Ash Removal & Canopy Restoration Grant Program

Cities, villages, and townships within a 61 county area are eligible to submit proposals for consideration under this competitive grant program. Funds, supplied by the USDA Forest Service, are intended to aid local jurisdictions in the response and recovery of urban forests from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), and require a 50% community match. Grant requests must not exceed $50,000 nor be less than $3,000. Projects are to commence in spring 2011, and should be completed by fall 2011.

• To contract with local governments for the removal of ash trees, and the purchase and planting of non-host EAB trees on land owned or controlled by local governments.
• To restore damaged community tree canopy.
• To improve watershed health.
• To enhance the quality of life in participating cities, villages, and townships.
• To promote urban forestry benefits through the proper planting, care, and removal of trees.
• To strengthen and support existing comprehensive community tree care programs.
• To ensure that urban forests provide communities with clean air and water, increased property values, reduced erosion and stormwater runoff, wildlife habitat, as well as moderate temperatures, lessened energy demands, and offer year-round enjoyment.
• To promote Ohio’s nursery industry through the sale of replacement stock and to promote Ohio’s arboriculture and landscape industries through tree removal and installation contracts.
• To encourage communities to use this opportunity to verify the presence or absence of EAB within municipal limits through the destructive sampling of removed ash trees.
• To not only have trees survive the transplanting process, but also thrive in their new sites. 

• The deadline for electronic receipt of proposals is December 15, 2010.
• All applicants will be notified of their status by March 2011.
• All work must be completed by December 15, 2011.
• Only ash trees can be removed with these funds.
• This is a 50/50 match program based on reimbursable costs.
• Grant requests must not exceed $50,000 nor be less than $3,000.
• No part of the grant can be used to pay for land or land charges.
• When contracting for tree removal, firms with International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborists should be used. Firms must have appropriate insurance and Workers Compensation.
• Anyone removing trees must adhere to OSHA 1910.266, Logging Operations: Occupational Safety and Health Standards and the latest revision of the ANSI Z133.1, Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees and Cutting Brush – Safety Requirements. 
• It is not necessary for trees to go back into an ash removal location. Where possible, large-growing tree species are strongly encouraged.
• Tree purchases must be made from a commercial nursery and be a minimum of 1¼ inches in caliper and comply with the ANSI Z60.1-2004 American Standard for Nursery Stock standards. Smaller caliper sizes are acceptable if necessary to obtain desirable species, and if approved by the Grant Administrator.
• Only non-Federal/State Money (defined as funds acquired from other than the Federal or State Government) can be used as part of a community's grant match.
• In-kind labor contributions (from volunteers) must not exceed a rate of $20.00 per hour.
• Partial funding of proposals is possible.
• Application approval will be based on scoring and previous grant performance.