Amador County – Amador County Supervisors last week heard that funding may be running out for certain National Forest-related protection, though the importance remains.
Amador County natural resources consultant John Hofmann said a federal funding reduction could cause a different use of the Title 1, 2 and 3 funds. Hofmann said with reduced funds, the federal government may go back to just funding schools and roads, which is Title 1 funding.
Supervisor Richard Forster said there are efforts being made “to get this reallocated in Congress, but it’s a fight.”
Hofmann said there has been a significant drop in dollars for California, and that shows for Amador County, although the funds available this year are more than expected. He said Amador County was thought to be receiving $240,000 this year, but the county will receive $371,000 in Title 1, 2 and 3 funds this year. He said it was more than expected, but down from $480,000 last year.
Supervisors allocated some of those funds for the Pine Grove Community Wildfire Protection Plan last week, and another for the Upcountry, east of Dew Drop. Hofmann said the county must give the OK to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. He said federal agencies “just participate in it, but do not approve it. So until you approve it, it’s not a plan.” He said it uses a national formula, but is locally approved.
Craig Ostergaard, a registered professional forester, who helps protect Sierra Pacific Industries forests from catastrophic wildfire, spoke to Supervisors last week in support of Wildfire Plans. Ostergaard, a founding member of the Amador Fire Safe Council, which spearheads the plans, said Fire Safe Council was set up in 2001 as an “on the ground organization.” He said in 2008, Title 3 funds were “more than cut in half,” and the Fire Safe Council closed its Pine Grove office, moving headquarters to Executive Director Kathy Coos Breazeal’s house.
He said when the Wildfire Protection Plans are done, and more detail is added, they can “give more ownership to the community.” Ostergaard is “not a real fan of Fire Wise,” but doing the Wildfire Protection Plans “is critical.”
Sherry Curtis of Upcountry Community Council urged funding the plan, and also looking at a reliable water system, and improving infrastructure. Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said they need to look at population base and protection in the Upcountry, especially infrastructure, which should be considered when they are drafting fire plans, to emphasize protection of the water flume and the power plant, otherwise the area would not have water.
Plasse said the Fire Safe Council has about $123,000 in grants to do three Wildfire Plans. Forster said the grants would not be there unless they had the match, in the form of the Title funding.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
