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:
541-935-2283
FAX:
Email:
541-935-2283
dspiesscha@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):
David Jacobs, Assistant Unit Forester
Organization/Jurisdiction:
The Dalles Unit, Central Oregon District, Oregon Department of Forestry
Phone:
541-296-4626
FAX:
Email:
541-298-4993
David.j.jacobs@state.or.us
Project Information
Project Title:
Rowena Drainage, Seven Mile Hill Defensible Space & Hazard Fuel Reduction
Project Start:
Project End:
October 2002
September 2005
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$175,000
$205,000
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Yes, priority #1
Brief Project Description:
Provide assistance to non-industrial landowners in the Rowena Drainage of the Seven Mile Hill
area, just outside of The Dalles, for vegetation management to create defensible space, to reduce
fire hazard, and improve forest health in the adjoining timber stands. The funds would be used as a
cost share incentive to allow landowners to make a single entry into stands and treat the total stand
to meet the objective of reducing the fire hazard and improving forest health.
This area is at extreme risk from wildfire due to the increase in rural residences in the Interface, and
the signifant role that the Gorge winds play in creating a potential for disasterous wildfires.
Project Location:
County:
Congressional District:
Rowena Drainage, Seven Mile Hill
Wasco
2nd Walden
Project Type: Check appropriate project type. More than one type may be checked. If only Box (4) is checked, use Enclosure 4.
(1) X 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:
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: Project





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: The area is located in and around the community of Seven Mile Hill a timbered
and grassy zone adjoining the Columbia River National Scenic Area. This area is at significant risk from
wildfire due to the population density and influence that Gorge winds have on the potentially disastrous fires.
Project Implementation: In this area the commercial harvest provides little in the way of profit to the
landowner. The landowner can sometimes make a small profit by doing a commercial thinning. This leaves
the rest of the activities such as precommecial thinning and reduction of the total fuel hazard undone. The
result is a continued fuel buildup and a decrease in forest health. These funds would be used to cost share
with the landowner the total treatment of the site with the objective of reducing the fuel hazard and improving
forest health. The cost share would be only on the portion that would not generate a profit from a commercial
harvest. Cost share incentives would have a base rate of 80%, with additional incentives up to 95%, for
landowners working together, utilization of material and discouraging burning, use of local contractors, and
creating defensible space around improvements. Letters will be sent to each landowner in the grant area
describing the grant and setting up a meeting that will answer additional questions, when a landowner
expresses an interest in participating, a Service Forester will meet with the landowner and decide what needs
to be done. The landowner will sign an agreement that describes the work to be done. When the work is
completed a Service Forester will review and sign off and payment will be made for work completed.
Project Outcome: The outcome of this project will be to reduce the fire hazard and improve forest health on
approximately 2,800 acres and directly and indirectly protect about 200 rural lots and fulltime residences.
This will also serve as a model for landowners and encourage them to take action to protect their personal
investments.
Project Measures & Reporting: Each landowner will sign an agreement that will outline the work to be
accomplished. ODF Salem will issue a control number obligating the estimated amount of grant funds, when
the work is completed the Service Forester will review and sign off on the amount of work completed. ODF
Salem will process payment to the landowner. This process will record the work items accomplished and
amount of acres and the funds spent.
Partners: Partners will be the local landowners.
Project Income: None expected
Project Time Frames: This work would be accomplished between October 2002 and September 2005
Activities & Equipment Used: Activities would include pre-commercial thinning, pruning, material
utilization, such as poles & posts, chips, hog fuel, firewood, and slash disposal, which would include
chipping, piling, and burning. Burning is discouraged but in some cases it may be the only method to dispose
of the fuel hazard. Equipment will range from mechanical harvesters, chippers, chainsaws, grapple pilers,
and dozer piling. Hand crews will be used where possible to minimize ground disturbance activities.
Extent of Actions: The actions would effect approximately 2,800 acres and directly and indirectly protect
about 200 rural lots and full time residences, and the area of Seven Mile Hill, Rowena Drainage with a
population estimated of round 700 people.
Environmental, Cultural, and Historic Resources: All activities will follow the requirements for the Forest
Practices Act. Consultation with ODFW and USFS on threatened and endangered species in the area resulted
in no species identified utilizing both Federal and State species lists. Cultural concerns are present in the
area, however through consultation with the CRGNSA no known cultural sites were identified within the
project area. Contact with USFS biologists and archeologists has resulted in a decision that the project is
“Not Likely to Adversely Affect” any known T&E or Cultural sites.
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: This
project will reduce the fire risk directly by reducing the amount of fuel in the affected area.
First priority will be to create defensible space, the next will be to work in the area directly beyond defensible
space. This will reduce the stand density to an appropriate level for the given site class. By reducing the
stand density and getting the stand to a healthy state, it will be able to withstand a moderate intensity fire.
This project will directly reduce the risk of high intensity fire and thereby reduce the risk to the affected
communities. The potential for removal of bio-mass will depend on the specific site. Estimates range from
25 to 75 tons per acre, the material could be used for chips at the local chip mill, or firewood through local
commercial dealers.
Coordination has taken place with the Columbia River National Scenic Area. This project covers the border
of private timberlands adjoining the National Scenic Area. Similar grants are requested directly to the west of
this grant proposal. CRGNSA has plans for additional fuel reduction treatments on adjacent Federal lands.
This project will help by tying the private and Federal lands together for fuels reduction in a critical area.
This community has been involved in the Firewise and defensable space triage programs. Public meetings,
demonstrations, newspaper articles, fair displays have all recently publicized the issues. Annual triage
programs have been held in the area. It is estimated that in this dry site Pine and Mixed conifer ecosystem
this fuel hazard mitigation will be good for 10 plus years, during which landowners will be encouraged to use
a low intensity fire and fuel removal around structures to maintain the mitigation work.
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: This
grant will stimuate the landowners to explore alternatives for the treatment of their land. The
local community is very aware of and concerned about the fire potential. This will be the boost to help them
make a positive change in reducing the fire hazard and improving forest health. One of the methods of
treatment will be to haul chip logs to the local chip mill in The Dalles which is 5 miles away. Additionally
there is a commercial firewood yard located in Dallesport that can utilize a significant amount of the product
as well. Utilization will be the preferred and recommended method of treatment for the chip logs and
firewood.
This project will help a sagging economy in Wasco County. The timber industry especially is struggling, and
this project has the potential to support other forest related jobs within the area. The diversification would
come from the ability to utilize smaller material and assistance to make it economical to treat these private
non-industrial lands. The local Fire Prevention Coop will share the results through community awareness
programs throughout the Mid Columbia Area.
This projects could potentially be the seed money to keep 25 to 50 people seasonally employeed for
approximately 3 years.
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 grant proposal fits into a strategy of The Dalles Unit and the Central Oregon District to apply for grants
to cover identified Communities at Risk.
Currently one other grant has been funded. This grant was coordinated with the local County Fire Chiefs in
Hood River, as well as representatives from Mt Hood National Forest. The Mt Hood National Forest is
planning to connect their fuel hazard mitigation projects to the work that is being done on private lands within
the Hood River County area.
Cooperation exists between Wasco County, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Mid
Columbia Fire Prevention Coop as well as the local fire district in coordination of grant opportunities. There
are current and ongoing grants with Wasco County covering spatial data informational systems that will be
made available to all interested parties for aid in prevention and response to all risk disasters in addition to
wildfires. This data will be invaluable for use in this grant proposal.
Additionally a onetime only purchase of a computer and GIS software will be utilized to store data from all
NFP grants, in order to share that data with all other cooperators in the area as requested.
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:
There has been a series of Firewise workshops in Central Oregon, in which we have had participants from
Hood River and Wasco Counties. Locally we have had Defensible space presentations to the Small
Woodland Owners, and on site Triage programs for local residents. There have been ongoing displays at the
county fairs, direct mailings to the landowners in the grant areas, public meetings, and newspaper articles.
Local government, economic development, state and federal agencies have met to coordinate opportunities
with the National Fire Plan grants. The counties have grant money and are working in coordination with this
effort as well and the National Forests, and the Oregon Department of Forestry.
The benefits of this project are direct fire hazard reduction, improved forest health, local economic
stimulation, bio-mass utilization, and local government coordination. These projects have proved a stimulus
to getting local agencies to working together. Hood River and Wasco Counties are economically depressed,
and will benefit from this project.
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Identify specific landowners and direct mail
the grant information and set up a meeting for
landowners in the grant area.
October/December 2002
The Dalles Assistant Unit Forester
Office Specialist
Sign up landowner in the program, arrange for
a site visit with the landowner and do a hazard
assessment, determine what activities need to
take place, sign an agreement for the work,
assign a control number and authorize the
work to start.
October 2002 and ongoing through 2005
Service Forester/Forest Officers
Monitor work projects, document activities for
future educational opportunities, check for
compliance with agreement, verify work has
been accomplished, process final payment
record and submit for payment.
October 2002 and ongoing through 2005
Service Forester/Forest Officers
Office Specialist
Use projects as an example of fire hazard
reduction and improved forest health.
October 2002 and ongoing through 2005
Service Forester/Assistant Unit
Forester
Enclosure 3D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Personnel
Service Forester 1.5mths
Forest Officer 2 mths
Office Specialist .5 mths
Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
OPE 37.23%
Subtotal
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
$5,550
$5,000
$1,100
$11,650
$5,500
$5,000
$1,100
$11,650
$4,350
$4,350
$4,350
$4,350
$500
$3,000
$3,500
$500
$3,000
$3,500
$500
$500
$500
$500
Travel
Subtotal
Equipment
Vehicle
Computer W/ GIS software **
Subtotal
Supplies
Service & Supply
Subtotal
Contractual
Landowner Cost Share Agmts
Subtotal
Other
Agency Administration
Subtotal
Total Costs
$150,000
$30,000
$180,000
$150,00
$30,000
$180,000
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$175,000
$205,000
Project (Program) Income1
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.
** One time purchase of computer and GIS software