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:
Rural Information Technology Center
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509/684-2588
509/684-9790
smeyer@ritc.org
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
985 S. Elm, Colville, WA 99114
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Al Kowitz, President
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Rural Information Technology Center
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509/684-2588
509/684-9790
akowitz@ritc.org
Project Information
Project Title:
NE Washington Community Wildland/Urban Interface Mapping
Project Start:
Project End:
September 1, 2002
August 31, 2003
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$170,000.00
$170,000.00
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
1 project - multiple phases
Brief Project Description:
We propose combining GIS (Geographical Information Systems) fuel/fire layers for NE Washington
and making them accessible to the community. Edge mapping between jurisdictions is a weak link
when it comes to pre-attack planning in Wildland/Urban zones. By combining layers from
participating agencies they will be able to identify high risk areas of mutual concern and plan joint
projects. This data will be available to all agencies, including fire districts, 911, counties, cities, and
individual community members. Agencies can receive the data in two formats. One is by CD rom,
the other by visiting the community web site. The data will be available on the web site by an
interactive mapping program called ArcIMS viewable with a web browser. With the CD rom files
organizations will be able to utilize the information using the free version of ArcExp. Initially the
three counties of Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille will be targeted. Future expansion would include
Spokane, Lincoln, and Okanogan counties and eventually the entire state.
Project Location:
County:
Congressional District:
NE Washington
Ferry, Stevens, Pend Orei
7th
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:
The three counties: Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille.
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
This project will consist of multiple phases, each phase will produce a stand alone product that will
be beneficial even if the next phase is delayed or not funded. Interagency involvement/partners: Rural Fire
Districts, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties, governmental agencies (DNR, USFS, USFWS, BLM &
BIA), Rural Information Technology Center (RITC), WSU Cooperative Extension - Stevens County, The
Lands Council, and FireSafe Spokane.
Response:
Phase I: Contract a GIS consultant to design a solution for integrating existing data into a desirable format
useable by all partners. The tasks performed by the consultant are listed below:
1. Document exactly what is needed by fire districts and other agencies for pre-attack planning in
wildland/urban zones as well as large blocks of ownership. This includes data types and attributes, data
retrieval, mapping requirements, etc. 2. Develop a priority for each need documented above so partners have
an idea what to work with first. Also, if funding gets tight, it establishes which needs may not be completed.
3. Perform an assessment and document what data are currently available from cooperating partners. This will
include 911 roads, vegetation types, and fuel types among others. 4. Develop and document data guidelines
for acceptance into the combined project. This usually works out to be the lowest common denominator, since
data providers usually have little or no time to upgrade data to a higher standard. Provide documentation to
data providers on how their data needs to be changed before acceptance. 5. Determine and document the
appropriate platform, software, licensing and costs for serving the data back out to agencies and the public.
6. Design and document data storage requirements. 7. Develop and document a project management plan for
all cooperators. This includes tasks, products, and deadlines. 8. Develop and document data management
procedures, including conversion (if necessary), loading, editing, and maintenance. 9. Produce all documents
in an easy-to-follow format so others can reproduce the project.
Phase II: The Rural Information Technology Center (RITC) will be the center for all data-related activities:
retrieval, editing, compilation, and serving. All data and procedures defined in Phase I will be implemented
and/or coordinated by RITC. RITC will create a dynamic internet-based map that can be viewed in a varitey
of ways for community planning and interagency coordination. Their web-based mapserver (ArcIMS) will
allow this information to be hosted on the World Wide Web, making it available to the community at large.
Information that is not currently provided by agency GIS departments include a structure layer. GPSing the
existing fire plans that were developed in the Suncrest area and Northern Ferry County has been identified as
a desirable outcome. Adding a structure layer based on orotho photos is also a needed product that will assist
in identifing Wildland/Urban areas. The deliverables for phase II would include the current 911 roads layer,
all the identifed layers from phase I integretated into a web site, and the existing defensible space plans added
to a data layer so that defensible spaces are readily identified. RITC's mission in this project is twofold: train
and hire low-income individuals for GIS data entry and create an interagency GIS database with additional
information like structure location for the three county region.
Phase III: After completeing Phase I & II, review project and develop a plan to include data written by other
agencies that have agreed to share that data. Any new plans written will be GPS'd based on the project design
from Phase I. Develop fuels layers for non-federal lands that will integrate with existing agencies.
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: The project
will coordinate interagency information sharing. This will shorten response time and
enable local fire districts to respond to wildfire more quickly, lowering the risk to homeowners. Information
will be available to Incident Management Teams during large fires and will provide a more efficient picture
of an area for pre-attack planning, evacuation, and suppression activity.
An integrated database that shows potential hazards and accurate maps without regard to jurisdiction
boundaries does not exist and would be beneficial for Community Fire Planning. By managing information
and making it consistent across all partners, rural communities will have the details necesary to design
community treatment plans in high-risk areas. It will help agencies prioritize Fuels Reduction Treatments and
coordinate with one another to implement treatments in any given drainage. It will also identify residential
areas that need Defensible Space/Survivability treatments. Better coordination between adjoining rural fire
districts will improve fire service response during other incidents besides Wildland Fire.
This proposal was developed with the input of local Fire Departments, State and Federal agencies, as well as
GIS consultants and two interested non-profit organizations. We will link the information gained by the fire
planning and education that FireSafe Spokane, the Lands Council and other groups in the field have done.
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: This
integrated Wildland/Urban Interface map would become a tool for agencies to plan their
seasonal jobs. People would be hired to implement fuels reduction projects.
Federal, State and County entities will employ or keep employed people who are currently developing GIS
layers for their mapping needs.
RITC would put 2 to 3 data entry trainees to work part time (20 hrs/wk) for the duration of the project.
Several independent contractors will be employed during the life of the project.
The results of Phase I would be available as a template for other counties/communities. The finished project
will be on the World Wide Web and available to planners and others seeking solutions to local concerns.
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 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: Historically agencies
think and act based on their own jurisdiction. Having this information in one
location will allow them to work together, considering what is best for the region as a whole. Community
participation will be encouraged as agencies work in a given area. As you know, ecosystems do not stop at
the property line, whether it is public or private. This project will increase interest in stewardship of all
property regardless of ownership.
This grant proposal came about by a joint meeting with Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest
Service, FireSafe Spokane, The Lands Council, WSU Cooperative Extension - Stevens County, and the Rural
Information Technology Center. There has been a cooperative effort among those attending to bring this
about from the beginning.
There was also a meeting with some of the fire districts in the area, along with agency GIS departments and
private consultants to help refine the scope of work.
Various other agencies were contacted for letters of support: County Commissioners, County Planning
Departments, Rural Fire Districts, 911 dispatch offices, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Colville Tribe of Indians,
Spokane & Lincoln Counties, Fish & Wildlife Service, City of Colville
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: Various
Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille county departments have been contacted to determine the
interest and cooperation. The departments responded favorably with the initial contact, with a willingness to
share their 911 roads layer.
The final project will be available on a community website that will show the integration of the data layers. It
could also include information about Firewise and how an individual could write their own plan by linking
the community web site with FireWise Washington and other fire education sites. Sites such as the National
Interagency Fire Center and the National Fire Plan can link with the community website.
Workshops to extend implementation treatment going beyond the backyard are currently being conducted by
WSU Cooperative Extension Forestry Department and will continue using this project as an additional
resource for community members.
Educational benefits include all agencies being able to compare data across a common database. Using the
fuels layer, individuals will be able to visualize the impact the surrounding areas could have on their home,
thus giving them an opportunity to plan.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Phase I: Document what is needed by fire
districts & agencies, develop priorities,
perform an assessment, develop data
guidelines, determine and document
appropriate platform, design data storage,
develop a project management plan &
proceedures.
Phase II: Compile data for initial editing and
prep for trainees.
1 - 2 months
GIS consultant
1 month
Project Manager
Phase II: Train or provide refresher course for
RITC trainees to perform the digitizing.
1 week - 1 month
RITC Trainer
RITC Trainees
Phase II: Digitize structure layer by using
ortho photos. Integrate GIS layers into
common database. Add GPS data as a layer.
6 - 9 months
Project Manager
RITC Trainees
Phase II: GPS the areas that have defensible
space plans written for them.
3 months
Independent contractor
Phase II: Develop the ArcIMS interface for
the web: Preliminary analysis and design,
construction of map services, construct
queries, design and construction of client
tools, design and construction of ASP server
interface.
3 months
Independent contractor
Phase III: Review process and success of
project to establish protocols for updating and
sharing data.
1 month
Independent contractor
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Personnel
Admin
Staff (See attch. 1a)
Subtotal
$12,500.00
$54,000.00
$66,500.00
Fringe Benefits
Admin
Staff (See attch. 1b)
Subtotal
$2,500.00
$10,800.00
$13,300.00
Travel
Field
$5,000.00
Subtotal
$5,000.00
Equipment
GPS Unit
$3,000.00
Subtotal
$3,000.00
Supplies
Office
Field
Subtotal
$2,000.00
$1,000.00
$3,000.00
Contractual
Phase I
Phase II & III (See 1b)
Subtotal
$15,000.00
$60,600.00
$75,600.00
Other
Rent
GIS Layers (See 1c)
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
1
Applicant
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Partner 1
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
Partner 2
Total
$0.00
$0.00
$12,500.00
$54,000.00
$66,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,500.00
$10,800.00
$13,300.00
$0.00
$0.00
$5,000.00
$0.00
$5,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,000.00
$0.00
$3,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,000.00
$1,000.00
$3,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$15,000.00
$70,600.00
$85,600.00
$3,600.00
$0.00
$24,000.00
$24,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$3,600.00
$24,000.00
$27,600.00
$170,000.00
$0.00
$34,000.00
$0.00
$204,000.00
$3,600.00
$0.00
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.