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$120,000 IRAs grant will fund tree removals, replacements and municipal pruning in Brown County
Summary
Presenters from Middle Nebraska and the Nebraska Forest Service told the council they received a $120,000 Inflation Reduction Act grant to support an urban forestry program in Brown County that will provide one-for-one tree removals and replacements for landowners and pruning for municipalities over an approximately 2.5-year program.
James Beddershaw of Middle Nebraska told the council that Middle Nebraska secured a $120,000 grant for Brown County under the Inflation Reduction Act to support urban community forestry work, including removal of diseased or damaged trees and replacement plantings.
"Middle Nebraska received a $120,000 in grant funding for Brown County for urban community forestry through the Inflation Reduction Act," Beddershaw said. He described a 1-for-1 removal-and-replacement approach for landowners, municipal pruning services, on-line applications with printed copies for those who need them, and that grinding would normally be part of removals. He said the program will include an inventory of street trees and is expected to run roughly 2.5 years.
Council members asked clarifying questions about eligibility (one replacement tree per landowner/household), whether municipalities could use funds for pruning only, and whether the NRD would perform work directly if contractors were not available. Beddershaw said municipalities generally qualify for pruning and that removals and replacements are available to the public; the NRD could perform work directly depending on liability and contracting decisions. Staff said they expect to release a public notice and application materials within about a month.
