Urban Forest Strike TeamTeam LeaderResponse ProtocolsReview

Eric Kuehler, USDA Forest ServiceNew Kent, VAJuly 14-15, 2008

UFST Current Response Protocols

• Storm Damage Assessment Protocol– Pre-storm debris potential assessment– Post-storm debris estimation assessment

• Risk Assessment Protocol

• Potential Tree Planting Site Protocol

Disaster Response Timeline

Pre-storm planning:SDAP pre-storm

DisasterStrikes

12-72 hrs 3-60 days 2 – 24 months >2 years

SDAP

Risk Assessment Protocol

Potential Tree Planting Site Protocol

SDAP pre-storm: Not currently in SGSF/Region 8 plan for UFSTSDAP: FEMA debris management standards applyRisk Assessment Protocol: FEMA standards may or may not applyPotential Tree Planting Site Protocol: Local planting guidelines apply

FederalDisasterDeclaration

Response RecoveryPost-FEMA

Post-storm debris:Municipalities need to – Estimate amountsEstimate clean-up costs

Storm Damage Assessment Protocol

Storm Damage Assessment Protocol• What information does it provide?

– An estimate of the number and size of trees in the affected area requiring removal/pruning (per FEMA criteria)

– Estimates vegetative debris that has been generated

– Cost estimates for tree removal/pruning– Cost estimates of vegetative debris removal

– This is info cities need for planning

Storm Damage Assessment Protocol

Isolate affected area using GIS layer or paper map

Stratify into land-use areas (i.e. residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) if needed

Randomly choose 10-30 street segments from each stratum

Obtain length of each street segment (ft) and total street miles in each stratum or the entire affected area

A tally sheet for each street segment will be needed

This form documents removals,pruning, and debris in urban areas

Fill out plot information as completely as possible (you may want to use “from” and “to” street rather than address)

Tally the number of trees on the right-of-way that you believe should be removed or pruned by size class

Estimate the amount of debris in cubic yards on the ROW and out 50 feet from the ROW (by 100 foot segments)

24 cubic yards of debris

Debris Estimationyd3

24 = 15 person van20 = 4 door full size SUV15 = Dodge Magnum S.W. 9 = std 6’x6’X7’ dumpster 5 = port-o-john 1 = dog house

Consult Whole Tree Volume tables for wind-thrown trees

Storm Damage Assessment Protocol

Storm Damage Assessment Protocol

Enter plot information here

Enter removal and pruning information here

Storm Damage Assessment Protocol

Enter debris estimations here

The software will automatically sum debris estimations

Signify cubic yard debris estimation method by “Y” in the CY field

Storm Damage Assessment Protocol

Set total street miles and costs

Disaster Response Timeline

Pre-storm planning:SDAP pre-storm

DisasterStrikes

12-72 hrs 3-60 days 2 – 24 months >2 years

SDAP

Risk Assessment Protocol

Potential Tree Planting Site Protocol

SDAP pre-storm: Not currently in SGSF/Region 8 plan for UFSTSDAP: FEMA debris management standards applyRisk Assessment Protocol: FEMA standards may or may not applyPotential Tree Planting Site Protocol: Local planting guidelines apply

FederalDisasterDeclaration

Response RecoveryPost-FEMA

Risk Assessment Protocol• Basically determines if tree stays or goes

• Highly variable– Depends on what community needs

• Can use FEMA-325 standards• Can use local standards

• Used to negotiate FEMA settlement

• Used to develop interim management plan

Risk Assessment Protocol

• Basic components of data collection– Species (can be to genus)– DBH– Location (preferably spatial)– Remove entire tree or prune hazard limbs– Justification – Immediate action required– Not storm related– Notes (make it brief)

Risk Assessment Protocol

• Other components as needed– Physical address– “on street”, “from street”, “to street”– Location on parcel– Public or private tree– Inspect further – Corrective prune or other action– Etc. (to meet communities needs)

Risk Assessment Protocol• How to set it up

– Determine what the city wants (needs)– What will city do with the data

• FEMA reimbursement• UF interim management plan

– What is the extent of the damage– What are the areas of prime interest– What are the time constraints

• Know the limits of your resources

Risk Assessment Protocol• How to set it up

– Secure scaled maps and/or GIS layers of impacted area

• Recommended GIS layers– Street (edge of pavement or centerline)– Right-of-way– Parcels with addresses

– Set-up GPS equipment or paper data sheets• Data dictionary for GPS• Excel spreadsheet for paper data collection

Risk Assessment Protocol

Reporting

• Block report

• Priority lists

• Location maps

• GIS layer

• Interpretation How does the city want it?

Risk Assessment ProtocolReporting

Oklahoma Ice Storm

Disaster Response Timeline

Pre-storm planning:SDAP pre-storm

DisasterStrikes

12-72 hrs 3-60 days 2 – 24 months >2 years

SDAP

Risk Assessment Protocol

Potential Tree Planting Site Protocol

SDAP pre-storm: Not currently in SGSF/Region 8 plan for UFSTSDAP: FEMA debris management standards applyRisk Assessment Protocol: FEMA standards may or may not applyPotential Tree Planting Site Protocol: Local planting guidelines apply

FederalDisasterDeclaration

Response RecoveryPost-FEMA

Tree Planting Site Protocol

• Used to help communities re-establish the urban forest

• Usually there is no FEMA financial assistance for tree planting

• Funding could come from other governmental agencies (US Forest Service)

• Most likely not an ICS function

Tree Planting Site Protocol

• How to set it up– Identify communities wants (needs)– Obtain local tree planting criteria (if available)

• Public/private planting• Minimum planting space• Spacing requirements• Planting under utilities• Site triangles• Etc.

Tree Planting Site Protocol• Obtain scaled maps or GIS layers

– ROW and/or publicly-owned property– Parcel boundaries with address

• Develop GPS data dictionary or paper data sheet– Street and address– Public or private property– Tree lawn size– Utilities present– Recommended tree size– Notes

Reporting

• Block report

• Location maps

• GIS layer

Urban Forest Strike TeamTeam LeaderResponse ProtocolsReview

Eric Kuehler, USDA Forest ServiceNew Kent, VAJuly 14-15, 2008

?