Forestry - FY25 Community Wildfire Defense (CWPP)

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Introduction & Intent

The Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation has funding available to help Montana’s counties update and modernize their Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP). This funding is available to counties with: 

  1. An outdated (>5 years old) CWPP, 
  2. High wildfire risk, as determined by the Montana Wildfire Risk Assessment, and 
  3. A commitment to a collaborative update process.

The DNRC recommends that interested counties refer to the DNRC’s “Community Wildfire Protection Plan Guidebook” as they prepare their proposal for submission. This document provides recommendations and insights into the CWPP update process and was written as a companion piece to this request for proposals. 

If you have any questions about the RFP or the grant funds available, please contact sarah.kleinhanzl@mt.gov. 


Eligible Applicants & Activities

This funding is available for counties to undergo a collaborative process to produce a modern, updated CWPP. Eligible activities towards this end include but are not limited to, hiring a contractor, travel costs associated with community engagement visits, meeting supplies, education & outreach materials, and necessary technology products. No equipment can be purchased with grant funds. 

Only counties in Montana are eligible to receive this funding for county-wide CWPP updates. The county may partner with a significant or involved collaborator to prepare the application material and serve as an additional point of contact. The county, however, must ultimately serve as the recipient if awarded grant funding. 


Award & Funding Guidelines

Grant funding from the State of Montana Fire Suppression Fund is made available through the Montana   Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Forestry Division (DNRC) as authorized by HB 883 passed in the 2023 Legislature. Grant funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis. The DNRC does not require a match for this grant funding, but applicants who demonstrate leveraged funding sources (federal or non-federal) that will contribute to CWPP updates will be given priority. This includes in-kind contributions of time and effort, as well as goods or services. 

The DNRC anticipates awarding between $50,000 – $100,000 per project for 1-3 projects. Award amounts may vary due to funding availability and the number and quality of applications received. The DNRC reserves the right to offer a grant amount different from the one proposed by applicants. The DNRC will provide payments of awarded funds on a reimbursement basis.

All grants from this program shall be considered final awards to the project(s) selected. If project costs increase beyond what was projected at the time of application, the grantee is responsible for finding additional funding from sources outside this program. Grantees will be required to submit the final work product (written documents and spatial data) produced by this funding assistance as the final report to the DNRC.

DNRC continues to seek funding sources for CWPP updates. If additional funding is secured, unselected responses to this request for proposals may be considered at a future date. Any offer of funding is dependent on the applicant’s ability to meet the terms and conditions of the funding source be it state or federal.  

 

Proposal Review

Proposals will be reviewed and prioritized collaboratively by a panel that includes but is not limited to, representatives from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. DNRC reserves the right to request further information from any applicant as needed. Panel members will independently evaluate responses. Panel members will jointly discuss their evaluations and a consensus will be reached as to which project(s) may receive funding.


Funding Notification & Grant Disbursement

Applicants will receive a notification of the status of the proposal immediately following the completion of the review process or subsequent change in status. Following notification of award funding, the DNRC will work with the awardee to complete the grant agreement process as soon as possible. Applicants must consult with the DNRC before incurring any grant-related expenses, as pre-award costs are not allowed.

The grant agreement is a critical step in the award process and a signed grant agreement is required. Successful applicants must provide a current Unique Entity Identifier number registered in SAM.gov. The State of Montana requires prospective grantees to meet specific insurance requirements and provide documentation of insurance before agreement execution.

In accordance with Montana Code Annotated section 49-3-207, the grantee agrees that the hiring of persons to perform work on the project will be made on the basis of merit and qualifications, and there will be no discrimination based upon race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or national origin by the persons performing work on the project.


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