STORY FIRE DISTRICT COST SHARE PROGRAM
Updated 7/21/11

There is currently no Cost Share Program for chipping.

  There are 4 separate parts, or practices, to this program; some properties may qualify for more than one practice:

1.                 Defensible Space

2.                 Fuel Treatment

3.                 Fuel Breaks

4.                 Slash Treatment

Each of these 4 practices is briefly described in ‘Interface Cost Share Practices’. The application process requires a ‘Forest Stewardship Wildfire Mitigation Plan’ to be developed, at no cost to you. This is a simple plan that will be done by you the homeowner, and the Story Fire District in conjunction with Wyoming State Forestry Division. We will also need to fill out a ‘Fuels Mitigation Cost Share Application.

It is the Defensible Space that is the primary focus of this program but some of you may also be interested in the other 3 practices. To learn more about Defensible Space go to http://www.firewise.org/pubs/fwc/

We also have two publications available to help you understand how to create Defensible Space (aka ‘Making your home Firewise)

The first publication, ‘LIVING WITH FIRE- A Guide for the Homeowner’, has been mailed to all Story Residents twice in the past 2 years; once by the Wyoming State Forestry Division and once by the Story Fire District. It was originally done by Colorado and then adapted to Wyoming.

The second publication, ‘PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRE’, was done in 2003 by Natrona County and does a good job of describing Defensible Space.

Some of you may already have developed a good defensible space but maybe need just a little more work to refine it. Others may have to start from scratch and need quite a bit of work. This program is available to help both of these types of situations. Keep in mind that to qualify for the Cost Share Program the guidelines in these publications must be followed. The work that needs to be done will be defined up front by you and I following these guidelines. If necessary the Wyoming State Forester is available to help us define this work. It is then up to you to get the work done, either by you or by hiring someone to do it for you.  When the work is completed we will fill out a ‘Fuels Mitigation cost Share Inspection Approval’ in order for you to receive payment. The WSFD Foresters will have to sign off on it and I work closely with them in this approval process. A Wolfs 109 Form is also required in order for the State of Wyoming to make payment to you.

Updated 8/10/2007   This Defensible Space Program pays for 65% of the cost up to $2,500 (we pay 65% of $2,500 or $1,625). If the work exceeds $2,500 you are responsible for 100% of the cost above that amount.  If you do some or all of the work yourself the in kind labor rate is $17.50/hr. You will be reimbursed 65% of that rate ($11.38/hr). It will be necessary to keep track of your time (date, hours, type of work, etc.) in some type of log book.

Review the information then call me with any questions or comments. If you are still interested in a cost share program for your property, I will make a site visit to discuss the details and make recommendations as to how to proceed. If I cannot answer all your questions we can get the state forester involved. Together we will fill out the necessary paperwork and define the work to be done.

The fire season may start early this year. Be prepared.

Thank you for your interest.

Jeff Wenckus, Coordinator, Story Fire District

Phone: 406-240-9646   (cell)

Email  Jeff Wenckus     P.O. Box 336, Story, WY 82842

INTERFACE COST SHARE PRACTICES

Fuel Treatment—thinning and pruning areas other than the defensible space. Spacing of leave trees shall be determined by the forester or professional in charge and approved by the District Forester. All green or dead fuel larger than 3" in diameter will be removed from the site. Value the material 6" diameter inside bark and larger and deduct from the practice cost. Residual fuels shall be lopped to 12" in height or less or chipped.

Fuel Breaks—the exterior boundary and both sides of roads within fuel treatment areas shall have all slash treated through removal or chipping of fuels with chips to be scattered to no more than 6" in depth. Deduct value of products 6" diameter inside bark and larger. Fuel Breaks shall be 25 feet in width. It is not permissible to move slash to adjoining areas.

Slash Treatment—to treat logging or thinning slash from a pre-existing sale or thinning by: lop and scatter not to exceed 12" in height, or pile and bum, remove, or chip.