Community Capacity and the Environment Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/1794/13133

The Community Capacity and Environment program is primarily focused on building capacity in rural and underserved communities to address wildfire protection. The program intends to increase awareness about the relationships between wildfire and rural poverty and provide resources for community-based efforts in fire and forest restoration. This program also examines broader relationships between natural resource management, natural disaster mitigation and social vulnerability.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 34

Open Access
Wood Heat Solutions : A Community Guide to Biomass Thermal Projects
(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008) Resource Innovations
This guide provides an introduction to woody biomass as a viable alternative to fossil fuels for generating heat and offers case study examples and sources for further information on developing a biomass heat project. It is specifically geared towards communities in the Pacific Northwest where biomass projects support social and ecological as well as economic goals. The case studies demonstrate how the ingredients of a successful biomass heat project can come together with a little initiative and some hard work. While describing some of the challenges, these examples also highlight the opportunities and benefits of increased savings, support for local wood products industries, reduced dependence on fossil fuels and more sustainable energy systems.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
Community Wildfire Protection Plan Evaluation Guide
(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008-08)
The purpose of this guide is to assist communities in monitoring and evaluating their Community Wildfire Protection Plans to strengthen future implementation. The steps in this guide outline an effective process for evaluating how well communities have addressed the goals and objectives of their CWPPs and for updating their plans. The Guide recommends collaborative strategies to bring together project partners to conduct the evaluation, gather relevant data, and write the evaluation report. This evaluation will draw out the experiences and lessons learned in collaborative efforts among community members, local government, municipalities, land management, and state agencies, thereby pinpointing the key accomplishments and challenges facing the community in implementing its fire plan. The benefits of an evaluation may also include the identification of strategies to help communities plan for and reduce the risks of other natural disasters.
Open Access
Case Study: Reducing Hazardous Fuels for Josephine County’s Special Needs Population--Draft
(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2006-10)
Open Access
Redefining Stewardship : Public Lands and Rural Communities in the Pacific Northwest
(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008-02) Ecotrust; University of Oregon. Institute for a Sustainable Environment. Resource Innovations
Can the vision of healthy forests and healthy communities bring together traditional adversaries? This publication tells a story of collaboration that moves beyond the tales of the '90s-era timber wars. We share how four groups across the Pacific Northwest are acting on recent federal stewardship contracting authorities to help manage National Forest lands for watershed and community health. In the process, these innovators are redefining an essential 21st-century value: stewardship
Open Access
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
Open Access
Feasibility and Benefits of Deploying Solar Electric Generation Across Public and Commercial Roof Space in Eugene, Oregon
(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2006-06) Neff, Raymond
Many commercial and public buildings have large expanses of roof area that are ideally suited for generating electricity with solar photovoltaics (PV). They are often free of obstructions from the sun, like large trees or other natural barriers and are generally taller than most residential structures that may be nearby. By developing a network of interconnected, small to medium-scale solar PV arrays, we may be able to realize economic, environmental and social benefits that steer Eugene toward a more sustainable energy future by reducing our dependence on costly, non-renewable energy sources. While we certainly will not be able to meet all of our electricity needs through distributed solar PV, we could substantially reduce our dependence on the most detrimental non-renewable resources that we currently rely on and increase our overall renewable energy portfolio. This research investigates the feasibility and potential economic and environmental benefits derived from deploying distributed generation, solar PV systems on public and commercial rooftops in Eugene, Oregon. GIS software and aerial photographs are used to determine the available under-utilized roof area and locally available solar data are used to estimate the amount of energy it is possible to generate.
Open Access
Evaluation Guide for Community Wildfire Protection Plans : Draft
(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008-03-01) University of Oregon. Institute for a Sustainable Environment. Resource Innovations
The purpose of this guide is to assist communities in monitoring and evaluating their CWPPs to strengthen future implementation. The steps in this guide outline an effective process for evaluating how well communities have addressed the goals and objectives of their CWPPs and updating their plans. The Guide recommends collaborative strategies to bring together project partners to conduct the evaluation, gather relevant data, and write the evaluation report. This evaluation will draw out the experiences and lessons learned in collaborative efforts among community members, local government, municipalities, land management, and state agencies, thereby pinpointing the key accomplishments and challenges facing the community in implementing their fire plan. Benefits of an evaluation may also include identifying strategies that help communities to plan for and reduce the risks of other natural disasters.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
Curry County Community Wildfire Protection Plan : Community Guide
(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008-02) University of Oregon. Institute for a Sustainable Environment. Resource Innovations
The full Curry County CWPP is a comprehensive document that details information on a wide range of issues from county demographics and vulnerable populations, to structural vulnerability and wildfire risk. The CWPT felt that is was critical to provide an abridged version of the CWPP to citizens throughout the county to ensure that the resources provided would be as accessible as possible. This CWPP Community Guide summarizes the key findings, recommendations and actions, and priorities for fuels reduction identified in the plan. Hard copies of the full CWPP can be found in city and county government offices, fire districts, libraries, and watershed council offices throughout the county. An electronic version can be downloaded at: http://www.co.curry.or.us/ or http://ri.uoregon.edu/programs/CCE/curry.html.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
Josephine County Integrated Fire Plan: 2006 Annual Report and Updated Action Plan
(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Resource Innovations, 2006) University of Oregon. Institute for a Sustainable Environment. Resource Innovations
In 2002, the Biscuit Fire burned over 500,000 acres and resulted in costs exceeding 150 million dollars. A majority of the acres burned in Josephine County, Oregon. Lessons learned from the fire resulted in the development of an Integrated Fire Plan for the county that addressed wildfire risk, hazardous fuels reduction, emergency management, and education. On November 8th, 2004 the Josephine County (OR) Board of County Commissioners adopted the Josephine County Integrated Fire Plan (JCIFP). Since that time, partners involved with the JCIFP have remained active in implementing the fire plan, as well as expanding efforts beyond initial objectives to pursue stewardship contracting, biomass utilization, and other efforts. This report illustrates the accomplishments and lessons learned from the second year of implementing the JCIFP. The report also includes an updated action plan and list of priority fuels reduction projects.
Open Access
Tribal Wildfire Resource Guide, June 2006
(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Resource Innovations, 2006-06) University of Oregon. Institute for a Sustainable Environment. Resource Innovations; Rasmussen, Kathleen Frances, 1978-
During the past year, the Intertribal Timber Council (ITC) has been working with Resource Innovations, a program within the University of Oregon’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment, to develop a Tribal Wildfire Resource Guide. An advisory committee, consisting of tribal and federal agency representatives has provided direction and oversight for preparation of the Guide. The Guide is intended to provide an overview of federal forest/fire policies and authorities, federal fire-planning programs and grant resources that may help tribes develop or strengthen fire-management programs. The Guide also highlights case studies from tribes around the United States that are actively engaged in planning or implementing fire-management programs.
Open Access
Josephine County : Integrated fire plan, November 2004
(Josephine County (Or.), 2004-11-08) Josephine County (Or.); University of Oregon. Program for Watershed and Community Health
Goals [for this Plan are]: protect against potential losses to life, property and natural resources from wildfire; build and maintain active participation from each Fire Protection District; set realistic expectations for reducing wildfire risk; identify and prioritize actions for fire protection; access and utilize federal and other grant dollars; identify incentives for fire protection and community participation; promote visible projects and program successes; monitor the changing conditions of wildfire risk and citizen action over time; and institutionalize fire-related programs and sustain community efforts for fire protection. [From the Plan]
Open Access
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.
Open Access
Wildfire and poverty: an overview of the interactions among wildfires, fire-related programs, and poverty in the Western States
(Center for Watershed and Community Health, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University, 2001-12) Niemi, Ernest G.; Lee, Kristin
Wildfires and poverty are both common in the West. Wildfires intensify poverty by having a pervasive, disproportionately negative impact on those households and communities lacking adequate resources to reduce the flammability of nearby wildlands, fire-proof homes and other structures, respond quickly when wildfires occur, and recover from economic losses resulting from fires. The impacts also go in the reverse direction, with poverty increasing the incidence of wildfires, raising the costs of fighting fires, and creating additional risks for firefighters.
Open Access
Assessment of water leasing activities in Washington State
(Center for Watershed and Community Health, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University, 2001-11-01)
The State of Washington faced a record drought situation for the 2001 water year. The opportunity to lease water from current water right holders for the purpose of enhancing instream flows to improve conditions for fish were constrained by the drought. Water leasing activities conducted by the Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE), the Roza Irrigation District, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) will be discussed here.
Open Access
Benefits to fish, benefits to farmers: improving streamflow and water allocation in the Northwest
(Center for Watershed and Community Health, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon, 2002-08) Jaeger, William K.; Doppelt, Bob
This paper is intended to outline a framework and provide policy recommendations for expanding the tools and approaches available to transfer water between out-of-stream and instream uses and also among out-of-stream uses. The document is an outcome of a multi-year effort to assess the costs and benefits of water acquisition strategies, begun in 2000 by the PSU (now UO) Center for Watershed and Community Health. The report suggests that one key to expanding water transfers in the region is to frame the goal, when possible, as a means to help all users of water—both farmers and other water right holders—to meet their objectives. This approach may be viewed more positively than ones which has at times been interpreted by some agricultural interests as involving only costs without any offsetting benefits for them or their communities.
Open Access
Creating good-neighbors in your watershed: a resource guide for establishing Watershed Good-Neighbor programs
(Center for Watershed and Community Health, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University, 1999) Portland State University. Center for Watershed and Community Health
The Watershed Good-Neighbor program is a unique voluntary, community-based approach to educating and training local businesses and landowners on how they can improve their business productivity and profitability and, in doing so, improve the health of their watershed and environment. This resource guide outlines how a community can establish a locally tailored Watershed Good-Neighbor program in their area. This document provides a model for communities to set up a Watershed Good-Neighbor project and outlines the steps necessary to save companies money, save the community money, and help conserve local watersheds and the environment. The program is applicable to small, medium and large retailers, manufacturers, and to agricultural and forest landowners. This Resource Guide is a guidance document that can tailored to meet the specific needs of the participating community. The Center for Watershed and Community Health hopes that communities will adjust it, as they see necessary, to meet the distinct needs of their situation.