Important Update: We’re excited to share that the New Mexico Forestry Division has transitioned to a new application tracking system—Smartsheet—to process landowner applications. 

Please find the new application form here: Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Landowner Hazard Tree Assistance Requests

***Due to the high demand for this program, available funding may not be sufficient to address all assistance requests. However, you are encouraged to sign up, as your request will remain active and be considered if additional funding becomes available. ***

The New Mexico Forestry Division (Division) is accepting requests for hazardous tree mitigation assistance from landowners impacted by the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire. Federal money supports the implementation of this project through the Division. The Division is hiring contractors who will plan and carry out hazard tree projects. Landowners requesting assistance will be evaluated for eligibility and prioritized based on the following criteria: 

1) The property must be in Mora County or San Miguel County within the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon burn scar. 

2) Hazard trees on the property must exist within two tree heights of roads, powerlines, and/or structures. Hazard trees include disaster-damaged trees that:

• are leaning more than 30 degrees from vertical, 
• have more than 50% of the canopy damaged, 
• have split trunk exposing the heartwood, or
• have 40% exposed roots. 

3) Properties in close proximity or adjacent to other landowners who have requested assistance will receive priority.

   Steps in the process: 

1. The Division will receive landowner’s requests and verify eligibility. 
2. A contractor will contact the landowner to schedule a site visit and develop a map indicating which trees are eligible for removal, how slash (tree residue) will be treated, and where logs will be placed or chipped on the landowner’s property. No slash or logs shall be removed from landowner properties as a part of this project. 
3. The contractor will submit the plan to the Forestry Division for approval. 
4. The Division will review the plan and work with the contractor on any necessary revisions.
5. The Division will issue a notice to proceed to the contractor for approved plans.
6. Work can begin on the property in accordance with approved plans.

The State of New Mexico, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), Forestry Division  is seeking applications for urban and community forestry projects to assist communities in developing and maintaining sustainable stewardship of urban and community forestry resources in New Mexico. 

Eligible applicants  are non-federal governmental entities, including public colleges and universities and tribes (as long as other federal money is not involved).  Projects located on lands owned or administered by the federal government are not eligible for this funding.

Applications may request any amount up to $60,000.00. The Forestry Division reserves the right to partially fund projects. Project contacts will be notified by the Forestry Division Program Manager before any partial funding is approved. 

The focus of the grants are on projects that occur within or deliver 100 percent of the projects benefits to communities identified as disadvantaged by the federal government. Applicants must use federal online vulnerability and environmental justice equity data tools to support a disadvantaged community designation (e.g., White House Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), the EPA Environmental Justice and Screening Mapping Tool, and EPA EnviroAtlas Interactive Map). Projects that occur outside of areas identified as disadvantaged may still be funded but it may be at a lower amount. 

Applications will be accepted year-round and batch-reviewed periodically according to available funds and program demand.  The latest information on expected review timelines is updated on the Forestry Division’s webpage, here: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/RFPs/RFPMain.html. 

Applicants must submit their proposals on the Forestry Division’s Submittable webpage using this link: https://emnrd-sfd.submittable.com/submit.  

Scope of Work 

Projects must emphasize the development and management of community forests.  Projects located on lands owned or administered by the federal government are not eligible for this funding.  Applicants must collaborate with applicable landowners to obtain any needed permissions or permits. Examples of eligible project activities include but are not limited to:

• community forestry program development or improvement such as the creation of management plans, ordinances, tree boards, site preparation (clearing invasives, removing concrete), tree plantings, wood waste program creation, food forest creation, invasive detection, tree maintenance (mulch, irrigation, pruning,      removal), inventory, green infrastructure, assessment, or monitoring; 
• professional  development to create or expand the technical skillset of a diverse and inclusive urban forestry workforce such as the development of classes, implementation of  workshops, registration to attend conferences;
• public outreach and education promoting community involvement in urban forestry such as community events, surveys, engagement, creation of publications, multimedia, and trainings.

Any projects that involve tree removal such as site preparation or tree maintenance that includes removal must also include replanting in their proposal. 

Any projects that involve planting must include a planting plan including tree species and size selection, tree planting methods to be used, irrigation plans, and long-term maintenance plans. Successful Offerors with tree planting projects must have a community forest ordinance, policy, or management plan that designates legal responsibility for the care of trees in the community. Successful Offerors shall follow American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z60.1 nursery standards and ANSI A300 tree planting standards.

Funds cannot be used to purchase capital equipment costing more than $5,000.00 but may be used to rent equipment, and cannot be used for land acquisition or construction. This program does not reimburse indirect costs. The Forestry Division shall not allow more than 10% in administrative costs.

Questions:

Melissa McLamb

EMNRD, Forestry Division

1220 S. St. Francis Drive

Santa Fe, N.M., 87505

Melissa.McLamb@emnrd.nm.gov

The full RFP is available on the Forestry Division website,  https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/requests-for-proposals-and-grants/.
 

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