The City of Jacksonville has launched a new program to assist homeowners in removing blackberry thickets clogging creeks and creating a fire hazard around properties.  Every year, Jacksonville property owners with natural watercourses on or adjacent to their properties are reminded through mailed notices that they are responsible for keeping these watercourses free of obstructions or constrictions.  (See Title 9, Chapter 9.12, Jacksonville Municipal Code)

The City of Jacksonville recognizes that clearing blackberries can be onerous and thus has created a Blackberry Abatement Program of $25,000 to make grants to assist and encourage property owners to remove blackberry thickets and restore the quality and safety of the natural watercourses.

Using the Program, the City will provide a grant to match the amount spent by a property owner to remove watercourse blackberries and perform creek restoration up to a maximum of $2,000 per property, until the Program is entirely depleted.  To qualify for a grant, a property owner must fill out and file the Application for Blackberry Abatement Grant with the City Recorder.  Applications can be obtained from the City Recorder, Angela Watson, either at City Hall or electronically at recorder@jacksonvilleor.us.

Applications will be reviewed by the City, and all determinations made will be final.  A site visit may also be required.  Grant recipients will be notified of the City’s determination.

Upon completion of the work and inspection by the City, the Applicant will then need to submit a written request for reimbursement, including documentation of all payments made for the abatement.  This is the same form as the Application itself, plus the required documentation.  It can be mailed to the City of Jacksonville, P.O. Box 7, 206 N. 5th Street, Bldg. A, Jacksonville, OR 97530, ATTN: Angela Watson, City Recorder or submitted electronically to Angela Watson, City Recorder at recorder@jacksonvilleor.us.