More funding pegged for projects on forest
Kootenai National Forest trails and facilities are scheduled to receive much-needed maintenance through stimulus funding, the U.S. Forest Service announced last week.
Officially known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the money adds up to $3.5 million and will go toward several projects on the forest. Kootenai forest officials said a large backlog of maintenance needs exist.
“This is a great opportunity to complete maintenance on projects that otherwise would have been deferred due to lack of funding,” said Paul Bradford, Kootenai National Forest supervisor. “We expect these projects to create jobs, and result in substantial improvements to facilities and trails … Our partners and private sector contractors will be instrumental in completing this work.”
Among the specific projects:
• Historic building preservation.
• Maintenance on recreation facilities.
• Installation of bear resistant food storage facilities.
• Reconstruction of the McGillivray Recreation Area.
• Dock replacement.
• Trail maintenance.
• Trail bridge replacement.
Nationally, Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said projects funded at more than $274 million are located on Forest Service land in more than 32 states.
The projects on the Kootenai include forest facilities and trails and provide protection of watershed health and other natural resources.
The Forest Service Trails System provides access to a wide diversity of users including hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers and all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts.
Trail maintenance includes protecting soils and reducing erosion, along with clearing vegetation, controlling invasive species, and removing downed trees. Repairs and upgrades to trailhead and parking areas will improve access and safety for trail users.
The facilities and trails projects are in addition to the fire/fuels projects that were announced in May for approximately $3.5 million and the $7.5 million in June for road maintenance and watershed restoration work.
The work related to the projects will occur over the next two years and will be awarded in accordance with federal procurement regulations, officials said. The work will be awarded through contracts and partnerships and are expected to create employment opportunities in Lincoln and Sanders counties.