Benton County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Committee in Cooperation with the Benton County Fire Defense Board and Northwest Management, Inc
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Benton County, Oregon Community Wildfi re Protection Plan Community Wildfi re Protection Plan AAAdddooopppttteeeddd bbbyyy ttthhheee BBBeeennntttooonnn CCCooouuunnntttyyy BBBoooaaarrrddd ooofff CCCooommmmmmiiissssssiiiooonnneeerrrsss JJJuuunnneee 222000000999 1500 Road Fire - Polk County, Oregon 2007 This plan was developed by the Benton County Community Wildfire Protection Plan committee in cooperation with the Benton County Fire Defense Board and Northwest Management, Inc. (Tel: 208-883-4488). Acknowledgments This Community Wildfire Protection Plan represents the efforts and cooperation of a number of organizations and agencies working together to improve preparedness for wildfire events while reducing factors of risk. West Oregon Forest Protective Association To obtain copies of this plan contact: Chris Bentley, Project Coordinator Phone: 541-766-6293 Benton County Community Development Department Fax: 541-766-6891 360 SW Avery Avenue Corvallis, Oregon 97330 Table of Contents FORWARD....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 OVERVIEW OF THIS PLAN AND ITS DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................................... 3 GOALS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES................................................................................................................................................... 4 Planning Philosophy and Goals........................................................................................................................................................... 4 United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) ................................................................................................................... 5 State and Federal CWPP Guidelines ................................................................................................................................................... 5 INTEGRATION WITH OTHER LOCAL PLANNING DOCUMENTS ........................................................................................................... 6 Benton County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (2006)......................................................................................................................... 6 Benton County Hazard Analysis – Emergency Operations Plan (2006).............................................................................................. 7 Benton County Comprehensive Plan (2007) ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Corvallis Forest Stewardship Plan (2006) ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Marys River Estates and Vineyard Mountain Community Wildfire Protection Plans (2007) ............................................................. 8 Response Guide to Wildland Fires During Extreme Fire Behavior Events ......................................................................................... 8 Oregon Department of Forestry – West Oregon District Mobilization Plan........................................................................................ 8 Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of 1997......................................................................................................... 9 Benton County Forestland Classification ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals and Guidelines ..........................................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 DOCUMENTING THE PLANNING PROCESS........................................................................................................................ 13 DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING PROCESS .................................................................................................................................... 13 THE PLANNING TEAM ................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Multi-Jurisdictional Participation .......................................................................................................................................................14 PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETINGS ............................................................................................................................................... 15 Committee Meeting Minutes..............................................................................................................................................................15 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.................................................................................................................................................................. 16 News Releases....................................................................................................................................................................................16 Public Mail Survey.............................................................................................................................................................................17 Public Meetings..................................................................................................................................................................................20 Documented Review Process .............................................................................................................................................................22 Continued Public Involvement ...........................................................................................................................................................22 CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 BENTON COUNTY CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................................................................... 23 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE .......................................................................................................................................................... 23 POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS ............................................................................................................................................... 23 Land Ownership .................................................................................................................................................................................24 NATURAL RESOURCES .................................................................................................................................................................. 25 Biota...................................................................................................................................................................................................25 Hydrology ..........................................................................................................................................................................................26 Air Quality..........................................................................................................................................................................................26 Oregon State Smoke Management Plan .............................................................................................................................................27 CHAPTER 4 ................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 RISK AND PREPAREDNESS ASSESSMENTS ........................................................................................................................ 29 WILDLAND FIRE CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................................................................................. 29 Weather ..............................................................................................................................................................................................29 Topography ........................................................................................................................................................................................29 Fuels ...................................................................................................................................................................................................30 WILDFIRE HAZARDS ....................................................................................................................................................................