Landowners Guide to Hazardous Fuels Reduction

Homeowners and Land Owners

Are you interested in protecting your property and neighborhood from wildfire? Northwest Regional Resource Conservation and Development (NW RC&D) may be able to help you! To apply for assistance click on the ‘Homeowners Application’ PDF or contact NW RC&D direct (info@nwr-rcd.org) to determine if they have funds available in your area!

Q. As a landowner, I am interested in portecting my home and community from wildfire. What is the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) organization and how can they assist me in protecting my property?

• RC&D is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization whose purpose is to bring people together to solve community problems. RC&D is a nationwide program and the Northwest Regional RC&D serves the northwest communities in Montana. Specifically, Flathead County, Lake County, Lincoln County, and Sanders County.
• The Northwest Regional RC&D will assist landowners who want to manage their property to reduce the risk of loss from wildfire. The RC&D can provde the landowner with a technical evaluation of their property and in many cases provide money to assist landowners to accomplish necessary work. The RC&D coordinates activities with local fire protection departments and agencies.
• RC&D applies to Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) for grant funding on a competitive basis. Treated lands must meet state standards to qualify for funding.
• Community Wildfire Protection Plans have identified priority communities for funding. The funds are available to landowners on a cost share basis, generally to treat fuels on a 1 to 5 acres immediately surrounding home sites. Larger acre fuel breaks may be considered if they help protect several properties. Landowners may either do the work themselves or hire contractors.

Q. I want to find out more about RC&D cost share funding. What is the process?

• Contact the Northwest RC&D office for an application by calling 406-293-8885, or click here to download the form. The completed form should then be mailed to;
  
  Northwest Regional RC&D
  803 California Avenue, Suite 1
  Libby, Montana 59923-1971.
• An RC&D Community Forester will make an appointment with you to review your property. The Forester will make recommendations, prepare a cost estimate, and explain the cost share guidelines. Recommendations generally involve thinning and pruning of trees and disposal of woody fuels.
• If the landowner chooses to participate, an agreement will be drafted by the RC&D Community Forester and signed by both parties.
• The landowner is then responsible for completing the work. The landowner can elect to do the work themselves or obtain a contractor of their choice. RC&D highly recommends when a contractor is hired, the landowner ensures the contractor has adequate insurance. RC&D has a list of potential contractors that can be provided upon request.
• When the work is completed and agreement specification have been met, the landowner should notify the RC&D office.
• The RC&D Community Forester will verify the completed work meets the intent of the contract and both the landowner and the RC&D Community Forester will sign a Project Completion Form.
• The Project Completion Form and a copy of the work invoice will be turned into the Libby RC&D office so payment can be made. A check will be issued to the landowner within 60 days (usually much sooner) of receipt in the Libby office. The landowner is responsible for payment of the contractor.

Q. What will my area look like if I agree to have work done?

• Each situation will differ, however, the underlying intent is to space trees such that fire will not spread from crown to crown and that fire on the ground will not climb into tree crowns. The RC&D Community Forester will prescribe a list of work necessary to achieve grant specifications.
• Generally, work involves thinning, pruning, and slash disposal. Trees will be thinned so that there is 10 feet between crowns of trees. Tree trunks may be 12 to 20 feet apart depending on the size of the trees. The lower tree branches will be removed 8 - 10 feet above ground level. Woody fuels on the ground and slash greater than 2 inches in diameter will be disposed of through burning, chipping, or mulching on site or removal from property; or some conbination of the listed methods.