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Cowlitz County allocates limited Title III forest funds to local fire districts and sheriff's search-and-rescue
Summary
After a public hearing on four applications, commissioners agreed to a constrained distribution of about $34,500 in Title III federal forest funds: the board approved Sean Roehrig's recommended distribution which centers on $7,000 awards to two fire districts and a reduced award to the sheriff's office to allow all four applicants to receive some support. The funds must be obligated by Sept. 30.
Commissioner Sean Roehrig opened a public hearing on federal Title III funds under the Securing Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and said the county received four applications and had approximately $34,500 available for FY2026. "Applications were due to the office no later than June 22. The county received 4 projects and 4 project applications for consideration," Roehrig said. The four applications included requests from Cowlitz County Fire District 6 ($10,000), Cowlitz County Fire District 3 ($10,000), the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office (about $22,467.28 for drone equipment), and Fire District 7 (about $11,241.89 for e-bikes, PPE and a rescue litter).
Applicants and staff discussed program details and possible reductions to fit the available pool. Troy Brightbill of the Sheriff's Office said the office's request could be modified ("we could drop that down to 1 drone and cut the number of batteries in 0.5... That would take about $9,000 off of our end"). Chief Eustis of Fire District 7 described a recent 11-hour response where e-bikes would have improved access. After discussion, staff and commissioners worked the arithmetic to provide partial awards so all applicants would receive support; Commissioner Roehrig recommended awarding $7,000 to Cowlitz Fire District 6, $7,000 to Cowlitz Fire District 3, and approximately $13,417 to the Sheriff's Office, leaving roughly $100 which could be rolled into next year or allocated to a district. The board moved to approve "what Sean said" and approved the distribution by voice vote. Funds must be obligated by Sept. 30 under the federal program rules.
