For the past 15 years the Grant Soil & Water Conservation District (GSWCD) has made funds available to Grant County residents for the purpose of thinning trees. Reducing tree density creates defensible space against the threat of wildfire. The Grant SWCD now has $180,000 available for this purpose but the money has to be spent by December 31, 2021. The Grant District will pay 70 percent of the cost and the property owner pays 30 percent.

Current soil moisture can be expected to support considerable growth of grasses and weeds next spring. As the herbaceous plants mature and dry, they become the fuel that carries wildfire through our forests. If fire climbs into dense tree growth or into trees growing close to houses, catastrophic damage can be expected.

Applications must be made to the Grant Soil & Water Conservation District, 3082 32nd St Bypass, Suite C, Silver City, NM 88061 or call 575-388-1569. Once an application has been received, an assessment of the applicant’s property will be conducted looking for vulnerability to wildfire and a treatment plan will be proposed. Upon approval of the treatment plan, the Grant SWCD will issue a notice to proceed and landowners may then do the work themselves, hire the task out or do a combination of both.

When work has been completed, as set forth in the treatment plan, a final inspection will be conducted and 70% of the owners cost will be reimbursed. Invoices must be submitted and property owners will be reimbursed.
Submitted by Dusty Hunt, Supervisor, Grant SWCD