Sustaining Front Range Forests & Communities February 26, 2010

Sustaining Front Range Sustaining Front Range Forests & CommunitiesForests & Communities

February 26, 2010February 26, 2010

Sustaining Front Range Sustaining Front Range Forests & CommunitiesForests & Communities

February 26, 2010February 26, 2010

Condition & Value of Front Range ForestsCondition & Value of Front Range ForestsCondition & Value of Front Range ForestsCondition & Value of Front Range Forests

• 4.2 million acres of forest.

• Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer & lodgepole pine.

• Nearly half of these forests are at high risk to damaging wildfire, insects and disease.

• The conditions that led to the record 2002 Fire Season are still present throughout the Front Range.

These conditions place lives and homes at risk along with essential infrastructure and things that are vital

to our quality of life.

FAST FACTS

• 2 million people, 881 communities, more than 700,000 homes.

• 4.2 million acres of watershed essential to drinking water supply, 65% of which is at high risk to post-fire erosion.

• 1,246 essential components of water supply storage & delivery.

• 1,775 miles of roads.

• 1,573 miles of transmission lines.

• 664 miles of gas pipelines.

• 122 communication towers.

• 2 million acres of essential habitat for imperiled species.

Overview of Front Range RoundtableOverview of Front Range RoundtableOverview of Front Range RoundtableOverview of Front Range Roundtable

• Launched in the wake of the record 2002 Wildfire Season.

• Area of concern covers 10 Front Range counties.

• Participants represent at least 54 different entities.

• Goal is to accelerate community protection and ecological restoration on 1.5 million priority acres.

• 2006 Report captures analysis and recommendations.

• Full Roundtable meets quarterly. Workgroups talk / meet monthly. All activities facilitated by Coordinator.

• Partnering with Northern Front Range Mountain Pine Beetle Working Group and Watershed Wildfire Protection Working Group.

Initial Roundtable SuccessesInitial Roundtable SuccessesInitial Roundtable SuccessesInitial Roundtable Successes

Established consensus map of prioritized treatments areas along with recommendations to accelerate treatment and improve collaboration.

• Raised profile of Front Range forest health issues with the Congressional delegation and brought additional focus, funding and resources to forests.

• Supported and helped facilitate the creation of a Long-Term Stewardship Contract on the Pike-San Isabel and Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests.

• Facilitated passage of state legislation:• Forest Improvement Districts• Tax incentives for defensible space• Incentives for increased biomass utilization.

• Developed an on-line “one-stop shop” for information on grants and technical assistance.

• Conducted technical assistance workshops in community fire planning, biomass utilization and grant writing.

•Promoted increased use of safe and effective prescribed fire through the establishment of a statewide Prescribed Fire Council; and

•Assisted insurance providers with educating WUI policy holders on defensible space and fire safe building materials.

Current Roundtable Focus AreasCurrent Roundtable Focus AreasCurrent Roundtable Focus AreasCurrent Roundtable Focus Areas

Bring increased resources and opportunities to our members. Remove barriers when necessary.

• Woodland Park Healthy Forest Initiative.

• Forest Landscape Restoration Act Proposal.

• Biomass Utilization and Slash Sites.

• Science and Monitoring.

• Outreach to Elected Officials.

What Can You Do???What Can You Do???What Can You Do???What Can You Do???

• Promote defensible space, use of fire-safe building materials, and limited growth in the WUI.

• Support fuels reduction and restoration on locally-owned public lands.

• Consider a Forest Improvement District.

• Seek innovative opportunities for woody biomass utilization.

• Share stories of Front Range challenges with other elected officials and encourage active support.

• Support Front Range FLRA proposal

• Continue support for Roundtable

QUESTIONS???