Sedona AZ (April 24, 2014) – On December 16, 2013, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors approved funding for the Title III Forest Fee program at the maximum amount of 7% of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.

This funding, authorized by Public Law 106-393, was received on April 14 and resulted in $178,044 being available for this program.

Public Law 106-393 is intended to foster creativity and innovation in the selection of projects by Counties and shall be expended solely on those projects that meet the requirements.

Project proposals from both inside and outside County government will be considered. Although eligible projects do not have to be conducted on federal land, they must be forest-related and fit into one of the following categories:

• Carry out activities under the Firewise Communities Program to provide homeowners in fire-sensitive ecosystems education and assistance with implementation, techniques in home-siting, home construction, and home landscaping that can help protect people and property from wildfires.

• Reimburse the participating county for search and rescue and other emergency services, including firefighting, that are performed on Federal land after the date on which the use was approved and or paid for by the participating county.

• Reimburse the participating county for search and rescue and other emergency services, including firefighting, that are performed on federal land after the date on which the use was approved and paid for by the participating county.

• Develop Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture.

The deadline for submission of applications for 2013-14 funding is May 9, 2014. Applications will initially be screened for funding eligibility and submitted to the Board of Supervisors for review and preliminary funding determinations for the May 16th Board of Supervisor’s meeting.

Final allocations may be approved following publication of the preliminary project list and a 45-day notice and comment period. For more information or to obtain an application, contact Donna Fagan, Budget Manager at 928-442-5366.

Program information and application forms are also available on the Yavapai County web site at www.yavapai.us.

It is too late, when told to evacuate! BE FIREWISE – www.regionalinfo-alert.org!

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