WA DNR Cost-Share Estimator
See how much DNR may reimburse for your forest health project. Enter your property details and get a planning-level estimate in under 2 minutes.
What Is DNR Cost-Share?
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health Cost-Share Program helps private landowners fund wildfire mitigation and forest health treatments by reimbursing up to 50% of eligible project costs. Qualifying practices include non-commercial thinning, pruning, slash disposal, and other fuel-reduction work that improves stand health and reduces wildfire risk. Using this estimator before you apply gives you a realistic budget range so you can plan treatment scope and out-of-pocket costs with confidence.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select your county and enter your total forested acreage
- Add treatment areas, choose practices, and select tiers
- Enter your contact info to get your personalized results emailed
This calculator uses Eastern Washington rate schedules. Estimates are for planning purposes only — final reimbursement amounts are determined by DNR during their on-site assessment.
How DNR Tiers Work
DNR assigns a tier to each treatment practice on your property. The tier reflects the difficulty and scope of the work needed:
- Tier 1 — Heavy treatment. Dense vegetation, difficult terrain, or large-diameter material. Highest reimbursement cap per acre.
- Tier 2 — Moderate treatment. Mid-range density and complexity. Mid-range cap.
- Tier 3 — Light treatment. Sparse vegetation or easier conditions. Lowest cap per acre.
The DNR service forester who visits your property makes the final tier determination. This estimator lets you explore all three tiers so you can see how the tier affects your potential reimbursement. When in doubt, Tier 2 is a reasonable planning assumption.
Estimate Your Reimbursement
Answer a few questions about your property and planned treatments. DNR may reimburse up to 50% of eligible costs.
Example Calculation
A 10-acre property in Spokane County selecting non-commercial thinning and slash disposal might see estimated reimbursements in the range of several hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on tier classification and actual treatment costs. DNR reimburses up to 50% of your documented expenses, capped at the per-acre rate for each practice. For instance, if your thinning costs run $400–$600 per acre and the program cap is $300 per acre, DNR would reimburse based on the cap — not your full cost. Combining multiple practices on the same acreage increases the total eligible reimbursement because each practice has its own separate cap.
Larger-Property Example
Consider a 40-acre parcel in Stevens County where the landowner plans non-commercial thinning and pruning. At published Eastern WA rates, thinning and pruning each carry their own per-acre cap. If actual thinning costs come to $450 per acre and the program cap is $300, DNR reimburses at the cap — $300 per acre — across all 40 acres. Add pruning at $200 per acre actual cost with a $150 cap, and the pruning reimbursement is capped at $150 per acre. Combined, this landowner could see up to $18,000 in total estimated reimbursement ($12,000 thinning + $6,000 pruning), significantly reducing out-of-pocket treatment costs on a larger property.
What to Expect After Applying
The DNR cost-share process follows a predictable sequence:
- Submit your application — Include property details, planned practices, and acreage. Kevin can help align your application with DNR requirements.
- Site visit by DNR forester — A DNR service forester inspects your property, confirms eligibility, and assigns tier classifications for each practice.
- Approval and treatment — Once approved, you have a set window to complete the work. Gow Forestry performs the mulching, thinning, or other treatments per the approved plan.
- Documentation and reimbursement — After treatment, you submit photos, invoices, and completion documentation to DNR. Reimbursement is issued after DNR reviews and approves the documentation.
The entire process from application to reimbursement typically takes several months depending on DNR’s review backlog and seasonal scheduling.
Common Questions
How accurate is this DNR cost-share estimator?+
This estimator uses published DNR rate schedules to calculate maximum reimbursement caps. Final tier determinations and reimbursement amounts are made by DNR during their site assessment. Treat these numbers as planning estimates, not guarantees.
Which rates does the estimator use?+
The estimator uses the current Eastern Washington rate schedule. Western WA rates are not yet published — if your property is in Western Washington, the estimates shown use Eastern WA rates as a reference only.
What does 'cap per acre' mean?+
DNR sets a maximum reimbursement amount per acre for each practice tier. You receive up to 50% of your actual costs, but never more than the cap. For example, if the cap is $300/acre and your cost is $500/acre, DNR reimburses $250 (50% of $500), not $300.
Can I include multiple practices in one treatment area?+
Yes. A single treatment area can include multiple practices — for example, thinning and slash disposal on the same 40 acres. Each practice is reimbursed separately up to its own cap.
What is the minimum acreage for DNR cost-share?+
DNR requires a minimum of 1 acre for most practices. Forest Stewardship Plans require at least 20 acres. There is no maximum acreage limit, though reimbursement is capped at DNR's per-acre rate regardless of property size.
How long does the DNR cost-share process take?+
From application to reimbursement, the process typically takes several months. After you submit your application, a DNR service forester will schedule a site visit to assess your property and assign tier classifications. Once approved, you complete the treatment work, submit documentation, and receive reimbursement.
Can Gow Forestry help with the DNR application?+
Yes. Kevin Gow assists landowners through the full cost-share process, from initial eligibility review and application alignment to treatment documentation and final reimbursement paperwork. There is no extra charge for this assistance when Gow Forestry performs the treatment work.
Important Disclaimers
Calculator & Estimate Disclaimer: The Gow Forestry DNR Cost-Share Calculator is provided as a free educational and planning tool only. All outputs are rough estimates based on published DNR rate schedules and user-provided inputs. Calculator results do not constitute a quote, guarantee, promise, or commitment of any reimbursement from the Washington Department of Natural Resources or from Gow Forestry. Estimates may be significantly inaccurate if: (a) DNR rate schedules change after the calculator’s data was last updated; (b) the user selects practice codes or tiers that do not match DNR’s actual site assessment; (c) the user inputs incorrect acreage, cost, or other data; or (d) program funding, eligibility rules, or reimbursement terms change. The DNR service forester who visits your property will ultimately determine which practices qualify, what tier classification applies, and whether or how much reimbursement you may receive. It is possible to receive less than estimated, or nothing at all.
No Guarantee of Funding: Neither Gow Forestry nor NerdBrainz (website developer) administer, control, or fund the Washington DNR cost-share program. We do not guarantee approval of any application, availability of program funding, or any specific reimbursement amount. All cost-share determinations — including eligibility, practice classification, reimbursement rates, and payment — are made solely by the Washington Department of Natural Resources at their discretion. Program terms, funding levels, rate schedules, and eligibility criteria are subject to change at any time based on legislative action, agency policy, or funding availability.
Rate Schedule Information: The per-acre caps and plan tier caps used by this calculator are sourced from the Eastern WA Cost-Share Application PDF (revised December 17, 2021) as published on DNR’s website. These rates may be updated or replaced by DNR at any time. Always confirm current rates with your assigned DNR service forester before making financial commitments.
Not Professional Advice: This calculator and its outputs are educational tools provided by Gow Forestry for informational purposes. They do not constitute legal, financial, tax, or professional forestry consulting advice. Landowners should consult with qualified professionals and directly with DNR regarding their specific circumstances.
Gow Forestry’s Role: Gow Forestry is a private forestry services contractor. We assist landowners with forest health treatments that may align with DNR cost-share program requirements, but we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting as agents of the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Our assistance with the cost-share process does not guarantee any outcome.
Limitation of Liability: Gow Forestry, NerdBrainz (website developer), and their respective owners, officers, employees, and agents shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from the use of this calculator, reliance on its estimates, or any decisions made based on its outputs. Use of this tool is entirely at your own risk.