(RFFCP2022) Tribal Capacity Building Program – Big Sandy Rancheria (SNC1741-RFFCP)

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy has awarded grant agreement #1741-RFFCP to the Big Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono Indians under the Tribal Capacity Building Program to support the ongoing maintenance of existing fuel breaks around tribal lands. This initiative, in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, focuses on reducing hazardous fuels across 70 to 80 acres of previously established fuel break areas through a combination of hand and mechanical treatments. Activities will include thinning ladder fuels and overgrown vegetation, removing dead and downed woody debris, lop and scatter, mastication, chipping, and the preservation of defensible space around homes and structures, all designed to enhance community safety and fire resilience. The work will be carried out by tribal crews utilizing locally available resources and expertise. The fuel breaks being maintained were originally established between 2022 and 2024, making this project a critical follow-up to ensure the long-term effectiveness of those initial efforts. The grant is part of a broader effort to strengthen tribal capacity in wildfire preparedness and land management. The project is forecasted under the RFFCP2022 solicitation, with official posting on July 27, 2026, and the primary point of contact for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy is Wendy Johnson, General Counsel. Rebecca Riley, Assistant Tribal Administrator for the Big Sandy Rancheria, serves as the tribal liaison. The project is located in California and is aligned with state and federal priorities to mitigate wildfire risks through culturally appropriate, community-driven land stewardship.