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Rim2Rim Restoration says $5.2M federal wildfire defense grant has resumed work in Grand County
Summary
Rim2Rim Restoration and partners outlined a $5.2 million Community Wildfire Defense Grant (2024–2029) focused on fuel reduction in creek corridors and outreach; presenters said the grant was paused in February and was unpaused March 20, allowing project work to continue.
Rim2Rim Restoration updated the Grand County Commission on its Community Wildfire Defense Grant, a federal award of $5.2 million spread over five years for hazardous fuels reduction and community outreach in creek corridors. Project leads said work focuses on vegetation and fuel reduction in the Mill and Pack Creek corridors and Matheson Wetlands and involves local partners including the Moab Valley Fire Department, Utah Division of Forestry, the City of Moab, The Nature Conservancy and local watershed groups.
Presenters Bryce Rogers and Sofia Fisher described the grant structure: Rim2Rim is the subaward project manager and most funding is allocated to partner organizations performing on-the-ground work. They said the grant was temporarily paused in late February but restored March 20; the team is reengaging crews and continuing site assessments, outreach materials and landowner visits. A full reporting schedule and stakeholder coordination were described, and county staff requested Rim2Rim share meeting schedules and contact information with commissioners.
Project components named to county officials include hazardous fuel reduction, herbicide treatments where necessary, coordination with the county weeds/floodplain/roads departments, a proposed urban fuels specialist position for Grand County, remote-sensing risk assessments and long-term outreach products (mailers, in-person events and digital materials).
Presenters emphasized program co-benefits for flood mitigation (clearing channel-crossing vegetation improves flood conveyance) and invited commissioners to visit active field work being conducted by partner teams, such as Team Rubicon. The commission asked Rim2Rim to circulate meeting dates and follow up with administrative contacts.
Next steps: Rim2Rim will share its Creek Stewardship Working Group meeting schedule with county staff and coordinate with county departments on recruitment for the urban fuels specialist role and on-site mitigation priorities.
