Valley County authorizes applications for two hazard and fuels grants totaling $480,000

Valley County staff told commissioners on March 23 that the county will seek two state grant opportunities aimed at fuels reduction and wildfire mitigation.

"I have two action items on the agenda to apply for two different grants," Director Halevichek said. The first is an Idaho Department of Lands Hazard Fuels Reduction (HFR) grant for the Smiths Ferry, Round Valley and High Valley project area, capped at $240,000 and requiring no local match, the director said. The director noted local homeowner associations and about 40 landowners had signaled support for the application.

Commissioners moved to authorize county staff to apply for the HFR grant; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Director Halevichek explained the HFR application requires projects to be near Forest Service ground and said Boise National Forest activity in the corridor made the Smiths Ferry area an appropriate candidate.

A second application was described as a western-states grant for Jug Mountain Ranch, also for $240,000, with typical funding timelines of about two years. The director said the Jug Mountain Ranch work would build on prior grant activity in the area and extend efforts southward into nearby homeowner associations.

Commissioners authorized submission of the second application as well. The board did not provide detailed budget allocations or programmatic scopes in the meeting; Director Halevichek said one grant would be budgeted for fiscal year 2027 and the other for fiscal year 2028 if awarded.

The board’s approvals were for staff to submit applications only; no award was reported at the meeting.