Valley County, Idaho Wildland-Urban Interface Wildfire Mitigation Plan Mmmaaaiiinnn Dddooocccuuummmeeennnttt Jjjuuulllyyy 222666,,, 222000000444
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Valley County, Idaho Wildland-Urban Interface Wildfire Mitigation Plan MMMaaaiiinnn DDDooocccuuummmeeennnttt JJJuuulllyyy 222666,,, 222000000444 Vision: Institutionalize and promote a countywide wildfire hazard mitigation ethic through leadership, professionalism, and excellence, leading the way to a safe, sustainable Valley County. This plan was developed by the Valley County Wildland-Urban Interface Wildfire Mitigation Plan Committee in cooperation with Northwest Management, Inc., 233 E. Palouse River Dr., P.O. Box 9748, Moscow, ID 83843, Tel: 208-883-4488, www.Consulting-Foresters.com Acknowledgments This Wildland-Urban Interface Wildfire Mitigation Plan represents the efforts and cooperation of a number of organizations and agencies, through the commitment of people working together to improve the preparedness for wildfire events while reducing factors of risk. Valley County Commissioners West Central Highlands Resource and the employees of Valley County Conservation and Development Council USDI Bureau of Land Management USDA Forest Service Idaho Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Northwest Management, Inc. Cascade City & Rural Fire Department Donnelly City & Rural Fire Department McCall City & Rural Fire Department Yellow Pine Rural Fire Department & Idaho Department of Lands & Local Businesses and Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association Citizens of Valley County To obtain copies of this plan contact: Valley County Commissioners Office Valley County Courthouse 219 North Main Street Phone: (208) 382-4297 County Courthouse Fax: (208) 382-7107 Cascade, ID 83611 Table of Contents Chapter 1: Overview of this Plan and its Development................................................................ 1 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Goals and Guiding Principles ....................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Federal Emergency Management Agency Philosophy ............................................................................1 1.1.2 Additional State and Federal Guidelines Adopted...................................................................................2 1.1.2.1 National Fire Plan ...........................................................................................................................3 1.1.2.2 Idaho Statewide Implementation Strategy ......................................................................................4 1.1.2.2.1 County Wildland Fire Interagency Group .................................................................................4 1.1.2.3 National Association of State Foresters ..........................................................................................6 1.1.2.3.1 Identifying and Prioritizing Communities at Risk.....................................................................6 1.1.2.3.2 Conceptual Approach ................................................................................................................6 1.1.2.4 Healthy Forests Restoration Act .....................................................................................................8 1.1.3 Local Guidelines and Integration with Other Efforts...............................................................................8 1.1.3.1 Valley County Comprehensive Growth and Development Plan.....................................................8 1.1.3.2 Valley County Fire Mitigation Planning Effort and Philosophy.....................................................9 1.1.3.2.1 Mission Statement .....................................................................................................................9 1.1.3.2.2 Vision Statement .....................................................................................................................10 1.1.3.2.3 Goals........................................................................................................................................10 Chapter 2: Planning Process....................................................................................................... 11 2 Documenting the Planning Process..................................................................................... 11 2.1.1 Description of the Planning Process ......................................................................................................11 2.2 Public Involvement ...................................................................................................................12 2.2.1 News Releases .......................................................................................................................................12 2.2.1.1 Radio Messages ............................................................................................................................12 2.2.1.2 Newspaper Articles.......................................................................................................................12 2.2.2 Public Mail Survey ................................................................................................................................13 2.2.2.1 Survey Results ..............................................................................................................................13 2.2.3 Committee Meetings..............................................................................................................................17 2.2.3.1 Public Meetings ............................................................................................................................24 2.2.3.1.1 Cascade Public Meeting ..........................................................................................................24 2.2.3.1.2 McCall Public Meeting............................................................................................................25 2.2.3.1.3 Donnelly Public Meeting.........................................................................................................26 2.2.3.2 Meeting Notices ............................................................................................................................27 2.3 Review of the WUI Wildfire Mitigation Plan.........................................................................29 Chapter 3: County Characteristics & Risk Assessment.............................................................. 30 3 Background and Area Description ...................................................................................... 30 3.1 Demographics............................................................................................................................30 3.2 Socioeconomics..........................................................................................................................32 3.2.1 European Settlement of Valley County .................................................................................................34 3.2.2 Description of Valley County................................................................................................................35 3.2.3 Highways...............................................................................................................................................36 3.2.4 Rivers.....................................................................................................................................................36 3.2.5 Temperature...........................................................................................................................................36 3.2.6 Geology .................................................................................................................................................36 3.2.7 Recreation..............................................................................................................................................37 3.2.7.1 Boise National Forest....................................................................................................................37 3.2.7.2 Payette National Forest .................................................................................................................37 3.2.7.3 Ponderosa State Park.....................................................................................................................38 3.2.7.4 Lake Cascade State Park ...............................................................................................................38 3.2.7.5 Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness..............................................................................39 3.2.7.6 Payette Lake..................................................................................................................................39 3.2.7.7 Warm Lake....................................................................................................................................39 3.2.7.8 Deadwood Reservoir.....................................................................................................................39 3.2.7.9 Idaho State Centennial Trail..........................................................................................................40 3.2.7.10 Boating and Kayaking ..............................................................................................................40 3.2.7.11 Camping ...................................................................................................................................40