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:
Oregon Department of Forestry
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
(541) 935-2283
(541) 935-0731
DSPIESSCHA@ODF.STATE.OR.US
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
2600 State Street Salem, OR 97310
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Mr. Arnie Tronson, Facilities Manager & Katie Kause (ODF)
Organization/Jurisdiction:
The High Desert Museum
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
541 382-4754 x 267
(541) 382-5256
atronson@highdesert.org
Project Information
Project Title:
The High Desert Museum's Forest Management & Wildfire Mitigation Program
Project Start:
Project End:
June 1, 2002
May 30, 2005
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$300,000.00
$300,000.00
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
The Museum's "Forest Management & Wildfire Mitigation Program" would provide a silviculture
stand diagnosis, a comprehensive forest management plan, and implementation process. The
highest risk to the Museum is wildfire and the area around it would also be directly impacted by
wildfire. The proposed long-term plan and implementation process would ensure forest health for
this public facility; the 135-acre Museum grounds--consisting of second-growth pine forest, grass,
and bitterbrush vegetation; and the bordering properties--private forests on the north and east, and
National Forest System lands on the south. The long-term plan will identify wildfire risk areas, and
wildfire implementation and mitigation activities will take place on the grounds.
Project Location:
County:
Congressional District:
3.5 Miles So of Bend, OR
Deschutes
2nd
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:
The 135-acre site sits on 135 acres in the middle of National forest, 3.5 miles south of Bend,
Oregon, on Hwy 97, at Township 18s, Range 12e, Section 31.
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
The project will take place on the 135-acre site where The High Desert Museum is located. This is
just 3.5 miles south of the city limits of Bend, Oregon, on Highway 97, which runs north/south through the
center of Oregon. The property is typical of the High Desert area, with large stands of second-growth pines,
bitterbrush, and grasses throughout. This is a migration corridor for elk and deer, and contains other wildlife
as well: squirrels, chipmunks, occasional coyotes, porcupines, owls, hawks, and smaller birds.
The importance of the program is magnified by the fact that the Museum shares borders with Deschutes
National forest on south side and private forest and private homes on the east and north sides. Across
Highway 97, to the west, there are homes scattered amongst the forest on small acreages, increasing in
density closer to the city limits. Any risk management program the Museum takes will reduce the existing
wildfire threat to bordering properties. The Deschutes National Forest's ongoing fire mitigation programs
will work in conjunction with the Museum's plan, making the entire area safer for both the forests, the
Museum site, and the neighboring communities.
Because this is a comprehensive long-term forest management plan that will address issues and implementation procedures over a 3-year period, a schedule will be developed outlining specific tasks to be taken over an
extended period, with intermittent progress reviews and evaluations scheduled during this time to analyse
progress and suggest any amendments to the plan, as deemed necessary. The long-term plan will be
developed by a professional forestry consultant. Most of the implementation will be conducted by Museum
facilities personnel, under the supervision of Arnie Tronson, Facilities Manager and David Dona, Vice
President for Operations. It is expected that expenses will include fire-fighting equipment needed to perform
the prescribed mitigation efforts. An advisory board will be formed and will include representatives from
federal, state, and local agencies, including Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Fish and Wildlife, and
other professionals. They will meet with the project team and conduct site surveys, as appropriate, to
determine the program's success.
Timeline for this project allows a start date of June 2002, ending in May 2005. With the success of this
program, there is a strong likelihood that these efforts will continue on an ongoing basis. This proposal
would cover a 3-year period, with major tasks and accomplishments listed below:
Year One:
> Develop a Comprehensive Forest Management Plan.
> Form Wildfire Forest Advisory Team.
> Identify Wildfire Risk Areas.
> Purchase Equipment and Begin Action to Mitigate Wildfire Risk.
Year Two:
> Continue Wildfire Mitigation Activities.
> Forest Advisory Team Conducts Review and Inspection of Mitigation Progress and Forest Health.
Year Three:
> Continue Wildfire Mitigation Activities.
> Forest Advisory Team Conducts Review and Inspection of Progress and Forest Health.
Response:
A required Community Assistance NFP Grant Information Form has been filed with Jon Stewart, DNF.
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:
The purpose of this proposal is to reduce the risk of wildfire at the Museum site and in the High Desert areas
surrounding Museum. The Museum's 135-acres and all areas surrounding the Museum are in dense
overgrown mixed pine forests, grass, and sage vegetation, which is very representative of the fuel type found
in many of the Wildland Urban Interface areas in central and eastern Oregon. Rainfall is minimal, therefore
the site and the areas around it are in the center of a high-risk area. Several uncontrolled fires have occurred
in the immediate area, including the Awbrey Butte Fire and the Skeleton Fires which destroyed acres of forest
and many private homes. Both of these fires were within a few miles of the Museum grounds. The Museum's
fire mitigation efforts will enhance the on-going efforts being conducted on the Deschutes National Forest
property, which is adjacent to the site. The Museum is playing a leadership role through several projects
which involve educating Museum visitors and the community by providing free education programs,
including a Wildfire Lecture Series. Also, the Museum is designing and building a new forest wildfire
interpretive trail, fire ecology programs, and a forestry exhibit on the grounds, which is dedicated to
educating the public on the history of fire and the existing wilfire hazards in the High Desert, funded through
the ODF. Long-term forest health requires that mitigation activities remain ongoing.
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?
To carry out the steps in this proposal, several positive economical factors will occur, stimulating
economic activity in the community as we:
1) Purchase appropriate fire-fighting equipment and fire mitigation tools and supplies.
2) Hire a professional forestry consultant to produce the Comprehensive Forestry Management Plan.
3) Hire a full-time permanent Museum facilities and maintainence person to help perform wildfire mitigation.
4) Hire 1-2 seasonal forestry interns from Oregon State University Forestry Dept. (will receive stipends).
5) Museum staff travels to conduct research for project.
In addition, while the use of an Advisory Committee will be an inkind donation, there will be travel and
accommodations expenses incurred during their visits to the Museum, providing additional economic activity
in the community. During the clearing process, the use of other inkind personnel from the local community
may require use of food services or rental of buses.
Any logged large-diameter pine trees will be planed in the Museum's sawmill and sold or used in future
exhibits such as the barn currently under construction. Small trees and underbrush will be mulched and
returned to the forest floor.
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.
Response:
There is a local intergovernmental strategy plan, titled Project Impact, that addresses concerns of wildfire in
the High Desert. Education of the community is of highest importance, if the forest system is to stay healthy
and the area is to remain fire safe. Various agencies and concerned parties have come together to conduct
research and provide educated advice and support to ensure that leaders and individuals in the community,
including The High Desert Museum, take on the leadership role of educating the community and
demonstrating a proper wildfire mitigation plan. Participants in Project Impact represent Central Oregon
Community College Silivulture Students, Oregon State University Forestry Department, The High Desert
Museum, Local Fire Departments, Bureau of Land Management, Warm Springs Tribal Community,
Deschutes National Forest, Oregon Department of Forestry, and US Forest Service.
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:
This project benefits the environmental concerns of the community as the ultimate goal is to preserve the
forests, the land, homes, and the environment, including wildlife, all of which would be severly impacted by
wildfire. The High Desert region is dry and a high-risk area and every effort must be made to include the
community in this process. To this extent, the free Wildfire Lecture Series has covered a variety of lecture
topics twice a month since December 2001 and will continue through summer of July 2002. After the Fire
Interpretive Trail is completed, fire education programs are implemented, and the High Desert Fire History
Exhibit is constructed, the Museum will reach approximately 160,000 visitors per year as they tour the
Museum grounds, in addition to those who sign up for the education classes.
An Advisory Committee will donate hours of expertise and services during planning, designing, and
implementation phases of this project. In addition, it is expected that local fire services will be involved on
an inkind basis, donating personell hours and possibly equipment, as needed, during the fire mitigation
procedures.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Develop Long-Term Comprehensive Forest
Management Plan (CFMP).
First Two Months of Year One.
1) Outside Professional Forestry
Consultant.
2) OSU Forestry Interns.
3) Museum Staff.
4) Forest Advisory Team.
Implement Action Steps Identified in CFMP.
Purchase of Equipment and Tools.
Begin Wildfire Mitigation Activities.
Third Month of Year One, through Year
end.
1) Museum Staff.
2) OSU Forestry Interns.
Continue CFMP Action Steps and Wildfire
Mitigation Activities.
Throughout Year Two.
1) Museum Staff.
Conduct Forest Advisory Team Review of
Progress & Inspection of Forest.
End of Year Two.
1) Forest Advisory Team.
2) Museum Staff.
Continue CFMP Action Steps and Wildfire
Mitigation Activities.
Throughout Year Three.
1) Museum Staff.
Conduct Forest Advisory Team Review of
Progress and Inspection of Forest.
End of Year Three.
1) Forest Advisory Team.
2) Museum Staff.
Conduct External Review of Progress and
Identify Next Action Steps.
End of Year Three.
1) External Review Team.
Update CFMP Using Recommendations
Identified in Review Process.
End of Year Three.
1) Forest Advisory Team.
2) Museum Staff.
Enclosure 3D Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Personnel
Wilfire Mitigation and Fuel
Reduction Activities
Subtotal
Federal
Agency
$133,440.00
$133,440.00
Fringe Benefits
Wildfire Mitigation and Fuel
Reduction Activities
Subtotal
$33,360.00
$33,360.00
Travel
Forestry Advisory Team
Contractors, Staff
Subtotal
$1,500.00
$1,000.00
$2,500.00
Equipment
Fire Fighting Equipment
Fire Prevention Equipment
Subtotal
$37,000.00
$35,000.00
$72,000.00
Applicant
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Partner 1
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Partner 2
Total
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$133,440.00
$133,440.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$33,360.00
$33,360.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,500.00
$1,000.00
$2,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$37,000.00
$35,000.00
$72,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$7,500.00
$7,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$6,200.00
$0.00
$6,200.00
Supplies
Wlildfire Prevention & Fuel
Reduction Supplies
Subtotal
$7,500.00
$7,500.00
Contractual
Forest Consultant
$6,200.00
Subtotal
$6,200.00
Other
Fire Prevention Improvements
$45,000.00
Subtotal
$45,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$45,000.00
$0.00
$45,000.00
Total Costs
$300,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$300,000.00
Project (Program) Income1
(using deductive alternative)
1
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$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.