The draft Central Platte Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Merrick, Nance, Polk, Sherman, and York Counties, and the northeast part of Dawson County is ready for public review. Review copies are available at public libraries in these areas. Comments will be accepted until September 16.
This plan is intended to enhance collaboration and communication among the various agencies and organizations who manage fire in the central Platte region, and to help them effectively prepare for and respond to wildfire.
Landowners in counties that adopt the plan will be eligible to apply for federal and state cost-share funds for vegetative fuels reduction and other hazard mitigation efforts in at-risk areas within the CWPP boundary. The plan may also provide increased opportunities for counties, municipalities, and rural fire districts to seek grant funding for activities related to fire protection.
The plan, part of a statewide network of Community Wildfire Protection Plans, provides information useful to both local emergency responders and those from outside the area who provide mutual aid. The CWPP consolidates and relays critical information needed for responders in unfamiliar terrain.
The draft plan is also available online at https://nfs.unl.edu/documents/CWPP/CentralPlatte.pdf
Comments will be accepted via email to sbenson4@unl.edu or they may be sent via US Postal Service to the Nebraska Forest Service, Attn: Sandy Benson, PO Box 830815, Lincoln, NE 68583-0815.
