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 Department of Natural Resources
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
360-902-1754
360-902-1781
mark.gray@wadnr.gov
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
P.O. Box 47037, Olympia, WA 98504-7037
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Marc Titus, Fire Prevention Coordinator
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Washington Department of Natural Resources, Northwest Region
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
360-854-2858
360-856-2150
marc.titus@wadnr.gov
Project Information
Project Title:
WUI Fuels Reduction Cooperative
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposed Project End Date:
June 2003
June 2007
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
200,000
250,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Yes, this is priority 3 of 3
Brief Project Description:
This project will use the talent of Local Coordinating Groups that are forming in Northwest Washington to
accomplish hazardous fuel reduction in high hazard areas adjacent to NPS and USFS lands based on
community fire prevention and mitigation plans. Past wildland fires in the high hazard areas of
Marblemount, Darrington, Demming, and San Juan Island have threatened homes in the urban interface.
Fires that could start on urban interface lands surrounding USFS and NPS lands have the potential to affect
these federal lands. Firewise Washington will also be used as an education tool throughout the life cycle of
the project to encourage homeowners to create defensible space. Local resources will be used to accomplish
the work.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
NW Washington State
see description below
1st, 2nd & 8th
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:
n/a
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
This multi-phased project is geographically located in Northwestern Washington State in
Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, King and San Juan counties. The project area is administered by the
State Department of Natural Resources(DNR) who conducts and coordinates fire suppression and prevention
activities in cooperation with other local, state and federal emergency management services. A consultant
will draft community fire prevention/mitigation plans for national register High risk communities such as
Darrington, Marblemount, and Deming adjacent to USFS and NPS lands and in the east wind corridors of the
Cascade Mountains. Additional communities, such as San Juan Island adjacent to NPS high risk areas
(Friday Harbor) have already been identified as High Risk, and fuels reduction and community based
projects to create defensible space have begun. Local coordination has begun and we will utilize these
motivated communities to showcase this project to other high hazard communities. Over four years the grant
will create mitigation plans for the highest hazard communities and implement up to three more plans. We
will utilize the Firewise Washington program to increase community awareness and participation to create
defensible space in the high risk areas. Using the local coordinating groups to facilitate, community outreach
workshops and forums will be conducted. Interested homeowners will be encouraged to sign up for a free onsite home risk assessment complete with recommendations for improvement. Local fire department and DNR
personnel will meet with homeowners who requested the home risk assessments which will allow one-on-one
interaction between the homeowner and emergency management personnel. Risk assessments will use the
NFPA 299 Wildland Fire Risk and Hazard Severity Assessment Methodology. Recommendations for hazard
mitigation/fuels reduction will be noted and discussed with the homeowner. Local contractors will be used to
assist homeowners with fuels reduction and debris removal. Homeowners will be encouraged to perform
non-technical work and will be required to maintain fuel reduction efforts.The project will result in: increased
public awareness about wildfire and the WUI problem; significant fuels reduction and hazard mitigation in
the WUI; a dramatic increase in the number of firesafe communities in the WUI; an updated WUI
community hazard assessment for Northwest Washington to include Census 2000 data. Success will be
measured by: the number of local coordinating groups established, an update WUI Hazard Assessment, the
creation and implementation of Community Risk Reduction Plans, the number of Home Risk Assessments
written and the number of Firesafe communities created.Some of the partners in this proposal are listed as
follows: Darrington Ranger District Mount Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, Whatcom County Planning
& Development Services(PDS); Life Safety Council, Region 3; Whatcom County Fire Marshal; Whatcom
County Fire District #2, Sudden Valley; Northwest Air Pollution Authority(NWAPA); Skagit County Fire
Marshal; San Juan Island Fire Dept; Orcas Island Fire Dept; Lopez Island Fire Dept; Shaw Island Fire Dept;
San Juan County Fire Marshal; the Homeowner's Associations of Sudden Valley, Mt Dallas, Kady Mtn, Cape
San Juan, Eagle Cove, Hannah Heights and Mitchell Bay.
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?
Response: Home hazard
assessments will be conducted and fuels reduction/defensible space plans written by
emergency management personnel for participating homeowners in the identified High Risk areas adjacent to
USFS and NPS lands. Fuels reduction plans will be implemented by homeowners and local contractors.
Community safety will be enhanced by on the ground fuels reduction, the creation of defensible space around
homes and an intensive prevention and education outreach program using the Firewise Washington program.
Multi-agency involvement will emphasize support & commitment from local emergency management
services. Safety will also be enhanced by a dramatic increase in the number of firesafe homes in high hazard
communities. This project brings numerous agencies together to promote the common goal of fire hazard
reduction in high hazard communities. With the cooperation of local, state and county agencies, we will be
enhancing existing support in participating communities. For example, Sudden Valley Homeowners
Association in the WUI of Whatcom County has already banned outdoor burning in their community.
Homeowner Groups on San Juan Island participated in fuels reduction trials last summer that were funded by
a National Fire Plan grant. Those communities that are unaware of the hazards will be educated by local
cooperators through the use of the Firewise Washington program. Awareness and ongoing prevention efforts
aimed at long-term homeowner involvement will insure the longevity of hazard mitigation efforts.
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: Local
contracting opportunities will be sought out to complete work and assist homeowners in this
proposal. Tree removal specialists with chipping capabilities will perform tasks that most homeowners
cannot complete themselves. Emphasis will be given to increase local and volunteer fire departments'
staffing levels to work on this project, as well as be available for Initial Attack on local wildfires. The
communities of San Juan County and Sudden Valley have already begun to initate risk mitigation efforts.
They will benefit from expert assistance in mitigation planning & implementation and will serve as a model
for other high hazard communities in the Region. Forest fuels will be chipped and offered back to the
communities for composting, mulching, trails, etc. Excess fuels will be utilized by existing local composting
programs.
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: Cooperation
and support among local agencies is high. The DNR has fostered an environment of
cooperation that will continue to grow with this project. All the named cooperators are very excited to move
forward with this proposal and see a very high potential for success. As a result of this project, the forming
local coordinating groups will be promoted thereby increasing inter-agency involvement and enhancing
community support. The glue that binds this proposal is the on the ground activity that is eagerly anticipated
by our partners. Plans are easy to create, however, funding is necessary to implement. This proposal will
provide the necessary 'seed' money to begin implementing plans and show federal support for local high risk
communities.Some of the partners in this proposal are listed as follows: Darrington Ranger District Mount
Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, Whatcom County Planning & Development Services(PDS); Life Safety
Council, Region 3; Whatcom County Fire Marshal; Whatcom County Fire District #2, Sudden Valley;
Northwest Air Pollution Authority(NWAPA); Skagit County Fire Marshal; San Juan Island Fire Dept; Orcas
Island Fire Dept; Lopez Island Fire Dept; Shaw Island Fire Dept; San Juan County Fire Marshal; the
Homeowner's Associations of Sudden Valley, Mt Dallas, Kady Mtn, Cape San Juan, Eagle Cove, Hannah
Heights and Mitchell Bay.
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: Local
community support for this project has been very high. A pilot fuels reduction program was
done on San Juan Island with excellent participation and support. The community of Sudden Valley has
already taken steps to reduce risk by banning outdoor burning. Continued education and support for fuels
reduction projects needs to follow on the heels of last years successful mitigation projects and disastrous fire
season. The communities have been primed by last years events and a teachable moment has presented itself.
Education efforts will encourage on-going community support and yearly maintenance of initial mitigation
activities. Local agencies are supportive by providing in-kind matches of labor and personnel. Fire districts
and DNR personnel will be used for education and prevention activities at match levels. Local contractors
will have projects that keep them close to home, thereby increasing the resources available should wildfire
break out in the region. Homeowners Associations have pledged support and expressed interest in utilizing
chipped fuels thereby reducing the cost of disposal. The significant social benefits will come from increased
environmental awareness, increased cooperation to achieve safer communities and significantly reduced risk
of catastrophic wildfires in high risk communities. Federal support for local communities will allow for
better government to public relationships. The whole project will be an educational experience utilizing
'name-brand' multi-media materials like Firewise Washington.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Community Prevention/Mitigation
plans drafted and fuels reduction
conducted in and around High Risk
communities near NPS and USFS
lands such as Marblemount,
Darrington, Deming
Continue regional hazard assessment
update with emphasis on lands
bordering NPS and USFS
June 2003-June 2004
DNR, Local Coordinating
Groups
June 2003-June 2004
DNR
Conduct Firewise Washington
workshops for High Risk target
communities
June 2003-June 2007
DNR, Local Coordinating
Groups
Prevention/mitigation plans and fuels
reduction conducted on other
identified high hazard areas ajacent to
NPS/USFS lands based on the model
for Marblemount and similar areas.
June 2004-June 2007
DNR
Top of Form
Enclosure 4D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Personnel
*in kind match of services
Subtotal
$0.00
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
$30,000.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$30,000.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$50,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$50,000.00
$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
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$200,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$200,000.00
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Travel
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Equipment
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Supplies
Subtotal
$0.00
Contractual
$200,000.00
Subtotal
$200,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$200,000.00
$30,000.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$250,000.00
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