Governor’s office says wildfire restoration grants forecasted for May deployment

(Cheyenne, WY) – State-backed grant funding to aid in landscape-scale wildfire restoration and recovery efforts is nearing deployment, according to a Thursday press release from Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon’s office.

The effort, which Gordon undertook, will deliver nearly $50 million in legislatively-allocated funds for on-the-ground projects to prevent the spread of invasive annual grasses and restore resilient grass and rangelands.

The support for the wildfire restoration grants came through Senate Enrolled Act 62, which appropriated almost $49.5 million to the Wyoming Wildlife Natural Resources Trust (WWNRT) account. 

The funds were authorized to provide grants to conservation districts, weed and pest districts, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission for projects that directly address restoration of habitats on both state and private lands. 

Funded projects must be habitat restoration-focused related to wildfire response – no funding may be used for equipment or structures. 

“Wyoming’s landscapes are our livelihood,” Gordon said. “Wildfires present a tremendous threat, and recovery must be approached thoughtfully and in concert with private landowners. I thank the Legislature for recognizing this need and for putting resources behind a grant program that can enable land managers to get to work on rehabilitation efforts quickly.”

WWNRT solicited grant applications beginning in mid-March from eligible entities. 

Applications were discussed regionally, with meetings held in Wheatland, Gillette and Buffalo that included project proponents, state agency and Governor’ office representatives, and legislators. 

“Our grasses and natural resources are the underpinning of nearly all our state’s economic drivers,” WWNRT Director Bob Budd said. “Time is of the essence – we cannot wait for these restoration projects, and we do not want to see a loss of habitat from lack of effort. We have an opportunity to treat those areas impacted by wildfire today to circumvent a less than desirable future.”

In the coming weeks, a multi-agency committee will convene to review proposals and make final award recommendations, with announcements projected for mid-May. 

Grant funding for wildfire recovery was one of the Governor’s top priorities during the 68th Legislature. 

In addition to grants, the Legislature also made available a loan program through Senate Enrolled Act 62. 

Under the State Loans and Investment Board, $100 million is available for state and private land for habitat restoration, private fences, irrigation facilities, other private facilities and infrastructure damaged by fire and other natural disasters. 

For more information, call the governor’s office at (307) 777-7434.