MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE

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1 MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE ANCHORAGE PARKS & RECREATION Memorandum PRC DATE: 8 May, 2008 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Parks & Recreation Commission Monique Anderson, Parks Superintendent PRC Firewise Projects - Muldoon Park Overview The Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) Firewise program is a wildfire mitigation program that addresses the risk of the spread of wildfire on both public and private lands within the Municipality. Wildfire mitigation is critical to preventing the spread of wildfire by protecting transit corridors to allow residents to evacuate fire areas, allowing fire fighting equipment access to remote areas and reducing the available fuels for fires to consume. The AFD and Parks & Recreation (PRD) Departments have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Firewise projects on public lands. Under this agreement, AFD and PRD staff have conducted a review of projects completed in 2007 and reviewed the proposed 2008 projects on public lands. The Muldoon Park Firewise project is an additional AFD project proposal for Last month, the PRC recommended for approval the Campbell Creek Trail from Taku Elementary to Dowling Road Firewise Project. Muldoon Park Firewise Project History Over the past two decades, the spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) has affected spruce trees throughout Alaska, including the Anchorage area. This bark beetle attack results in up to 80% of spruce tree mortality. Arnold L. Muldoon Park is a 67.5 acre mixed spruce and hardwood forest in the wildland urban interface bordered by homes, businesses, and roadways. Park users and surrounding residents are concerned with the potential for a wildfire to spread to adjacent homes. Firewise treatment activities occurred in the fall of 2005 and addressed spruce bark beetle killed trees in the central and southern portions of Muldoon Park. This joint project involved Boy Scouts of America volunteers and park staff. The neighborhood strongly supported this work and has expressed continued interest for further work. Planned Park Project Muldoon Park Firewise To mitigate the risk and hazard of wildfire in the neighborhood, the Anchorage Fire Department has partnered with the MOA Parks & Recreation Department to treat the southern perimeter of Muldoon Park between Muldoon Road and Patterson Street, along 32nd Avenue. Spruce bark beetle killed trees will be removed. Additionally, residual spruce trees will be pruned to limit fire spread into the tree tops and to reduce their susceptibility to future bark beetle attacks. Tree tops and limbs will be mulched onsite and native grass will be planted for re-vegetation. This project will limit the available fuel for brush fires to spread to the adjacent neighborhood. Crews will be working in the area beginning mid-may, Planned Park Project Muldoon Park Forest Restoration PRD is also concerned with overall forest health, park user safety and tree vitality throughout Muldoon Park. To complement other efforts, the Anchorage Park Foundation has received $25,000 in cost/share funding from the USFS Forest Health Protection Program to support a spruce bark beetle suppression, prevention and forest restoration project in Muldoon Park. Expected results of the project will provide for increased health and regeneration of 10 acres in Muldoon Park. Pruning and thinning is expected to prevent future bark beetle attacks. Significant open areas where trees are removed will be re-planted with spruce seedlings. This will result in a much healthier forest that provides for long-term, safe use by residents. The PRD will match the federal funding with labor from the King Career Center Natural Resources Management Class, the Youth Employment in Parks Crew and municipal staff.

2 Outreach Both AFD and PRD has conducted appropriate public involvement including: placing Education Kiosks on the trail, providing information to the Neighborhood Watch program and attending the April 3 rd and May 1 st community council meetings. Recommendation NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED The Parks and Recreation Commission supports the 2008 Firewise project in Arnold L. Muldoon Park as meeting the MOU terms and conditions. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED The Parks and Recreation Commission supports the 2008 Forest Restoration project in Arnold L. Muldoon Park. Attachments: AFD-P&R Memorandum of Understanding AFD Firewise Treatment Memo Parks & Recreation Project Description

3 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND THE ANCHORAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE, ALASKA CONCERNING WILDFIRE MITIGATION IN PARKS This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the calendar year 2006 through 2008, is made and entered into this day of, 2006, by and between the Department of Parks and Recreation (P&R) and the Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) for the design and development of wildfire mitigation within Anchorage parks thereof. WITNESSETH THAT: WHEREAS, P&R is responsible for the planning, funding, management and operations of appropriate parks, recreation facilities and trails owned by the Municipality of Anchorage to meet current and future public demand for healthy and safe leisure experiences; and WHEREAS, AFD, Wildfire Mitigation Office is responsible for the reduction of fire intensity and spread within the Municipality; and WHEREAS, P&R supports wildfire mitigation within parks to promote forest health and the protection of private land adjacent to parks; and WHEREAS, AFD, Wildfire Mitigation Office has the manpower, equipment and expertise necessary to provide this assistance; and NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth herein, the sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the parties agree to the below listed stipulations. A. ANCHORAGE PARKS AND RECREATION OBLIGATIONS 1. P&R shall provide one contact person who will be responsible for coordinating any and all of P&R communication and/or services 6 March 2006 Page 1

4 associated with the MOU. This person shall be the Parks Superintendent or designee. 2. P&R shall meet with AFD staff to review the initial wildfire mitigation park assessment(s) and provide input on the proposed project(s). 3. P&R and AFD jointly shall present the wildfire mitigation plan to the appropriate community council(s) to solicit input on the project. P&R and AFD shall be prepared to address community input and concerns at a follow-up council meeting. 4. P&R and AFD jointly shall be prepared to attend Park and Recreation Commission and any specific user group requests for a meeting. 5. P&R and AFD shall keep community council(s) and appropriate user groups informed on the progress during active work. 6. If a problem arises pertaining to the services provided under this agreement, P&R Parks Superintendent shall notify AFD contact person immediately to work on solving the problem. B. ANCHORAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT OBLIGATIONS 1. AFD shall develop initial park assessments for specific park areas. 2. AFD shall meet with P&R to review the initial wildfire mitigation park assessments. AFD shall be prepared to discuss and/or modify park assessments in order to meet P&R management needs. 3. AFD and P&R jointly shall present the wildfire mitigation plan to the appropriate community council(s) to solicit input on the project. AFD and P&R shall be prepared to address community input and concerns at a follow-up meeting. 4. AFD and P&R jointly shall be prepared to attend Park and Recreation Commission and any specific user group requests for a meeting. 5. AFD and P&R shall keep community council(s) and appropriate user groups informed on the progress during active work. 6 March 2006 Page 2

5 6. AFD shall place a placard notice on the project site 14 days before work is scheduled to begin that includes contact information for both P&R and AFD. 7. AFD contract crews/personnel will be coordinated through the AFD contact person and all resources under AFD coordination shall follow the AFD Wildland Fire Treatment W-6 SOG unless stated on the site prescription. 8. AFD park assessment documentation shall at a minimum state the park name, wildfire concerns, mitigation work plan, volunteer expectation, and documentation on people that have reviewed the project, and mitigation work authorized. (see Attachment A - Park Assessment) IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Memorandum of Understanding have hereunto set their hands. ANCHORAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION By: Craig Goodrich, Chief Date: By: Jeff Dillon, ASLA Date: APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM: By: 6 March 2006 Page 3

6 Anchorage Fire Department Wildfire Mitigation Office Contact: Sue Rodman MOA Parks & Recreation Contact: Teri Peters April 23, Wildfire Mitigation Project - Muldoon Park: South Perimeter To mitigate the risk and hazard of wildfire in the neighborhood, the Anchorage Fire Department has partnered with the MOA Parks & Recreation Department to treat the southern perimeter of Muldoon Park between Muldoon Road and Patterson Street, along 32 nd Avenue. Spruce bark beetle killed trees will be removed. Additionally, residual spruce trees will be pruned to limit fire spread into the tree tops and to reduce their susceptibility to future bark beetle attacks. Tree tops and limbs will be mulched onsite and native grass will be planted for re-vegetation. Firewood will be brought to the roadside for use by local residents. This project will limit the available fuel for brush fires to spread to the adjacent neighborhood. Crews will be working in the area beginning mid-may, What is the risk of fire in the greenbelt? There has been evidence of fire use in Muldoon Park over the past several years. Most vagrant fire use and camping takes place in the dense black spruce stands of the park. A dense, native grass called bluejoint reedgrass has grown into openings where spruce bark beetle killed trees have exposed the forest floor to more direct sunlight. This grass is a primary carrier of fire throughout Southcentral Alaska. Homes adjacent to the park are exposed to fire. In removing the dead trees and mulching the woody debris, the grass will be knocked down. After treatment, AFD will seed the area with a different native grass that greens up faster and is less likely to carry fire. What is Firewise? The Anchorage Fire Department uses the national Firewise home protection principles to reduce the potential for wildfires to spread to homes. Firewise is everyone s responsibility. Managing our forests for fire and resistance to bark beetles supports green, vibrant trees on both private and public lands. What is project timeline? This project is expected to begin in mid-may, Tree thinning will be done by the State of Alaska Pioneer Peak Crew. These are professional firefighters working on fire mitigation projects in the Anchorage area since Slash mulching, or mowing, will be done by a private contractor Fuels Reduction of Alaska. This crew has been on contract with the Anchorage Fire Department since May 1, :00 pm Scenic Foothills Community Council at Scenic Park Elementary May 8, :00 pm Parks Commission at the Spenard Recreation Center

7 MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE ANCHORAGE PARKS & RECREATION Project Description DATE: 4/1/2008 3/31/2009 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: USFS and MOA Employees Wade Collins Muldoon Park Forest Restoration Project Ten acres of the 67 acre park will be selected for treatment. The project will thin areas in the park that are of high relative density, low vigor, and otherwise prone to future beetle infestations. Goals: To create a more vigorous forest that well be less susceptible to future bark beetle infestations. Staff Resources: Wade, Monique, CWS, Operator and YEP Professional Resources: Ken Zogas, John Lundquist and Steve Patterson April 2: Develop a clear massage for the community council and begin drafting talking points for the press event with the Mayor. April 3: Attend the Scenic Foothills Community Council April 14: Begin Pre-Treatment Survey work. Meet with Ken and John Hard in the field and develop a survey method. Run transects and begin determining which acres will be treated. Phase One May 12-16: KCC field work with morning and afternoon classes. Work will focus on dead standing trees Prune residual trees and thin brush Plant seedlings in areas that have been treated. KCC will cut logs into 4 foot lengths and stack them in piles along the trail Brush will be stacked in small piles or carried to the chipper May 19-23: CWS and operator clean up with log removal and brush chipping. CWS has been scheduled for May 20-22, they are not available Monday the 19 th Double check with Ted to make sure an operator will be available Park chipper in a central location and have CWS drag brush and chip Have operator remove logs and place in a truck to transport to south maintenance Complete Phase One with final trail clean up and walk through Phase Two July 7-11: YEP is slated to begin work in Muldoon Park Schedule John, Ken and Steve to do a morning briefing to the crew

8 Outline the project with the crew Do an assessment of the trap logs, assess beetle populations in the park Remove trap logs and continue thinning Brush will be stacked in small piles or carried to the chipper July 14-18: YEP continues field work Confirm schedule so they will be working Monday through Wednesday Continue pruning and brush removal Plant some seedling when brush work has been completed Water seedlings that were planted during phase one July 21-25: CWS and operator clean up with log removal and brush chipping CWS has NOT been scheduled at this time Double check with Ted to make sure an operator will be available Park chipper in the park and have CWS drag and chip Have operator remove logs and place in a truck to transport to south maintenance Complete Phase Two with trail clean up and walk through Phase Three September 8 October 10: KCC fall semester field work is slated to begin. Phase three will focus more on cutting the large live trees Prune residual trees and thin brush Plant seedlings in areas that have been treated. KCC will cut logs into 4 foot lengths and stack them in piles along the trail Brush will be stacked in small piles or carried to the chipper October 13: CWS and operator clean up with log removal and brush chipping CWS has NOT been scheduled at this time I may schedule CWS and an operator earlier depending on the work produced by KCC Double check with Ted to make sure an operator will be available Park chipper in the park and have CWS drag and chip Have operator remove logs and place in a truck to transport to south maintenance Complete Phase Three with trail clean up and final walk through October 27: Begin Post-Treatment Survey work and grant finalization Meet with John and Ken to do a final walk through Take pictures and begin final report Submit final report by March 1, 2009 Note: At the end of each phase the park will be free of debris and wood that could potentially create a hazard for the community and park users. Also at the end of each day the trails will be kept free of debris and hazards so the work areas will be available to residents in the evenings.

9 Firewise project - Muldoon Park South Perimeter of Park - Spring 2008 Muldoon Road Green border indicates MOA Park land. East Northern Lights Blvd. Red line indicates fitness loop. Parks project will focus on areas adjacent to the loop and exclude areas treated by Firewise. Patterson Street Remove dead, spruce bark beetle killed trees. Prune residual spruce. Mow slash. Result is a shaded fuel break 150 feet wide along south perimeter of park adjacent to subdivision ,420 Feet Anchorage Fire Department. S.Rodman