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:
Resource Protection Division, Washington State Dept 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):
1111 Washington St SE, PO Box 47037, Olympia, WA 98504
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Marc Titus, Fire Prevention Coordinator
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Washington State Dept of Natural Resources, Northwest Region
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
360-854-2858
360-856-2150
marc.titus@wadnr.gov
Project Information
Project Title:
NW Region Cooperative Fire Prevention Project
Project Start:
Project End:
June 1, 2002
June 1, 2006
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$250,000.00
$300,000.00
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
State Priority #4
Brief Project Description:
This project has four phases. The first consists of forming local coordination groups, updating the
Wildland Urban Interface(WUI) hazard assessments for the Washington State Department of
Natural Resource's Northwest Region and drafting landscape level fire prevention/hazard mitigation
plans for high risk areas. The second phase develops community and landowner awareness and
participation in their high risk areas through the use of the Firewise Washington program. The third
phase will focus on localizing fuel reduction/defensible space plans for homeowners/landowners in
the high risk areas. The fourth phase utilizes local contractors and businesses to assist
homeowners and landowners in implementing Phase 3 plans.
Project Location:
County:
Congressional District:
Northwest 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
 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 multi-phased project is geographically located in Northwestern Washington State in Whatcom,
Skagit, Snohomish, Island, King, and San Juan counties. The State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
conducts and coordinates fire suppression and prevention activities in cooperation with other local, state and
federal wildland fire services.
Phase 1 will establish local coordinating groups that will update our current WUI hazard assessments
to include 2000 census data, collect & synthesize data for the interagency RAMS (Risk Assessment &
Mitigation Strategies) inititive and identify & prioritize communities at risk in high hazard areas. Community
fire prevention/mitigation plans will be drafted for high priority communities. Some communities in San
Juan county have already been identified as High Risk, thus fostering cooperation amongst agency and
homeowner groups. Also, in Whatcom county significant cooperation has been developed in the high risk
communities of Sudden Valley and Lummi Island. For these reasons, the Sudden Valley and Lummi
communities and communities in San Juan County are primed to begin this project immediately. Local
coordination has begun and will be utilized to showcase this project to other high hazard communities. With
a four year grant we can create mitigation plans for the highest hazard landscapes and communities
implement those plans. Once the plans have been created and several have been implemented, we will
broaden funding as needed to complete the remaining mitigation plans.
Phase 2 will utilize the Firewise Washington program to increase community awareness &
participation. Using the local coordinating groups to facilitate, community outreach workshops and forums
will be conducted. Interested landowners, stakeholders, and homeowners will be encouraged to sign up for
free individual and community-wide risk assessments complete with recommendations for improvement.
Phase 3 consists of local fire department, DNR, tribal, and federal fire personnel meeting with
homeowners, landowners and communities who 'signed up' for the home risk assessments. The on-site visits
will allow one-on-one interaction between homeowners and emergency management personnel.
Phase 4 will use existing local contractors to assist landowners, homeowners, and communities with
fuels reduction and mitigation of the hazards. Landowners and homeowners will be encouraged to participate
in the initial work and to ensure future maintenance.
We anticipate increased public awareness about wildfire and the WUI problem; significant fuels
reduction and hazard mitigation in and around the WUI; a dramatic increase in the number of firesafe
communities; and an updated community landscape hazard assessment for NW region to include Census
2000 data. Success will be measured by the formation of local coordinating groups, an updated High Hazard
Assessment, the creation & implementation of Community Risk Reduction Plans, the number of Community
Plans implemented and the number of Firesafe homes created.
Some of the partners in this proposal are listed as follows: 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 Mountain,
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.
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?
Hazard assessments will be conducted and fuels reduction/mitigation plans written by Wildland
Fire personnel. Fuels reduction/mitigation plans will be implemented by landowners, homeowners and local
contractors. Community safety will be enhanced by on the ground fuels reduction, mitigation of hazards, the
creation of defensible space around homes, and an intensive prevention and education outreach program
using the Firewise program. Multi-agency involvement will emphasize support and commitment from local
fire services. Safety will also be enhanced by a dramatic increase in firesafe communities in high hazard
areas. This project brings numerous agencies together to promote the common goal of fire hazard reduction
in high hazard communities and landscapes. With the cooperation of local, state, federal, and county
agencies, we will be enhancing existing support in participating communities. For example, Sudden Valley
Homeowners Association 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 program. Awareness and ongoing prevention efforts aimed at long-term community
involvement should insure the longevity of hazard mitigation efforts.
Response:
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?
Local contracting opportunities will be sought out to complete work and assist
landowners/communities in this proposal. Tree removal specialists with chipping capabilities will perform
tasks most homeowners cannot complete themselves. Emphasis will be given to increase local & 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, Sudden Valley, and Lummi Island have already begun to
initate risk mitigation efforts. They will benefit from expert assistance in mitigation planning and
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 composting programs.
Response:
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.
Cooperation and support amongst local fire 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, local coordinating groups will become active, thereby increasing inter-agency involvement and
enhancing community support. The glue that binds this proposal is the on-the-ground activities that are
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 government
support for local high risk communities.
Some of the partners in this proposal are listed as follows: 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 Mountain,
Cape San Juan, Eagle Cove, Hannah Heights, Mitchell Bay, and local federal fire organizations..
Response:
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?
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. A second project is now underway on
Lummi Island. The community of Sudden Valley has already taken steps to reduce risk by banning outdoor
burning. Continued education and support for fuels reduction/mitigation projects needs to follow on the heels
of these successful mitigation projects. 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. Federal, fire
district, 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.
Significant social benefits will come from increased environmental awareness, increased cooperation
to achieve safer communities and signicantly 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.
Response:
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Identify Local Coordination Group
jurisdictions
April 02
DNR
Solicit participation in Local Coordination
Groups
April 02 thru Sept 02
DNR
Begin regional assessment updates with
assistance of Local coordinating groups;
identify and prioritize high hazard
communities and landscapes.
Sept 02 thru June 03
DNR, Local Coordinating Groups
Establish local fire cooperators to perform
community Hazard Mitigation Planning with
the volunteer communities/landowners
Sept 02 thru Dec 02
DNR
Begin community Hazard Mitigation Plans in
San Juan County and Sudden Valley
Jan 03 thru April 03
Consultant
Follow with planning for volunteer
communities identified in the High Hazard
Assessment update
April 03 thru June 04
Implement mitigation plans for San Juan
County communities and Sudden Valley
May 03 thru Oct 03
Implement mitigation plans for highest
priority communities
May 04 thru Oct 04
May 05 thru Oct 05
Firewise-like workshops, community
outreach, public events, demonstrations
projects, and media publishing of successes
On-going
DNR and local coordinating groups
Finalize, evaluate and plan for next cycle
Oct 05 thru June 06
DNR and local coordinating groups
Local contractors, homeowners, local
coordinating groups and DNR
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
*Partner contributions are
in-kind match of services
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
$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
$250,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$250,000.00
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
$250,000.00
Subtotal
$250,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Other
Subtotal
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Total Costs
$250,000.00
$30,000.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$300,000.00
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
1
$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.