restoration. Funds can be used to provide training
and technical assistance to identify and develop new markets for underutilized wood products; create
marketing tools such as product catalogs, trade shows and producer directories; prepare market assessments
and feasibility studies; provide direct marketing assistance; and develop business plans. The use of forest
products consultants to manage and execute these projects is encouraged. Approximately 15 to 20 per cent of
the funds available for this program will be allocated to market assessments and feasibility studies. The
maximum amount the Forest Service will contribute for any one project is $100,000.
Eligible Projects under the “Wildland Urban Interface Education and Prevention Projects”: Funding is
available to create and implement public and community education programs focused on mitigation and
reduction of fire risk in the wildland urban interface. Projects that implement or adapt existing models such as
FireFree and Firewise Communities are encouraged. Examples include education programs that lead to
homeowner and community action to reduce fire risk such as Firewise landscaping and construction, and home
and property maintenance.
Eligible Projects under the “Community Planning for Fire Protection Program”: Funding is to help
communities build capacity to prepare community fire plans that identify priority fire hazards, provide local fire
protection training and equipment needs, and support community-based projects. These might include
community Fire Safe Plans, Firewise Communities planning efforts, participation in interagency strategic fire
plans, hazardous resource assessments, or fuel reduction project plans. These plans should provide a
platform for interagency assistance and coordination.
Enclosure 2 - How to Apply
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN
Community Assistance and Wildland Urban Interface Projects
Proposal Process: Project proponents should submit applications directly to the Forest Service at the addresses shown
below. The Forest Service will function as the clearinghouse for all the participating federal funding agencies in Oregon
and Washington.
Special Note: Two separate applications are provided. Enclosure 3 is the application to be used for projects related to
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Fuels Treatments, WUI Education and Prevention, and/or Community Planning for Fire
Protection. Enclosure 4 should be used for projects related only to Fuels Utilization and Marketing.
If a project involves more than one of these program elements, use Enclosure 3 to make your application. For example, if a
proposal has elements for planning, fuels treatment, education/prevention, and utilization and marketing, or any
combination of these, use Enclosure 3.
Complete applications must be received by close of business March 15 and must contain the following:
Enclosure 3

Project Summary Form (Enclosure 3A)

Project Narrative Description and Evaluation Criteria (Enclosure 3B)

Project Work Form (Enclosure 3C)

Project Budget (Enclosure 3D)
Enclosure 4

Project Summary Form (Enclosure 4A)

Project Narrative Description and Evaluation Criteria (Enclosure 4B)

Project Work Form (Enclosure 4C)

Project Budget (Enclosure 4D)
Applicants are encouraged to submit applications via email to facilitate the review and evaluation processes. If
submittal by email is not possible, mailed applications must be received in the Cooperative Programs office by close
of business June 14.
Completed applications may be submitted via the following methods:
Email:
Mail:
r6_nfp@fs.fed.us
National Fire Plan Program
Cooperative Programs
USDA-Forest Service
PO Box 3623
Portland, OR 97208-3623
Attn: Charles F. Krebs, Director
Proposals will be reviewed by an interagency team, screened for eligibility and ranked for funding. Participating federal
agencies will contact applicants regarding the status of their proposal and if additional project scoping or consultation is
necessary.
Funding: The federal contribution for Fuels Utilization and Marketing projects shall not exceed 80 percent of the total cost
of the project. No non-federal matching funds are required for other National Fire Plan projects. In calculating the federal
contribution, project budgets must take into account the fair market value of equipment, personnel, services, administrative
and other costs provided by the Forest Service and other federal agencies. Local contributions (match) may include cash
and/or fair market value of equipment, personnel, and services provided to complete the scope of work defined in the
project.
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
Asst. Chief Allen Knobbs
Clallam County Fire District 3
Applicant/Organization:
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(360) 683-4242, ext. 11
(360) 683-6834
aknobbs@clallamfire3.org
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
323 No. 5th Ave., Sequim WA 98382
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Steve Chinn
Public Education Officer
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Clallam County Fire District 3
Phone:
FAX:
(360) 683-4242, ext. 11
Email:
aknobbs@clallamfire3.org
(360) 683-6834
Project Information
Project Title:
Firewise Education Program by Clallam County Fire District 3
Project Start:
Project End:
May 1, 2003
September 2003
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$23,665
$23,665
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
The public education program proposed by Clallam County Fire District 3 will meet these six objectives:
1. Raise the awareness of and educate a minimum of 5,000 people in the North Olympic Peninsula through mailers,
newspaper articles, radio and TV informational programming.
2. Conduct 120 individual wildfire risk assessments within the designated grant area through classroom presentations.
3. Conduct a minimum of 30 urban interface inspections for property owners within our boundaries.
4. Provide vegetation clearance/clean-up for elderly and non-ambulatory citizens in the target area.
5. Develop a unified program that can be used by the Department of Natural Resources and FEMA in areas
outside of District 3 boundaries
6. Coordinate programs with adjoining fire districts (JeffCo 5 and CCFD 2)
Project Location:
County:
Congressional District:
Within District 3 boundaries
Clallam
6th
Project Type: Check appropriate project type. More than one type may be checked. If only Box (4) is checked, use Enclosure 4.
(1)
Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Project
(2) x 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:
“From the mountains, to the prairie, to the ocean, white with foam” – that’s our rural 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
 partners





project income
project time frames
specify types of activities and equipment used
amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc)
environmental, cultural and historical resource requirements
Clallam County Fire District 3 is comprised of two staffed stations in Sequim, Washington,
and five outlying volunteer stations. Our district is responsible for 135 square miles of land with a
population of slightly over 30,000 people. Sixty percent of the population growth in Clallam County
in recent years has occurred within our boundaries. Our southern boundary adjoins Olympic
National Park.
Over the past 20 years, District 3 has seen rapid expansion of not only individual homes, but
large developments in the urban interface area. A continuing District problem is protecting
structures in this area. With the Park adjoining our district, our southern border is heavily loaded
with fuel and has limited access and water.
The proposed program will educate the public through the use of the media and other
approaches. Using the materials from the Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group (PNWCG)
and Firewise, we will develop a curriculum that fits our needs in East Clallam County. The first
phase of our program will create public awareness through an outreach program involving a series
of short public service presentations in our local media – TV, newspapers and radio. We will use
the media to inform the communities of Port Angeles and Sequim about potential risks in urban
interface, and risk reduction steps to take. Mailed brochures, billboards and banners will also be
used to heighten citizen awareness.
The second phase of the proposal will train volunteers within our district to assess property for
urban interface hazards.
The third phase of the education program provides property owners an opportunity to have their
land inspected by District 3 personnel. The landowner would then be given suggestions about what
might help in minimizing their wildland fire risks.
Phase 3 of this education program is to provide property owners an opportunity to have their land
inspected by community volunteers whom we will train. As an inspection outcome, a property
owner would be given suggestions about what might help in minimizing their wildand fire risks.
The fourth phase would involve a series of short public service presentations on our local TV and
radio stations. Both The Peninsula News Network and KONP radio have expressed interest in
developing community information programs with us. N.I.F.C. has a series of television ads that can
be used to supplement the TV programming.
The fifth stage of the program will be to enlist the help of the district’s Fire Explorer Scout Troop.
These 16-18 year old high school students, under the supervision of a Wildand Fire Team member,
will be used to help clean up the property of elderly or non-ambulatory people who live in the urban
interface areas.
Clallam County Fire District 3 would like to continue to promote the collaboration with the
Department of Natural Resources and FEMA which was initiated during the summer of 2001. All
three agencies met on numerous occasions to combine resources and materials.
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.
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 fuels treatment plan or 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 (a) leads to, enhances or restores a local fire-adapted ecosystem, and/or (b) mitigates or
leads to the mitigation of hazardous fuel conditions.
F. How will the proposed treatments be maintained over time?
Response:
With our fire district located in a predominantly moderate-to-heavy fuel load area, a public
education program will make our constituents cognizant of their individual hazards and give them
the tools to mitigate those risks. As an outcome of the program, we would minimize the potential of
a wildfire crossing into Olympic National Park from within our boundaries.
The Wildfire Education Program will inform our citizens of the types of fuel and fuel loading as
developed in the Firewise and PNWCG curriculums. With this information citizens will be able to
conduct a self-assessment of potential hazards on their own property.
Any property owner within our district may ask for a no-cost “urban interface” inspection.
Members of our DNR Co-op Wildland Team will support community volunteers as they conduct
inspections from late June through early September.
Elderly and non-ambulatory citizens may ask for assistance in clearing their property. This
phase of the program will be a follow-up to the inspections.
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)?
B. To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities?
C. Will biomass or forest fuels be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
Response:
The implementation of the wildland urban interface education program will support our economy
in the following ways:
1. promote clearing/thinning of property after inspections (seasonal)
2. employ several youths (Fire Explorers) for clearing/clean-up of property (seasonal)
3. employ wildland team members to inspect property and supervise clearing (seasonal)
4. employ district personnel to facilitate the program
5. employ local businesses in the creation of program materials, e.g., printers, media personnel
As an effect of this program, FEMA and DNR may merge with District 3,
which would widen the scope to the whole Olympic Peninsula.
Enclosure 3B (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
6. Increasing interagency and intergovernmental coordination. (15 Points)
A. Describe how this project implements a local intergovernmental strategy plan, or creates such a plan. Describe the
plan if it already exists.
B. Explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning among federal, state, tribal, local government
and community organizations. List the cooperators.
Response:
Last summer, Clallam County Fire District 3, The Department of Natural Resources and
FEMA met on several occasions in an effort to coordinate efforts to inform the citizens on the North
Olympic Peninsula about urban interface. As an outcome of the meetings, all three agencies were
featured on local radio to discuss the topic. In addition, District 3 and FEMA addressed the Clallam
County Commissioners and successfully got our county recognized as a Firewise community.
District 3 would like to not only continue that communication between the existing agencies if
the program is funded, but also to further the vision we created last year. Because of the limited
time and resources last summer, the plans created by the multi-agency team barely got off the
ground.
Our plans are to include as many citizens and jurisdictions as possible as an outreach of the
education program. As to the likelihood of making this a multi-agency effort, adjoining Fire District 2
and Jefferson County Fire District 3 have expressed interest in receiving additional information.
4. Expanding Community Participation. (15 Points)
A. To what extent have interested people and communities been provided an opportunity to become informed and
involved in this proposal?
B. Describe the extent of local support for the project, including any cost-sharing arrangements.
C. What are the environmental, social and educational benefits of the project?
Response:
The education program will be designed to address the needs of individual property owners, as
well as developers. The presentations will be administered to the general public in a series of
evening workshops. These short, two-hour programs will allow all interested citizens to participate.
Specific developments and geographical areas may be targeted to make the presentations more
specialized. Because of the varied topography, accessibility and water availability found in our
district, presentations geared to specific areas may be more effective.
As a result of the community participation, the District will evaluate water sources on private
property that should be used for future emergencies. The evaluation will include property owners’
authorizations to use the sources; mapping the locations; and determining quality and quantity of
said resources.
At this time, Clallam County Fire District 3 has received no funding from any outside sources to
conduct a wildland fire education program. It is our plan to gain support in the future from FEMA,
and the county.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Outreach Development
May 1, 2003 – August 2003
Steve Chinn
Presentation Development
May 7 – June 20
Steve Chinn
Presentations
June 20 - July 12
Inspections
July 12 – August 10
Steve Chinn/ Wildland Team
District Clean-Up
July 12 – August 30, 2003
Steve Chinn/ Wildland
Team
Evaluation/Reapplication
September
Steve Chinn/
Asst. Chief Knobbs
Steve Chinn
Enclosure 3D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Personnel
Program Administrator
Ins
Inspections
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Volunteer Assistance
CCFD 3
Applicant
5,610
2,505
350
700
Supplies
Meeting Materials/
Educational Materials
Subtotal
Contractual
Graphics/Printing/Website
Building Rental
Subtotal
Other
Postage
Project (Program) Income1
5,610
2,505
$8,115
350
700
3,000
2,500
3,000
2,500
$5,500
1,500
1,500
$1,500
4,600
100
4,600
100
$4,700
2,900
2,900
$2,900
Subtotal
Total Costs
Total
$700
Subtotal
Equipment
Computer - LapTop
Box Light
Subtotal
Partner 2
$350
Subtotal
Travel
District Vehicle - Mileage
Partner 1
$23,665
$23,665