WALDO CANYON REGIONAL RECOVERY GROUP VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE 2013 ANNUAL REPORT “Many hands make light work” Prepared February 21, 2014 1 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. 4 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.