Continuing efforts to protect the Yuba River watershed and reduce the risk of a catastrophic wildfire, Yuba Water approved a grant for $283,182. Designed by Freepik, www.freepik.com

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) – On Oct. 7, Yuba Water Agency approved nearly $350,000 in funding for critical wildfire resilience efforts in Yuba County, along with more than $500,000 for a water supply reliability and water efficiency project.

Yuba Resource Conservation District
Continuing efforts to protect the Yuba River watershed and reduce the risk of a catastrophic wildfire, Yuba Water approved a grant for $283,182 to help the Yuba Resource Conservation District build a stronger, countywide Wildfire Hazard Reduction Program in partnership with the Yuba Watershed Protection & Fire Safe Council and others. The effort builds upon a 2021 community needs assessment and aims to target hard-to-reach areas just beyond defensible space zones on small private lands, which are critical for reducing wildfire risk. The grant will support project planning, landowner outreach, partnership development and funding strategy work to create well-coordinated, competitive projects that improve forest health and watershed resilience across Yuba County.

Additionally, a $60,000 interest-free loan to the Yuba Resource Conservation District will provide critical short-term cash-flow, enabling the district to continue important wildfire prevention work while awaiting invoice payments from state grants.

Hallwood Irrigation Company
Yuba Water’s board also approved an amendment to a previously awarded grant for the Hallwood Irrigation Company for a major pipeline improvement project, increasing the grant by just over $504,000 for a total commitment of $1,662,800. The grant increase covers unforeseen additional costs above the original engineering estimate.

The $2.8 million project, which also received a federal grant from the Bureau of Reclamation for just under $1.2 million, will replace an approximately 7,800-foot-long water conveyance ditch with wider, more modern piping to reduce seepage and water. The water savings are estimated at approximately 1,370-acre feet of water each year. 

First Responders Conference Sponsorship
Yuba Water’s board of directors also approved a $10,000 sponsorship for the second annual First Responder Conference in Yuba County, which supports the mental health, wellness and resilience of local first responders and their families. Each conference brings law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, dispatchers, corrections, active-duty military and veterans together with mental health professionals to learn, connect and share resources.

Learn more about Yuba Water’s investments in Yuba County at yubawater.org.