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The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California has announced that it is looking to assist private forestland owners in addressing tree mortality and other drought-related damage, with financial assistance and forestry staff assistance in order to improve forest health. California’s drought, now in its sixth year in most parts of the state, has resulted in thousands of dead and dying trees ripe for insect infestation and fuel for wildfires.
The Forest Tree Mortality Initiative is focused on removing dead trees on larger, severely damaged, private forestlands. The minimum size forestland property eligible for financial assistance is one acre and at least 100 feet wide. Removing dead tree debris and other woody material will also help reduce both invasive pests and the threat of wildfire.
“The dry conditions posed by California’s ongoing drought have increased the potential for devastating wildfires and insect-related tree mortality,” said Carlos Suarez, NRCS California state conservationist. “In the upcoming year, NRCS will continue and expand our 2016 forest recovery efforts by initially allocating $4 million for tree mortality projects. We will also provide additional forestry staff to meet the overwhelming demand for assistance.”
Landowners with dead and dying trees on non-industrial private conifer forestlands in specific California counties may be eligible for financial assistance. Landowners in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Tulare and Tuolumne counties should inquire regarding available funding through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ca/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcseprd440606. Interested applicants are encouraged to get their applications to their local NRCS service center as soon as possible.
Suarez also said, “Our focus is to combine healthy forest practices with the need to sequester carbon and improve soil health.” The NRCS landscape restoration efforts are part of USDA’s Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture.
An applicant with more than 20 percent of their conifer forestland property covered with dead trees will receive priority funding consideration. Approved conservation practices include treating or removing woody residue from dead or dying trees, thinning overstocked forest stands, and tree planting. An approved NRCS Forest Management Plan for tree mortality will not include tree removal on lands within 100 feet from homes. Homeowners with tree mortality issues within 100 feet or less from their home should contact their county’s tree mortality task force about opportunities for removing dead trees around homes.
Time is of the essence for this project; NRCS will process applications and visit an applicant’s property prior to December 9, 2016. It is anticipated that there will be additional funding opportunities in 2017.
Eligible landowners are encouraged to contact their local county NRCS service center for more information and to apply:
Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties – (209) 223-6528
El Dorado County – (530) 295-5630
Fresno County – (559) 276-7494
Kern County (Eastern Kern County and Tehachapi areas) – (661) 945-2604
Lake County – (707) 263-4180
Los Angeles County – (661) 945-2604
Madera County – (559) 674-6428
Mariposa County – (209) 966-3431
Nevada County – (530) 272-3417
Placer County – (530) 885-6505
Riverside County – (951)654-7139
San Bernardino County (Santa Ana Watershed) – (909) 799-7404
San Bernardino County (Mohave Watershed) – (760) 843-6882
San Diego County – (760) 745-2061
Tulare County – (559) 734-8732
Western Riverside County – (909) 799-7404
NRCS has worked in partnership with private landowners and a variety of local, state and federal conservation partners since its inception in 1935 to deliver conservation based on specific, local needs.
