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:
HOOD RIVER COUNTY
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
541-386-3970 Ext 125
541-386-9392
ken.galloway@co.hood-river.or.us
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
918 18th St. Hood River, Oregon 97031
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Ken Galloway, Jr. Forest Manager
Organization/Jurisdiction:
HOOD RIVER COUNTY, DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
541-387-6888
541-386-6325
ken.galloway@co.hood-river.or.us
Project Information
Project Title:
HOOD RIVER COUNTY FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
11/01/02
11/01/03
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$95,000.00
$119,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
NO
Brief Project Description:
Approximately 50 acres of Hood River County forest lands will be surveyed for stand density, species
characteristics and restoration planning. Based on these findings a contract for mechanical thinning will
commence to restore natural structures and composition that support natural fire regimes. Additional contract
work and collaboration with regional foresters from private, State and Federal agencies will result in the
development of restorations goals that also support economic ones. Surplus biomass/thinned product will be
assessed based on species and characteristics of volume/tonnage, estimated moisture content and viability for
various value added markets. Such as: pellet plants, co-gen facilities, domestic stud mills, dimension mills,
veneer mills, pole and piling companies and chip and pulp wood purchasers. This demonstration project will
use local labor when applicable, integrate with existing fire prevention programs, develop a region specific
cost benefit analysis and offer a viable exhibit of WUI planning. The resulting data will provide a model for
successive planned projects in Skamania and Klickitat Counties who have commited funding and technical
support. This demonstration project and collected data will be presented to District Congressional leaders
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
T2N R9E WM
Hood River County
Oregon 2nd District
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:
Yes, unicorporated: Section 15 T2N R9E Willamette Meridian, Hood River County, Oregon State
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
Project location is the forest lands owned and managed by the Department of Forestry, Hood River
County, Oregon and located adjacent to Mt. Hood National Forest. See attached map.
Guided by federal wildland fire policy, and the concepts of ecosystem management, this project establishes a
collaborative effort to expedite and expand landscape-level, environmentally sound fuel treatments through:
1) development of a locally lead, coordinated effort between federal, state, county and private partners at the
field level, 2) untilization of small-diameter material, 3) expansion of markets for traditionally underutilized
small-diameter wood as value-added products, 4) expansion of community participation in efforts to reduce
fire hazards, 5) use of local labor for fuels treatment and restoration work, 6) encouragement of grassroots
ideas and solutions suited to local communities.
Proposed is the implementation of a forest restoration plan on approximately 50 acres of Hood River County
forest lands. Task#1 will estimate the potential availability of forest biomass within the context of severe
wildfire behavior and fire risk to communities. Biomass (e.g., stem density by diameter class) will be
characterized using Current Vegetation Survey (CVS), Forest Invetory Analysis (FIA) or other suitable
datasets. These data will be stratified by forest type, land management allocation, proximity to
wildland/urban interfaces, or other relevant attributes. (e.g. biophysical characteristics, sensitive species
relationships, current/desired fire regimes, etc.) in order to identify feasibility and priority of treatment.
The goals: A desired future forest land condition based largely on restoring natural structures and
compositions that are more likely to support natural fire regimes. The process supports the attempt to
collaboratively develop restoration goals along with economic ones.
Alternative strategies for forest restoration, and an assement of their economic feasibility, including economic
analysis of biomass collection, processing, transportation, value-added processing opportunities and rural
employment.
A value added assessment of material based on sustainability, characteristics and raw material costs.
The anticipated outcomes: Demonstrated restoration of natural structures and composition, reduction of
catastrophic fire potential through a wildlands/urban interface selected thinning process, potential for
sustainable rural employment and value added product expansion and new market development.
Response:
Activities and Actions: Lead by County Department of Forestry, physical assessment of the approximate 50
acre parcel will occur. Characterization of the acreage for stand density, species and restoration strategy will
be narrated for the purposes of executing a thinning and removal contract. In addition, a cost benefit analysis
will be contracted to document all task related expenses. Mechanical processors will enter the project site
that are capable of falling the trees away from roads, power lines or residual trees. Trees are processed with
the cutting head in the direction of travel so most of the branches; tops and non-merchantable material end up
in the forwarding corridor for padding thus minimizing soil disturbance and compaction. Forwarders will
work over the brush-padded corridors created in processing and have the ability to pad sensitive spots with
brush or logs where necessary to minimize soil damage. The contracting company subcontracts all the hauling
with independent truckers equipped with truck and trailer or hayrack type of short log equipment and lowboy
or tilt trailers for moving biomass or equipment. No projected net revenue will occur in this pilot project. If
net earning potential is realized, the project leader will increase the acreage treatment or expand new market
developments. Hood River County Department of Finance will oversee audit performance of this grant and
resulting contracts.
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: Sixty percent
of Hood River County is within the Mt. Hood National Forest. Applying fuel breaks
and thinning County Forest lands minimizes the fire risk that is posed by the larger national forest
environment. Outside of the City of Hood River proper, nearly 11,000 people reside and would be severly
impacted should a catastrophic fire on federal lands ignite. Hood River County depends on nearly 35% of
itsGeneral Fund budget from timber receipts. Maintaining a healthy and sustainable ecosystem ensures
financial security for the County residents. Incrementally reducing high stand density conditions promotes
reduction of castastrophic fire potential and lessens the fire potential on communities within the view shed of
Mt. Hood. In addition, exposing the potential value of small diameter material and expanding the current
uses of underutilized small diameter material offers rural employment. Hood River County leads the State in
unemployment and it's leading economic contributors, agriculture, natural resources, and aluminum have
severely curtailed operations adding to the regions economic distress.
Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Hood River County Dept. of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service Mt. Hood, CRGNSA
Fire Officials, Longview Fibre and Mt. Hood Meadows will all participate in this "stand management
cooperative". Restoration planning methodologies, data sets, existing and new small wood markets, and the
cost benefit analsis will all be share within the cooperative. Small wood lot owners will also be provided
access to the information via the County Information Officer and Oregon Department of Forestry.
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 toher 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: Initially,
the pilot project proposes 4-6 new seasonal landscape PTE's, 1 PTE grant administrator
involved in the pilot project. Based on forest restoration economics and access to County and Federal forest
lands, FTE could be projected to reach 15-20 in three years and increase to in excess of 50 beyond year five.
Supplemental to this is job security for 25-45 existing employees working at area cogen and pellets plants in
Cascade Locks, Oregon and Bingen, Washington. Regional estimates from Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams
foresters indicate current level biomass build-up would sustain substantial employment for the next decade.
Hood River County Commissioners have taken the lead via it's Dept. of Forestry to implement this pilot fuels
reduction, forest restoration and value added program. Skamania and Klickitat County Boards of
Commissioners have each taken action to participate in a tri-county program for future USFS NFP grant
applications. Each has commited funding and the desire to identify forest lands consistent with National Fire
Plan objectives, protecting county residents and expanding rural employment opportunities. Biomass surplus
to the project are expected to receive additional processsing if necessary and transported to viable value added
processors. Current private sector interest has been received from Bear Mountain Forest Products in Cascade
Locks, Oregon and SDS Lumber Co-Gen facility in Bingen, Washington. Hood River County currently has
small diameter stockpiles available to support increased volumes required by any one business interest.
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: Hood
River County (Ken Galloway) has previously (2001) thinned in excess of 100 acres and
decked over 1,000 tons of small diameter wood. Oregon Department of Foresty (Dave Jacobs) and rural fire
departments (7) are currently conducting a "firewise" program within Hood River County and desires
additional support in defining current and potential markets for wood waste. Mt. Hood Ranger District (Kim
Titus) has recently awarded a contract that will result in large volumes of small non-merchantable wood.
This project will offer each of these forest resource entities and Hood River County a defined cost benefit
analysis and market opportunities study. In some cases, collective volume will provide the incentive for
private sector value-added participation.
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: In
May of 2001 a scoping meeting was held to discuss regional forest health, improving wildlife
habitat and the current conditions within the forest systems for a devastating catastrophic fire. The
conclusions gleaned from a survey form was that there were opportunities to at least attempt to
collaboratively develop restoration goals along with economic ones. This scoping meeting included tribal,
local, state and federal agencies and jurisdictions, environmental organizations and industry representation.
Field trips (2001-2002) included public and private forest lands, mechanical forest thinning projects,
visitation to regional value added processors in addition to presentations to County and City officials during
open public meetings. Hood River County Economic Development Committee and Hood River County
Commissioners have succesively authorize support for this project. Hood River County Department of
Forestry, as a internal commitment to project, has allocated in-kind financial support to conduct the field
survey work.
Environmental input has been provided by the Nature Conservancy, Defenders of Wildlife, Gifford Pinchot
Task Force and local environmental activists. All have recognized the affect of past forestry practices and the
unnatural build-up of biomass leading to conditions that allow catastrophic fires. Each has placed emphasis
on the necessity of restoring natural structures and compositions that are more likely to support natural fire
regimes. The social benefits are basic: wild/urban interface security, job development opportunities in a
distressed region and multi-party information sharing amongst forest resource managers large and small.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
October 1st - October 15th 2002
Hood River County Dept. of
Forestry
Thinning/Chipping/Hauling
Fall 2002 Award
Spring 2003
Hood River County
Sub-Contractor
Economic Analysis Contract
October 1st 2002 - October 1st
2003
Hood River County
Sub-Contractor
Project Narration and Conclusions
October 1st 2002 - October 1st
2003
Hood River County Dept. of
Forestry/School of ForestryOSU/Sub-Contractor
Public Information Meetings
October 1st 2002 - October 1st
2003
Hood River County Economic
Development Dept.
Grant Management
October 1st 2002 - October 1st
2003
Hood River County Dept. of
Administration & Finance
Acreage Survey
Top of Form
Enclosure 4D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
Admin/Finanace
Economic Dev. Specialist
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
$0.00
Applicant
$5,000.00
$12,600.00
$17,600.00
Partner 1
$0.00
Partner 2
Total
$0.00
$0.00
$5,000.00
$12,600.00
$17,600.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,400.00
$0.00
$2,400.00
Fringe Benefits
N/A
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Travel
$1,000.00
Subtotal
$0.00
$1,000.00
Equipment
Mobilization
Subtotal
$2,400.00
$0.00
Supplies
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Other
$1,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
$10,000.00
$4,000.00
$5,000.00
$19,000.00
$50,000.00
$18,000.00
$6,000.00
$74,000.00
$60,000.00
$22,000.00
$11,000.00
$93,000.00
Subtotal
$0.00
$4,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$4,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$4,000.00
Total Costs
$0.00
$23,600.00
$21,400.00
$74,000.00
$119,000.00
$19,250.00
$19,250.00
Project (Program) Income1
1
$2,400.00
$1,000.00
Contractual
Subtotal
$0.00
$4,000.00
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.