Carson Valley Tree Care is offering a 20% discount to homeowners who qualify for the defensible space program and who have valid vouchers. See below for the Five Easy Steps in obtaining a voucher or go to the Nevada Fire Safe Council website for more information on how to obtain your grant money towards your defensible space cost. Beginning on May 1, 2008, the Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide financial assistance to Lake Tahoe Basin residents who comply with defensible space recommendations related to vegetation management. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of 50% for vegetation management costs up to $1000. This program is limited to residents living within the North Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe, Lake Valley, Meeks Bay, and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection Districts. Funds are limited. Terms and conditions apply. Eligible residents can receive their rebate by following the five-step process below STEP ONE: Get an Inspection. Contact your local fire protection district to schedule a defensible space inspection. Contact information can be found on bottom of this page. Fire protection professionals will perform an inspection with the homeowner or homeowner's representative to educate them on the steps necessary to comply with defensible space recommendations. The homeowner will be given two copies of the inspection form with written recommendations. STEP TWO: Get a voucher. Contact the Tahoe Basin Region of the Nevada Fire Safe Council at 1-877-LT-NVFSC to receive a numbered voucher that places you on the rebate list. Vouchers expire within 45 days of issuance. Participants will also be provided a list of contractors that have participated a defensible space workshop. Residents who are not a member of the Nevada Fire Safe Council will be asked to join at the nominal fee of $20. STEP THREE: Get fire safe. Pick a contractor from the list provided and complete the tree and brush removal recommended in Step 1. The homeowner is responsible for insuring that the contractor completes ALL of the vegetation and hazardous debris removal outlined in the initial inspection. The homeowner is responsible for paying the contractor directly. Any work done in addition to vegetation removal recommended in the initial the inspection form is the sole financial responsibility of the property owner. STEP FOUR: Get a rebate evaluation. Once the work is complete, contact the Tahoe Basin Region of the Nevada Fire Safe Council at 1-877-LT-NVFSC to schedule a rebate evaluation. NVFSC staff will insure that the work is completed in accordance with the initial inspection. At this time, the property owner must provide NVFSC staff with the following: (1) Both copies of the inspection form from Step 1, (2) A copy of the contractors invoice, and (3) the numbered rebate voucher received in Step 2. STEP FIVE: Get a rebate. If the property owner has taken the necessary vegetation management steps, NVFSC staff will submit the inspection form, contractor invoice, and voucher for the rebate. Rebate checks will be mailed to homeowners within 21 days of the completed evaluation. PLEASE SEE THE NEVADA FIRE SAFE COUNCIL WEBSITE FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND LOCAL CONTACT NUMBERS FOR YOUR AREA. www.nvfsc.org