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:
Harney County
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
541-573-6356
541-573-8387
sgrasty@orednet.org
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
450 N. Buena Vista
Burns OR 97720
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Steven E. Grasty, Judge
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Harney County Court
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
541-573-6356
541-573-8387
sgrasty@orednet.org
Project Information
Project Title:
Harney County Hazardous Fuels Utilization Pilot Project
Project Start:
Project End:
May 1, 2002
June 1, 2003
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$56,500.00
$118,000.00
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
Hazardous fuel on lands of US Forest Service, BLM and on private lands is creating both problem
and opportunitiy for Harney County. Removal of fuels near all the rural comunities and the
munipalities of the county is critical for safety. Within the range of materials which are potentially
available, the mission of the county is to identify products, determine the highest value use and spin
off local products from otherwise waste materials. Three specific areas identified are: 1) Biomass
for co-generation/steam production (feasibility) , 2) value added wood products - i.e. kiln drying
product for small portable mill owners (field testing), dairy calf bedding (field trials -shavings), and
juniper oil production (field trials); 3)coordination of the flow of materials from hazardous fuels
removal to the end use will greatly improve the efficiency of the businesses involved in wood
products. Louisiana-Pacific engineered wood products plant has excess steam capacity to be
contibuted for kiln drying, for juniper oil distillation and a need for dependable and affordable hog
fuel. Harney County is already in the process of creating an organization on the model of Wallowa
Resources Inc. which will serve to inherit and advance the successes of the pilot project.
Project Location:
County:
Congressional District:
Hines Industrial area
Harney County
Oregon 2nd District
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
Harney County
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
 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
Reduction of haazardous fuels in the forest and on rangelands of Harney County is a serious
concern of the County Court. Nine rural communities of the county as well as the cities of Burns and Hines
have been identified on the list of Oregon State Interface Communities. Most are affected by surrounding
BLM lands, while Burns and Hines are most affected by National Forests. The second urgent need in Harney
County is support of a struggling wood products businesses which are the remnants of a previously vibrant
timber industry. Currently, and for the most of the past year, Harney County has had a jobless rate far above
the state and national average, and for eight months, the highest in Oregon. Oregon Department of
Employment reported in January reports Harney County jobless rate was 12.4% (Nov. 2001 figures) while the
Oregon rate was 7.4%. The county aims to retain and grow jobs associated with utilization of hazardous fuels
which will also satisfy the goals of the hazardous fuels reduction projects of land managers. Much research
into product utilization has been done on some species, Harney County is ready to begin field trials to utilize
as much of available product as possible for a range of identified uses. Listed below are the outcomes which
are to be achieved and measured by the project:
1. Biomass - Plants for generation of energy have been under investigation in Harney County for some time.
Small plant pilots have been proposed to be located in strategic locations to help school districts support
themselves with biomass generation of heat and electricity for their own or market needs. In the immediate
timeframe - Louisiana-Pacific has offered to contribute their excess steam from bio-mass to operate a dry kiln
for local portable mill owners, and to provide for a trial plant to distill juniper oil, a high value by-product of
hazardous fuels removal process. Identification of materials quantity, quality and timeframes of availability of
material for bio-mass for energy production is a part of 3 below.Feasibility of bio-mass for energy production
is needed. Outcome: Feasibility report to be presented as a product of this project.
2. Value-added wood products -Implement field trials for dairy calf bedding (shavings) with Oregon State
Univ. Cooperative Extension Service, Dairy Specialist at the request of the dairy industry in Harney County.
Analyze results and if ground truthed, shavings will be produced for sale to the dairy industry by local
supplier. Report on trials, analysis and production.
Research on juniper oil distillation has advanced the product to the need for production trials. The County is
expecting to acquire production equipment to support the trials. Marketing research is still needed before this
product can be spun off to a private, local producer. Outcome: All findings of the work done will be reported
as a final product of the project.
3. Flow of materials - The project will serve to measure the amount of material becoming available through
hazardous fuels removal projects on public and private lands in Harney County. Continued supply of
materials from hazardous fuels removal projects will be projected through 2010 in order to assure cooperators
of a dependable flow of materials. It is expected that a community dry kiln, obtained by the County and
operated on L-P steam will take product from portable mill owners and dry it to make it possible for it to be
made into high value finished specialty products by L-P or others. Outcome: Report on raw material
available from Harney County sources for 2002 through 2010.
Response:
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)?
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?
Response: A.
There are already several small businesses engaged in making products using under-utilized and
small diameter species. Some businesses are full-time year round occupations (such as juniper furniture and
art items), others are part-year producers (e.g. contractors who fall the hazardous materials), still others
produce wood products (5 portable mills, 1 hog fuel producer). It is expected that the efforts of the pilot
project being proposed by Harney County will retain from 5 to 8 jobs over the long term and create from 3 to
5 jobs. Turning local materials into high value specialty products supports county goals for economic
diverisity and helps stabilize an otherwise fragile economy.
B. Biomass is specifically targeted to be studied and brought to field trial, if feasible. Amounts will not be
known until the pilot project advances. Louisiana-Pacific plant has need for fuel for dependable supplies of
feedstock for steam generation.
C. L-P will contribute steam generated to further the aims of the pilot project - dry kiln operation and
distillation of juniper oil trials.
D. The pilot project aims to take advantage of research, to do field trials or go to market with products
developed or identified. Any and all results of the pilot will be available for public presentation.
2. Reducing fire risk. (30 points)
Describe how the proposal promotes reduction of risk in high hazard areas and communities.
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 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 fuels conditions.
A.
B.
Response: A.
A. Hazardous fuels reduction projects within Harney County have amounted to 55,000 acres
within the past 5 years. Projects planned for fuels reduction/removal within the coming season are: 2,500
acres of mixed species (ponderosa pine predominates, with some fir and juniper on Forest Lands), 52,500
acres of BLM, (predominantly juniper). All rural communities and cities in Harney County are at risk from
fuels buildup on both public and private lands.
B. All rural communities in Harney County are listed as affected by hazardous fuels on federal and private
lands. Private land owners are motivated to remove juniper on their lands for improvement of water
resources and encourage growth of grasses and forbs. Utilization of private land fuels has been widespread,
landowners welcome removal of fuels on adjacent federal lands since it cuts fire hazard for all. There is no
existing community fire strategy.
C. Community fire plans are not developed. Crane and Drewsey have both organized Fire Protection
Districts within the past three years. Otherwise, fire protection comes from Burns and Hines Fire
Departments and federal land management agencies.
D. Mitigation of hazardous fuels buildup is a major concern of Harney County Court, they see utilization of
materials as a way to encourage public agencies and private landowners to remove fuels buildup.
Enclosure 4B (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
3. Increasing interagency and intergovernmental coordination. (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: A.
Harney County was already working on development of Harney County Natural Resources Inc.
to spearhead the efforts which have been delineated above. Over the past few months the partners have been
identified: Harney County Court, US Forest Service (Malheur National Forest, Ochoco National Forest),
Burns District of the BLM, Harney County Watershed Council, Louisiana Pacific, and others, identified but
not committed.
Small business owner/operators have been contacted for their input regarding the proposed pilot project are:
Bill Runnels (cabins, dimensional lumber), Matt Basey (buildings, log homes, dimensional lumber), Gerry
Choate (portable mill for custom lumber orders), Jon Reponen (grinder for hog fuel), Eldon Meeder
(furniture), Tom Choate (logs, lumber custom), Bill Winn (custom cut).
Dairy Specialist, Mike Gamroth, Oregon State University Extension Service is committed to doing field trial
work for dairy calf bedding product.
B. The manager of Louisiana-Pacific, Hines plant (Jim Campbell) is a full participating partner in the pilot
project. L-P will be contributing facilities for parts of the project.
C. Project will benefit the environment to enhance watersheds, improve safety for communities of the
county. Social benefits are to create useful product from waste materials. Educational benefits will accrue
from a pilot project which demonstrates the principle of "waste not, want not" and shares the results and
methods with public.
4. Increasing interagency and intergovernmental coordination. (20 Points)
A. Explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning among federal, state, tribal, local government and
community organizations in developing this proposal. List the cooperators.
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: A.
A committee of interested parties was assembled by the Harney County Court representing the
US Forest Service, BLM, Watershed Council, Harney County, Oregon Economic and Community
Development Department and private industry (Louisiana-Pacific Corp.)for the initial planning for the pilot
project. Their efforts built on work that has been on-going in the county to better utilize hazardous fuels
materials and create value-added product.
B. The Harney County Strategic Plan has been under revision by the Community Response Team for the past
two years. The Strategic Plan will be released as soon as adoption of its goals, strategies and action items
takes place by the county government and the city councils of Burns and Hines, expected by May 2002. The
Community Response Team consists of representatives of US Forest Service, BLM, elected officials from
City of Burns, City of Hines and Harney County: seven private businesses, Oregon Economic & Community
Development Commission and Department. The Strategic Plan addresses the goals, strategies and action
items required to achieve the mission of the Community Response Team in three areas: Quality of Life,
Economy and Infrastructure. The plan addresses public safety and specific fire hazard issues for rural
communities in the Quality of Life section. The Economy section of the plan identifies goals, strategies and
action items including the aims of this project. Plan will be provided upon request.
Enclosure 4C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Meet with all cooperators in the various
aspects of the project to make certain that
everyone is ready to do their parts.
June 1, 2002
County Court and/or designee
Set up field trial for calf bedding with Oregon
State University Extension Dairy Specialist
June 1, 2002 to September, 2002
Mike Gamroth, OSU Extension
Dairy Specialist or designee
Dairy Manager or designee
Coordinator designated by the
County Court
County Court will designate someone or an
organization to coordinate the flow of
materials from the field to that various parts of
the project.
June 1, 2002
County Court and Judge Steve
Grasty
Coordinator named to collect all research, fire
management project history and plans,
identify outcomes to be tracked and reported.
Set up mechanism to keep all partners
informed regarding the project activities.
June 30, 2002 and on-going throughout
the project
Coordinator of Hazardous Fuels
Utilization project.
Coordinator to set up the facility to accept
hazardous fuels management materials to
disperse for shavings project; arrange with
Louisiana-Pacific for dry kiln portion of the
project and field trial for extraction of juniper
oil.
August 15, 2002, sooner, if possible
Coordinator of Hazardous Fuels
Utilization project.
Coordinator to track all results of various
trials for outcomes reporting.
June 15, 2002 and on-going throughout
the project
Coordinator of Hazardous Fuels
Utilization project.
Set up field trial juniper oil production on
knowledge gained from research at LouisianaPacific plant.
September 1, 2002 and on-going
throughout the project.
Coordinator of Hazardous Fuels
Utilization project and the Harney
County Court.
Identify all materials available from
Hazardous Fuels removal projects in the
county from past 5 years, 5 years into the
future. Report all outcomes from this project.
Pass the project to Harney County Resources
Inc. or other group designated to carry on.
July 1, 2002 and on-going throughout the
project.
Coordinator of Hazardous Fuels
Utilization project and the Harney
County Court.
Enclosure 4D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Personnel
1.0 fte
$30,000.00
Subtotal
$30,000.00
Fringe Benefits
as above
$7,500.00
Subtotal
$7,500.00
Applicant
$0.00
$0.00
Partner 1
$0.00
$0.00
Partner 2
Total
$0.00
$0.00
$30,000.00
$0.00
$30,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$7,500.00
$0.00
$7,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$12,500.00
$15,000.00
$27,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$4,000.00
$0.00
$4,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$5,000.00
$12,000.00
$17,000.00
Travel
$1,000.00
Subtotal
Equipment
Dry Kiln - small capacity*
Extraction equip/ oil*
Subtotal
$1,000.00
$0.00
$12,500.00
$15,000.00
$27,500.00
Supplies
Project Office support
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
Subtotal
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
Contractual
OSU - calf bedding trials
Juniper oil prod/analysis
Subtotal
$6,500.00-hauling
$5,000.00
$12,000.00
$17,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Other
Facility - sort/store
Facility-production
Subtotal
$0.00
$26,000.00
$5,000.00
$5,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$26,000.00
$5,000.00
$31,000.00
Total Costs
$56,500.00
$56,500.00
$5,000.00
$0.00
$118,000.00
Project (Program) Income1
1
$0.00
$26,000.00
$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.