A public announcement was made March 20 by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announcing that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is investing $197 million in 100 project proposals benefiting 22 states and seven tribes, as part of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program.
Cheryl Nelson, engagement coordinator for the Illinois Valley Fire Resiliency Oversight Group received word that same day from Oregon Department of Forestry’s CWDG Coordinator, Shauna Morris, that the proposal submitted by the IVFROG would receive $113,744 for fuels reduction work severely needed just north of Cave Junction city limits. “We are excited to be one of only 10 recipients in the State of Oregon,” said Nelson.
CWDG program priorities include communities impacted by severe disaster, those with high or very high wildfire hazard potential or classified as low income. According to conservation program manager John Bellville, “Following the Slater Fire and given the high fuel load on both private and government managed forests, this funding comes at a crucial time for addressing wildfire risk to the Cave Junction community.”
The Illinois Valley Soil & Water Conservation District acts as fiscal sponsor for IVFROG through funding from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board’s Stakeholder Engagement Program. Partners include representatives from federal, state and local government and local community organizations, including IV FIRE and the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization.
Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CWDG helps implement three goals: restore and maintain landscapes; create fire adapted communities; and improve wildfire response. For information about no-cost wildfire risk assessments on your forested property, contact IVFROG at 541-415-0603.