Browsing by Author "Lynn, Kathy"

Now showing 1 - 15 of 15
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    Beyond Planning: Stewardship Contracting as a Management Tool for Implementing CWPPs
    (University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008-06) Donovan, Shannon; Lynn, Kathy; Kauffman, Marcus
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    Community Resilience and the 2005 Deer Creek Fire – Summary Report
    (University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2006-04) Lynn, Kathy; Hill, Arleen
    This report provides an overview of the purpose, findings, and recommendations from interviews conducted with residents affected by the 2005 Deer Creek Fire.
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    Curry County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
    (University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008-02) Ojerio, Ryan S., 1972-; University of Oregon. Institute for a Sustainable Environment. Resource Innovations; Lynn, Kathy
    The structural vulnerability study was the first collaborative effort of the newly formed Curry Wildfire Preparation Team (CWPT). The CWPT formed out of a recognition that wildfire is an integral and inevitable component of southwest Oregonâ s environment. Adequate preparation for wildfire events requires the coordinated efforts of local governments, public lands management agencies, community organizations, businesses and residents. In February 2007 the CWPT initiated a comprehensive planning process to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Over the course of the following year, the CWPT used the analysis from the countywide structural vulnerability assessment and a comprehensive wildfire risk assessment to understand the biophysical factors that contribute to wildfire risk. The CWPT engaged community stakeholders through targeted interviews and public forums to better understand community concerns, priorities and preferences in developing the plan. And the CWPT used information from an analysis of vulnerable populations in Curry County to develop strategies to overcome the barriers of poverty, disability and social isolation that exist in the county. This CWPP applies to all of Curry County, but with a particular focus on addressing the challenges of managing wildfire risk within and adjacent to the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), the areas where forests and human communities meet. Because wildfire knows no jurisdictional boundaries, this plan is intended for everyone with a role in preparing for wildfires, including residents, land managers, emergency responders and elected officials. It is our hope that this document is an accessible resource for all to use. This CWPP is intended to compliment and support other efforts and plans throughout the county. As a non-regulatory plan, the actions and strategies described herein are consistent with current regulations and existing planning guidelines described in the Curry County Comprehensive Plan, Curry Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, and other relevant plans.
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    Disasters and the cycle of poverty: understanding urban, rural, and gender aspects of social vulnerability
    (Resource Innovations, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon, 2005-09) Lynn, Kathy
    This paper examines the impacts natural disasters have on poor communities all over the world, and the ways in which poverty and social vulnerability exacerbate disaster risk. We cannot reduce the risks poor communities face from natural disasters without addressing poverty. To address poverty reduction and disaster mitigation objectives, this paper seeks to highlight the connection between the cycle of poverty and risk from natural disasters. The paper begins by illustrating the nature of disaster risk faced by poor communities in developing countries and in the United States. The paper then examines how various aspects of social vulnerability (urban poverty, rural poverty and gender) comprise disaster risk. A series of examples highlight impacts to vulnerable populations and the strategies undertaken by individuals, communities, non-governmental organizations, and governments to build capacity to reduce disaster risk through community organizing and economic development at a local level. Finally, the paper provides a series of recommendations to consider in implementing poverty reduction measures, including the role of capacity building in helping to alleviate poverty and reduce risk from natural disasters.
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    Engaging Socially Vulnerable Populations in Community Wildfire Protection Plans
    (University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008) Resource Innovations; Forest Guild; Watershed Research and Training Center; Ojerio, Ryan S., 1972-; Lynn, Kathy; Evans, Alexander M.; DeBonis, Mike; Gerlitz, Wendy
    Recent catastrophic wildfires in the United States provided images of the destruction of multimillion-dollar homes, dense urban neighborhoods, and vast estates that overlook beautiful forests or the southern California ocean. These images depict real pain and suffering for those who have lost their homes and possessions. What the images fail to show, however, are the small homes, rural communities, and working settlements that experience the same kind of pain and suffering. All communities risk tremendous losses in the face of wildfires, but some communities risk losing more of their assets when their homes or their properties burn. Many rural and under-served communities have no insurance to rebuild their homes; renters are displaced and have no means to recover their valuables; and elderly and disabled residents confront additional threats when responding to events and caring for themselves and their families. Catastrophic wildfire can result in the loss of livelihood for residents and communities as a whole, including loss of jobs, natural resource and tourism industries, and other economic opportunities in the community. The purpose of this document is to provide tools to low-income and under-served communities for protection from wildfire. • Ensure that low capacity communities are incorporated within Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) goals. • Conduct risk assessments that include social as well as biophysical dimensions of risk. • Identify vulnerable populations and develop strategies to meet their needs within a CWPP. • Monitor and evaluate the impact of CWPPs.
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    Establishing a Low-Income Assistance Program for the Rural/Metro Fire Department
    (University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2006-09-28) Bollig, Shaun R.; Lynn, Kathy; University of Oregon. Institute for a Sustainable Environment. Resource Innovations
    Low-income citizens face greater obstacles in attaining and paying for public services, including energy, telephone, and water. The lack of resources to pay for services may also make it difficult for low-income residents to obtain adequate fire protection, particularly those in areas without a tax-based fire district. Rural/Metro Fire Department, a private organization in Josephine County, Oregon is interested in establishing a hardship program in recognition of the needs of low-income residents in its service area. This report is intended to outline the opportunities and challenges to implementing a hardship program that provides fire protection to residents who would otherwise be unable to afford and attain Rural/Metro’s services.
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    Final report : A feasibility study for an ecosystem management industry clearinghouse
    (Organization for Economic Initiatives, Inc, 2000-08) University of Oregon. Dept. of Planning, Public Policy and Management. Community Planning Workshop; Lynn, Kathy; LeDuc, Andre
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    FINAL REPORT: A Feasibility Study for an Ecosystem Management Industry Clearinghouse
    (University of Oregon, 2000-08) University of Oregon. Dept. of Planning, Public Policy and Management. Community Planning Workshop; Lynn, Kathy; LeDuc, Andre
    Experience with the Federal Jobs in the Woods program and with Oregon salmon restoration efforts has shown that experienced and trained workers are having a hard time finding stable employment. Recognition of this problem led to a discussion in April 1999 among representatives from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Economic Development Department, and the Ecosystem Workforce Program. The group concluded that the absence of communication and coordination between public and private land managers, contractors and members of the workforce in the ecosystem management industry is a contributing factor to the lack of employment opportunities for contractors and workers in the industry. In March 2000, EWP contracted the University of Oregon's Community Planning Workshop (CPW) to conduct a feasibility study of an ecosystem management industry clearinghouse. The purpose of the study is to assess the need for a clearinghouse that provides information to connect various components of the ecosystem management industry (e.g., contracting agencies, contractors, and workforce) and determine the best technical system to operate the clearinghouse. Organization for Economic Initiatives, Inc. funded this study. The Ecosystem Workforce Program (EWP) at the University of Oregon provided direction, organizational support and information on the ecosystem management industry.
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    Flood Mitigation Action Plan: Eagle Point, Oregon
    (University of Oregon, 2000-12) University of Oregon. Dept. of Planning, Public Policy and Management. Community Planning Workshop; Lynn, Kathy; DeLuc, Andre; Parker, Robert
    The Eagle Point Flood Mitigation Action Plan contains recommendations to meet flood mitigation goals as outlined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These recommendations consider the public prioritization of flood mitigation goals and activities conducted during a public forum in Eagle Point on September 28, 2000, as well as expert interviews conducted by CPW. Each of the recommendations are supplemented with information related to the potential constraints, as well as partners and/or resources available at the federal, state and local level to assist in implementation. The public participation process strengthens the value of this Flood Mitigation Action Plan and may assist as applications for flood mitigation funding are submitted to state and federal organizations.
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    Guidelines for Conducting a Special Needs Emergency Management Assessment
    (Resource Innovations ; Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon, 2006-05) Bollig, Shaun R.; Lynn, Kathy
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    Mapping the relationship between wildfire and poverty
    (University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2005-11) Lynn, Kathy; Gerlitz, Wendy
    This research project uses the concept of community capacity -- a community's ability to protect itself, respond to, and recover from wildfire -- and examines socioeconomic indicators (one component of community capacity) as elements of wildfire risk. Utilizing socioeconomic information, as well as ecological factors, this study set out to investigate, through a geographical-information-systems approach, whether communities most at risk from wildfire are able to access and benefit from federal programs established to serve these communities. In other words, are the dollars, assistance, and fuels-reduction projects hitting the ground in the areas throughout the country that are most at risk? This research project found that federal agencies do not have the information and data necessary to answer this question. Spatial data to inform every aspect of this research -- including data regarding the ecological conditions of federal lands, wildfire protection capability in and around communities, and the federal expenditures under the national fire plan -- are unavailable and/or inadequate. Using the limited data that are currently available, this research focused primarily on the relationship between poverty and populated areas at risk to wildfire. Our research indicates that there is a relationship between poverty and federal land ownership, and that more poor households are located in close proximity to federal lands. Perhaps more significant, the research shows a higher percentage of poor households in inhabited wildland areas that are not considered part of the Wildland Urban Interface the areas that federal agencies and Congress have prioritized to receive the majority of funds for activities under the national fire plan. The research also indicates that, in the one state analyzed, poor households are more likely in areas with low or no fire response capabilities than are non poor households.
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    Planning for Natural Hazards: Oregon Technical Resource Guide
    (Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and University of Oregon Community Service Center, 2001-06-01) LeDuc, Andre; Parker, Robert; Hanschka, Steve; Jones, Heather; Koch, Dave; Lynn, Kathy; Moore, Ryland; Olson, Lori; Shillinglaw, Craig; Oregon. Dept. of Land Conservation and Development
    The purpose of this project was to develop, with the assistance of the Department of Land Conservation and Development and other Oregon state agencies, technical resource guides (TRGs) for Oregon cities and counties to plan for, and limit the effects of, threats posed by natural hazards. The project intended to provide resource guides and plan evaluation tools, written for local staff and officials to assist jurisdictions across the state in developing policies, plans, and non-regulatory mitigation strategies to prevent high-risk development and to understand the legal ramifications of regulating development in potential hazard areas.
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    Tribal Climate Change Project: Issues and Opportunities for Native American tribes in planning for the physical affects of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
    (University of Oregon Office of International Affairs, 2011-04-20) Lynn, Kathy; Donoghue, Ellen
    The University of Oregon Environmental Studies Program and the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station are engaged in a collaborative study focused on understanding tribal climate change initiatives around the United States. The study will result in knowledge transfer through the dissemination of presentations, resources and publications to assist tribes throughout the United States in addressing climate change. Through this study, we also hope to build awareness among non-tribal communities, organizations, and agencies about issues, challenges, and opportunities that tribes face in the context of climate change.
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    Wildfire and rural poverty: disastrous connections
    (Natural Hazards Observer, 2003-11) Lynn, Kathy
    The financial and social costs of wildfires are rising annually. Between 2000 and 2002, wildfires destroyed almost 4,000 structures nationwide and cost the federal government over $3.4 billion in fire suppression. Grants through the National Fire Plan, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, and other local, state, and federal fire-related programs have been established to bolster community abilities to prepare for and reduce the risk of wildfires. However, while these grants and programs are available nationwide, the nation’s wildfire policies and programs do not provide the consistent, meaningful, and long-term assistance needed by the rural poor and by economically distressed communities to mitigate or recover from wildfires.
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    Wildfire protection and tribal needs assessment : a study of the resources and needs related to wildland and structural fire protection for Pacific Northwest tribes
    (Program for Watershed and Community Health, University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2005-02) Lynn, Kathy
    Study to examine the needs and issues of Tribes in Oregon, Washington and Idaho in relationship to wildfire protection and prevention.