Agenda 06/12/2018 Item #16D 806/12/2018
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to authorize the Chairman to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with Wildland Restoration International (WRI), a not-for-profit organization registered in the
state of Florida, covering prescribed fire and other land management activities for the
Conservation Collier Program, at no cost to the County.
OBJECTIVE: To facilitate using staffing and equipment for prescribed fire and land management
activities to be provided by WRI, a not-for-profit organization registered in the state of Florida, at no
cost to the County.
CONSIDERATIONS: The most effective and inexpensive tool for accomplishing many conservation
land management objectives is prescribed fire, the use of which has become increasingly difficult
because of liability and smoke management concerns, limited qualified personnel and equipment, a
limited number of good burn days, and limited funding. Additionally, there is significant vegetative
debris from Hurricane Irma remaining on the ground in Conservation Collier Preserves, which presents a
fire hazard during dry season.
WRI has received a state wildlife grant to assist Counties and others with prescribed fire and other land
management activities by providing personnel and equipment for conducting prescribed burning
operations on public land holdings in addition to personnel resources to accomplish management tasks at
no cost.
WRI will participate in at least two (2) scheduled burns per year and additional land management
activities to include, but not limited to, debris removal, hardwood treatment, invasive treatment, invasive
surveying, and native understory establishment. Prescribed burning operations conducted by WRI will
also enhance burning skills of participating team members, mitigate the threat of wildfires, and help
promote public understanding and acceptance of this important natural resource management tool.
WRI and Conservation Collier staff will develop a Prescribed Burning Operations Plan that includes but
is not limited to a prioritized list of burn units, burn prescriptions for each unit, a proposed burning
schedule, and anticipated resource needs. The plan will be flexible in order to meet changing weather
conditions, work priorities of the participating parties, and unforeseen budgetary constraints.
Conservation Collier staff will assume all responsibilities for prescribed burns and other land
management activities conducted on the property for which it has management authority - as it currently
does. This includes, but is not limited to, preparing burn prescriptions (including smoke screening plans),
preparing the site for burning, obtaining the burn authorization, and managing the burn. Burn
prescriptions and burn unit maps will be provided to all participating personnel, local fire districts, and
the Division of Forestry personnel. Safety and operational briefings will be conducted prior to ignition.
The County will have its own Certified Burn Manager in charge of the burn with WRI staff assisting and
providing equipment.
Staff has reviewed this MOU with Risk Management and the County’s Bureau of Emergency Services,
who suggested minor changes which were incorporated in the final MOU.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no Fiscal impact.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT: There is no Growth Management impact.
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LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This Item is approved for form and legality and requires a majority
vote for Board approval. -JAB
RECOMMENDATION: To authorizes the Chairman to sign the attached MOU with WRI to allow the
use of WRI staffing and equipment at no cost to the County to conduct prescribed fires and mutually
agreed upon land management activities on Conservation Collier Preserves.
Prepared By: Alexandra Sulecki, Principal Environmental Specialist, Parks and Recreation
Division
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. MOU - Wildland Restoration International (PDF)
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06/12/2018
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.D.8
Doc ID: 5703
Item Summary: Recommendation to authorize the Chairman to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with Wildland Restoration International (WRI), a not-for-profit organization
registered in the state of Florida, covering prescribed fire and other land management activities for the
Conservation Collier Program, at no cost to the County.
Meeting Date: 06/12/2018
Prepared by:
Title: Operations Analyst – Parks & Recreation
Name: Matthew Catoe
05/15/2018 12:32 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation – Parks & Recreation
Name: Barry Williams
05/15/2018 12:32 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Parks & Recreation Ilonka Washburn Additional Reviewer Completed 05/15/2018 4:48 PM
Parks & Recreation Matthew Catoe Additional Reviewer Skipped 05/16/2018 9:06 AM
Parks & Recreation Barry Williams Additional Reviewer Completed 05/18/2018 4:26 PM
Operations & Veteran Services Sean Callahan Additional Reviewer Completed 05/22/2018 10:17 AM
Public Services Department Todd Henry Level 1 Division Reviewer Completed 05/22/2018 3:52 PM
County Attorney's Office Jennifer Belpedio Level 2 Attorney of Record Review Completed 05/22/2018 4:33 PM
Public Services Department Steve Carnell Level 2 Division Administrator Review Completed 05/23/2018 10:22 AM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 05/24/2018 8:46 AM
Office of Management and Budget Valerie Fleming Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 05/24/2018 9:15 AM
Budget and Management Office Ed Finn Additional Reviewer Completed 05/25/2018 3:12 PM
County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 06/03/2018 8:42 PM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 06/12/2018 9:00 AM
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16.D.8.aPacket Pg. 1372Attachment: MOU - Wildland Restoration International (5703 : MOU - Wildland Restoration International)
16.D.8.aPacket Pg. 1373Attachment: MOU - Wildland Restoration International (5703 : MOU - Wildland Restoration International)
16.D.8.aPacket Pg. 1374Attachment: MOU - Wildland Restoration International (5703 : MOU - Wildland Restoration International)
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16.D.8.aPacket Pg. 1376Attachment: MOU - Wildland Restoration International (5703 : MOU - Wildland Restoration International)
16.D.8.aPacket Pg. 1377Attachment: MOU - Wildland Restoration International (5703 : MOU - Wildland Restoration International)
16.D.8.aPacket Pg. 1378Attachment: MOU - Wildland Restoration International (5703 : MOU - Wildland Restoration International)