Waldo Canyon Regional Recovery Group Volunteer Management Subcommittee 2013 Annual Report

WALDO CANYON REGIONAL RECOVERY GROUP VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

“Many hands make light work”

Prepared February 21, 2014

VOLUNTEER WORK ON THE WALDO CANYON BURN SCAR IN 2013

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

During January through December 2013, 47,736 hours were dedicated by over 6,500 volunteers to assist in the recovery from the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire.*

The work on the burn scar was prioritized in May 2013 based on information from the Watershed Assessment of River Stability and Sediment Supply (WARSSS) study. The WARSSS recommended that more than 80% of the water- borne sediment could be reduced by working on six drainages: - North Douglas Creek - Fountain Creek (Ute Pass) - Williams Canyon - Waldo Canyon - Sand Gulch - Wellington Gulch

The major work—installation of sediment catchment basins, channel restoration, and large sand-filled wall structures—could only be done by heavy equipment contractors. Volunteers were initially able to install sand bags and perform in/near channel work on private/county/city properties. Once cultural clearance evaluation

* Information received as of 8 am, January 13, 2014

2 work had been performed on US Forest Service (USFS) lands, volunteer groups began the installation of hill slope mitigation structures, assisted in felling hazard trees, and planted grass seed on specific areas.

Volunteers provided hand work to help burned areas recover, and mitigation against the increased effects of flash flooding from the burn scar. They effectively reduced the amount of sediment that would have come from the burn scar during the summer monsoon season, and significantly increased the extent of regrowth. People assisted those affected by flash flooding adjacent to the burn scar by helping to remove sediment/sludge/floating debris from homes and businesses after the many rain events that occurred during 2013. This outpouring of community support was also evident in assistance provided to flash flood and Black Forest Fire victims who were mentored in recovery by residents of Mountain Shadows.

The appendix at the end of the document provides the levels of effort provided by the volunteer groups through the year.

All 2013 Project Locations

Figure 2: All 2013 recovery project locations on and adjacent to the Waldo Canyon Burn Scar. (Source: Coalition for the Upper South Platte, 2013)3

Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP)

Leading the recovery effort on and adjacent to the Waldo Canyon Burn Scar, CUSP provided the lion’s share of leadership across professional and volunteer projects. Their experience with the Buffalo Creek Wildfire and Hayman Wildfire recovery Seeding above Cascade, CO LEBs on Rampart Range enabled CUSP to apply lessons-learned to the Waldo Canyon Fire recovery.

CUSP accounted for 4603 volunteers performing 25,989 hours of work through the year. Mulching the Flying W Ranch Raking the Flying W Ranch CUSP-led volunteer teams performed work Volunteers raked, mulched, planted grass seed, and installed across the entire burn scar. Volunteer Log Erosion Barriers (LEB) in various places on the Waldo groups from Joplin, Missouri, FED EX, Coca Canyon Burn Scar. (Photo: Coalition for the Upper South Platte, 2013) Cola, local Boy Scout Eagle Scout projects, schools, and many other groups gave of their time to help restore the burn scar. The work was used by some organizations as a team building exercise; those same organizations also donated money to assist in paying for materials to be used in restoration work.

A large portion of CUSP’s work took place on Ute Pass helping residents prepare against the inevitable onslaught of water coming down the pass. People in Green Mountain Falls, Cascade, and Chipita Park were all provided the opportunity to move structures and items near Fountain Creek at little or no cost. This work also took place outside the communities, resulting in the removal of buildings, vehicles, and other items that would have become water-borne missiles during the July through September 2013 flash floods.

On the Flying W Ranch and several areas on the burn scar, volunteers assisted Sawyers/Fellers in the removal The Flying W Alpine Autism of hazard trees by moving slash (branches) to be Ranch Center chipped, and using some of the trees as log erosion Volunteers moved sediment in a bucket brigade on the Waldo Canyon Burn Scar, and helped barriers on the hill slopes. The volunteers also raked, install a “RIBS” protective sandbag system at the laid mulch, and planted mountain grass seeds to help Alpine Autism Center. (Photo: Coalition for the reestablish vegetation on the burned mountainsides. Upper South Platte, 2013)

After the many flash floods that occurred in the summer of 2013, CUSP volunteers and skilled leaders moved into Manitou Springs and other areas on Ute Pass to assist in flash flooding recovery, Volunteers helped remove muck and sediment from inside and outside many homes, clear areas of debris, and assist in determining how to move forward after the devastation from the water. CUSP also advised residents in Colorado Springs and Ute Pass on the most effective placement of sandbags to deter flooding on their properties.

City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services (COS P-R-C)

Blodgett Open Space re-opening ceremony with city employees and volunteers who assisted in restoration. (Photo: Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Culture, 2013)

Accounting for 511 volunteers performing 7591 work hours, Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services worked with several groups to lead recovery in the public areas on the burn scar.

Volunteer groups worked to rehabilitate areas affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire in the Blodgett Peak Open Space and Mountain Shadows Open Spaces. Led by members of RMFI and City Parks, Recreation and Culture, groups from USAFA, Mile High Youth Corps, and residents re- established trails, planted trees, and planted grass seed.

Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI)

Bringing a wealth of experience in leading volunteer groups in wildland rehabilitation, RMFI worked to deploy volunteers in many areas on the burn scar, logging 630 volunteers performing 3959 hours of mitigation and restoration work.

RMFI-led groups provided hill slope and trail rehabilitation, in-channel streambed stabilization, and raking/mulching/seeding for the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services at the Blodgett Peak Open Space. Their expertise and leadership directly resulted in the re-opening of Blodgett to everyone in early July 2013.

RMFI’s volunteer teams partnered with CUSP and the USFS to provide hill slope and in-channel streambed stabilization in Williams Canyon and Camp Creek/Queen’s Canyon. The efforts reduced he velocity of the flash flood waters, allowing the Trail restoration in the Blodgett Open Space. (Photo: sediment to be removed from the flows and giving the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Culture, water the opportunity to “perk” into the soil. 2013)

Working with CUSP, RMFI developed a training program for volunteer crew leaders. The program provided the ability to expand post-fire burn restoration field capacity of RMFI and CUSP by providing a pool of trained volunteers that would work under RMFI and CUSP as crew

5 leaders. These crew leaders were expected to expand both organizations’ work capacity, providing safety and volunteer management oversight, as well as ensuring high quality work standards. After the first class, RMFI and CUSP determined that they would use the course as needed to expand their volunteer leader cadres.

After the mid-September 2013 rain storms, RMFI assisted in the repair of trails and roads that were washed-out. Their work allowed the Blodgett Open Space to continue to be enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts. RMFI also performed trail repair work on Garden of the Gods Park in areas affected by heavy foot traffic and erosion.

United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)

USAFA Cadets provided 1,320 volunteer hours during the year.

The Cadets provided assistance at two Sandbag Days, assisting the City of Colorado Springs OEM with providing sandbags for residents to place at their homes as a line of defense against flooding from the Waldo Canyon Burn Scar.

Cadets planted seeds on the Flying W Ranch to increase the stability of hill slopes and begin the recovery of native USAFA cadets fill sandbags for residents to trees. They installed log erosion barriers (LEB) on protect their homes from flash flooding. mountain slopes along Rampart Range Road to stem the (Photo: Colorado Springs OEM 2013) movement of sediment into Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs, and staffed a chipper to dispose of burned dead trees in the Mountain Shadows neighborhoods.

USAFA cadets clear and chip dead Oak in the Mountain Shadows Open Space. (Photo: Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Culture 2013)

City of Colorado Springs Community Advancing Public Safety (CAPS)

Volunteers with the City of Colorado Springs’ CAPS program assisted in conducting community preparedness meetings, staffing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and assisting in “Sandbag Days.” This dedicated group helped Colorado Springs OEM with preparing CAPS volunteers register individuals at the residents and businesses for the possibility of flash September 2013 Flash Flood Disaster Assistance Center. (Photo: Colorado Springs OEM 2013) 6 flooding from the burn scar, and informing the public via the local media of the dangers posed by the burn scar.

During five of the Colorado Springs EOC activations, in response to rain events over the burn scar, CAPS volunteers staffed the EOC call center and provided assistance to every member in the EOC. They were the call board for all incoming phone calls to provide status updates and direct questions and requests for assistance to the appropriate EOC station.

At the Verizon complex on 30th Street, CAPS, USAFA Cadets, LDS Church members, and many other volunteers fill sandbags for residents to protect their homes from flash flooding. (Photo: Colorado Springs OEM 2013)

At three ”Sandbag Day” events, CAPS volunteers helped the OEM staff by directing traffic, loading sandbags into vehicles, and providing information materials to residents so they could prepare their property and themselves for the possibility of a natural disaster. CAPS also assisted in directing and assisting the work of other additional volunteers who contributed help in filling sandbags and distributing them to community members.

US Air Force Civil Air Patrol (USAF CAP)

USAF CAP provides aerial reconnaissance of areas at the request of local organizations/agencies to assist in disaster recovery and search and rescue. The financial costs for the missions pays for the aircraft and camera system; all air crews and ground crews are staffed by volunteers who have a passion for flying and supporting the community.

Six missions were flown in the summer of 2013 to determine the extent of damage from flash flooding on the Waldo Canyon Burn Scar. The first mission provided a baseline for the conditions of areas on and adjacent to the burn scar. Subsequent flights provided additional baseline photos and comparative damage assessment after the rain events that were experienced through the summer. CAP aerial photos were used to provide post-rainstorm assessments and recovery planning by the City of Colorado Springs Office of Emergency Management, and Public Works. (Photo: Colorado Springs CAP 2013) 7

After the 11 – 15 September 2013 storms, and the significant amount of rain that occurred, Colorado Springs CAP flew two missions to provide an aerial view of the damage in Colorado Springs and El Paso County including the Waldo Canyon Burn Scar. The photos have been referenced and used by City and County emergency managers to illustrate where the damage occurred, and by FEMA, the U.S. Forest Service and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to illustrate the need for additional federal assistance for recovery from the 2012 fire and 2013 flash flooding.

Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU)

CSU engaged in contract work that involved hill slope stabilization and sediment detention basins to protect infrastructure and water supply. Habitat Management Inc. (HMI) led three volunteer events as part of the hill slope stabilization. On August 22, HMI and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) recruited 35 volunteers to complete 10.5 acres of raking and seeding. On Sunday September 22, 70 Air Force Academy cadets moved wood straw down the slope to an application area in preparation for another VOC volunteer event on Thursday Sept 26th. Forty (40) VOC volunteers raked, seeded and applied wood straw to 4.81 acres.

Utilities also worked with CUSP to complete work in Northfield Gulch. Between Doan College, Utilities CFF volunteers and NCCC crews, a total of 119 volunteers treated around 10 acres with varying stabilization treatments like contour erosion controls, raking and seeding, rock run- downs below culverts and re-vegetation with biosolid compost.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC)

Cairn Youth Group project at Flying W on October 12th -- Cairn participants spent their Saturday raking, seeding, and mulching over 1/2 an acre of land destroyed by the Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012. The project emphasized problem solving skills, teamwork, and endurance to spread this much land with buckets and manual labors. Students lined up for a bucket brigade hauling 2 large piles of mulch to spread over the area, coming up with efficient systems to hand off buckets, trade off tasks for tired arms and legs, and motivating one another to continue working hard. Students learned all the impacts fire has on the land, water quality, and the tactics land managers use to help restore the land via erosion control measures (seeding and mulching). The scope of work was easy, yet somewhat physically demanding - it was the perfect balance to allow everyone to work together as well as get to know one another.

The Navigators at Glen Eyrie

Mitigation work on the Navigator’s properties began in September 2012 with hill slope treatments on the Eagle Lake Camp at the top of Camp Creek. The installation of LEBs and grass, along with small detention basins, enabled the camp to open for the 2013 camping season. Work on the camp, as well as on the Castle grounds, continued Eagle Lake Camp Mitigation Area Photo: Colorado Springs OEM, 2013 8 through the summer of 2013, accounting for 6,010 hours by 751 volunteers to mitigate the effects of the fire as well as protect against flash flooding on Glen Eyrie, Garden of the Gods Park, and the Pleasant Valley neighborhood.

Flying W Ranch Foundation

The Flying W Ranch Foundation utilized its own volunteer members to provide hill slope stabilization, removal of hazard trees, and planting seedling trees in a nursery area to be used in a few years. Flying W Ranch Foundation cooperated with CUSP and other volunteer groups to perform mitigation and stabilization projects.

Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)

ARES volunteers staffed the Colorado Springs EOC during three of the flash flood activations during 2013. ARES members were prepared to provide information between the Incident Command Post at Fire Station 18 and the EOC.

American Red Cross of the Pikes Peak Region (ARC)

ARC provided 68 volunteer hours for sandbag filling and distribution at Ute Pass Elementary School in May at the Colorado Wildfire Preparedness Day, an annual event sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association.

Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC)

TOSC is a coalition of trails and “friends” groups to advocate and create/maintain trails across El Paso and Teller counties. With over 250 available volunteers, TOSC provided assistance to many of the larger volunteer groups with trained trail restoration teams.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

The NRCS’ Earth Team provided supervisory assistance and helped coordinate several volunteer projects on Flying W Ranch, Blodgett Peak Open Space, and Manitou Springs.

PROJECTS FOR AUTUMN/WINTER/SPRING 2013 – 2014 While the bulk of work is accomplished during the warmer summer months, restoration and mitigation work can still be accomplished during the rest of the year. The following work is anticipated to be done during the fall through spring dependent on weather and availability of volunteers. - Install LEBs above all drainages - Conduct streambed rehabilitation including planting willow plugs, riparian and other grasses, and in-channel structures - Plant grass and other vegetation behind areas that have been worked by heavy equipment - Remove hazard trees in the vicinity of trails, roads, and private/public property lines - Identify movement of sediment and debris using satellite, aerial, and ground photography

APPENDIX: VOLUNTEER GROUPS LEVELS OF EFFORT

The following table provides the number of hours and volunteers each organization provided during 2013 to the recovery efforts on the Waldo Canyon Burn Scar.

Group Total Vols Total Hours CUSP 4603 25989 COS P-R-C 511 7591 Glen Eyrie 751 6010 RMFI 630 3959 USAFA 250 1320 Flying W Foundation 122 821 HMI/VOC 75 450 HMI/USAFA 70 420 Pikes Peak ARC 68 408 COS CAPS 81 329 USAF CAP 36 216 VOC 35 210 ARES 7 15 Grand Total 7239.25 47736

References Rosgen, David, Et Al, Wildland Hydrology; April 5, 2013; Waldo Canyon Watershed Assessment: the WARSSS Results Rosgen, David, Et Al, Wildland Hydrology; April 26, 2013; The Waldo Canyon Fire Master Plan for Watershed Restoration & Sediment Reduction Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP); November 4, 2013; Volunteer Data and Photographs Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI); November 2, 2013; Volunteer Data and Photographs City of Colorado Springs Office of Emergency Management (OEM); November 2, 2013; Volunteer Data and Photographs City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department (PR-C); November 6, 2013; Volunteer Data and Photographs El Paso County; November 6, 2013; Volunteer Data City of Manitou Springs; November 6, 2013; Volunteer Data Flying W Ranch Foundation; November 6, 2013; Volunteer Data The Navigators at Glen Eyrie; November 6, 2013; Volunteer Data United States Air Force Academy (USAFA); October 27, 2013; Volunteer Data Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); November 6, 2013; Volunteer Data City of Colorado Springs Public Works Engineering; Dates Various; Photographs United States Air Force Civil Air Patrol (CAP); Dates Various; Aerial Photography The Navigators at Glen Eyrie, January 2014, Volunteer Data

Report prepared by Gordon J. Brenner, City of Colorado Springs Recovery Coordinator and Chair of the Waldo Canyon Regional Recovery Group Volunteer Sub-Committee