1. Support for sustainable forest management
2. Investment in rural landscape conservation.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : The Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners has recently given the green light to a substantial grant award totaling $1,616,745 to 16 recipients as part of the Spring 2024 Chaffee Common Ground funding cycle. The recommendations put forth by the Citizens Advisory Committee were officially approved during the Commissioners’ regular meeting held on Tuesday.
The grant funding package includes a significant allocation of $747,526 towards forest health and wildfire resilience efforts, $333,000 dedicated to sustaining rural landscapes, and $536,219 earmarked for recreation management initiatives aimed at safeguarding watersheds and landscapes within Chaffee County. The total value of matching cash and in-kind funds associated with these grants amounts to an impressive $5,703,011.
This latest funding cycle marks the sixth round of allocations since the inception of the ballot measure that generated Common Ground revenues back in 2018. To date, a commendable $9.3 million has been awarded to a total of 54 groups and partnerships for 86 programs and projects. The matching investments committed to these grants are expected to generate a substantial value of $33.2 million for the community by the year 2027.
Here is a breakdown of the programs and projects that have received funding under each category:
**Forest Health & Wildfire Resilience**
– **Granite Forest Restoration Project**: A grant of $350,000 spread over two years has been awarded to the National Forest Foundation for a collaborative wildfire mitigation and forest health project in northern Chaffee County.
– **Mini-excavator, Field Supervisor & Crew Housing**: Colorado Firecamp will receive $300,000 over three years for equipment, staff, and crew housing to aid in reducing wildfire fuels in high-priority areas.
– **Multi-Benefit Wetland Restoration Projects**: Colorado Open Lands has been granted $52,546 over three years to develop beaver-wetland restoration projects in the region.
– **Chaffee Chips**: The Chaffee County Community Foundation has received $42,480 to fund the Chaffee Chips slash haul away service for 2024.
– **Mycelium Use In Biowaste Reduction**: A $2,500 mini grant has been awarded to Mushroom Love Co. of Buena Vista for developing and testing a locally sourced mushroom strain for bio-waste reduction.
**Sustainable Agriculture**
– **Williams & Hamm Ditch Inlet Enhancement & Bank Stabilization**: A grant of $100,000 over two years has been allocated to modify a historic ditch inlet to allow for full water right allotment usage during low flows.
– **Pridemore Ranch Irrigation Enhancement**: An $83,000 grant has been provided for the installation of an irrigation system to enhance hay production on a local ranch.
– **Agriculture Production Value Conservation Easement**: The Kelly Ranch has received $60,000 to support the cost of amending an existing conservation easement to further limit ranch land resale for production value.
– **Bowen Ditch Silt & Tree Mitigation**: The Bowen Ditch Company has been granted $45,000 for vegetation clearing and bank stabilization efforts to improve water flow.
– **Hands For Lands**: The Central Colorado Conservancy has been awarded $30,000 over three years to support a staff position managing the Hands For Lands volunteer program.
– **Fire Damaged Irrigated Pipe Replacement**: The Kelly Ranch has received a $5,000 mini grant to replace irrigation pipe damaged in a fire.
– **Headwater Farms Main Line Electrical Installation**: Headwater Farms has been granted $5,000 to electrify the property and operate essential infrastructure.
– **McMurry Land & Livestock Watering System**: The McMurry Land & Livestock Company has been allocated $5,000 for purchasing a portable solar pump and pipe for pasture watering.
**Recreation Management**
– **Sawatch Range Restoration**: The National Forest Foundation has received $125,000 for a five-year project addressing public lands visitation impacts in the Sawatch Range.
– **Burmac Trailhead Transformation**: Salida Mountain Trails has been granted $35,000 to improve the Burmac recreation area south of Salida.
– **Dog Waste Management**: Salida Mountain Trails has been awarded a $1,220 mini-grant to install dog waste stations at popular trailheads.
The Chaffee Common Ground program is a vital conservation funding initiative aimed at addressing landscape challenges within the community. It operates by investing a 0.25% sales tax to bolster forest health, reduce wildfire risks, conserve agriculture and rural landscapes, and manage the growth of outdoor recreation. For more information on Chaffee Common Ground and its initiatives, visit chaffeecommonground.org.
This latest round of grant awards signifies a significant step towards enhancing environmental sustainability and community resilience in Chaffee County. The continued support for projects across various sectors showcases a commitment to preserving the region’s natural beauty and promoting sustainable practices for years to come..
“long-tailed keyword: Common Ground invests support forests”
“long-tailed keyword: Common Ground invests rural landscapes”.
