[ODFW-News] A&H Board to Consider Fire Rehab Grants

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife =09
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356=09
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 872-5700
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For Immediate Release	October 16, 2002

Access and Habitat Board to Consider Additional Grants for Wildfire =
Rehabilitation

PORTLAND - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved an =
additional $100,000 for emergency seeding projects on private lands =
affected by this summer's extensive wildfires, bringing the total amount =
for this effort to $200,000.=20
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The additional money was recommended because the first $100,000 was =
allocated in its entirety to 10 seeding projects and more landowners have =
expressed interest in the grant money. The original 10 projects, located =
throughout the state, will seed more than 5,000 acres of private land.

In August, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Access and Habitat =
Program earmarked $100,000 in emergency funds for projects to reseed =
private lands affected by wildfires. Seeding with approved seed mixtures =
can provide beneficial fall and spring forage for wildlife, stabilize =
soils and reduce erosion, and prevent the establishment of noxious, =
invasive plants.
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To qualify for a grant, seeding projects must be located entirely on =
private land containing important wildlife habitat that was burned during =
this year's fire season. In addition, local ODFW biologists must approve =
the proposed seed mixture and all equipment needed to complete the project =
must be readily available. Projects that will be completed this fall will =
be given a high priority, but all fire rehabilitation projects will be =
considered.
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Normally, the Access and Habitat Program application process takes about =
six months. Special provisions to streamline the review and approval =
process were adopted by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission at its =
Aug. 9 meeting so that burned areas can be reseeded during this fall's =
planting season.
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The Access and Habitat Board has met via teleconference to review =
emergency grant applications each Wednesday at 7 p.m. since August. The =
Board will continue to meet through Oct. 30, 2002.  All teleconference =
calls are open to the public.
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For more information or to apply for an emergency reseeding project grant, =
contact the nearest Access and Habitat Program Regional Coordinator:
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Don VandeBergh, Portland   (503) 621-3488
Ken Smith, Corvallis   (541) 757-4186 =20
Mark Vargas, Central Point  (541) 826-8774
Larry Pecenka, Bend   (541) 388-6363
Dan Gonzalez, Hines   (541) 573-6582
Jim Cadwell, La Grande  (541) 963-2138
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Created by the Oregon Legislature in 1993, the A&H Program is funded by a =
$2 surcharge on hunting licenses.  Funds raised by the program are =
distributed through grants to individual and corporate landowners, =
conservation organizations and others for cooperative wildlife habitat =
improvement and hunter access projects throughout the state.
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For more information on the Access and Habitat Program, contact program =
coordinator Susan Barnes at (503) 872-5260, Ext. 5349.
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Information and Education Section
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 872-5264 ext 5528