Fighting Wildfires

The Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS) and United States Forest Service (USFS) sought proposals to mitigate wildfire threats to landowners and communities through the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership. 

The Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership (JCLRP) leveraged funding and resources from both the public and private sectors with an eye towards providing America’s private land owners with tools and assistance that improve their agricultural operations. This helps ensure the long term success of these landscape level efforts.

 

“Strategic investments across landscapes, such as those projects funded by the Joint Chiefs partnership, help create resilient forests, grasslands and watersheds while sustaining communities,” said Curtis Elke, state conservationist for NRCS in Idaho. “Treating lands to reduce wildfire threats is a smart investment that will protect vast areas of land and potentially save of millions of taxpayer dollars over the long term.”

Proposals for JCLRP projects submitted on the proper form by Oct. 10 to the appropriate NRCS or USFS personnel will be evaluated and selected for funding based on their merit. The following criteria will be considered during the evaluation process by a joint NRCS and USFS committee:

·         Alignment with USDA priorities

·         Support for Idaho state and regional priorities

·         Clarity of goals, deliverables, and desired outcomes

·         National Environmental Policy Act requirements are complete for work on public lands

·         Partner support and involvement (non-federal contributions to the project will strengthen the application).

·         Proposals must include, at minimum, a combinations of activities on private land, national forest system and Idaho state land.

·         Proposed activities must include land treatments, education, outreach, and coordination activities on public, state, tribal and private land.

·         Projects may be up to three years in length. However, allocations are made on an annual basis and there is no guarantee of funding for subsequent years.

 

Successful proposals will be designed to measurably improve the health and resiliency of forest and/or rangeland ecosystems, while contributing community benefits.

 

If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please visit your local NRCS field office to speak with the District Conservationist about the program and to get a copy of the proposal template.

 

“By leveraging the technical and financial resources of both NRCS and the Forest Service, this coordinated effort is helping to restore lands across large landscapes regardless of whether they are on public or private lands,” Elke said.