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:
Spokane Tribe of Indians
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509-258-4581
509-258-9243
website: www.spokanetribe.com
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
PO Box 100, Wellpinit, WA 99040
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
David Ernst, Planning Director
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Spokane Tribe of Indians
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509-258-4581 ext 30
509-258-9243
davide@spokanetribe.com
Project Information
Project Title:
Spokane Tribe of Indians: Wood Products Division Project
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
September 1, 2002
June 30, 2003
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$80,000.00
$100,000.00
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
The Spokane Tribe seeks to purchase an incisor for its Wood Products Division. The equipment
will allow it to use small diameter timbers to make guard rails that meet Federal, Washington State
and Federal Department of Transportation specifications. Their current equipment only allows them
to make guard rails for Idaho, which has different standards. This project will therefore allow the
tribe to use its own resources to make the rails and at the same time reduce the volume of small
diameter combustible materials. The new market will increase the number of jobs on the
reservation, which is a five star EZ Empowerment Community.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
Spokane Indian Reservation, WA
Stevens
5th
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
The project will serve the Spokane Indian Reservation.
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
The Spokane Tribe Wood Products Division is a tribally operated business that employs tribal
members and utilizes tribal resources to create value-added commodities. The division is located in Ford, on
the Spokane Indian Reservation in northeastern Washington State. In particular, the Wood Products Division
specializes in the production of pressure-treated dimensional lumber and guard rails. However, the current
equipment does not allow the division to provide guard rails for Federal or Washington State highway
products. In addition, at the end of 2003, the production of dimensional pressure-treated lumber will
significantly decrease as a result of changing standards and demand. Consequently, the Wood Products
Division must find a way to replace the market they will lose and to use the small diameter timber that is
available and created through thinning as prescribed by the National Fire Plan.
Response:
To find a new market for its products, the Wood Products Division seeks to produce guard rails for
Washington State and the federal government. To meet the specifications, the division requires a new
“incisor” that will penetrate the rails sufficiently to allow the chemical treatment to infuse throughout the
timber. The incisor must be able to accommodate white fir timbers that are six inches by eight inches. By
purchasing a new incisor, the division will be able to meet a growing demand for guard rails, position itself
advantageously and ensure a market for its own small diameter materials.
The Spokane Tribe Wood Products Division currently utilizes 230,000 board feet of lumber each year
and the new equipment could potentially double that total. Along with a dramatic increase in production, the
new equipment will lead directly to the creation of new jobs amounting to 1.5 to 2.0 FTE. The new positions
are important, but the new equipment will also directly lead to the retention of the existing three jobs. Thus,
this project has a direct bearing on a total of five positions, which is a significant number for the rural
reservation with a total of 2,004 residents.
To respond to the emergent needs, the Wood Products Division personnel have explored their options
and investigated purchasing the required equipment. A new incisor is prohibitively expensive and not
necessary, given the intended use. Therefore, the Wood Products Division has engaged Arch Wood Products,
previously known as “Hickson,” to conduct a national search for a surplus or used incisor. A grant would
therefore be used to assist in the purchase of the incisor. The precise cost of the incisor is yet to be
determined, but the cost of a new incisor is $140,000, not including installation or shipping.
The primary anticipated outcomes include creating two new jobs, eventually doubling use and market
for small diameter materials, as well as improving the economy and therefore the quality of life on the
reservation. By allowing the division to pursue Federal and Washington State contracts, the project will
create new jobs and increase the demand for lumber. Significantly, the lumber required is small diameter
material and this, combined with the jobs, will stimulate additional economic activity on the reservation. The
jobs and revenues from the division will benefit everyone on the reservation and, by complying with the
National Fire Plan, the project will also further the goals of eliminating the dangers posed by wildland fires.
The project is intimately related to the communities of the reservation, because it will create a market for
the small diameter materials and thus rid the reservation of much combustible material. The reservation is
adjacent to US Forest Service land and this will decrease the chance of fire spreading to federal lands.
The tribe will comply with any required reporting, but will evalute the project based on the number of
jobs created and retained, along with the volume of local timber used by the Wood Products Division.
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?
The project and the work of the division is focused on developing local infrastructure and capacity
with a goal of becoming self-sustaining. The members of the tribe are among the state's poorest citizens and
the economy of the reservation has been deplorable for decades. The remoteness of the reservation means
that it is difficult to attract employers and the life expectancy of members is far below the state average.
Addressing the endemic problems of poverty and unemployment requires a multitude of initiatives, but it is
the tribe’s first priority. This priority is not an esoteric preference, but represents the clear community
consensus and is a key objective of the tribe’s overall economic development plan. The plan emphasizes
building a diversified economy that takes advantage of its natural resources. These natural resources include
the scenic beauty that the tourism industry is highlighting; the skills of the members, as well as timber.
The incisor is an essential ingredient in the tribe’s plan to develop a self-sustaining economy and people.
The equipment will make the division a participant in the statewide market for guard rails and allow it to
respond to the changing marketplace. The incisor will further make it possible for the tribe to use its small
diameter materials in an efficient manner and help keep transportation costs to a minimum. The project will
allow the division to retain three positions and add another one and a half to two positions.
No non-tribal private businesses will participate and the tribe is happy to demonstrate the project to other
tribes considering a simlar undertaking. However, the specific conditions that lead to this application and
approach may not exist elsewhere.
Response:
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.
The primary focus of the project is on economic sustainability and the efficient use of small
diameter materials. By emphasizing the capacity of the tribe to manage and use its available resources, the
project will have the benefit of reducing the risk from wildfires on the reservation and adjacent forests.
The project will enhance watershed and environmental quality by using more of the resources available,
without requiring the destruction of mature trees. The project will require no permits and will affect the
entire 155,000-acre reservation.
The proposal promotes the redution of risk in high hazard areas, by creating an economic use for timber
and fire fuels that today remain in place and contribute to the likelihood of a catastrophic fire. Moreover,
because the reservation and its timber resources are immediately adjacent to federal lands, the proposal has a
large benefit for other land owners. The reservation is remote, mountainous and timber rich, but it is largely
inaccessible and a fire on the reservation would pose a big threat to federal and non-federal land. Fighting a
fire in this country would be expensive and difficult.
The proposal does not address a fuels treatment plan or community fire strategy. Instead the project
mitigates the build-up of hazardous fuel conditions. In addition to utilizing potential hazardous fuels, the
proposal will also heighten the tribal interest and attention to managing the timber resources, given the source
of jobs and revenus it represents.
Response:
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: The project
is ultimately the result of a community decision to support the creation of the Wood
Products Division. The division is a tribally owned business that represents the investment of community
resources to create jobs and economic activity. As a part of its scope of work, the division oversees timber
sales on the reservation, as well as the manufacturing of pressure-treated lumber, posts and guard rails. The
tribe expects the equipment purchased to last at least 20 years and to continue to provide a basis for jobs and
revenue for decades to come.
The project is a part of the tribe’s overall management of its forest resources and the local economy.
Much like the general public, their concerns tend to be focused on forest resources only when there is a
problem. Therefore, it remains the purview of the Business Council, but the will of the members is
manifestly clear in their continued support for the business and the budgetary support the project has
received.
Through the Wood Products Division, the Spokane Tribe is contributing significant resources to the
project. The tribe will provide the installation of the equipment, which is a cost of $3,200. The tribe has also
provided the cost of the national search for an appropriate piece of used equipment, along with travel funding
to inspect the incisor. The tribe will also provide staff time to oversee the project and secure new contracts.
The environmental benefits include an improved and increased focus on forest management and a
reduction in the fire danger. The social benefits from creating jobs and self-sufficiency are enormous. The
project will help fight the historic poverty and instability that accompanies such a condition.
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:
This project is the direct result of cooperation between the tribe and the Washington Department of
Community, Trade and Economic Development, as well as with the US Forest Service. The tribe makes this
application only after consultation with area representative Sheila Walker and careful study by the tribal staff
and the Wood Products Division.
The project further benefits from intra-tribal cooperation, between the Wood Products Division, the Planning
Department and Administration. The resources of the Planning Department helped create this application and
it fits directly with the overall economic development plan for the reservation. Significantly, the reservation
is a Five Star EZ Empowerment Community and this project fits with the goals of the EZ designation, as well
as the specific EZ plans.
Enclosure 4C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Investigate Incisor cost & availability
September 2001-February 2002
Wood Products Division
National search for surplus/ used
incisor
December 2001-December 2002
Wood Products Division &
Arch Wood Products
National Fire Plan Application
June 2002
Wood Products Division &
Planning Department
Secure grant commitment
Fall 2002
Northwest Interagency
Commitment to purchase incisor
pending inspection/ travel to inspect /
Purchase used incisor
December 2002 - February 2003
Wood Products Division &
Spokane Tribe of Indians
Pursue State of Washington & Federal
Contracts for guard rails
February - June 2003
Wood Products Division
Install, hook-up and begin production
with new incisor
Spring 2003
Wood Products Division
Complete reports & Evaluation
June 2003
Wood Products Division &
Spokane Tribe of Indians
Enclosure 4D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
Personnel
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,475.00
$0.00
$1,475.00
$0.00
$0.00
$80,000.00
$4,000.00
$84,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,750.00
$2,625.00
$6,375.00
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
$0.00
Travel
To Inspect Incisor
Subtotal
Equipment
Incisor
Shipping
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
$1,475.00
$0.00
$1,475.00
$0.00
$80,000.00
$80,000.00
$4,000.00
$4,000.00
$0.00
Supplies
Subtotal
Contractual
Incisor Search
Fundraising
Subtotal
Other
Installation & Hook-up
Administration / Planning
Subtotal
Total Costs
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
3750
$2,625.00
$6,375.00
$0.00
3200
$4,950.00
$8,150.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,200.00
$4,950.00
$8,150.00
$80,000.00
$20,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$100,000.00
$0.00
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.
$0.00