*PLEASE NOTE: Applications are no longer being accepted for the July 1, 2009 – July 1, 2010 Fiscal Year *
Dear Residents:
Thank you for your interest in the Lane County Firewise Incentive Program. Unfortunately, at this time, all available funding for the current fiscal year has been awarded.
Additional Firewise grant funds will be available next year beginning on July 1, 2010 (pending budget approval by the Lane County Board of Commissioners).
You are strongly encouraged to apply next year. Application forms for the 2010 grant cycle will be made available on May 1, 2010 .
Based on the overwhelming public interest in the Firewise program this year, it is anticipated that funding for next year will go quickly. Therefore, you are encouraged to apply early.
In the future, we hope to be able to assist you in your efforts to protect your home from wildfire.
-Lane County Firewise Incentive Program Staff (August 28, 2009)
Program Overview:
Lane County is offering financial grants to residents who are interested in making landscaping or structural improvements to their properties, which can increase the survivability of their home in the event of a wildfire.
Residents now have the opportunity to apply for thousands of dollars in financial assistance to replace roofs, siding, windows and doors with fire-resistant building materials and to make “Firewise” improvements to their landscaping.To qualify for financial assistance you must own a home in rural Lane County that is at risk to wildfire –that’s it!
This program is administered by the Lane County Land Management Division's Long Range Planning and Building programs, with funding provided through Title III of the Federal Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Program - Section 601 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
Interested? Here's how it works:
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| 1. |
Fill out a short Firewise Grant Improvement Application and submit it to the Lane County Land Management Division. |
| 2. |
Staff will contact you to schedule a property risk assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to determine what improvements you may qualify for and to discuss measures you can take to reduce your vulnerability to wildfire |
| 3. |
After your property has been assessed you will receive a preliminary financial award agreement from the County. Sign and return the agreement. |
| 4. |
Carry out the agreed upon improvements to your home and landscaping within a specified timeline (generally one year). Please Note: All work reimbursable by the county must be completed by a licensed contractor or professional landscaper. |
| 5. |
Submit a reimbursement request form along with copies of your contractor receipts. Staff will re-visit your home to verify the work has been completed to the agreed upon standards. |
| 6. |
Once Staff has verified that the work has been satisfactorily completed Lane County will issue you a reimbursement check. -Please be aware: it may take 45-60 days to issue you a check due to county accounting practices. |
Additional Information:
Program Brochure
Press Release
Adopted Program Policies (Lane Manual)
Map of Program Coverage Areas
Landscapers, arborists and foresters contact list - Please note: Lane County does not endorse any of the businesses or individuals on this list. If you are a licensed landscaper, arborist or forester and would like to be added to this list, please contact us at (541) 682-6522.
Forms:
Firewise Application Form (FIGA-F-1) *Will become available May 1, 2010.
Reimbursement Request Form (FRR-F2)
Guides & Checklists:
Fire Resistant Plant Guide
Firewise Construction Checklist
Firewise Tips for Around Your House
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. I live inside the city, am I eligible for funding?
Unfortunately, no. This program is only offered to residents living outside of the Eugene-Springfield Urban Growth Boundary or outside of the city limits of any other incorporated city in the County. A map depicting the program coverage areas can be viewed by clicking, here.
2. How much money can I qualify for?
It depends on the conditions at your property and the improvements that you are interested in pursuing. After you submit an application, staff will schedule a site visit to examine your property and determine which items you may qualify for. A maximum of $12,000 is available per residence, per year.
3. Where does funding for this program come from?
Funding is provided through Title III of the Federal Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program– Section 601 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. This legislation narrowly restricts how counties may use Title III funding. In general, the money must be expended on programs that will have a benefit to Federal forestlands. The types of activities promoted through the county incentive program closely follow the guidelines of the National Firewise Communities Program , which is an allowable use specified in the SRS legislation.
4. How long will funding be available?
Funding for the program is awarded on annual basis. Each year, beginning on July 1, the county will begin awarding grants to qualifying residents. When funding for a given year has been obligated, the county will stop accepting applications until the following summer.
5. How long will the program last?
The program is limited in duration and will end in 2012.
6. A condition of my grant award is that my home needs to have a “defensible space”. Do I need to hire a licensed landscaper to do this?
Not always. The County provides grant funding for defensible space work. To qualify for this funding you will need to provide the county a bill from a licensed landscaping professional. However, as a standard condition to receive funding for other structural improvements (such as a new roof, siding, windows, etc.) you must establish, or demonstrate that you already have, a suitable defensible space in place. To meet this requirement you do not need to hire a professional landscaper. In other words, if you do not specifically request funding for defensible space work but must meet to the defensible space requirement to qualify for funding for other types of improvements, you may do the work yourself.
7. I’m requesting funding for fire resistant plants. Do I need I licensed landscaper to plant them for me?
No. Fire resistant plants purchased through this program may be planted by the homeowner. A licensed landscaper is only required for reimbursable defensible space work that involves tree trimming, brush removal and chipping and irrigation system installation.
8. What type of license does my landscaper need?
Oregon Law requires that anyone in the state who advertises, operates as, or uses the title of a landscape contractor or landscape business, to be licensed with the Landscape Contractors Board (LCB). A landscape contractor is defined as someone who plans and installs lawns, shrubs, vines, trees and other decorative vegetation including the preparation of the property on which the vegetation is to be installed. A landscape contractor may also construct water features, drainage and irrigation systems, plan and install fences, decks, walkways and retaining walls in conjunction with landscape projects.
All landscaping work reimbursable through this program must be conducted by a LCB licensed professional. Additionally, if your work requires tree removal your landscaper should also carry a license issued by from the Construction Contractors Board (CCB).
9. What type of license does my contractor need?
Any contractors doing roofing work or installing siding, widows or doors that will be reimbursed through this program must carry a valid license issued by from the Construction Contractors Board (commonly referred to as a CCB license).