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:
Lost River Airport Assoc.
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509-996-8144
freeman@methow.com
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
16 Mercer Road, Mazama, WA 98833
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
Linda Freeman, President
Organization/Jurisdiction:
Lost River Airport Assoc. (LRAA)
Phone:
FAX:
Email:
509-996-8144
freeman@methow.com
Project Information
Project Title:
Hazard Assessment, “Firewise” Workshop, Develop Defensible Spaces & Treat Fuels
Project Start:
Project End:
July 2002
November 2004
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$380,000
$467,550
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No – But priorities are shown in the project descriptions
Brief Project Description:
This project is to conduct a hazard assessment and “Firewise” Workshop and follow up with
development of defensible spaces and fuels treatments for 295 lot subdivision. Tasks by priority
are:
Grant Request
Project Total
1. Conduct Hazard Assessments (295 Lots)
$ 15,000
$ 18,750
2. Conduct Localized “Firewise” Workshop
$
$
3. Implement Community Fire Prot. Plan
$ 26,700
$ 33,200
4. Treat Def. Spaces/Fuels – Upper (106 Ac.)
$262,900
$339,200
4. Treat Def. Spaces/Fuels – Lower (47 Ac.)
$ 71,400
$ 71,400
$380,000
$467,550
Project Location:
Winthrop/Mazama, WA
4,000
County:
5,000
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/Mazama 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
Address these
 project implementation
items as
 anticipated outcomes
applicable:
 measures and reporting
 partners
Response: Lost River Airport is a 296-parcel





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
subdivision at the junction of the Methow and Lost Rivers
upriver from Mazama and 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 at the head of the valley immediately below
National Forest lands and adjacent to Nature Conservancy lands. Much of the area is in dense forest cover
with intermingled crowns and ladder fuels. 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 LRAA is in the process of developing a fire
station on-site but little action has taken place to treat the hazardous fuels condition. This request is to
conduct hazard assessments on all the lots, to conduct a “Firewise” workshop to build community support, to
equip the fire station and to develop defensible spaces and treat the fuels. Work would begin as soon as the
grant was approved and would be completed by the end of 2004.
Lost River Airport Association, the duly formed, non-profit organization, representing the entire Lost River
Airport 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 has implemented timber and fuels treatment projects on adjacent
National Forest land to complement these efforts. The FS, DNR and local fire district are active participants
in the planning, design and implementation of the project.
Two vegetative conditions exist: (1) a dense forest cover of small Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine on the
upper level averaging 590 trees per acre with pockets over 900, a basal area of 145 sq.ft./Ac. and an average
diameter of 9 inches, and (2) Scattered large ponderosa pine and cottonwood with heavy down fuels
concentrations on the lower level. The Methow River dries up in the fall in this segment but shade and
riparian values would be protected and enhanced by plantings. Treatment will restore the forest to a more
sustainable condition and give protection to the development. No T&E species of plants or animals, cultural
resource or other environmental concerns are known to exist on the site. During fuels treatments some
merchantable material (about 1,500 board feet per acre) would be removed from the upper level and the
timber revenues would be used to reduce overall project costs. Cost estimates were developed from similar
work being conducted in nearby developments.
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. Hazard Assessments – 295 lots
$ 18,750
$ 3,750
$ 15,000
2. Conduct “Firewise” Workshop
$ 5,000
$ 1,000
$ 4,000
3. Implement Fire Prot. Plan
$ 33,200
$ 6,500
$ 26,700
4. Treat Fuels-Upper – 225 lots, 106 ac.
$339,200
$ 76,300*
$262,900
4. Treat Fuels-Lower - 70 lots, 47 ac.
$ 71,400
$
0__
$ 71,400
TOTALS
295 lots, 153 ac.
$467,550
$ 87,550
$380,000
* Timber Revenues Invested in the Project
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 on the upper level 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 Lost River Airport community and
developments down-valley. The lower level areas contain heavy concentration of down fuels and scattered overmature ponderosa
pine and cottonwood, many overhanging and a hazard to the overhead powerlines. Treatment objectives are to develop defensible
spaces around structures, to remove powerline danger trees, to reduce the stocking levels on the upper level to 40-60 sq.ft./ac and
the fuel loading to 6-8 tons/ac. 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 Lost River Airport community lies at the head of the Methow River Valley adjacent to National Forest land with Nature
Conservancy lands across the river. A wildfire inside the community could threaten these lands as well as the developments downvalley to the community of Mazama. The Forest Service and some of the nearby landowners have conducted fuel treatments in
coordination with this project. The on-site fire station provides prompt initial attack for any fires starting in the upper valley. The
project can be used as a model for other associations in the area. Other associations, landowners and officials will be invited to the
“Firewise” workshop and the project will be showcased to anyone interested.
The Lost River Airport Association board is aware that these treatments will need to be maintained and are committed to these
actions. They have the capability to assess lot owners to accomplish needed projects. Also the Board is considering “Firewise”
conditions for any new construction.
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 Lost River Airport 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 170
thousand board feet with a delivered value of about $76,000. These revenues will be used to reduce the total cost of the project.
There is an estimated 5 tons per acre of small sized logs (down to 2” top diameter) and large cottonwood logs that need to be
removed also. 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 piled and burned in 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 on-site fire station and conduct of the “Firewise” workshop. Bill Moody, North Cascades Fire Service, is
organizing and facilitating the “Firewise” workshop.
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: Lost River Airport community lot owners will have individual hazard assessments and “Firewise” information and
other notices prior to the “Firewise” workshop. Demonstration treatments will be in place to show the benefits of treatment The
strategy is to bring the lot owners along so the entire community can be treated on a “landscape” scale. Other associations and
subdivision groups will also be invited to attend the workshop and interested individuals will be informed by a local news release.
In addition to the grant funds an estimated $76,300 of timber revenues will be contributed to the project. This contribution reduces
the grant request. Also LRAA will contribute $6,100 to implementing the on-site fire station and Cascade Woodlands is donating
$5,150 in labor.
The project will address a serious, unnatural resource condition and move the forest towards a sustainable, fire adapted condition.
Lost River Airport landowners, down-valley landowners and the public benefit all 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
Summer 2002
Spring 2003
LRAA & Cascade Woodlands
Implement Community Fire Protection Plan –
Equip & Finish On-Site Fire Station
Fall 2002 & Spring 2003
LRAA
Complete Defensible Spaces and
Fuels Treatment – Upper Level
(106 acres)
Summer 2003 and 2004
LRAA & Cascade Woodlands
Complete Defensible Spaces and Fuels
Treatment and Remove Danger Trees–
Lower Level
(47 acres)
Summer 2003 and 2004
LRAA and Cascade Woodlands
Enclosure 3D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Applicant
Cascade Woodlands
$26,700
$6,100
$ 400
$33,200
$ 19,000
$334,300
$353,300
$4,750
$76,300
$76,300
$4,750
$ 23,750
$410,600
$434,350
$380,000
$82,400
$5,150
$467,550
$76,300
Timber Revenue
Partner 2
Total
Personnel
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Subtotal
Travel
Subtotal
Equipment
Subtotal
Supplies
Fire Station Supplies
Ssupplies
Subtotal
Contractual
Assessments, Workshop & Plans
Treatment
Operators
Treatment
Operators
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
Total Costs
Project (Program) Income1
1
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.