DOCSLIB.ORG

Floods Risks Following Wildland Fires a Case Study: Plain, Washington

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Floods Risks Following Wildland Fires a Case Study: Plain, Washington Floods Risks following Wildland Fires A Case Study: Plain, Washington A B Cover: Counter clockwise from the 2017 Google map image A near Plain WA illustrates a probable managed forest scenario. Clockwise from the 2006 image of the same area, B offers an unmanaged scenario. The low intensity prescribed burn picture was taken off the sanjuanheadwaters.org web page. The high intensity fire picture is of the 2006 Tripod Fire Complex taken off the Inciweb.org web site. See report for other picture sources. Table of Contents Introduction/Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 9 Research Approach ................................................................................................................................... 9 Forest Stresses and Resilience ................................................................................................................ 10 Scenarios ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 Risk Reduction and Uncertainty ............................................................................................................. 12 Background ................................................................................................................................................. 13 Fire Regimes ........................................................................................................................................... 14 Effects of Climate Change on Northwest Forests ................................................................................... 15 Fire Effects on the Ecosystem ................................................................................................................. 17 Fuel Management ................................................................................................................................... 18 Post-fire Rehabilitation ........................................................................................................................... 19 Soil Immobilization Treatments .............................................................................................................. 19 Channel Treatments ............................................................................................................................... 20 Streambank Protection ........................................................................................................................... 20 Reforestation .......................................................................................................................................... 20 Adaptive cycle .................................................................................................................................... 20 Study Area ................................................................................................................................................... 22 Policy Framework ................................................................................................................................... 22 Chelan County Comprehensive Plan .................................................................................................. 22 Chelan County Multi-Jurisdiction Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan .................................................... 24 Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) ....................................................................................................... 25 Firewise Communities Neighbor to Neighbor .................................................................................... 25 Scenario Planning ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Scenario Futures ..................................................................................................................................... 26 Wildfire ................................................................................................................................................... 27 Flooding .................................................................................................................................................. 27 Flood risk mapping ............................................................................................................................. 28 Determination of discharge ............................................................................................................... 28 Population .............................................................................................................................................. 30 Scenario Futures ..................................................................................................................................... 32 Public Process ............................................................................................................................................. 34 Workshop ............................................................................................................................................... 34 Round 1: Community Values and Direction ........................................................................................... 35 Values ................................................................................................................................................. 35 Goals ................................................................................................................................................... 36 Round 2: Future Conditions (Four Scenarios) ........................................................................................ 36 Discussions ......................................................................................................................................... 36 Scenario 1: Local Renewal ................................................................................................................. 37 Impacted Values ................................................................................................................................. 40 Scenario 2: Community Transformation ............................................................................................ 43 Scenario 3: Local Reorganization ....................................................................................................... 48 Community Review and Comment Process ....................................................................................... 59 Round 3: Strategies................................................................................................................................. 59 Commonalities apparent from all scenarios ...................................................................................... 59 Major Themes .................................................................................................................................... 59 Risk Reduction Approaches Common to All Scenarios ...................................................................... 60 Reducing fire risk to life and property................................................................................................ 60 Pathways that would reduce choices of future actions ..................................................................... 61 Survey ................................................................................................................................................. 62 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 63 Uncertainties .......................................................................................................................................... 63 Addressing Uncertain Futures ................................................................................................................ 63 References .................................................................................................................................................. 65 Appendix A: First Steering Committee Meeting Participant List ................................................................ 72 Appendix B: Second Steering Committee Meeting Participant List............................................................ 73 Appendix C: Workshop Participant List....................................................................................................... 74 Appendix D: Wildfires as Drivers................................................................................................................. 75 Appendix E: Projecting Post-Wildfire Flooding Exposure & Vulnerability .................................................. 77 Appendix F: Workshop Meeting Notes ....................................................................................................... 81 Appendix G: Survey ................................................................................................................................... 101 Appendix H: Improvement ........................................................................................................................ 109 Figure 1: Study area: Community of Plain, WA ............................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Lake Wenatchee/Plain Area Community Wildfire Protection Plan
    FINAL Lake Wenatchee/Plain Area Community Wildfire Protection Plan July 2007 Prepared by Chelan County Conservation District with assistance from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Chelan County Fire District #9, United States Forest Service and concerned citizens of Chelan County Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................1 Vision and Goals......................................................................................................1 Community Awareness ...........................................................................................1 Values .....................................................................................................................1 2. PLANNING AREA........................................................................................................2 General Description of the Area ..............................................................................2 General Description of Planning Area Regions ......................................................4 3. PLANNING PROCESS.................................................................................................7 Background..............................................................................................................7 Process and Partners ................................................................................................8 4. ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................................15
    [Show full text]
  • Wenatchee National Forest
    United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Wenatchee National Forest Pacific Northwest Region Annual Report on Wenatchee Land and Resource Management Plan Implementation and Monitoring for Fiscal Year 2003 Wenatchee National Forest FY 2003 Monitoring Report - Land and Resource Management Plan 1 I. INTRODUCTTION Purpose of the Monitoring Report General Information II. SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS III. INDIVIDUAL MONITORING ITEMS RECREATION Facilities Management – Trails and Developed Recreation Recreation Use WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS Wild, Scenic And Recreational Rivers SCENERY MANAGEMENT Scenic Resource Objectives Stand Character Goals WILDERNESS Recreation Impacts on Wilderness Resources Cultural Resources (Heritage Resources) Cultural and Historic Site Protection Cultural and Historic Site Rehabilitation COOPERATION OF FOREST PROGRAMS with INDIAN TRIBES American Indians and their Culture Coordination and Communication of Forest Programs with Indian Tribes WILDLIFE Management Indicator Species -Primary Cavity Excavators Land Birds Riparian Dependent Wildlife Species Deer, Elk and Mountain Goat Habitat Threatened and Endangered Species: Northern Spotted Owl Bald Eagle (Threatened) Peregrine Falcon Grizzly Bear Gray Wolf (Endangered) Canada Lynx (Threatened) Survey and Manage Species: Chelan Mountainsnail WATERSHEDS AND AQUATIC HABITATS Aquatic Management Indicator Species (MIS) Populations Riparian Watershed Standard Implementation Monitoring Watershed and Aquatic Habitats Monitoring TIMBER and RELATED SILVICULTURAL ACTIVITIES Timer Sale Program Reforestation Timber Harvest Unit Size, Shape and Distribution Insect and Disease ROADS Road Management and Maintenance FIRE Wildfire Occurrence MINERALS Mine Site Reclamation Mine Operating Plans GENERAL MONITORING of STANDARDS and GUIDELINES General Standards and Guidelines IV. FOREST PLAN UPDATE Forest Plan Amendments List of Preparers Wenatchee National Forest FY 2003 Monitoring Report - Land and Resource Management Plan 2 I.
    [Show full text]
  • April 2016 Report
    Editor’s Note: Recreation Reports are printed every other week. April 26, 2016 Its spring, which means nice weather, wildflowers, bugs, fast flowing rivers and streams, and opening of national forest campgrounds. There are 137 highly developed campgrounds, six horse camps and 16 group sites available for use in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Opening these sites after the long winter season requires a bit more effort than just unlocking a gate. Before a campground can officially open for use the following steps need to occur: 1. Snow must be gone and campground roads need to be dry. 2. Hazard tree assessments occur. Over the winter trees may have fallen or may be leaning into other trees, or broken branches may be hanging up in limbs above camp spots. These hazards must be removed before it is safe for campers to use the campground. 3. Spring maintenance must occur. Crews have to fix anything that is broken or needs repair. That includes maintenance and repair work on gates, bathrooms/outhouses, picnic tables, barriers that need to be replaced or fixed, shelters, bulletin boards, etc. 4. Water systems need to be tested and repairs made, also water samples are sent to county health departments to be tested to ensure the water is safe for drinking. 5. Garbage dumpsters have to be delivered. 6. Once dumpsters are delivered, garbage that had been left/dumped in campgrounds over the winter needs to be removed. 7. Vault toilets have to be pumped out by a septic company. 8. Outhouses need to be cleaned and sanitized and supplies restocked.
    [Show full text]
  • GEOLOGIC MAP of the CHELAN 30-MINUTE by 60-MINUTE QUADRANGLE, WASHINGTON by R
    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR TO ACCOMPANY MAP I-1661 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE CHELAN 30-MINUTE BY 60-MINUTE QUADRANGLE, WASHINGTON By R. W. Tabor, V. A. Frizzell, Jr., J. T. Whetten, R. B. Waitt, D. A. Swanson, G. R. Byerly, D. B. Booth, M. J. Hetherington, and R. E. Zartman INTRODUCTION Bedrock of the Chelan 1:100,000 quadrangle displays a long and varied geologic history (fig. 1). Pioneer geologic work in the quadrangle began with Bailey Willis (1887, 1903) and I. C. Russell (1893, 1900). A. C. Waters (1930, 1932, 1938) made the first definitive geologic studies in the area (fig. 2). He mapped and described the metamorphic rocks and the lavas of the Columbia River Basalt Group in the vicinity of Chelan as well as the arkoses within the Chiwaukum graben (fig. 1). B. M. Page (1939a, b) detailed much of the structure and petrology of the metamorphic and igneous rocks in the Chiwaukum Mountains, further described the arkoses, and, for the first time, defined the alpine glacial stages in the area. C. L. Willis (1950, 1953) was the first to recognize the Chiwaukum graben, one of the more significant structural features of the region. The pre-Tertiary schists and gneisses are continuous with rocks to the north included in the Skagit Metamorphic Suite of Misch (1966, p. 102-103). Peter Misch and his students established a framework of North Cascade metamorphic geology which underlies much of our construct, especially in the western part of the quadrangle. Our work began in 1975 and was essentially completed in 1980.
    [Show full text]
  • Resource Name (Heading 1)
    United States Department of Agriculture Forest-wide Site-Specific Invasive Plant Management Final Environmental Impact Statement Okanogan, Chelan, Yakima, and Kittitas Counties in Washington for the greatest good August 2016 Cover photo: Field of whitetop. In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, of- fices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda. gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.
    [Show full text]
  • Methow River Assessment of the Twisp to Carlton Reach January 2017, Final
    Methow River Assessment of the Twisp to Carlton Reach January 2017, Final Methow River Assessment of the Twisp to Carlton Reach Document Information Prepared for Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group Project Name Methow River Assessment of the Twisp to Carlton Reach Project Number E316005900 Project Manager Jon Ambrose Date January 2017, Final Prepared for: Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group Matt Shales, Project Manager, PO Box 3162, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Prepared by: Cardno, Inc. 801 Second Avenue, Suite 700, Seattle, WA 98104 January 2017, Final Cardno, Inc. Document Information i Methow River Assessment of the Twisp to Carlton Reach This Page Intentionally Left Blank ii Document Information Cardno, Inc. January 2017, Final Methow River Assessment of the Twisp to Carlton Reach Table of Contents 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................... 1-1 2 Background ..................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2 Study Area ........................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.3 Fish Use and Population Status ......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Cle Elum River
    Wild and Scenic Rivers Eligibility Assessment Wenatchee National Forest APPENDIX E ASSESSMENT OF RNERS AS TO THEIR ELIGIBILITYAND SUITABILITY FOR DESIGNATION UNDER THE WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT I. INTRODUCTION The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, as amended, was enacted by Congress to provide Federal protection for selected free-flowing rivers within the United States. During the initial preparation of the Draft Envl- ronmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and The Proposed Land and Resource Management Plan for the Wenatchee National Forest, a study of certain rivers on the Forest was undertaken to determine their potential eligibility and suitability for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic River System. At that time, the study was confined, with the exception of the Entiat drainage, to those rivers listed on the Nationwide Rivers Inventory, originally published by the Department of Intenor in 1980, and updated in 1982. This inventory was developed to identify rivers which would, by virtue of then exceptional natural, cultural, scenic or recreation resources, qualify for further consideration for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System. The Wenatchee, White and Chiwawa Rivers, and Icicle Creek were identifed in the mventory as meeting these criteria. The mitial Forest planning effort also included the Entiat River and two tributaries, in response to public interest expressed at that time. As a result of both in-Service review and the analysis of comments received from the public during the comment period for the DEIS, the Forest Supervisor assigned an Interdisciplinary (ID) Team the task of malong a reassessment of eligibility for all rivers on the Wenatchee National Forest.
    [Show full text]
  • Behind the Hammer
    FALL 2016 Behind the HAMMER COVER STORY — TEXAS People who don’t call it quits 4 A SPARK AWAY FROM DISASTER 8 ALL WITH ONE PURPOSE 10 KANSAS UNIT CONTINUES TRADITION 12 Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters in Canada and the United States. While the main focus is on clean up, repair and rebuilding homes, this service touches lives and nurtures hope, faith and wholeness. Our programs, funded by contributions, aim to assist the most vulnerable community members, individuals and families who, Mennonite without assistance, would not have ON THE COVER Disaster the means to recover. MDS volunteers MDS volunteer Service Stefan Penner — women and men, youth and adults — clears out burnt Behind the Hammer is published quarterly by provide the skills and labor needed to trees in Bastrop, Texas. Photo by Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and is available respond, rebuild and restore. Andrew Huth. for free upon request. This magazine shares the stories of MDS work in the U.S. and Canada and of the more than 4,000 volunteers who are the core of MDS. The stories are meant to encourage people to COVER FEATURE — TEXAS continue expressing the love of God through the People who don’t call it quits 4 work of MDS. FEATURE — WASHINGTON Executive Director: Kevin King A spark away from disaster 8 Editor: Mark Beach Contributors: Susan Kim, Andrew Huth, Jon Rutter, VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Kristin Troyer, Paul Hunt All with one purpose 10 Designer: Julie Kauffman
    [Show full text]
  • WA Template Final Draft 4-1-13.Indd
    Skagit River. Cover Photo: Hoh River and Olympic Mountains. Letter from the President ivers are the great treasury of biological noted scientists and other experts reviewed the survey design, and diversity in the western United States. state-specifi c experts reviewed the results for each state. RAs evidence mounts that climate is The result is a state-by-state list of more than 250 of the West’s changing even faster than we feared, it outstanding streams, some protected, some still vulnerable. The becomes essential that we create sanctuaries Great Rivers of the West is a new type of inventory to serve the on our best, most natural rivers that will modern needs of river conservation—a list that Western Rivers harbor viable populations of at-risk species— Conservancy can use to strategically inform its work. not only charismatic species like salmon, but a broad range of aquatic and terrestrial This is one of 11 state chapters in the report. Also available are a species. summary of the entire report, as well as the full report text. That is what we do at Western Rivers Conservancy. We buy land With the right tools in hand, Western Rivers Conservancy is to create sanctuaries along the most outstanding rivers in the West seizing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to acquire and protect – places where fi sh, wildlife and people can fl ourish. precious streamside lands on some of America’s fi nest rivers. With a talented team in place, combining more than 150 years This is a time when investment in conservation can yield huge of land acquisition experience and offi ces in Oregon, California, dividends for the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Upper Wenatchee River Stream Corridor Assessment and Habitat Restoration Strategy
    UPPER WENATCHEE RIVER STREAM CORRIDOR ASSESSMENT AND HABITAT RESTORATION STRATEGY YAKAMA NATION FISHERIES | PO BOX 15, FORT ROAD | TOPPENISH, WA 98948 Prepared by INTER‐FLUVE, INC. 1020 WASCO STREET, SUITE I | HOOD RIVER, OR 97031 541.386.9003 | www.interfluve.com This page left blank for printing purposes. UPPER WENATCHEE RIVER STREAM CORRIDOR ASSESSMENT AND HABITAT RESTORATION STRATEGY Prepared for YAKAMA NATION FISHERIES PO Box 15, Fort Road Toppenish, WA 98948 Prepared by INTER-FLUVE, INC. 1020 Wasco Street, Suite I Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 386.9003 www.interfluve.com August 2012 This page left blank for printing purposes. UPPER WENATCHEE RIVER ASSESSMENT Acknowledgements: The Yakama Nation and Inter-Fluve would like to thank numerous entities and individuals for their assistance in this assessment effort. Entities that have provided technical assistance and input include the U.S. Forest Service, Chelan County, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Washington State Parks, and the Upper Columbia Regional Technical Team (RTT). Rob Richardson, with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, provided useful input that improved the final report. Numerous landowners along the river corridor allowed for access to the river and provided useful information on site conditions and river history. The Upper Valley Museum, the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, and Bryon Newell provided historical information and photos. Image credit: Unless otherwise noted, aerial imagery used in maps and figures are Bing Maps provided through ESRI ArcMaps. Upper Wenatchee River Stream Corridor Assessment and Habitat Restoration Strategy Yakama Nation Fisheries Page i UPPER WENATCHEE RIVER ASSESSMENT Table of Contents 1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................1 1.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • July 2016 Report
    Editor’s Note: Recreation Reports are printed every other week. July 20, 2016 For those contemplating a short day hike or a long trek into the backcountry, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest visitors need to keep a few safety guidelines in mind before heading to the woods. People generally get in trouble hiking because they are not prepared, don’t have the necessary equipment, experience or ability. Here are a few safety guidelines to ensure that your trip is a safe one. Essentials you should take with you: Water. Always take water with you. It’s very easy to become dehydrated. Food. Pack healthy food you can snack on during your hike. First Aid Kit. For those short day hikes, take a little first aid kit that contains things for scrapes and cuts and for insect stings or bites. For the longer hikes, be sure to carry a more extensive first aid kit that might contain pain relievers, roller bandages, gauze, tape, etc. Layers of clothing. As weather conditions change, add or remove clothing so that you are comfortable. With the recent storm front that have recently moved through the state, rain gear would also be appropriate for those contemplating multi-day excursions. What about navigational aids? No, you don’t have to have the latest GPS unit or app on your phone. You do need to have a basic knowledge of the area where you’re going before you go, though. Know how to read a map and carry it with you on your trip. If you have a compass and know how to use it take it along, too.
    [Show full text]
  • 1957
    the Mountaineer 1958 COPYRIGHT 1958 BY THE MOUNTAINEERS Entered as second,class matter, April 18, 1922, at Post Office in Seattle, Wash., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published monthly and semi-monthly during March and December by THE MOUNTAINEERS, P. 0. Box 122, Seattle 11, Wash. Clubroom is at 523 Pike Street in Seattle. Subscription price of the current Annual is $2.00 per copy. To be considered for publication in the 1959 Annual articles must be sub, mitted to the Annual Committee before Oct. 1, 1958. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. For further information address The MOUNTAINEERS, P. 0. Box 122, Seattle, Washington. The Mountaineers THE PURPOSE: to explore and study the mountains, forest and water courses of the Northwest; to gather into permanent form the history and traditions of this region; to preserve by the encouragement of protective legislation or otherwise, the natural beauty of Northwest America; to make expeditions into these regions in fulfillment of the above purposes; to encourage a spirit of good fellowship among all lovers of outdoor life. OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES Paul W. Wiseman, President Don Page, Secretary Roy A. Snider, Vice-president Richard G. Merritt, Treasurer Dean Parkins Herbert H. Denny William Brockman Peggy Stark (Junior Observer) Stella Degenhardt Janet Caldwell Arthur Winder John M. Hansen Leo Gallagher Virginia Bratsberg Clarence A. Garner Harriet Walker OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES: TACOMA BRANCH Keith Goodman, Chairman Val Renando, Secretary Bob Rice, Joe Pullen, LeRoy Ritchie, Winifred Smith OFFICERS: EVERETT BRANCH Frederick L. Spencer, Chairman Mrs. Florence Rogers, Secretary EDITORIAL STAFF Nancy Bickford, Editor, Marjorie Wilson, Betty Manning, Joy Spurr, Mary Kay Tarver, Polly Dyer, Peter Mclellan.
    [Show full text]