Extreme Emergency Declared by California State Conservationist

Contact: Paul Laustsen (909) 684-3722 x104

DAVIS, Calif. May 7, 2004 -- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Chuck Bell declared that the Tree Mortality program in Southern California has become an extreme emergency situation.

"Our major concern is to do what we can to prevent loss of life during this earlier than normal wildfire season," said Bell.  "Access routes around threatened communities must be cleared of diseased and dead trees."

NRCS will pay 100% of the eligible costs during this exigent Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) period. Normally a 25% cost-share match is required from a local government sponsor, however during extreme emergency conditions and in view of the severity of the situation, all costs will be covered by Federal funds.

NRCS has worked closely with Riverside and San Bernardino County staff to identify removal areas and develop agreements to begin cutting trees.

Riverside County will receive $600,000 for the first three projects. San Bernardino County has been funded $10 million for eight major sites. San Diego County is accelerating its tree removal work plans for funding contracts. Actual field work will start by June 1, 2004.

The funding comes from $120 million appropriated by Congress. All funds are expected to be spent over the next 2-3 years. Distribution of the funds are as follows: San Bernardino County $70 million, Riverside County $20 million, and San Diego County $30 million.

NRCS specialists will meet with each of the three County sponsors by May 20 to expedite project identification, acquisition of land rights and Board approval for agreements. NRCS cannot move ahead on tree removal projects until each county approves project agreements and obtains appropriate landrights to do the work.

A major concern of NRCS beyond removing dead and dying trees is to follow up with erosion control, revegetation and other environmental considerations.

"As we remove the threat of these trees burning or collapsing on private property, we need to protect the bare land from sliding down slopes when the rains come," Chuck Bell added.

NRCS expects to approve contracts totaling $40 million toward the Southern California Tree Mortality program before the end of the year.

Working with local sponsors, NRCS completed and funded 12 extremely critical erosion and sediment control projects within the first month after the fires. Bell adds, "Watershed protection measures following the October 2003 firestorms in Southern California and the subsequent devastating rains are already proving their worth in protecting the land."

NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program information is available at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov.

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