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:
Dale Swedberg, Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509.223.3358
509.223.3358
swedbdas@dfw.wa.gov
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
P.O. Box C, Loomis, WA 98827
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Dale Swedberg, Wildlife Area manager
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Owns and manages Sinlahekin Wildlife Area
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509.223.3358
509.223.3358
swedbdas@dfw.wa.gov
Project Information
Project Title:
Sinlahekin Fuels Management and Treatment Planning with Public Participation, Education and Prevention
Proposed Project Start Date:
July 1, 2003
Proposed Project End Date:
June 30, 2004
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$57,730.80
$36,730.80
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Brief Project Description:
Project Goal: This proposal covers phase 2 of a 3 phase plan. This phase tiers to is the tiers to Phase 1 Assessment
and Analysis for which funding has been granted.This phase involves planning, Public involvement, education,
demonstration, and coordination activities that will prepare the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area (SWA) and the public for
FUTURE fuels treatments and impacts of treatments. These future fuels treatments will set the stage for reintroducing
and maintaining fire in the fire-adapted ecosystem to reduce catastrophic impacts of potential wildfires, benefit wildlife
and vegetation dependent on a frequent low-intensity fire regime and reduce the potential of catastrophic wildfire
occuring on and spreading from the SWA to adjacent private lands and structures. Further it will serve as a
demonstration project to the numerous visitors to the SWA that fuels treatments and prescribed fire can reduce
damages of catastrophic wildfires and enhance habitat for wildlife.Process: Develop a model Adaptive Fuels Treatment
Plan that, when implemented, will provide prescriptions and strategies for fuels treatments integrated with prescribed
burning that will result in reduced potential of damaging wildfires and improved wildlife habitat in the fire adapted
ecosystem of the SWA. Development of an adaptive management plan, by necessity requires pretreatment assessment
(which has been funded) as well as commited and regular monitoring to determine cause and effect relationships in
order to make adaptive changes needed to effect desired outcomes.
Project Location (latitude/longitude if applicable):
County:
Congressional District:
Okanogan
4
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:
Loomis, Okanogan County, Washington 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
This project is located on lands managed as the 14,000 acre Sinlahekin Wildlife Area (SWA) and
includes ~2,833 acres of land owned by BLM and under auspices of USF&WS. SWA is bordered by
Washington DNR lands to the west and northeast, USFS land to the south, private lands on the southeast, and
private lands to the north. Specifically SWA is contained within portions of TWPs 35N, 36N, 37N, 38N
RNG 25E. This has morphed into a 3-phase project we are asking for funding of only Phase 2:
Response:
Phase 2 - Planning, Public Involvement, Information, Education and Coordination
a. 1) Using public involvement, after analysis of raw data from assessments, complete plans for
fuels treatment and treatment strategies; monitoring wildlife and plant communities; and completed
framework for development of a model Adaptive Fuels Management Plan to reduce wildfire potential, restore
fire to fire-adapted plant communities and reduce potential losses to adjacent private lands and structures in
the event of a catastrophic wildfire under present fuel loading.
b. 1) Develop broadscale prescriptions for fuels treatment and treatment strategies; 2) develop and
demonstrate information, public involvement, education and coordination program with and for general
public and adjacent landowners including brochures, self guided tours with Kiosks, videos; 3) develop
monitoring protocol; 4) identify additional information needs and 5) develop a model Adaptive Fuels
Management Plan for fuels treatment to reduce wildfire potential and restore fire to fire-adapted plant
communities. From the onset of Phase 2, public involvement, information, education and coordination plans
will need to be developed quickly and implemented to meet the necessity of keeping the many visitors to the
SWA, local citizenry and adjacent landowners involved and informed of activities and plans. The model
Adaptive Fuels Management Plan will necessarily be an evolving process.
c. 1) Develop Citizen's Stewardship Group consisting of representatives of the environmental
community, forest industry, adjacent public and private landowners/managers, wildlife enthusiasts,
fisherpersons, hunters, residents with homes near the SWA; 2) Develop information, education and
demonstration plan. State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) rules will be followed as well as National
Environmetnal Policy Act (NEPA) rules where applicable.
Project time frame is expected to begin in March 2003 and be completed by February 2004 with on ongoing
educational outreach program on the interconnectedness of fuels management, wildlife habitat management
and prescibed fire continuing indefinitely.
Anticipated outcomes would include: 1) a well rounded Adaptive Fuels Management Plan that is supported
by a diverse group of stakeholders representing environmental interests, sports persons, wildlife enthusiasts,
forest industry and local residents and landowners/managers; 2) An effective information and education
program consisting of public meetings, brochures, videos, CD-ROMS, Kiosks incorporated into a self guided
tour; 3) An increased understanding and awareness of the general public and numerous users of the SWA that
fuels treatments including prescribed burning is an essential and integral part of managing forest lands and
shrub-steppe to keep fuels at manageable levels and wildlife habitat in optimum condition.
Partners include the Tonasket School District, Wenatchee Valley College North, Methow Conservancy,
Healthy Ponderosa Pine Working Group (Yakama & Colville Tribes, DNR, WDFW, Nature Conservancy,
Northwest Ecosystem Alliance and Central Washington Univ.) , Mule Deer Foundation, Bessie Hewitt Estate,
USFWS, Upper Columbia Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group (UCRFEG), Loomis Volunteer Fire
Department (each role is explained in Sections 3 and 4).
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: Historically fire
occurred in the SWA and surrounding Ponderosa Pine habitat as a frequent lowintensity fire regime with a fire return interval of about 7 yrs. Virtually no fires have occurred in the SWA for
100 years resulting in heavy fuel buildup and degraded wildlife habitat. Additionally a wildfire that began on
the SWA could spread to and endanger adjacent private lands and structures. Fuels treatment and restoration
of fire to the SWA landscape would reduce the potential of dangerous wildfires and restore wildlife habitat
which has deteriorated due to 100 yrs of fire exclusion. Additionally WDFW and USFS are working
cooperatively in coordinating efforts to do fuels treatment and restore fire on adjacent lands. SWA has a
Citizen's Stewardship Group (CSG) consisting of individuals representing a broad range of interests who
provide input on management of the SWA. The CSG will be engaged in as part of the planning, information,
education and coordination component of this proposal and the entire project. Maintenance of the treatments
over time will be accomplished by maintaining the fire regime indigenous to the vegetation types of the SWA
through the use of prescribed fires and other tools identified or developed under the model Adaptive Fuels
Management Plan developed by this project. By definition Adaptive Management requires continual
monitoring of results from treatments to determine cause and effect relationships. SWA receives an estimated
50,000 visitors, annually; they will be able to view the project in action and see the benefits. This project will
include efforts to link with other individuals and organizations working on fuels reduction projects and fire
management plans in the local area.
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 other 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: Phase 2
of the project would improve the local economy temporarily by bringing in individuals who
would be doing the CSG coordination work during the first year. Their living and working in the local area
would add economic benefits to the local economy.
A major element of the project is to not only develop a model Adaptive Fuels Management Plan, but provide
a demonstration to other land owners and managers and small rural communities throughout the Northwest on
what can be done to reduce wildfire potential and improve wildlife habitat simultaneously. There is a yearround, 12 mile long county road through the SWA, over which 50,000 visitors drive, annually; they will be
able to view the project in action with a self guide tour, see the benefits to the fire adapted plant communities
and wildlife as well as see the benefits in reducing wildfire potential in addition to providing jobs.
Additionally it is hoped that the Washington DNR and private landowners would view these efforts as
something to be done on their lands, as well, to reduce danger of wildfires and improve wildlife habitat. The
model developed in this proposal will be available to other land managers for incorporation into management
of fuels on their lands for the benefit of wildlife habitat and the economy. No fuels would be used in Phase 2.
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: 1)
involved with the USFS Tonasket Ranger District (USFS-TRD) in development of a
comprehensive fire management plan,
2) working and coordinating with USFS-TRD in planning fuels treatment and prescribed burning on adjacent
lands,
3) in consultation and working with BLM regarding fuels and use of prescribed fire to improve wildlife
habitat on lands owned by BLM and managed as part of the SWA,
4) in consultation with WDNR regarding implementation of prescribed burning on SWA lands adjacent to
WDNR lands. SWA has had numerous discussions with the Partnership for a Sustainable Methow - Forest
Stewardship Project (PSM-FSP) regarding efforts to assess, plan and implement fuels treatment work in an
environmentally, economically and socially acceptable manner.
5) The Healthy Ponderosa Pine Working Group will provide input and assistance throughout Phase 2.
SWA has engaged the environmental organization, Friends of the Loomis Forest (FLF) in discussions of
needed fuels treatment and prescribed fire to reduce potential of dangerous wildfires and restore the fireadapted ecosystem of the SWA to benefit fire- adapted plant communities and wildlife dependent, thereon.
This proposal would take all efforts, thus far, and initiate the necessary planning, public involvment,
information, education, and coordination to set the stage for implementation and post-treatment monitoring.
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: The SWA
has been and continues to working with local, state, federal and private organizations in
an effort to generate funding and support for this project. The Tonasket High School Biology teacher has
agreed to involve her class in mapping and development of GIS layers for roads, waterways and wetlands as
well as mapping general plant communities. The Methow Conservancy has been contacted about creating
maps needed for use in field assessments. Mule Deer Foundation and Bessie Hewitt estate have been
contacted about providing cost share funds for Mule Deer habitat assessment and mapping. Healthy
Ponderosa Pine working group will provide assistance in developing prescriptions and monitoring protocols.
Additionally they will provide avenues of communication and information dissemination on a statewide
basis. The Forest Stewardship Project is supportive of this effort and has resources and networks that would
enhance cooperation and coordination of a diverse audience. WDFW will provide housing to individuals
working on the project and in need of such. Forest, vegetation, and wildlife assessments will be contracted
out to qualified contractors. Environmental benefits would be revealed through low impact fuels treatment
and reintroduction of fire into fire adapted ecosystem by reducing potential damage of wildfires. Social
benefits would come in the form of future jobs in fuels treatment and increased economic activity in the local
economy. Educational benefits would be reflected in the I&E and Demonstration components as well as
interaction with the CSG and involvement of the THS biology class. The Upper Columbia Regional Fisheries
Enhancement Group is willing to provide support in networking with numerous interest groups and
stakeholders.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Form Citizen Stewardship Group (CSG)
Coordinate and Develop program for CSG
involvement and public involvement in
developing Adaptive Fuels Management Plan
1 month concurrent and continuous
SWA Manager
1 month
SWA Manager
Contract foresters
Develop Information, Education and
Demonstration Plan
4-6 months
Tonasket High School
WDFW
Contract foresters
Healthy Ponderosa Pine Working
Group
Citizen Stewardship Group (CSG)
Develop Adaptive Fuels Management Plan
using Coarse Filter Inventory
6 months concurrent with development of
Information, Education and
Demonstartion Plan
Contract foresters
SWA Manager
Healthy Ponderosa Pine Working
Group
Citizen Stewardship Group (CSG)
Develop Basic Monitoring Protocols
6 months concurrent with development of
Information, Education and
Demonstration Plan
Write broadscale prescriptions
6 months concurrent with development of
Information, Education and
Demonstration Plan
Contractor foresters
SWA Manager
Healthy Ponderosa Pine Working
Group
USFWS
WDFW Area Wildlife Biologist
Citizen Stewardship Group (CSG)
Contract foresters
SWA Manager
Healthy Ponderosa Pine Working
Group
Citizen Stewardship Group (CSG)
Implementation of Demonstration,
Information and Education Program
6 months concurrent with development of
Information, Education and
Demonstartion Plan
Contract foresters
SWA Manager
Healthy Ponderosa Pine Working
Group
Citizen Stewardship Group (CSG)
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Citizen’s Stewardship Group
Personnel
SWA Manager
In kind labor
Subtotal
Others
3,000.00
3,000.00
6,000.00
6,000.00
Total
6,000.00
6,000.00
3,000.00
12,000.00
15,000.00
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Contractor
1,000.00
1,000.00
2,000.00
Subtotal
1,000.00
1,000.00
2,000.00
5,000.00
1,000.00
2,000.00
8,000.00
5,000.00
1,000.00
2,000.00
8,000.00
30,000.00
30,000.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Kiosk materials, paper, CDs
Subtotal
Contractual
I&E Collaborative Planning
and Coordination
Subtotal
32,000.00
32,000.00
Other
Indirect
730.80
730.80
Subtotal
730.80
730.80
Total Costs
36,730.80
7,000.00
6,000.00
8,000.00
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
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.
57,730.80