Background
The Landscape Resiliency Program was established through Senate Bill 762, Section 18 (2021) to improve forest restoration and resiliency. This grant program will fund landscape-scale projects that reduce wildfire risk on public and private forestlands and rangelands, and in communities near homes and critical infrastructure through restoration of landscape resiliency and reduction of hazardous fuels.
2021-23 Landscape Resiliency Projects
Oregon Department of Forestry, with input from the Landscape Resiliency Project work group and the public, has awarded $20 million for nine projects during the 2021–23 biennium. Information on specific project outcomes will be available once work and monitoring of grant agreements begins later in 2022. The following list of projects were approved:
- Lower Rogue Oak Resiliency Project
- Ashland Forest All-lands Restoration (AFAR)
- Wasco County Forest Resilience Project
- Southeast Oregon Wildfire Resiliency Project
- Laurel Butte Landscape Resiliency Project
- Landscape Resiliency in the Upper Applegate Watershed
- Central Oregon Shared Stewardship Landscape Resiliency Project (COSSLRP)
- West Bear All-Lands Restoration
- Upper John Day Valley Landscape Resiliency Project
Forestland and Rangeland Restoration and Resiliency Investment Program Work Group
ODF convened a work group to develop selection criteria for available grants. Meeting materials are below. The work group will meet again to evaluate grant applications in 2022.
Meeting information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While not directly for urban homeowners, Section 24 of SB 762 institutes the Small Forestland Grant program that has 3 components:
- Grant (minimum of $10,000) that allows project sponsors to engage multiple landowners.
- Small parcel rebates for landowners which ODF will administer.
- Support to Firewise Communities and their neighbors through a simplified application process.
No, being part of the county’s hazard mitigation plan isn’t required to apply. There are several existing plans in place that will help prioritize projects such as the Forest Action Plan, Community Wildfire Protection Plans, and the Forestry Plan for Oregon. Although helpful to inform the process, inclusion in these plans is not required to apply for this grant.
No, landscapes outside of these strategic areas will be eligible. There is a focus on strategic landscapes ready for treatment and the lands on the map will be prioritized in the process as designated in the bill.
No, as the bill directs, this funding is to focus on large, cross-boundary strategic landscapes that may or may not include WUI areas. The footprint of the projects will likely encompass WUI areas but will be reviewed and scored on a much larger scale with multiple partner participation. The point system will not directly reflect individual locations within WUI boundaries.
Yes, at least 10 percent of a project must be monitoring and evaluation. Interim and final reports will be required.
Yes, where already required. All Federal land projects must have been NEPA approved.
No, the strategic plan is more likely 18 months to 2 years from completion.
Yes. At least 70 percent of project funds must be allocated to treatment activities that reduce hazardous fuel. Some examples of eligible activities include prescribed fire, thinning, pruning, mowing, mastication, chipping or hauling material off-site.
That will depend on where the project will be conducted. For instance, projects on private lands must follow the Forest Practices Act and projects on federal lands must be NEPA approved. Additional criteria will follow the bill language:
Section 18
(4) A project under this section may not include commercial thinning on: (a) Inventoried roadless areas;
(b) Riparian reserves identified in the Northwest Forest Plan or in federal Bureau of Land Management resource management plans;
(c) Late successional reserves, except to the extent consistent with the 2011 United States Fish and Wildlife Service Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina);
(d) Areas protected under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (P.L. 90-542), national recreation areas, national monuments or areas protected under ORS 390.805 to 390.925;
(e) Designated critical habitat for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-205) or by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission under ORS 496.172, unless commercial thinning is already allowed under an existing environmental review or recognized habitat recovery plan; or
(f) Federally designated areas of critical environmental concern or federally designated wilderness study areas.
No, there are other recovery funds and federal grant programs available for that kind of work.
The work group expects to receive cross-boundary, landscape-scale proposals that would invest $2–5 million collaboratively engaging multiple partners.
The funding is only available through the end of the 2021–23 biennium ending June 30, 2023. ODF anticipates using all the funds, but if any funds are left over, they would revert to the General Fund.
Yes, other grants and funding that support work conducted between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023 may be included as match funds.
Any funds from an other funds stream may be used as match, but Oregon General Fund may not be used as match.
Work Group members will review, score, and rank proposals and make recommendations to ODF. ODF will then accept or reject those recommendations and move into the award phase of the projects. Work Group members that would receive a direct benefit from an award will be asked to state that conflict openly to the Work Group and will not be able to score applications submitted by the organization they represent. However, all projects may be discussed with each member.
Any award of over $600 is considered taxable income. Successful applicants will need to include a tax identification number in their agreement.