Salt & South Fork Watershed Stabilization & Hazard Tree Mitigation Assistance Request
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The State of New Mexico, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources, Forestry Division (Forestry Division) is accepting requests for post-fire erosion and hazardous tree mitigation assistance from landowners impacted by the Salt and South Fork Fires. The Forestry Division is utilizing contractors who will conduct site assessments and carry out post-fire projects. The Forestry Division will have sole discretion to determine appropriate post-fire practices to be implemented on the landowner's behalf.
Eligibility
Landowners requesting assistance will be evaluated for eligibility based on the following criteria:
1. The property must be located in Lincoln County and within the boundaries of the Salt and South Fork burn scars.
2. The landowner must provide evidence of property ownership by providing plats, deeds, and/or title insurance.
3. Hazard trees on the property must be located within a distance that is twice the tree's height from roads and/or structures. Hazard trees include disaster-damaged trees that:
a. are leaning more than 30 degrees,
b. have more than 75% canopy damage for Ponderosa pines, or more than 50% of canopy damage for other tree species;
c. have split trunk exposing the heartwood, or
d. have 40% exposed roots.
Areas of Priority
Properties will be prioritized for assistance to maximize long-term watershed recovery, focusing on areas with the greatest risk of erosion that may contribute to debris flows and impact downstream communities. Prioritization will be based on:
1. Proximity to other landowners who have requested assistance will receive priority. This will enable the Forestry Division to use funding efficiently by reducing contractor mobilization costs.
2. Location in a watershed, with areas higher in the watershed receiving priority.
3. Burn severity, with higher burn severity properties receiving priority.
4. Terrain features, with areas having steeper slopes receiving priority.
The Program
The Forestry Division will receive the landowner's requests and verify eligibility.
1. The landowner will complete a Right-of-Entry Agreement which gives the Forestry Division and its contractors permission to enter the property for the purpose of conducting hazard tree mitigation and post-fire erosion control.
2. A planning contractor will contact the landowner to schedule a site visit and develop a map indicating which trees are eligible for removal, sites chosen for erosion control structures, and how slash (tree residue) will be treated.
3. The planning contractor will submit the plan to the Forestry Division which will identify recommended post-fire practices for the property.
4. The Forestry Division will review the plan and work with the planning contractor on any necessary revisions.
5. The Forestry Division will engage project contractors to implement approved plans.
6. Work can begin on the landowner's property in accordance with approved plans.
