6: Maintenance and enhancement of long-term multiple socio-economic benefits

Measure the potential for biomass facilities to facilitate fuel treatments for communities that are active in planning and conducting projects to reduce community fire risk. A CWPP is a collaborative strategic plan, developed by the community together with relevant agencies, to reduce its risk of losses from vegetation fires by managing hazardous fuels and structure vulnerability. Communities with a CWPP are likely to be more active in conducting pre-fire projects, and to be given priority for funding of hazardous fuels reduction projects carried out under the auspices of the federal Healthy Forest Restoration Act. Biomass facilities can provide an economic incentive for treating areas at risk or damaged by fire or pests, including areas in and around these communities.

Measure the number of biomass facilities that potentially facilitate treatment of forested areas to reduce fire and/or pest risk or existing damage, and contribute to local economies. The number of biomass facilities in California has been fairly dynamic, and has included new facilities as well as closures. Biomass facilities can provide an economic incentive for treating areas at risk or damaged by fire or pests. Many areas in need of treatment do not have this incentive available due to travel time between project areas and biomass facilities.

Shows where specific efforts are being taken by identified at-risk communities to reduce the chances for loss and damage from wildfire. Communities at Risk (CAR) participating in the Firewise Communities USA/Recognition Program develop an action plan to guide residential risk reduction activities, and encourage their neighbors to participate as well. Firewise communities must invest at least $2 per capita in local Firewise actions each year and conduct a “Firewise Day” community event. Communities on the CAR list which are recognized as Firewise Communities may be more prepared and/or resilient in the face of wildfires.

This shows which designated Communities at Risk have made specific planning efforts to reduce their chances for loss and damage from wildfires. A list of communities at high risk of structure damage from wildfires was first created by the National Fire Plan, to identify priority projects designed to reduce the fire risks to communities. This Communities at Risk (CAR) list was initially limited to communities neighboring federal lands, but was since expanded to include all high-risk communities identified within the wildland-Urban Interface. A number of these communities have prepared a CWPP - a collaborative strategic plan, developed by the community or neighborhood together with relevant agencies, to reduce its risk of losses from vegetation fires by managing hazardous fuels and structure vulnerability. These communities are likely to be more prepared and/or resilient in the face of wildfires. In addition, communities with a CWPP will be given priority for funding of hazardous fuels reduction projects carried out under the auspices of the federal Healthy Forest Restoration Act.

The number of Fire Safe Councils (FSCs) available to support the efforts of CAR to reduce the chances for loss and damage from wildfires. The California Fire Safe Council, and county and local FSCs, are non-profit organizations that promote fire safety education, and encourage wildfire hazard management and wildfire prevention. CAR represented by an FSC may be more prepared and/or resilient in the face of wildfires.

The number of communities benefitting from USFS assistant to enhance the cultural, social, and spiritual aspect of the environment outside of forests. The number of communities with developing or established urban and community forestry programs resulting from Forest Service assistance.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/spf/fhp/fhm/risk/index.shtml .

Forest communities potentially at risk from future pest outbreaks, which could result in economic, environmental, aesthetic, and public safety impacts. These communities represent potential opportunities for risk reduction through different types of actions designed to mitigate the particular type of threat. Forest pest threat is ranked based on expected tree mortality, based on data from the USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection program (FHP)

The extent to which the USFS is providing interpretive and conservation education to enhance the cultural, social, and spiritual appreciation of forests. The number of plans implemented shows the level of outreach effort.

The number of livestock currently depending on rangeland to meet some or all of their life cycle requirements is indicative of the status of the range livestock industry. This indicator measures the quantity of livestock (cattle, sheep, horses, and goats) that spend part or all of the year on rangeland. The indicator, linked with other indicators, represents rangeland grazing and browsing use by domestic animals. It accounts for short-term management strategies by individual grazers, as well as more long-term strategies followed by land management agencies.