R -- ALTERNATIVES TO PRESCRIBED FIRE ON WILDLANDS

Notice Date

September 25, 2001

Contracting Office

Western Governors' Association, 1515 Cleveland Place, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80202

ZIP Code

80202

Solicitation Number

01WGA115WRAP

Response Due

October 25, 2001

Point of Contact

Richard Halvey, (303) 623-9378

E-Mail Address

Western Governors' Association (rhalvey@westgov.org)

Description

The use of prescribed fire to improve the ecological health of the land and to reduce the buildup of hazardous fuels is increasing on public and to a lesser degree on private lands throughout the West. The use of fire as the primary or preferred method raises concerns about increased smoke emissions and the potential impacts on air quality with respect to public nuisance, health and visibility (plume blight and regional haze). There is also concern for managing this increased risk related to other potentially affected resources (water quality and quantity, soils, biota, etc.) and maintaining fires use for fuels reduction and health objectives within defined objectives and project boundaries. Thus, it is important that landowners and land managers of wildlands clearly state their goals and objectives for the land, and that they demonstrate that they have considered all reasonable methods and associated risks of achieving those goals. These methods should include non-burning treatments, such as mechanical treatments to reduce the amount of fuel to be burned. The use of alternatives to prescribed burning on wildlands when feasible will result in fewer emissions. The objectives of this project are to develop a reference document and internet site that will (1) provide landowners and land managers with comprehensive information on alternatives to prescribed burning, including marketing of forest materials, and a "decision-tree" for different options that can be pursued; and (2) assist air quality regulators, environmental organizations, and the general public in understanding the risk versus benefit decision-making process related to use of alternatives to prescribed burning. Copies of this RFP may be downloaded from the WRAP web site at www.wrapair.org.

Web Link

Western Regional Air Partnership (http://www.wrapair.org)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010927/RSOL007.HTM (D-268 SN50Y7B0)