Ferry County, Washington Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) DDDeeeccceeemmmbbbeeerrr 888,,, 222000000666 Vision: Promote a countywide hazard mitigation ethic through leadership, professionalism, and excellence, leading the way to a safe, sustainable Ferry County. Volume II This plan was developed by the Ferry County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Core Team 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 Community Wildfire Protection 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. Ferry County Commissioners Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the employees of Ferry County USDI Bureau of Land Management USDA Forest Service USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs City of Republic, Washington USDI National Park Service Federal Emergency Management Agency Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Ferry County Sheriff’s Department Ferry/Okanogan County Fire Protection Ferry County Emergency Services District #13 Republic City Police Ferry/Okanogan County Fire Protection Ferry County Public Utilities District District #14 Ferry County Public Hospital District No. 1 Ferry County Joint Fire Protection Ferry Conservation District District #3 & Local Businesses and Citizens of Ferry County To obtain copies of this plan contact: Ferry County Commissioners Office Ferry County Courthouse Phone: 509-775-5229 290 East Tessie Avenue Fax: 509-775-5230 Republic, Washington 99166 Website: www.ferry-county.com Ferry County, Washington Community Wildfire Protection Plan pg i Table of Contents CHAPTER I: OVERVIEW OF THIS PLAN AND ITS DEVELOPMENT ..........................................................2 1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................................2 1.1 GOALS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.................................................................................................................2 1.1.1 Federal Emergency Management Agency Philosophy ............................................................................2 1.1.2 United States Government Accounting Office .........................................................................................4 1.1.2.1 Why GAO Did A Study .................................................................................................................................. 4 1.1.2.2 What GAO Found........................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1.3 Additional State and Federal Guidelines Adopted...................................................................................5 1.1.3.1 National Fire Plan ........................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1.3.2 Washington Statewide Implementation Strategy ............................................................................................ 6 1.1.3.2.1 County Wildland Fire Interagency Group.................................................................................................. 7 1.1.3.3 National Association of State Foresters .......................................................................................................... 8 1.1.3.3.1 Identifying and Prioritizing Communities at Risk...................................................................................... 8 1.1.3.3.2 Conceptual Approach................................................................................................................................. 9 1.1.3.4 Healthy Forests Restoration Act ................................................................................................................... 10 1.1.4 Local Guidelines and Integration with Other Efforts ............................................................................11 1.1.4.1 Ferry County Fire Mitigation Planning Effort and Philosophy .....................................................................11 1.1.4.1.1 Mission Statement.................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.4.1.2 Vision Statement...................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.4.1.3 Goals ........................................................................................................................................................ 11 1.1.4.2 Ferry County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan................................................................................................. 12 1.1.4.3 Ferry County Comprehensive Plan ............................................................................................................... 12 1.1.4.4 Lower Kettle River Community Wildfire Protection Plan ............................................................................ 12 CHAPTER 2: DOCUMENTING THE PLANNING PROCESS ..........................................................................14 2 INITIATION .....................................................................................................................................................14 2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING PROCESS ..................................................................................................14 2.2 THE PLANNING TEAM .................................................................................................................................14 2.2.1 Multi-Jurisdictional Participation.........................................................................................................15 2.2.2 Committee Meetings ..............................................................................................................................16 2.2.2.1 Committee Meeting Minutes......................................................................................................................... 17 2.3 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT................................................................................................................................17 2.3.1 News Releases........................................................................................................................................17 2.3.2 Public Mail Survey ................................................................................................................................19 2.3.2.1 Survey Results .............................................................................................................................................. 20 2.3.3 Public Meetings .....................................................................................................................................22 2.3.4 Documented Review Process.................................................................................................................26 2.3.5 Continued Public Involvement...............................................................................................................27 CHAPTER 3: FERRY COUNTY CHARACTERISTICS.....................................................................................28 3 BACKGROUND AND AREA DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................28 3.1 DEMOGRAPHICS..........................................................................................................................................28 3.2 SOCIOECONOMICS.......................................................................................................................................30 3.2.1 Description of Ferry County..................................................................................................................32 3.2.1.1 Land Use....................................................................................................................................................... 32 3.2.1.2 Recreation ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 3.2.1.2.1 Colville and Okanogan & Wenatchee National Forests .......................................................................... 34 3.2.1.2.2 Curlew Lake State Park............................................................................................................................ 34 3.2.1.2.3 Boating..................................................................................................................................................... 34 3.2.1.2.4 Camping................................................................................................................................................... 34 3.2.1.2.5 Fishing and Hunting................................................................................................................................. 34 3.2.1.2.6 Wildlife Viewing...................................................................................................................................... 35 3.2.1.3 Resource Dependency................................................................................................................................... 35