City of Leander COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN 2015 A collaborative approach to protecting lives, property and natural resources in the City of Leander In accordance with Title I of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2033 This document was prepared by the Leander Fire Department and the Texas A&M Forest Service, and was completed on February 2015. Kent Cagle To,4 Boggus City Manager Director Leander, TX Fui>i Texas A&M4:c%;::DForest Service %f1 Bill ardner Mark Stanford Fire Chief/Emergency Mgmt. Coord. Fire Chief Leander,TX Texas A&M Forest Service Fielcp’/ Bruce Woods Mayor Department Head, Mitigation and Prevention Leander, TX Texas A&M Forest Service Table of Contents Introduction 3 Statement of Intent 3 Goals 3 Objectives 3 Working Group 3 Planning Process 4 Community Profile 7 Location 7 General Landscape 11 Topography 15 Climate 16 Vegetation 16 City of Leander Fuels 18 Specific Fuels in Leander Area 19 Fuel Types 20 Natural Resources 21 Water Quality 23 Forest Health Conditions 22 Cultural Resources 23 Parks 24 Population and Land Use 27 Utilities and Transportation 31 Fire Response Capabilities 35 Emergency Facilities 36 Community Legal Authority 37 Schools 38 Fire Environment 41 Wildland Urban Interface 41 Historical Fire Occurrence 42 Fire Behavior 44 Risk Assessments 48 Community Hazard Rating Lists 50 Individual Community Explanation 53 Mitigation Strategies 125 Fuels Management 126 Code Enforcement 128 Defensible Space 129 Evacuation Planning 131 Structural Protection Planning 133 Wildland Capacity Building 135 Mitigation Funding Sources 142 Appendix 145 Glossary 146 CWPP Leader’s Guide 148 Implementation Progress Checklist 149 Threatened and Endangered Species 150 City of Leander Utility Restoration Priorities 154 Leander ISD 2014-15 Boundary Maps 156 2 Introduction Statement of Intent The intent of City of Leander CWPP is to reduce the risk of wildfire and promote ecosystem health. The plan also is intended to reduce home losses and provide for the safety of residents and firefighters during wildfires; to educate all stakeholders on the dangers, effects, and preparations needed for wildfires in the urban interface; and to mitigate risks, dangers, and hazards in the urban interface to reduce the likelihood of major impact from wildfires. Goals Provide for the safety of residents and emergency personnel. Decrease the impact of wildfire on the City of Leander. Promote and maintain healthy ecosystems. Educate citizens about wildfire prevention. Objectives Complete the initial wildfire risk assessments, and continue evaluation as development and changes occur. Increase fire suppression capabilities by adding resources when financial feasible Identify strategic fuels reduction projects. Address treatment of structural ignitability. Identify local capacity building and training needs. Promote wildfire awareness programs. Increase public education to reduce structural ignition potential by utilizing various mediums Working Group City of Leander City Manager Kent Cagle City of Leander Disaster Preparedness Committee: Fire Chief/Emergency Manager Bill Gardner o Darla Humes Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Joshua Davis o Orlando Chappa Assistant Chief/Operations Stuart Heater o Randy Sabbagh Battalion Chief/Administration Rob Curr o Carl Norman Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis GIS Coordinator Sean Lafferty Texas A&M Forest Service Additional Partners WUI Specialist Will Boettner US Fish & Wildlife Service WUI Specialist Lexi Maxwell Leander Independent School District WUI Specialist Kari Hines 3 Planning Process MEETING ATTENDEES TOPICS COVERED 7/3/2D0A1TE3 Bill Gardner • Project Kick-off Meeting Members and • Introductions Citizens • Communications • Review scope of project • Data collection • Public involvement- Establish HMP Committee • Set schedule 8/19/2013 HMP Committee • Development of Hazard Mitigation Plan Members and Citizens 12/11/2013 Joshua Davis • Initiate City of Leander CWPP Will Boettner • Process 1/13/2014 Bill Gardner • Consultant presentation Cheryl • Review Community Capabilities Fitzsimmons • Risk Assessment discussion Randy Sabbagh • Build a Planning Team Beth Schrieber Darla Humes • Outreach Strategy Hugh Bender Orlando Chapa Carl Norman 5/5/2014 Bill Gardner • Review Community Capabilities Cheryl • Risk Assessment discussion (Mapping & discussions) Fitzsimmons • Build a Planning Team Randy Sabbagh • Outreach Strategy Beth Schrieber Darla Humes Hugh Bender Orlando Chapa Carl Norman 4 5/29/2014 Bill Gardner • Risk Assessment discussion Cheryl • Discuss Specific hazards, education and capabilities Fitzsimmons Randy Sabbagh Beth Schrieber Darla Humes Hugh Bender Orlando Chapa Carl Norman 7/8/2014 Bill Gardner • Review CWPP Process Joshua Davis • CWPP will be used to address significant issues in the area Will Boettner 7/9/2014 Bill Gardner • Review MHMAP Draft policies & action statements Cheryl Fitzsimmons Randy Sabbagh Beth Schrieber Darla Humes Hugh Bender Orlando Chapa Carl Norman 7/13/2014 Joshua Davis • Update previous meeting notes Will Boettner • Review CWPP process 10/10/2014 Bill Gardner • Update previous meeting notes Joshua Davis • Review CWPP process Will Boettner • Discuss collected data Lexi Maxwell 11/21/2014 Bill Gardner • Update previous meeting notes Joshua Davis • Review CWPP process Will Boettner • Discuss risk assessment data Lexi Maxwell • Discuss collected data to CWPP • Discuss integrating into City of Leander Hazard Mitigation Plan and timeline to begin public hearing process 12/1/2014 Joshua Davis • Update previous meeting notes Will Boettner • Review CWPP process Lexi Maxwell • Discuss risk assessment data • Discuss collected data to CWPP 5 12/16/2014 Joshua Davis • Update previous meeting notes Will Boettner • Review CWPP process Lexi Maxwell • Discuss risk assessment data • Discuss collected data to CWPP • Discuss needed items 1/5/2015 Joshua Davis • Update previous meeting notes Lexi Maxwell • Review CWPP process • Discuss risk assessment data • Discuss collected data to CWPP • Discuss needed items • Worked on needed components of the CWPP 1/20/2015 Joshua Davis • Complete outstanding items Will Boettner • Began final formatting Draft CWPP Lexi Maxwell 1/26/2015 Lexi Maxwell • Items required to make document sufficient for submittal 1/27/2015 Will Boettner • Items that can be added at a later date with information is Kari Hines received Joshua Davis • Items that each group needs to provide 3/2/2015 Bill Gardner • Public Review of the HMPG and discussion of format, annexes, Randy Sabbagh and feedback Beth Schrieber Darla Humes Hugh Bender Orlando Chapa Carl Norman Chris Stewart 4/2/2015 City Council • Public Hearing City Staff • Signing of CWPP Disaster • Resolution by Leander City Council to send HMP for review by Preparedness Texas Division of Emergency Management and Federal Committee Emergency Management Association for approval Community 6 Community Profile Location Leander, Texas Williamson and Travis Counties N 30° 33’40” W 97° 51’37” Approximately 22 miles NW of Austin, TX Leander is a city located in both Williamson and Travis counties in the state of Texas. The population was 26,521 at the 2010 census. It is one of the fastest growing commuter suburbs to the north of Austin, and is part of the Greater Austin metropolitan area. Current 2014 population is estimated around 39,000 and projected to be over 50,000 by 2018. The City of Leander, originally called Bagdad, was established on July 17, 1882. The first settlers arrived in the area around 1845, receiving bounty land grants in exchange for service in the Texas Revolution. These settlers lived in log cabins and were frequently subjected to being attacked by Indians that also called this area of central Texas their home. If it had not been for the many Indian attacks, the area of Bagdad would probably have been settled earlier. Although, because of these frequent attacks, the Texas Rangers were called in to protect the settlers and they constructed a building that would house up to sixty men. This was one of the first buildings of what is now Williamson County. Bagdad was also a stop on the stage line from Austin to Lampasas; the settlers were now able to have goods delivered to them from Austin. 7 By the 1870’s, Bagdad had a hotel, school, several general stores, two blacksmith shops, and several churches. In 1871, the first school was started in Bagdad by the Masonic Lodge; it was the only free school in the area. Church socials played a very important role in the lives of the settlers and were the main entertainment for the early residents of Bagdad. By the 1880’s many changes were on the way. The railroad industry expanded to Texas with plans to build tracks through Bagdad’s downtown area. The citizens opposed the railroad and the Austin & Northwestern Railroad officials decided instead to build the tracks one mile east of town. Soon after the railroad was completed the townspeople realized they had made a mistake and it could be of great benefit to their businesses to be located near the railroad. The original Bagdad settlers started moving their businesses and homes nearer to the railroad tracks. The area was surveyed, lots were sold by the railroad and the new town of Leander was established in 1882. The town of Leander was named after Leander “Catfish” Brown, who was one of the men who was responsible for completion of the rail line. The post office was brought from Bagdad to Leander in 1882 and the first bank, Humble & Chapman, was established. Doctors’ offices, lawyers’ offices, and a drug store had also joined this new community. In 1883, the Leander Presbyterian Church was established. The cedar post business was prospering, with most of the posts being shipped out by railway. Ranching and farming were increasing. Cotton was the main crop and soon Wesley Craven and J. Sampley built cotton gins. 8 The population of Leander in the early 1890's was estimated to be around 329 people. In 1893, the first public schools were opened both in Leander and Bagdad. On June 7, 1899, the Leander High School Association incorporated under Texas law. The school was formed without profit for a period of fifty years.