Money for Mitigation Grant Program

National Fire Plan Hazard Mitigation – Federal Assistance Funding

Grants are awarded for projects to reduce the wildfire risk and/or hazard in Virginia’s wildland/urban interface communities. Grant priority will be given based on the assessed wildfire risk level for the community and for the type of project being submitted. The list below shows the types of hazard mitigation projects that will be considered for assistance.

Eligible Projects

• Completion of a community wildfire hazard assessment
• GIS mapping of at risk communities.
• Individual home wildfire hazard assessments.
• Consulting services to conduct a community assessment or complete an Emergency Action Plan with the coordination of a Virginia Department of Forestry Firewise Specialist.
• Mechanical removal or reduction of a hazard fuels.
• Development or improvement of existing firebreaks.
• Development or improvement of gated emergency access roads.
• Fuel treatments to increase a community’s defensible space.
• Widening cul-de-sacs and turnarounds for wildfire equipment access purposes.
• Dry hydrants or other water source improvements to upgrade community water resources.
• Signage to identify roads and residences.
• Gate construction on emergency access roads.
• Non-promotional wildland/urban interface education and safety materials that will be used within the community.
• Leasing or contracting equipment and other resources to complete an eligible project.
• Other mitigation activities that are recognized on the Firewise Virginia - Formal Community Assessment form or projects formally recommended by a Virginia Department of Forestry Firewise Specialist.

Projects that will not be accepted

• Producing promotional literature to enhance the sale of the community.
• Building roads to access the community other than a gated emergency access road.
• Consulting services other than for wildfire safety and preparedness.
• Any other project outside the intent of the National Fire Plan as interpreted by the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Maintenance

The community will be responsible for general maintenance of the project site for the longevity of the project.

Deadlines

Projects should normally be completed within one year of funding. The Department of Forestry has the right to reject any and all project proposals.

• Applications for assistance will be accepted on a continual basis.
• Application funding will occur each quarter based on funding availability.
• The quarterly approval/funding dates are: Jan. 1, April 1, July 1, Oct. 1
• Applications must be received at least 10 working days before the quarterly approval/funding date, or they will be held for the next period. Lower priority projects may be held for more than one review period.

Contact

• John Miller, Virginia Department of Forestry
  434.977.6555

Last modified 2006-10-10