Judith Basin County, Montana, Wildland-Urban Interface Wildfire Mitigation Plan MMMaaaiiinnn DDDooocccuuummmeeennnttt SSSeeepppttteeemmmbbbeeerrr 111444,,, 222000000444 Vision: Institutionalize and promote a countywide wildfire hazard mitigation ethic through leadership, professionalism, and excellence, leading the way to a safe, sustainable Judith Basin County. This plan was developed by the Judith Basin County Wildland-Urban Interface Wildfire Mitigation Plan Committee in cooperation with Northwest Management, Inc., P.O. Box 565, Helena, MT 59624, Phone: (406) 442-7555, Fax: (406) 495-9605, 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. Judith Basin County Commissioners, the employees of Judith Basin County, Judith Basin Rural Fire District, Hobson Rural Fire District, Local Businesses and Citizens of Judith Basin County Snowy Mountain Development Corporation USDI Bureau of Land Management USDA Forest Service Montana Disaster and Emergency Services Federal Emergency Management Agency Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Northwest Management, Inc. To obtain copies of this plan contact: Judith Basin County Commissioners Office PO Box 427 31 1st Avenue County Courthouse Stanford, MT 59479-0427 Phone: (406) 566-2277 Fax: (406) 566-2211 Table of Contents CHAPTER I: 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 1.1.2.1.1 Montana’s Endorsement of the National Fire Plan..................................................................................... 4 1.1.2.2 Northern Rockies Coordinating Group ........................................................................................................... 5 1.1.2.2.1 County Wildland Fire Interagency Group.................................................................................................. 5 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................................................................................................................................. 7 1.1.2.4 Healthy Forests Restoration Act ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.1.3 Local Guidelines and Integration with Other Efforts...............................................................................9 1.1.3.1 Judith Basin County Fire Mitigation Planning Effort and Philosophy ............................................................ 9 1.1.3.1.1 Mission Statement...................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1.3.1.2 Vision Statement........................................................................................................................................ 9 1.1.3.1.3 Goals .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 2: PLANNING PROCESS....................................................................................................................10 2 DOCUMENTING THE PLANNING PROCESS ..........................................................................................10 2.1.1 Description of the Planning Process ......................................................................................................10 2.2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT................................................................................................................................11 2.2.1 News Releases .......................................................................................................................................11 2.2.1.1 Radio Messages ............................................................................................................................................ 11 2.2.1.2 Newspaper Articles....................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.2 Public Mail Survey ................................................................................................................................12 2.2.2.1 Survey Results .............................................................................................................................................. 12 2.2.2.2 Committee Meetings..................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.2.2.1 April 15, 2004 .......................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.2.2.2 May 13, 2004 ........................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.2.2.3 June 15, 2004 ........................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.2.2.4 July 15, 2004............................................................................................................................................ 19 2.2.2.2.5 August 12, 2004 ....................................................................................................................................... 19 2.2.2.3 Public Meetings ............................................................................................................................................ 20 2.2.2.3.1 Hobson Public Meeting............................................................................................................................ 20 2.2.2.3.2 Geyser Public Meeting............................................................................................................................. 21 2.2.2.4 Meeting Notices............................................................................................................................................ 22 2.3 REVIEW OF THE WUI WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN ...................................................................................22 CHAPTER 3: COUNTY CHARACTERISTICS & RISK ASSESSMENT .........................................................24 3 BACKGROUND AND AREA DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................24 3.1 DEMOGRAPHICS..........................................................................................................................................24 3.2 SOCIOECONOMICS.......................................................................................................................................26 3.3 DESCRIPTION OF JUDITH BASIN COUNTY....................................................................................................28 3.3.1 Highways...............................................................................................................................................28 3.3.2 Rivers.....................................................................................................................................................29 3.3.3 Recreation..............................................................................................................................................29 3.3.3.1 Lewis and Clark National Forest................................................................................................................... 29 3.3.3.2 Ackley Lake State Park................................................................................................................................. 30 3.3.3.3 Judith River Wildlife Management Area ...................................................................................................... 30 3.3.3.4 Judith Basin County Museum ....................................................................................................................... 30 3.3.3.5 Camping........................................................................................................................................................ 30 3.3.3.6 Winter Sports ................................................................................................................................................ 30 3.3.3.7 Fishing