Public policy on funding mechanisms for post-fire restoration
Looking for policies to create effective funding mechanisms to ensure adequate resources for post-fire restoration efforts.
Problem
The aftermath of Extreme Wildfire Events often leaves landscapes devastated, with significant ecological damage and heightened risks of erosion, landslides, and invasive species. However, there is a recurring challenge of insufficient funding and inadequate public policy mechanisms to support comprehensive post-fire restoration efforts. This results in delayed or limited restoration actions, hindering the recovery and resilience of ecosystems and communities affected by these wildfires.
Why the Problem exists?
The problem of inadequate funding for post-fire restoration is multifaceted. Several factors contribute to this challenge, including competing funding priorities, limited awareness of the long-term benefits of restoration, and the complex jurisdictional and bureaucratic processes involved in securing funding. Additionally, wildfires often exceed the financial capacities of local and regional governments, making it difficult to allocate sufficient resources for effective restoration. The lack of clear and robust public policies on funding mechanisms exacerbates the problem, hampering timely and effective post-fire restoration efforts.
Looking for solutions that completely or partially solve the following:
- Develop dedicated federal, state, and local funding streams specifically designated for post-fire restoration efforts.
- Encourage partnerships between government agencies, nonprofit organisations, and private entities to pool resources and expertise for post-fire restoration.
- Implement comprehensive long-term planning and budgeting processes for the full spectrum of post-fire restoration needs.
- Increase public awareness and understanding of the importance of post-fire restoration for ecosystem health, water quality, and community well-being.
- Clear and coherent public policies that outline funding mechanisms for post-fire restoration, including eligibility criteria, application processes, and accountability measures.
- Comprehensive assessments of post-fire impacts and restoration must inform funding allocation decisions and prioritise projects based on ecological, social, and economic considerations.
Requirements
- Collaboration and coordination among government agencies, non-profits, and private entities to maximise available resources and expertise.
Limitation(s)
- The availability of funding for post-fire restoration may be subject to budgetary constraints and competing priorities within the government.
- The complexity of jurisdictional processes and bureaucratic procedures may delay access and disburse funds, slowing restoration efforts.
- The effectiveness and success of post-fire restoration projects may vary depending on site-specific conditions, including the fire’s severity, the ecosystem’s resilience, and external factors such as weather events.
Fire Management Phase(s)
Adaptation & Restoration
Living Labs
Bulgaria Living Lab; Chile Living Lab; Sardinia-Italy Living Lab; Greece Living Lab.
Voice of the Living Lab(s)
“Recovery of the damages caused by forest fires is the responsibility of the owner of the territory. In the general case, these are Forest enterprises. Funds for the restoration are planned in accordance with the Forest Act and spent according to the expertise of foresters. Due to the lack of Regional plans for the development of forest territories (RPDFT) and/or General development plans (GDP), the methods of restoration depend on the activity of the owner. Other interested parties do not participate in these decisions. In cases where European program funds are used, there is a conservative control, only for the relevant site. There is no larger-scale view, with which the prerequisites for new fires remain. At this point, wildfires are seasonal events that, once they pass, leave damage mainly to forests. Farmers receive compensation and subsidies for the areas they farm under various programs (including state aid), while there are none for the forest areas“.
“There is a lack of investment in integrated spatial planning and an insufficient budget for development projects“.
“Abandonment of territories after fire is due mainly to low profitability for forest management
[new plantation?], there are not addressed measures by European CAP funding for forestry, more in general (national, regional level), too bureaucratic processes to proceed with prompt after fire forest management, but mostly lacking of funding, culture of forest management, professional skills. [both at forest farm level and institutions?]“.
“Basal financing to promote and execute restoration plans“.