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:
Edelweiss Maintenance Commission
Phone:
FAX:
509-996-2174
Email:
509-996-9232
heitman@methow.com
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
Star Route 88J, Winthrop, WA 98862
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Phil Heitman, President EMC
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Edelweiss Maintenance Commission (EMC)
Phone:
FAX:
509-996-2174
Email:
509-996-9232
heitman@methow.com
Project Information
Project Title:
Complete Fuel Breaks, Defensible Space Development & Fuels Treatment
Project Start:
Project End:
July 2002
November 2004
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$300,050
$410,760
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No – But priorities are shown in the project descriptions.
Brief Project Description:
This request is to implement and complete the treatments identified from the 2001 Fire Plan
Grant. The hazard assessments, “Firewise” workshop and fire protection plan have been
completed and the treatments have started. The work that will remain includes:
Grant Request
Project Total
1. Completion of Fuel Breaks (68 Ac.)
$ 72,580
$104,030
2. Dev. Lots – Def. Space & Treat. (42 Ac.)
$ 51,830
$ 71,850
3. Undev. Lots – Fuels Treatment (106 Ac.)
$175,640
$234,880
$300,050
$410,760
TOTAL
Project Location:
Winthrop, WA
County:
Congressional District:
Okanogan
5 th
Project Type: Check appropriate project type. More than one type may be checked. If only Box (4) is checked, use Enclosure 4.
(1) XX Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Project
(2)
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:
Winthrop Wildland/Urban Interface Area
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
 project income
Address these

project
implementation
 project time frames
items as

anticipated
outcomes
 specify types of activities and equipment used
applicable:
 measures and reporting
 amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc)
 partners
 environmental, cultural and historical resource requirements
Response: Edelweiss is a 370-parcel subdivision covering over 600 acres northwest of Winthrop, WA.
It was
developed in the early 1970’s and was recognized at the outset to have a potentially severe fire risk. The
subdivision lies immediately below National Forest and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands
and surrounds a BLM tract. Much of the area is in dense forest cover on an exposed south slope. The Forest
Service came close to evacuating the community during the 1994 Whiteface Fire. The subdivision is within a
volatile fire disturbance area and future fire threats are inevitable.
The community is very concerned about the fire risk and the EMC requested and was approved for a 2001
Fire Plan Grant. To date the hazard assessments have been completed, demo lots were treated, a “Firewise”
workshop is planned for May 2002, a fire protection plan is being drafted, and treatments are being initiated
on the fuel breaks and adjoining lots. This request is to complete the treatments on the remainder of the
subdivision. Work would begin as soon as the grant was approved and would be completed by the end of
2004.
Edelweiss Maintenance Commission, the duly formed non-profit organization, representing the Edelweiss
community, makes the request. This project has benefits for the landowners but it also has public benefits;
increased safety for firefighters and reduced risk of fire escaping onto National Forest and surrounding land.
The Forest Service is implementing a timber and fuels treatment project on adjacent National Forest land to
complement these efforts. The BLM is initiating action to treat the 40 acres of BLM land immediately
adjacent to the subdivision. Okanogan County Public Works Dept. is cooperating with treatment of the road
right-of-way as a fuel break. The FS, DNR and local fire district are active participants in all phases of
planning, design and implementation of the project.
Three vegetative conditions exist: (1) a dense forest cover of small ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir averaging
420 trees per acre with pockets over 900, a basal area of 120 sq.ft./Ac. and an average diameter of 7 inches,
(2) larger pine and fir averaging 74 trees per acre, basal area of 80 sq.ft./Ac. and 14 inches diameter, and (3)
droughty grass/shrub openings containing decadent, large bitterbrush. Treatment will restore the area to a
more sustainable condition. No T&E species of plants or animals, cultural resource or other environmental
concerns were found during review of the first grant. During fuels treatments some merchantable material
(less than 2,000 board feet per acre) would be removed and the timber revenues would be used to reduce
overall project costs. With the demo lots we were able to refine the cost estimates for treatment of each of
these types and to define the net acres needing treatment.
Treatment will utilize a mechanical operation to remove the majority of the excess trees, followed by a hand
crew for removal of the remaining submerchantable material and final cleanup. As much material as possible
will be marketed and the remaining slash chipped and scattered. The elements of the project are summarized
by priority as follows:
Total Cost
Contr. & Rev. Grant Request
1. Complete Fuel Breaks – 82 lots, 68 ac.
$104,030
$ 31,450
$ 72,580
2. Treat Developed Lots – 60 lots, 42 ac.
$ 71,850
$ 20,020
$ 51,830
3. Treat Undev. Lots – 137 lots, 106 ac.
$234,880
$ 59,240
$175,640
TOTALS
279 lots, 216 ac.
$410,760
$110,710
$300,050
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: Currently the stands are overstocked with linked crowns and ladder fuels. Should a fire occur there is a high probability
of it being a stand-replacement crown fire with devastating damage to the Edelweiss community. The shrub areas contain dense
decadent bitterbrush that would also contribute to a high intensity fire. The treatment objectives are to develop defensible spaces
around structures, to reduce stocking levels to 40-60 sq.ft./ac. and the fuel loading to 6-8 tons/acre. This will move the forest
towards a fire adapted, sustainable ecosystem. Following treatment the fuels will be at a level that direct fire suppression would be
practical rather than having to back off with an indirect attack which is the current situation. The shaded fuel breaks will also allow
suppression personnel to protect the community from fires originating along the Goat Creek Road and from surrounding National
Forest land.
The Edelweiss community lies below National Forest land and the BLM parcel lies within the perimeter of the subdivision. A
wildfire inside the community could threaten these public lands as well as the town of Winthrop, which is only eight miles downvalley and down-wind and also the developments in between. The Forest Service, BLM and Okanogan County plan fuel treatments
in coordination with this project. The project is being utilized as a model for other associations in the area. Other associations,
officials and landowners will attend the “Firewise” workshop.
The Edelweiss Maintenance Commission board is aware that these treatments will need to be maintained and are committed to
these actions
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: It is estimated this project will employ a three person mechanical crew and a five person hand crew for two full
seasons, or 10-15 person years of employment. The project will provide a success story that can be utilized by other subdivisions
and associations in the Methow Valley and throughout the interior west. Members of the Edelweiss community would be available
to discuss the project with others. As citizens and owner groups realize that these forest and fuel conditions must be treated, there
will be increased job opportunities and new businesses launched. These will be continuing opportunities since periodic
maintenance of the conditions will be required.
Sawlogs and chip & saw logs down to 4” top diameter will be marketed at local mills. It is estimated this will amount to about 250
thousand board feet with a delivered value of about $110,000. These revenues will be used to reduce the total cost of the project.
There is an estimated 5 tons per acre of small logs (down to 2” top diameter) that also needs to be removed. With current pulp
markets there are few outlets for this material. We will pursue and utilize any possible opportunity to utilize this material. One
possibility is to make it available to a proposed Methow small-log outlet if it develops. The remaining limbs and tops will be
chipped and spread over disturbed ground and openings.
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: This request is to implement the results of the hazard assessments for each lot and the recommendations of the fire
protection plan. It links to the fuels treatment proposals by the Forest Service and the BLM on adjoining lands. For years the
Forest Service, DNR and fire district have pleaded to get these fuels reduced and the extreme fire hazard reduced. Fire Plan grants
are a welcome vehicle to get this accomplished. Okanogan County Commissioner, Dave Schultz, has attended a “Firewise”
workshop and is very supportive of this effort.
The Forest Service, DNR and Mazama Fire District are actively involved in the planning and implementation of the project, in
development of the fire protection plan and conduct of the “Firewise” workshop. Bill Moody, North Cascades Fire Service, is
organizing and facilitating the “Firewise” workshop. Okanogan County is cooperating by allowing treatment of their right-of-way
as a fuel break.
Arnie Arneson, Cascade Woodlands, will manage the project. He is a SAF Certified Forester, an ex-District Ranger at Winthrop,
and has provided consulting expertise for the last 18 years to over 100 landowners on the east slope of the Cascades. He is
managing the first grant and other projects in the Methow Valley. He consults with the Forest Service and DNR on a regular basis,
and will assure all participants remain involved throughout the project.
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: Edelweiss community lot owners will have received their individual hazard assessments and “Firewise” information
with an invitation to attend the May 2002 “Firewise” workshop. Other associations and subdivision groups will also be invited to
attend the workshop. Individuals will be informed by a local news release. In addition six demonstration lots have been treated and
they will have information posters placed on them to explain the treatment for those that are interested.
In addition to the grant funds an estimated $110,710 of timber revenues will be contributed to the project. This contribution
reduces the grant request
The project will address a serious, unnatural resource condition and move the forest towards a sustainable, fire-adapted condition.
Both the landowners and the public benefit from completion of the project; the landowners by reducing the risk of fire losses and
maintaining a sustainable forest setting, the public by increased safety and operating space for firefighters, by reduced risk of
wildfires escaping onto public lands, and by reduction of future firefighting costs. The project will provide a model for other
communities. Participants will be available to discuss and show the results to others that are interested.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Hazard Assessments
“Firewise” Workshop
Fire Protection Plan
Goat Cr. Fuel Break
(Above are the first grant tasks)
Done – Feb 2002
Conducted May 2002
Draft Completed April 2002
Complete Summer 2002
EMC & Cascade Woodlands
Complete Remaining Fuel Breaks
(68 Acres)
Fall 2002 & Spring 2003
EMC & Cascade Woodlands
Complete Defensible Spaces and
Fuels Treatment – Develop Sites
(42 Acres)
Sunner 2003
EMC & Cascade Woodlands
Complete Fuels Treatment –
Undeveloped Sites
(106Acres)
Summer 2003 and 2004
EMC & Cascade Woodlands
Enclosure 3D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
$300,050
$110,710
$410,760
$300,050
$110,710
$410,760
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
Personnel
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Subtotal
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Subtotal
Contractual
Treatment Operators
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income1
1
$110,710
Timber Revenue Invested Back
To Project
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.