Eastern Madera County

2023 Winter Storm

Fire Hazard Mitigation Grant

The Yosemite Sequoia Resource Conservation & Development Council (Y/S RC&D C) is excited to begin accepting applications for the Eastern Madera County 2023 Winter Storm Fire Hazard Mitigation. This project will provide hazardous fuel reduction and defensible space clearing of the storm–related wood debris on properties of at-risk, disenfranchised, underserved, and low-income residents who may otherwise be unable to complete fire-resilient landscape projects without this support.

 

Services will be provided based on applications and funding availability. Funding for this project was provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Grants Program.

 

Program Requirements

Applicant must:

1. Be the primary residence in one of the identified program communities: District 5 of Madera County, which meets program guidelines of Oakhurst, Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Coarsegold, North Fork, O’Neals, or Wishon.

 

2. Complete Application

 

3. Provide Photo ID or other verifiable proof of I.D

 

4. Income Verification for household (i.e. Check stubs, unemployment, SSI/SSA, Child Support, 2022 Taxes for adults in the household)

 

5. Provide proof of Disability, if applicable

 

6. Provide proof of Tribal affiliation, if applicable

 

7. Provide Photographs of Hazardous to be treated with the Program.

 

Please submit this fully completed application form via this secure form.

 

Email our staff at info@ysrcandd.org with questions.

 

Please keep in mind that this program is a one-time assistance.

APPLICATION

This application package includes the following:

1. Application form
2. Damage report form
3. Right of Entry
4. Authorization to Release Information
5. A penalty for Perjury Statement

Once all your documents have been received, you will be contacted and advised of your application status. 

The application will be denied if all required documents are not turned in within 30 days. Then a new application will have to be submitted.

All applications will be processed every two weeks to move to the next step of a property visit from grant contractor American Tree Medics (ATM). 

 

NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS

Grant recipients will be notified via text, phone, or email within 30 days of submission. Grant provides up to $3,000 worth of work on each property within the 100-foot Defensible Space of occupied homes for storm–related damage and wood debris on properties. Hazard Trees will be assessed and determined if additional grants fund will be approved. Applicants have NO out-of-pocket cost unless they want to contract with ATM for further work.

 

GRANT PROCESS

Submit application
Confirmation of receipt of a complete application
Notification of award
Property visit by ATM to determine work to be done
Scheduling of work
Work provided
Final report and survey

 

APPLICANT INFORMATION:

Household Info

Damage Detials 

I/We, the owner(s) of the above-referenced property (collectively “Owner”), do hereby grant freely and without coercion, the right of access and entry to the said property to the Yosemite Sequoia Resource Conservation & Development Council (Y/S RC&D C), and its employees, volunteers, contractors, and sub-contractors subject to all licenses, easements, encumbrances, and claims of title affecting premises upon the following terms:

 

1. Grant Right-of-Entry: The owner hereby grants the Y/S RC&D C and its contractors a right-of-way (“Permission Form”) over the premises to inspect the Premises for dead and/or dying trees, felling of trees, and piling of slash or chipping debris subject to the terms and conditions outlined in this Permission Form. It is fully understood that this Permission Form does not create any obligation on the Y/S RC&D C or its contractors to perform inspection or tree felling. The owner understands Y/S RC&D C and its contractors will not undertake any felling of trees or any related action until this Permission Slip is signed and returned.

2. Acknowledgement Concerning Liability for Damages: The owner acknowledges and understands that participation in the Program is voluntary, and the Y/S RC&D C offers to assist with costs but does not necessarily pay all the expenses. Upon signing this Permission Form, the homeowner further acknowledges and understands that the Owner’s participation in this Program is contingent upon, and the Y/S RC&D C is relying upon, the Owner’s agreement through this Permission Form to release the Y/S RC&D C from any liability arising out of the work contemplated under this Permission Form. The owner further understands and agrees that should liability arise from the work contemplated under this Permission Form, the Owner’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be against the contractors performing said work. The Y/S RC&D C shall endeavor to hire contractors with sufficient insurance levels to cover any such potential liability.

3. Hold Harmless: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CAL FIRE”) and Y/S RC&D C and American Tree Medics (ATM) shall not be liable for, and Owner shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Y/S RC&D C, CAL FIRE, and ATM, and any of their officers, agents, employees, and volunteers, against any and all claims, deductibles self-insured retentions, demands, liability, judgments, awards, fines, mechanics’ liens or other liens, labor disputes, attorneys’ fees, and court costs, which arise out of or are in any way connected to the work contemplated under this Permission Form, and hereby release, discharge, and waive any claims and action against same, in law or equity, arising therefrom. This indemnification and release expressly exclude the contractors, and any subcontractors thereof, performing the work contemplated under this Permission Form.

4. Y/S RC&D C, CAL FIRE, and ATM’s Agents: Except as otherwise provided herein, any person, firm, or corporation authorized to work upon the Premises by the Y/S RC&D C, CAL FIRE, and ATM shall be deemed to be the Y/S RC&D C, CAL FIRE and ATM’s agent, including but not limited to, CAL FIRE and shall be subject to all applicable terms hereof.

5. Authority: The owner represents and warrants it has full power and authority to execute and fully perform its obligations under this Permission Form pursuant to its governing instruments, as applicable, without requiring any further action, and the person(s) executing this Permission. The form on behalf of the Owner is the duly designated agents of the Owner and are authorized to do so, and that fee title to the Premises vests solely in Owner.

6. Entire Agreement: This Permission Form constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and all prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, and representations, oral or written, are superseded.

7. Modification: The provisions of this Permission Form may not be modified except by a written instrument signed by both parties.

8. Successors and Assigns: This Permission Form shall bind and benefit the parties and their successors and assigns, except as may otherwise be provided herein.

9. Notices: Any notice required hereunder shall be provided as follows:

 

Yosemite Sequoia Resource Conservation & Development Council

40108 Hwy 49, Ste. C #298, Oakhurst, CA 93644

(559) 580-3042

By their signatures below, the Owner/Renter and YS RC&D C have executed this Permission Form.

Authorization to Release Information

I authorize Yosemite Sequoia Resource Conservation & Development Council (YS RC&D C) to disclose to Cal Fire and American Tree Medics contractor:

• Personal Information such as name, address, phone number, parcel number, etc.
• Income Eligibility Information
• Disability Eligibility Information
• Tribal Eligibility Information

 

This information is required for the YS RC&D C, CALFIRE, American Tree Medics, and Foresters to provide information to ensure the terms of the grant are fulfilled.

I may revoke this authorization at any time before the information has been released. In any case, the authorization automatically expires two years from the date of this authorization.

Note: This is a reciprocal agreement for the exchange of information.

Penalty of Perjury Statement

I declare under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California, that all statements contained in this application and any accompanying documents are true and correct, with full knowledge that all statements made in this application are subject to investigation and that any false or dishonest answer to any question may be grounds for denial or demand for payment of services.

By signing below, I understand that this is a one-time assistance program that is based on eligibility and the availability of funds.