A Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership Project
The goal of the Wildfire Adapted Missoula partnership is to address shared wildfire risk by mitigating current wildfire hazards surrounding the Missoula community via prescribed fire and thinning maintenance. Fuels reduction treatment projects will be strategically placed in the project area around Missoula.
Benefits
This project is made up of 454,000 acres of land including 167,000 acres in the Lolo National Forest. Wildfires across the project area in the last 15 years have had impacts on communities and native wildlife. The Rattlesnake Municipal Watershed is in the project area and it serves 72,000 people as a backup watershed for Missoula residents. The areas is also home to iconic and at risk species such as the Canada Lynx, Grizzly Bear, and Bull Trout. The project will support implementation of a targeted Community Wildfire Protection Plan including activities to restore and maintain wildfire resilient landscapes across boundaries, reduce hazardous fuels within the community and a general protection zone, and increase the margin of safety for wildland fire responders and the public.
Partners
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Forest Service as well as many other Federal, state, county, and local entities.
- Bureau of Land Management
- Frenchtown Rural Fire District
- Missoula County Community & Planning Services
- Missoula County Department of Emergency Services
- Missoula County Fire Protection Association
- Missoula Fire
- Missoula Parks and Recreation: Conservation Lands Management and Open Space
- Missoula Rural Fire District
- Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
- The Nature Conservancy
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station
Total FY2019 Funding: NRCS - $177,338, Forest Service - $302,527
Application
While EQIP applications are accepted year-round, applications for this local initiative must be received by May 17, 2019, to be considered for the FY 2019 funding period.
FY 2019 Wildfire Adapted Missoula Project Ranking (PDF; 184 KB)
Applicable Conservation Practices
- Forest Stand Improvement (666)
- Woody Residue Treatment (384)
- Fuel Break (383
- Herbaceous Weed Control (315) - Ground or Backpack Application
- Critical Area Planting (342)
Detailed information on conservation practice standards and specifications can be found in Section IV of the Field Office Technical Guide.
Payment Rates
Montana Payment Schedules - all programs
Montana is committed to reaching out to Historically Underserved individuals and groups. Historically Underserved participants may also receive higher payment rates in addition to being considered in high priority funding pools. Historically Underserved rates are listed as HU in the Practice Payment Schedule. See the Small & Limited and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers page for the NRCS definition of the Historically Underserved.
Ranking Criteria
Coming Soon
More Information
USDA and Local Partners Offer Opportunities to Reduce Wildfire Risk Around Missoula News Release April 18, 2019
Contact
Missoula Field Office
3550 Mullan Road, Suite 106
Missoula, MT 59808-5125
Telephone: 406-829-3395
District Conservationist: John Bowe
