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:
Washington State University
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509/335-9661
509/335-1676
ogrd@mail.wsu.edu
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
PO Box 643140 Pullman WA 99164-3140
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Ole T. Helgerson, Chair and Area Forestry Agent
Organization/Jurisdiction:
WSU Cooperative Extension (forestry in Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, Hood River and Wasco
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509/427.9427
509/427.7365
helgerso@wsu.edu
Project Information
Project Title:
Columbia Gorge Wildfire Preparedness Project
Project Start:
Project End:
August 1, 2002
September 30, 2004
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$226,380.00
$244,380.00
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
Skamania, Klickitat, Hood River and Wasco Counties lie in high fire risk areas due to high fuel
loads, increasing numbers of interface dwellers and weather. This two-year project targets 1)
identifying high risk areas using existing interface survey protocol; 2) working with rural volunteer
fire districts to identify and remedy equipment and training and; 3) educating interface dwellers in
wildfire damage prevention. A 1.0 fte WSU Extension Coordinator assisted by 0.5 fte from two
summer hourly positions would achieve these tasks in areas identified by a bi-state advisory council
(state and federal wildfire managers and county representatives). Expected outcomes are data
bases describing fire risk areas and rural fire districts; increased access to grant funding by rural
volunteer fire districts, and increased fire-wise management of interface dweller properties.
Comparing pre- and post-activity results using standard methods such as focus groups and surveys
would assess impacts.
Project Location:
County:
Congressional District:
Skamania County (office)
Skam., Klick.,H.R., Wasco
WA: 3,4 OR: 2
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:
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
Location: This two-year project targets Skamania, Klickitat, Hood River and Wasco Counties
located in rural portions of the Columbia River Gorge. These counties lack access to wildfire prevention
specialists and funding and lie within or down wind of a high fire risk area.
Response:
Implementation: An WSU Cooperative Extension Coordinator with two part-time summer helpers would 1)
identify high risk areas using existing PNW Interagency Fire Prevention Group protocol; 2) work with rural
volunteer fire districts in identifying equipment and training deficiencies and helping to obtain grant funds; 3)
educate interface dwellers in wildfire prevention in cooperation with state agencies using evening classes,
displays at county fairs, site visits and like events as appropriate. These individuals would be housed in
Skamania County (Partner 1) offices in Stabler, WA (ex Wind River Nursery) under lease to the Port of
Skamania (Partner 2). While the space is provided as in-kind support to the project, funds will be needed to
pay the various utility, phones line, internet connection costs. Because needs vary within the four-county area,
an advisory council (USDA Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Washington Department of
Natural Resources, county volunteer fire district representatives or forest industry foresters) would set
program priorities and avoid duplication of on-going efforts.
Anticipated Outcomes: These include a data base identifying high fire risks in selected geographic areas
compatible with other databases, a data base describing rural fire districts in the four county area;
identification of selected volunteer fire district equipment and training deficiencies and improved access to
grant funds; and interface dweller education (300 contacts) reducing fire risk in personal property.
Measures and reporting: Impacts would be assessed by comparing pre- and post-activity results using
standard methods such as focus groups and surveys. Reports would be made twice annually to the advisory
group and as-needed to county commissioners and local fire fighting groups.
Partners: Skamania County provides direct support in mailing services, computer expert access, surplus office
furniture, and other minor office assistance. The port of Skamania County provides office space (Wind River
Nursery, Seed Extractory Building). Other support and cooperation is provided by the Columbia Gorge
National Scenic Area, Wasco, Hood River and Klickitat Counties, Oregon Department of Forestry and
Washington Department of Natural Resources.
Time Frames: Year 1: meet with advisory council and set priorities among; targeting areas for fire hazard
surveys, starting surveys; developing rural fire districts data base; identifying fire districts wanting assistance
in training and grant funding; planning and initiating interface dweller firewise education; reporting to
advisory council; Year 2, meet with advisory council; as prioritized, continue fire hazard surveys, fire district
capacity building and interface dweller education, conduct program surveys, prepare summary report
describing data bases and changes in knowledge, skills and abilities in fire districts and interface dwellers.
Activities and Equipment: Survey for high fire hazard areas, contact targeted rural fire districts, establish fire
hazard and fire district data bases, set up firewise displays at selected county fairs and other events;
equipment consists of a personal vehicle and grant funded laptop computer, portable printer, lcd projector and
carrying cases.
Amount/Extent of Action: Within four-county area, as prioritized by advisory council: survey for fire
hazards, work with volunteer fire districts; coordinate interface dweller training with ODF and DNR Env.,
Cult., & Hist. Res. Requirements: None are anticipated due to the project not resulting in federally funded
ground disturbing activities.
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: A)
Wildfire risk is reduced by identifying high risk areas so that fuel loads can be mitigated (full
mapping is lacking especially in Skamania County); increasing rural fire districts capacity to handle wildfire;
and educating interface dwellers in methods to reduce fuels and protect structures. B) The Columbia Gorge
National Scenic Area, the Gifford Pinchot and Mt Hood National Forests, state and industrial forest lands are
within or immediately adjoin the four-county project area. The National Forests hold excessive fuel loads in
their eastern portions; excessive wildfire ecosystem damage is highly likely. A fire storm like the Yacolt
Burn that started 100 years ago in Skamania County could exceed the resources necessary to stop it resulting
in lost property and lives. C) Identifying high fire risk areas is essential to cooperatively allocating resources;
increased consistency and compatibility among rural fire districts and state and federal agencies will enhance
cooperation by ensuring that all are on the "same page" with respect to training, equipment, command and
communication. D) Local decision makers support this project; it also lays the foundation for programs such
as “FIREWISE” E) Mapping of high hazard areas is essential to guide mitgation F) Implementation and
maintenance is the landowner’s responsibility.
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: A)
This proposal would add 1.5 fte annually to the Columbia Gorge economy. Summer jobs for
qualified local college age youth are difficult to find in this region. Indirectly, private timber saved from
wildfire or made available from thinning could benefit timber supply to local sawmills facing supply
shortfalls due to lack of harvest on Federal lands.
B) The success of this model will be shared with Forestry and other Extension colleagues in Washington,
Oregon, Idaho and California. The proposal concept has already been shared.with Washington and Oregon
Extension staff.
C) This project does not directly entail harvesting fuels.
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: A.
Karl Tesch, FEMA coordinator for the Columbia River Gorge region regards this proposal as
extremely useful in coordinating training and infrastructure assessment within the four-county area. Results
from this proposal help set the foundation for establishing and implementing strategic activities such as
RAMS (Risk Assessment Mitigation System) or region-wide training. This project would be coordinated by
an advisory council composed of members of existing Gorge-area fire-fighting associations to ensure that
highest priority areas receive first attention and to complement instead of duplicating on-going work.
B. Strategic planning can be improved within in the Columbia Gorge region by having a uniform data base of
high fire risk areas and inproving consistency and compatibility within and between Washington and Oregon
rural fire districts and resource management agencies. Cooperators would include Skamania, Klickitat, Hood
River and Wasco Counties, the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, Washington Department of Natural
Resources and Oregon Department of Forestry.
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: A.
This proposal has been discussed with the Skamania County Board of Commissioners, county
planners from Skamania, Klickitat, Hood River and Wasco Counties; the regional FEMA director;
Washington, Oregon, USDA Forest Service and USDI Fish and Wildflife Service wildfire managers; county
and industrial forest managers; and volunteer fire district chiefs from Washington and Oregon.
B. The Skamania County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution supporting this proposal March 4,
2002 and offered county services in mailing, photocopying and other minor clerical services. The FEMA
director and county planners from Skamania, Klickitat, Hood River and Wasco Counties, local industrial and
Hood River County forest managers, wildfire managers from the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area,
Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Washington
Department of Natural Resources and local volunteer rural fire distrcit chiefs support this proposal.
C. Environmental benefits include lessened chances of loss of forest cover, soil , air and water quality
damage from wildfire; social benefits include lessened chances of loss of human lives and property; education
benefits include increased training in wildfire fighting among rural fire districts and improved interface
dweller knowledge of firewise landscaping and structure mainteneance.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
establish ad hoc advisory council with key
county, state and federal cooperators;
develop job description
2002: April-June
Ole Helgerson, Forestry Agent,
WSUCE, Skamania County, 509427-9427, helgerso@wsu.edu
advertise position and hire Extension
Coordinator
June-July
Ole Helgerson, WSUCE, Skamania
County, 509-427-9427,
helgerso@wsu.edu
Extension Coordinator and Forestry Agent
meet with advisory council; Coordinator
contacts local fire districts and county
planners; set up needs assessment
August-September
Extension Coordinator, Forestry
Agent
conduct, analyze and report needs assessment
to advisory committee; plan training with
local fire districts and other groups as
necessary; plan landowner training and
workshops; line out grant possibilities; assist
writing proposals
October-February(2003)
Extension Coordinator
conduct fire district and landowner training;
help fire districts with grants; fill two summer
help positions
2003: March-May
Extension Coordinator
county fair displays as needed; interface
dweller education programs, education
program evaluation; complete other work as
necessary
June-September
Extension Coordinator, summer help
report to advisory council, re-evaluate needs
assessment; continue fire district and
landowner education as needed
October-February(2004):
Extension Coordinator, Forestry
Agent
fire district grant writing assistance;
landowner education; impact assessment; final
report to advisory council
2004March-September:
Extension Coordinator, summer help,
Forestry Agent
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Personnel
Forestry Agent .07 FTE
Extension Coordinator
Hourly summer help
Subtotal
$ 8,552.00
$83,260.00
$28,800.00
$120,612.00
Fringe Benefits
Forestry Agent @ 27%
Extension Coordinator @ 31%
Hourly summer help 16%
Subtotal
$ 2,993.00
$25,811.00
$4,608.00
$33,412.00
Travel
For Extension Coordinator
For Hourly summer help (ssi)
Subtotal
$5,500.00
$2,000.00
$7,500.00
Equipment
three laptops & accessories
lcd projector
Subtotal
$5,000.00
$4,000.00
$9,000.00
$0.00
Supplies
Program Supplies
Subtotal
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
Applicant
Partner 2
Total
$0.00
$8,552.00
$83,260.00
$28,800.00
$120,612.00
$0.00
$2,993.00
$25,811.00
$4,608.00
$33,412.00
$0.00
$5,500.00
$2,000.00
$7,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$5,000.00
$4,000.00
$9,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10,000.00
$44,856.00
$5,000.00
$1,300.00
$11,700.00
$72,856.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Partner 1
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Contractual
Subtotal
Other
Utilities, phone, internet
WSU F&A @ 26% MTDC
Advisory Council member time
Computer and office support
Port of Sk. office space
Subtotal
Total Costs
$10,000.00
$44,856.00
$5,000.00
$1,300.00
$54,856.00
$5,000.00
$1,300.00
$11,700.00
$11,700.00
$226,380.00
$5,000.00
$1,300.00
$11,700.00
$244,380.00
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
$0.00
Note: WSU F&A for Off-Campus projects is 26% of Modified Total Direct Costs, which is total direct
costs less the budgeted equipment.
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.