FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR ELIGIBLE LANDOWNERS THROUGH NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE!
See the full press release here [1].
Applications will be accepted in Chelan, Kittitas and Okanogan counties as a part of this special initiative. Those forest landowners selected for funding will receive financial assistance from NRCS to treat a suite of practices in order to reduce fuels and the threat of catastrophic wildfire on their properties, as well as post-fire restoration activities.
Examples of fuel reduction practices include, but are not limited to:
Forest Stand Improvement – selective thinning of small and medium-sized trees to meet desired stocking levels for wildfire hazard reduction and tree health.
Tree/Shrub Pruning – removal of living and dead branches to a height of 10-16 feet.
Woody Residue Treatment – treating forest slash to reduce fuels and risk of harmful insects and diseases by means of lop & scatter, piling, chipping or removal of woody debris.
Examples of post-fire restoration activities include:
Reforestation – Planting of fire resistant conifer species (mostly Ponderosa Pine) with associated Site Preparation (Hand Spot Treatment – scalp or chemical) on uplands; and/or planting hardwood species in riparian areas.
Woody Residue Treatment - treating forest slash to reduce fuels and risk of harmful insects and diseases by means of lop & scatter, piling, chipping or removal of woody debris. Also includes treatment of standing trees killed by wildfire (cut down & treat).
Critical Area Planting – Establishing permanent vegetation (native or introduced grass species) on sites that have, or are expected to have, high erosion rates.