10:53 am
FOREST SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS EXPANSION OF RESTORATION OF NATIONAL FORESTS AND FUNDING FOR COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECTS
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2012/02/0039.xml
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2012 —Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report, Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on our National Forests, that outlines a strategy and series of actions for management on 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
As part of the accelerated restoration strategy, $40 million for 20 forest and watershed restoration projects have been announced for the upcoming year. The funding includes ten new projects under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, continued funding for the original 10 projects selected under the CFLR program in 2010, and an additional $4.6 million to support other high priority restoration projects.
“Through our partnerships with states, communities, tribes and others, we are committed to restoring our forests and bringing jobs to rural America,” said Vilsack. “Whether the threat comes from wildfire, bark beetles or a changing climate, it is vital that we step up our efforts to safeguard our country’s natural resources.”
Within the context of the overall restoration program, the strategy and actions announced today are designed to expand the number of forest acres treated by 20 percent over the next three years and increase the pace of active forest management, including fuels reduction, reforestation, stream restoration, road decommissioning, replacing and improving culverts, forest thinning and harvesting, prescribed fire and a range of other techniques.
As a result of these efforts, the Forest Service will be able to accomplish critical restoration objectives, including for water, wildlife, forest health and resilience, and community safety. This effort will support jobs and stimulate a more vibrant forest industry that will provide the workers and the know-how to undertake other restoration projects. Altogether, the Forest Service estimates this will increase the amount of forest products sold in 2014 to 3 billion board feet, up from 2.4 billion board feet in 2011.
The restoration of National Forest System lands is critically needed to address a number of threats to the health of forest ecosystems, watersheds, wildlife habitats and forest dependent communities. Major threats include wildland fire, climate change, beetle epidemics and invasive species.
The national forests and grasslands are the backdrop and neighbor to many rural and urban communities, providing a range of values and benefits, including clean drinking water for millions of people across the U.S., vital wildlife habitat, a variety of recreation opportunities, and other multiple uses that support jobs and economic growth in rural communities. The Forest Service’s restoration program of work is designed to sustain the ability of these lands to continue to deliver a full range of ecosystem services for generations to come.
These restoration efforts will further stimulate local economies by retaining and increasing other forest related jobs, such as the 1,550 jobs expected to maintained or generated through implementation of the CFLR projects, and by supporting recreation activities and attracting more tourists to rural areas. Currently, recreation activities on National Forest System lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs in local communities.
“Accelerated restoration efforts demonstrate a shared vision where environmentalists, forest industry and local communities are working together to build healthier forests and contribute to local economies,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “The increased restoration work will benefit the environment and people, with more resilient ecosystems, improved watersheds and wildlife habitat, hazardous fuel reduction, and outputs of forest products. We hope accelerated restoration activities will bring all of our partners together, working as allies for forest conservation.”
The Forest Service will increase restoration activities with a series of actions, some of which are already underway. The list includes: expanding collaborative landscape partnerships; finalizing and implementing a new forest Planning Rule; implementing the Watershed Condition Framework; improving efficiencies of the planning process for restoration projects under the National Environmental Policy Act; implementing Integrated Resource Restoration budgeting; implementing the agency bark beetle strategy; improving the implementation and efficiencies of timber and stewardship contracts; and expanding markets for forest products.
The Forest Service received 26 proposals for Collaborative Forest Restoration Grants which were evaluated by a federal advisory committee. The committee recommended 13 projects to the USDA for funding consideration, of which 10 were selected under the program. Because the remaining three are high priority restoration projects and exemplify the intent of the program, the Forest Service is setting aside another $4.6 million to fund those projects as well.
Project proposals included ecological restoration treatments to reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, maintain and improve water quality, use woody biomass and harvest timber. All of the landscape proposals include matching contributions from partners, either funds or in-kind services.
The following 10 new projects are approved for funding in 2012:
Burney-Hat Creek Basins Project, California – $605,000
Pine-Oak Woodlands Restoration Project, Missouri – $617,000
Shortleaf-Bluestem Community Project, Arkansas and Oklahoma – $342,00
Weiser-Little Salmon Headwaters Project, Idaho – $2,450,000
Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative, Idaho – $324,000
Southern Blues Restoration Coalition, Oregon – $2,500,000
Lakeview Stewardship Project, Oregon – $3,500,000
Zuni Mountain Project, New Mexico – $400,000
Grandfather Restoration Project, North Carolina – $605,000
Amador-Calaveras Consensus Group Cornerstone Project, California – $730,000
The following three projects are considered high priority restoration and are approved for funding in 2012 outside of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act:
Northeast Washington Forest Vision 2020, Washington – $968,000
Ozark Highlands Ecosystem Restoration, Arkansas – $959,000
Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration and Hazardous Fuels Reduction, De Soto National Forest, National Forests in Mississippi – $2,710,000
The following 10 Collaborative Forest Landscape projects were approved for funding in 2010 and will continue to receive funding in 2012:
Selway-Middle Fork Clearwater Project, Idaho
Southwestern Crown of the Continent, Montana
Colorado Front Range, Colorado
Uncompahgre Plateau, Colorado
4 Forest Restoration Initiative, Arizona
Southwest Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
Dinkey Landscape Restoration Project, California
Deschutes Skyline, Oregon
Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative, Washington
Accelerating Longleaf Pine Restoration, Florida
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs and for people who want to live, work and raise their families in rural communities.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
=================
Franklin Pemberton
Public Affairs Officer
Colville National Forest
Voice: (509) 684-7177
fpemberton@fs.fed.us
=================
FOREST SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS EXPANSION OF RESTORATION OF NATIONAL FORESTS AND FUNDING FOR COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECTS
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2012/02/0039.xml
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2012 —Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report, Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on our National Forests, that outlines a strategy and series of actions for management on 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
As part of the accelerated restoration strategy, $40 million for 20 forest and watershed restoration projects have been announced for the upcoming year. The funding includes ten new projects under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, continued funding for the original 10 projects selected under the CFLR program in 2010, and an additional $4.6 million to support other high priority restoration projects.
“Through our partnerships with states, communities, tribes and others, we are committed to restoring our forests and bringing jobs to rural America,” said Vilsack. “Whether the threat comes from wildfire, bark beetles or a changing climate, it is vital that we step up our efforts to safeguard our country’s natural resources.”
Within the context of the overall restoration program, the strategy and actions announced today are designed to expand the number of forest acres treated by 20 percent over the next three years and increase the pace of active forest management, including fuels reduction, reforestation, stream restoration, road decommissioning, replacing and improving culverts, forest thinning and harvesting, prescribed fire and a range of other techniques.
As a result of these efforts, the Forest Service will be able to accomplish critical restoration objectives, including for water, wildlife, forest health and resilience, and community safety. This effort will support jobs and stimulate a more vibrant forest industry that will provide the workers and the know-how to undertake other restoration projects. Altogether, the Forest Service estimates this will increase the amount of forest products sold in 2014 to 3 billion board feet, up from 2.4 billion board feet in 2011.
The restoration of National Forest System lands is critically needed to address a number of threats to the health of forest ecosystems, watersheds, wildlife habitats and forest dependent communities. Major threats include wildland fire, climate change, beetle epidemics and invasive species.
The national forests and grasslands are the backdrop and neighbor to many rural and urban communities, providing a range of values and benefits, including clean drinking water for millions of people across the U.S., vital wildlife habitat, a variety of recreation opportunities, and other multiple uses that support jobs and economic growth in rural communities. The Forest Service’s restoration program of work is designed to sustain the ability of these lands to continue to deliver a full range of ecosystem services for generations to come.
These restoration efforts will further stimulate local economies by retaining and increasing other forest related jobs, such as the 1,550 jobs expected to maintained or generated through implementation of the CFLR projects, and by supporting recreation activities and attracting more tourists to rural areas. Currently, recreation activities on National Forest System lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs in local communities.
“Accelerated restoration efforts demonstrate a shared vision where environmentalists, forest industry and local communities are working together to build healthier forests and contribute to local economies,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “The increased restoration work will benefit the environment and people, with more resilient ecosystems, improved watersheds and wildlife habitat, hazardous fuel reduction, and outputs of forest products. We hope accelerated restoration activities will bring all of our partners together, working as allies for forest conservation.”
The Forest Service will increase restoration activities with a series of actions, some of which are already underway. The list includes: expanding collaborative landscape partnerships; finalizing and implementing a new forest Planning Rule; implementing the Watershed Condition Framework; improving efficiencies of the planning process for restoration projects under the National Environmental Policy Act; implementing Integrated Resource Restoration budgeting; implementing the agency bark beetle strategy; improving the implementation and efficiencies of timber and stewardship contracts; and expanding markets for forest products.
The Forest Service received 26 proposals for Collaborative Forest Restoration Grants which were evaluated by a federal advisory committee. The committee recommended 13 projects to the USDA for funding consideration, of which 10 were selected under the program. Because the remaining three are high priority restoration projects and exemplify the intent of the program, the Forest Service is setting aside another $4.6 million to fund those projects as well.
Project proposals included ecological restoration treatments to reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, maintain and improve water quality, use woody biomass and harvest timber. All of the landscape proposals include matching contributions from partners, either funds or in-kind services.
The following 10 new projects are approved for funding in 2012:
Burney-Hat Creek Basins Project, California – $605,000
Pine-Oak Woodlands Restoration Project, Missouri – $617,000
Shortleaf-Bluestem Community Project, Arkansas and Oklahoma – $342,00
Weiser-Little Salmon Headwaters Project, Idaho – $2,450,000
Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative, Idaho – $324,000
Southern Blues Restoration Coalition, Oregon – $2,500,000
Lakeview Stewardship Project, Oregon – $3,500,000
Zuni Mountain Project, New Mexico – $400,000
Grandfather Restoration Project, North Carolina – $605,000
Amador-Calaveras Consensus Group Cornerstone Project, California – $730,000
The following three projects are considered high priority restoration and are approved for funding in 2012 outside of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act:
Northeast Washington Forest Vision 2020, Washington – $968,000
Ozark Highlands Ecosystem Restoration, Arkansas – $959,000
Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration and Hazardous Fuels Reduction, De Soto National Forest, National Forests in Mississippi – $2,710,000
The following 10 Collaborative Forest Landscape projects were approved for funding in 2010 and will continue to receive funding in 2012:
Selway-Middle Fork Clearwater Project, Idaho
Southwestern Crown of the Continent, Montana
Colorado Front Range, Colorado
Uncompahgre Plateau, Colorado
4 Forest Restoration Initiative, Arizona
Southwest Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
Dinkey Landscape Restoration Project, California
Deschutes Skyline, Oregon
Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative, Washington
Accelerating Longleaf Pine Restoration, Florida
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs and for people who want to live, work and raise their families in rural communities.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
=================
Franklin Pemberton
Public Affairs Officer
Colville National Forest
Voice: (509) 684-7177
fpemberton@fs.fed.us
=================
FOREST SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS EXPANSION OF RESTORATION OF NATIONAL FORESTS AND FUNDING FOR COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECTS
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2012/02/0039.xml
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2012 —Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report, Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on our National Forests, that outlines a strategy and series of actions for management on 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
As part of the accelerated restoration strategy, $40 million for 20 forest and watershed restoration projects have been announced for the upcoming year. The funding includes ten new projects under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, continued funding for the original 10 projects selected under the CFLR program in 2010, and an additional $4.6 million to support other high priority restoration projects.
“Through our partnerships with states, communities, tribes and others, we are committed to restoring our forests and bringing jobs to rural America,” said Vilsack. “Whether the threat comes from wildfire, bark beetles or a changing climate, it is vital that we step up our efforts to safeguard our country’s natural resources.”
Within the context of the overall restoration program, the strategy and actions announced today are designed to expand the number of forest acres treated by 20 percent over the next three years and increase the pace of active forest management, including fuels reduction, reforestation, stream restoration, road decommissioning, replacing and improving culverts, forest thinning and harvesting, prescribed fire and a range of other techniques.
As a result of these efforts, the Forest Service will be able to accomplish critical restoration objectives, including for water, wildlife, forest health and resilience, and community safety. This effort will support jobs and stimulate a more vibrant forest industry that will provide the workers and the know-how to undertake other restoration projects. Altogether, the Forest Service estimates this will increase the amount of forest products sold in 2014 to 3 billion board feet, up from 2.4 billion board feet in 2011.
The restoration of National Forest System lands is critically needed to address a number of threats to the health of forest ecosystems, watersheds, wildlife habitats and forest dependent communities. Major threats include wildland fire, climate change, beetle epidemics and invasive species.
The national forests and grasslands are the backdrop and neighbor to many rural and urban communities, providing a range of values and benefits, including clean drinking water for millions of people across the U.S., vital wildlife habitat, a variety of recreation opportunities, and other multiple uses that support jobs and economic growth in rural communities. The Forest Service’s restoration program of work is designed to sustain the ability of these lands to continue to deliver a full range of ecosystem services for generations to come.
These restoration efforts will further stimulate local economies by retaining and increasing other forest related jobs, such as the 1,550 jobs expected to maintained or generated through implementation of the CFLR projects, and by supporting recreation activities and attracting more tourists to rural areas. Currently, recreation activities on National Forest System lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs in local communities.
“Accelerated restoration efforts demonstrate a shared vision where environmentalists, forest industry and local communities are working together to build healthier forests and contribute to local economies,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “The increased restoration work will benefit the environment and people, with more resilient ecosystems, improved watersheds and wildlife habitat, hazardous fuel reduction, and outputs of forest products. We hope accelerated restoration activities will bring all of our partners together, working as allies for forest conservation.”
The Forest Service will increase restoration activities with a series of actions, some of which are already underway. The list includes: expanding collaborative landscape partnerships; finalizing and implementing a new forest Planning Rule; implementing the Watershed Condition Framework; improving efficiencies of the planning process for restoration projects under the National Environmental Policy Act; implementing Integrated Resource Restoration budgeting; implementing the agency bark beetle strategy; improving the implementation and efficiencies of timber and stewardship contracts; and expanding markets for forest products.
The Forest Service received 26 proposals for Collaborative Forest Restoration Grants which were evaluated by a federal advisory committee. The committee recommended 13 projects to the USDA for funding consideration, of which 10 were selected under the program. Because the remaining three are high priority restoration projects and exemplify the intent of the program, the Forest Service is setting aside another $4.6 million to fund those projects as well.
Project proposals included ecological restoration treatments to reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, maintain and improve water quality, use woody biomass and harvest timber. All of the landscape proposals include matching contributions from partners, either funds or in-kind services.
The following 10 new projects are approved for funding in 2012:
Burney-Hat Creek Basins Project, California – $605,000
Pine-Oak Woodlands Restoration Project, Missouri – $617,000
Shortleaf-Bluestem Community Project, Arkansas and Oklahoma – $342,00
Weiser-Little Salmon Headwaters Project, Idaho – $2,450,000
Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative, Idaho – $324,000
Southern Blues Restoration Coalition, Oregon – $2,500,000
Lakeview Stewardship Project, Oregon – $3,500,000
Zuni Mountain Project, New Mexico – $400,000
Grandfather Restoration Project, North Carolina – $605,000
Amador-Calaveras Consensus Group Cornerstone Project, California – $730,000
The following three projects are considered high priority restoration and are approved for funding in 2012 outside of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act:
Northeast Washington Forest Vision 2020, Washington – $968,000
Ozark Highlands Ecosystem Restoration, Arkansas – $959,000
Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration and Hazardous Fuels Reduction, De Soto National Forest, National Forests in Mississippi – $2,710,000
The following 10 Collaborative Forest Landscape projects were approved for funding in 2010 and will continue to receive funding in 2012:
Selway-Middle Fork Clearwater Project, Idaho
Southwestern Crown of the Continent, Montana
Colorado Front Range, Colorado
Uncompahgre Plateau, Colorado
4 Forest Restoration Initiative, Arizona
Southwest Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
Dinkey Landscape Restoration Project, California
Deschutes Skyline, Oregon
Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative, Washington
Accelerating Longleaf Pine Restoration, Florida
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs and for people who want to live, work and raise their families in rural communities.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
=================
Franklin Pemberton
Public Affairs Officer
Colville National Forest
Voice: (509) 684-7177
fpemberton@fs.fed.us
=================
FOREST SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS EXPANSION OF RESTORATION OF NATIONAL FORESTS AND FUNDING FOR COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECTS
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2012/02/0039.xml
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2012 —Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report, Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on our National Forests, that outlines a strategy and series of actions for management on 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
As part of the accelerated restoration strategy, $40 million for 20 forest and watershed restoration projects have been announced for the upcoming year. The funding includes ten new projects under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, continued funding for the original 10 projects selected under the CFLR program in 2010, and an additional $4.6 million to support other high priority restoration projects.
“Through our partnerships with states, communities, tribes and others, we are committed to restoring our forests and bringing jobs to rural America,” said Vilsack. “Whether the threat comes from wildfire, bark beetles or a changing climate, it is vital that we step up our efforts to safeguard our country’s natural resources.”
Within the context of the overall restoration program, the strategy and actions announced today are designed to expand the number of forest acres treated by 20 percent over the next three years and increase the pace of active forest management, including fuels reduction, reforestation, stream restoration, road decommissioning, replacing and improving culverts, forest thinning and harvesting, prescribed fire and a range of other techniques.
As a result of these efforts, the Forest Service will be able to accomplish critical restoration objectives, including for water, wildlife, forest health and resilience, and community safety. This effort will support jobs and stimulate a more vibrant forest industry that will provide the workers and the know-how to undertake other restoration projects. Altogether, the Forest Service estimates this will increase the amount of forest products sold in 2014 to 3 billion board feet, up from 2.4 billion board feet in 2011.
The restoration of National Forest System lands is critically needed to address a number of threats to the health of forest ecosystems, watersheds, wildlife habitats and forest dependent communities. Major threats include wildland fire, climate change, beetle epidemics and invasive species.
The national forests and grasslands are the backdrop and neighbor to many rural and urban communities, providing a range of values and benefits, including clean drinking water for millions of people across the U.S., vital wildlife habitat, a variety of recreation opportunities, and other multiple uses that support jobs and economic growth in rural communities. The Forest Service’s restoration program of work is designed to sustain the ability of these lands to continue to deliver a full range of ecosystem services for generations to come.
These restoration efforts will further stimulate local economies by retaining and increasing other forest related jobs, such as the 1,550 jobs expected to maintained or generated through implementation of the CFLR projects, and by supporting recreation activities and attracting more tourists to rural areas. Currently, recreation activities on National Forest System lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs in local communities.
“Accelerated restoration efforts demonstrate a shared vision where environmentalists, forest industry and local communities are working together to build healthier forests and contribute to local economies,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “The increased restoration work will benefit the environment and people, with more resilient ecosystems, improved watersheds and wildlife habitat, hazardous fuel reduction, and outputs of forest products. We hope accelerated restoration activities will bring all of our partners together, working as allies for forest conservation.”
The Forest Service will increase restoration activities with a series of actions, some of which are already underway. The list includes: expanding collaborative landscape partnerships; finalizing and implementing a new forest Planning Rule; implementing the Watershed Condition Framework; improving efficiencies of the planning process for restoration projects under the National Environmental Policy Act; implementing Integrated Resource Restoration budgeting; implementing the agency bark beetle strategy; improving the implementation and efficiencies of timber and stewardship contracts; and expanding markets for forest products.
The Forest Service received 26 proposals for Collaborative Forest Restoration Grants which were evaluated by a federal advisory committee. The committee recommended 13 projects to the USDA for funding consideration, of which 10 were selected under the program. Because the remaining three are high priority restoration projects and exemplify the intent of the program, the Forest Service is setting aside another $4.6 million to fund those projects as well.
Project proposals included ecological restoration treatments to reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, maintain and improve water quality, use woody biomass and harvest timber. All of the landscape proposals include matching contributions from partners, either funds or in-kind services.
The following 10 new projects are approved for funding in 2012:
Burney-Hat Creek Basins Project, California – $605,000
Pine-Oak Woodlands Restoration Project, Missouri – $617,000
Shortleaf-Bluestem Community Project, Arkansas and Oklahoma – $342,00
Weiser-Little Salmon Headwaters Project, Idaho – $2,450,000
Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative, Idaho – $324,000
Southern Blues Restoration Coalition, Oregon – $2,500,000
Lakeview Stewardship Project, Oregon – $3,500,000
Zuni Mountain Project, New Mexico – $400,000
Grandfather Restoration Project, North Carolina – $605,000
Amador-Calaveras Consensus Group Cornerstone Project, California – $730,000
The following three projects are considered high priority restoration and are approved for funding in 2012 outside of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act:
Northeast Washington Forest Vision 2020, Washington – $968,000
Ozark Highlands Ecosystem Restoration, Arkansas – $959,000
Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration and Hazardous Fuels Reduction, De Soto National Forest, National Forests in Mississippi – $2,710,000
The following 10 Collaborative Forest Landscape projects were approved for funding in 2010 and will continue to receive funding in 2012:
Selway-Middle Fork Clearwater Project, Idaho
Southwestern Crown of the Continent, Montana
Colorado Front Range, Colorado
Uncompahgre Plateau, Colorado
4 Forest Restoration Initiative, Arizona
Southwest Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
Dinkey Landscape Restoration Project, California
Deschutes Skyline, Oregon
Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative, Washington
Accelerating Longleaf Pine Restoration, Florida
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs and for people who want to live, work and raise their families in rural communities.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
=================
Franklin Pemberton
Public Affairs Officer
Colville National Forest
Voice: (509) 684-7177
fpemberton@fs.fed.us
=================
FOREST SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS EXPANSION OF RESTORATION OF NATIONAL FORESTS AND FUNDING FOR COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECTS
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2012/02/0039.xml
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2012 —Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report, Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on our National Forests, that outlines a strategy and series of actions for management on 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
As part of the accelerated restoration strategy, $40 million for 20 forest and watershed restoration projects have been announced for the upcoming year. The funding includes ten new projects under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, continued funding for the original 10 projects selected under the CFLR program in 2010, and an additional $4.6 million to support other high priority restoration projects.
“Through our partnerships with states, communities, tribes and others, we are committed to restoring our forests and bringing jobs to rural America,” said Vilsack. “Whether the threat comes from wildfire, bark beetles or a changing climate, it is vital that we step up our efforts to safeguard our country’s natural resources.”
Within the context of the overall restoration program, the strategy and actions announced today are designed to expand the number of forest acres treated by 20 percent over the next three years and increase the pace of active forest management, including fuels reduction, reforestation, stream restoration, road decommissioning, replacing and improving culverts, forest thinning and harvesting, prescribed fire and a range of other techniques.
As a result of these efforts, the Forest Service will be able to accomplish critical restoration objectives, including for water, wildlife, forest health and resilience, and community safety. This effort will support jobs and stimulate a more vibrant forest industry that will provide the workers and the know-how to undertake other restoration projects. Altogether, the Forest Service estimates this will increase the amount of forest products sold in 2014 to 3 billion board feet, up from 2.4 billion board feet in 2011.
The restoration of National Forest System lands is critically needed to address a number of threats to the health of forest ecosystems, watersheds, wildlife habitats and forest dependent communities. Major threats include wildland fire, climate change, beetle epidemics and invasive species.
The national forests and grasslands are the backdrop and neighbor to many rural and urban communities, providing a range of values and benefits, including clean drinking water for millions of people across the U.S., vital wildlife habitat, a variety of recreation opportunities, and other multiple uses that support jobs and economic growth in rural communities. The Forest Service’s restoration program of work is designed to sustain the ability of these lands to continue to deliver a full range of ecosystem services for generations to come.
These restoration efforts will further stimulate local economies by retaining and increasing other forest related jobs, such as the 1,550 jobs expected to maintained or generated through implementation of the CFLR projects, and by supporting recreation activities and attracting more tourists to rural areas. Currently, recreation activities on National Forest System lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs in local communities.
“Accelerated restoration efforts demonstrate a shared vision where environmentalists, forest industry and local communities are working together to build healthier forests and contribute to local economies,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “The increased restoration work will benefit the environment and people, with more resilient ecosystems, improved watersheds and wildlife habitat, hazardous fuel reduction, and outputs of forest products. We hope accelerated restoration activities will bring all of our partners together, working as allies for forest conservation.”
The Forest Service will increase restoration activities with a series of actions, some of which are already underway. The list includes: expanding collaborative landscape partnerships; finalizing and implementing a new forest Planning Rule; implementing the Watershed Condition Framework; improving efficiencies of the planning process for restoration projects under the National Environmental Policy Act; implementing Integrated Resource Restoration budgeting; implementing the agency bark beetle strategy; improving the implementation and efficiencies of timber and stewardship contracts; and expanding markets for forest products.
The Forest Service received 26 proposals for Collaborative Forest Restoration Grants which were evaluated by a federal advisory committee. The committee recommended 13 projects to the USDA for funding consideration, of which 10 were selected under the program. Because the remaining three are high priority restoration projects and exemplify the intent of the program, the Forest Service is setting aside another $4.6 million to fund those projects as well.
Project proposals included ecological restoration treatments to reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, maintain and improve water quality, use woody biomass and harvest timber. All of the landscape proposals include matching contributions from partners, either funds or in-kind services.
The following 10 new projects are approved for funding in 2012:
Burney-Hat Creek Basins Project, California – $605,000
Pine-Oak Woodlands Restoration Project, Missouri – $617,000
Shortleaf-Bluestem Community Project, Arkansas and Oklahoma – $342,00
Weiser-Little Salmon Headwaters Project, Idaho – $2,450,000
Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative, Idaho – $324,000
Southern Blues Restoration Coalition, Oregon – $2,500,000
Lakeview Stewardship Project, Oregon – $3,500,000
Zuni Mountain Project, New Mexico – $400,000
Grandfather Restoration Project, North Carolina – $605,000
Amador-Calaveras Consensus Group Cornerstone Project, California – $730,000
The following three projects are considered high priority restoration and are approved for funding in 2012 outside of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act:
Northeast Washington Forest Vision 2020, Washington – $968,000
Ozark Highlands Ecosystem Restoration, Arkansas – $959,000
Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration and Hazardous Fuels Reduction, De Soto National Forest, National Forests in Mississippi – $2,710,000
The following 10 Collaborative Forest Landscape projects were approved for funding in 2010 and will continue to receive funding in 2012:
Selway-Middle Fork Clearwater Project, Idaho
Southwestern Crown of the Continent, Montana
Colorado Front Range, Colorado
Uncompahgre Plateau, Colorado
4 Forest Restoration Initiative, Arizona
Southwest Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
Dinkey Landscape Restoration Project, California
Deschutes Skyline, Oregon
Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative, Washington
Accelerating Longleaf Pine Restoration, Florida
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs and for people who want to live, work and raise their families in rural communities.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
=================
Franklin Pemberton
Public Affairs Officer
Colville National Forest
Voice: (509) 684-7177
fpemberton@fs.fed.us
=================
News |
11:44 am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Washington State House of Representatives Unanimously Passes Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill
Bill makes safer streets and neighborhoods by removing red tape and hurdles to reduce speeds on non-arterial streets.
Olympia, WA – Jan. 30, 2012 – Today, the Washington State House of Representatives passed the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill (SHB1217) unanimously.
The bill’s unanimous bipartisan support is mirrored by its backing from over 20 organizations, boards, and cities from across the state, including the Washington State PTA, AARP-Washington, as well as the cities of Spokane, Bellingham, Seattle and, Kirkland.
The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill makes safer streets and neighborhoods by allowing cities and towns the authority to set speed limits to 20 miles per hour on non-arterial streets. It does not mandate any change, it simply provides cities and towns the authority to do so.
“Communities are asking lawmakers to give them more cost-saving tools and local options instead of mandates,” says, prime sponsor, Representative Cindy Ryu (D-32). “This bill will help. It removes an expensive state mandate that deters communities from lowering speed limits on non-arterial roads even when they recognize that lower speeds would make people safer or promote local businesses and jobs.”
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has worked closely with the Representative to develop and support the bill.
Current state law limits the ability of cities and towns to set maximum speed limits to 20 miles per hour by requiring an engineering and traffic study – which requires staff time and money to conduct – before cities and towns can create safer streets on non-arterial streets.
“The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill, or similar legislation, provides Bellingham with an important safety tool, and does so by removing red tape. This bill will help us improve safety for Bellingham’s neighborhood streets by providing us with the freedom to set safe speeds without having to work around the current hurdles that state law imposes,” says Bellingham Councilmember Michael Lilliquist
This legislation is especially germane to more vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. “Older pedestrians because of their increased fragility particularly benefit from low-speed environments,” wrote AARP-Washington in its letter of support for SHB 1217.
“The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill is a win-win for Washingtonians statewide,” says Bicycle Alliance of Washington Executive Director Barbara Culp. “This is legislation that provides more local control over roadway safety, saves local government money by reducing administrative and staff requirements, and adds to the growing safety toolbox for cities and towns to create complete and healthy streets for residents and visitors alike.”
Following today’s successful House vote, the bill will now move to the Washington State Senate for consideration.
###
About the Bicycle Alliance of Washington:
Founded in 1987, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington is Washington’s statewide bicycle advocacy organization. The Alliance works to grow bicycling statewide and to create complete and healthy streets through education, developing more inclusive communities for cycling, building a coalition of organizations, and seeking to make bicycling accessible to everyone. More information about the Bicycle Alliance of Washington’s advocacy, education, and safety programs is available online at www.bicyclealliance.org.
* * *
Blake Trask
Statewide Policy Director
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
cell: 206.310.4762
office: 206.224.9252 x 302
Advocating for a bicycle-friendly Washington.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and read our Blog!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2012
Contact: Blake Trask
Statewide Policy Director
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
206.310.4762
blake@bicyclealliance.org
Washington State House of Representatives Unanimously Passes Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill
Bill makes safer streets and neighborhoods by removing red tape and hurdles to reduce speeds on non-arterial streets.
Olympia, WA – Jan. 30, 2012 – Today, the Washington State House of Representatives passed the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill (SHB1217) unanimously.
The bill’s unanimous bipartisan support is mirrored by its backing from over 20 organizations, boards, and cities from across the state, including the Washington State PTA, AARP-Washington, as well as the cities of Spokane, Bellingham, Seattle and, Kirkland.
The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill makes safer streets and neighborhoods by allowing cities and towns the authority to set speed limits to 20 miles per hour on non-arterial streets. It does not mandate any change, it simply provides cities and towns the authority to do so.
“Communities are asking lawmakers to give them more cost-saving tools and local options instead of mandates,” says, prime sponsor, Representative Cindy Ryu (D-32). “This bill will help. It removes an expensive state mandate that deters communities from lowering speed limits on non-arterial roads even when they recognize that lower speeds would make people safer or promote local businesses and jobs.”
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has worked closely with the Representative to develop and support the bill.
Current state law limits the ability of cities and towns to set maximum speed limits to 20 miles per hour by requiring an engineering and traffic study – which requires staff time and money to conduct – before cities and towns can create safer streets on non-arterial streets.
“The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill, or similar legislation, provides Bellingham with an important safety tool, and does so by removing red tape. This bill will help us improve safety for Bellingham’s neighborhood streets by providing us with the freedom to set safe speeds without having to work around the current hurdles that state law imposes,” says Bellingham Councilmember Michael Lilliquist
This legislation is especially germane to more vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. “Older pedestrians because of their increased fragility particularly benefit from low-speed environments,” wrote AARP-Washington in its letter of support for SHB 1217.
“The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill is a win-win for Washingtonians statewide,” says Bicycle Alliance of Washington Executive Director Barbara Culp. “This is legislation that provides more local control over roadway safety, saves local government money by reducing administrative and staff requirements, and adds to the growing safety toolbox for cities and towns to create complete and healthy streets for residents and visitors alike.”
Following today’s successful House vote, the bill will now move to the Washington State Senate for consideration.
###
About the Bicycle Alliance of Washington:
Founded in 1987, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington is Washington’s statewide bicycle advocacy organization. The Alliance works to grow bicycling statewide and to create complete and healthy streets through education, developing more inclusive communities for cycling, building a coalition of organizations, and seeking to make bicycling accessible to everyone. More information about the Bicycle Alliance of Washington’s advocacy, education, and safety programs is available online at www.bicyclealliance.org.
* * *
Blake Trask
Statewide Policy Director
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
cell: 206.310.4762
office: 206.224.9252 x 302
Advocating for a bicycle-friendly Washington.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and read our Blog!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2012
Contact: Blake Trask
Statewide Policy Director
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
206.310.4762
blake@bicyclealliance.org
Washington State House of Representatives Unanimously Passes Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill
Bill makes safer streets and neighborhoods by removing red tape and hurdles to reduce speeds on non-arterial streets.
Olympia, WA – Jan. 30, 2012 – Today, the Washington State House of Representatives passed the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill (SHB1217) unanimously.
The bill’s unanimous bipartisan support is mirrored by its backing from over 20 organizations, boards, and cities from across the state, including the Washington State PTA, AARP-Washington, as well as the cities of Spokane, Bellingham, Seattle and, Kirkland.
The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill makes safer streets and neighborhoods by allowing cities and towns the authority to set speed limits to 20 miles per hour on non-arterial streets. It does not mandate any change, it simply provides cities and towns the authority to do so.
“Communities are asking lawmakers to give them more cost-saving tools and local options instead of mandates,” says, prime sponsor, Representative Cindy Ryu (D-32). “This bill will help. It removes an expensive state mandate that deters communities from lowering speed limits on non-arterial roads even when they recognize that lower speeds would make people safer or promote local businesses and jobs.”
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has worked closely with the Representative to develop and support the bill.
Current state law limits the ability of cities and towns to set maximum speed limits to 20 miles per hour by requiring an engineering and traffic study – which requires staff time and money to conduct – before cities and towns can create safer streets on non-arterial streets.
“The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill, or similar legislation, provides Bellingham with an important safety tool, and does so by removing red tape. This bill will help us improve safety for Bellingham’s neighborhood streets by providing us with the freedom to set safe speeds without having to work around the current hurdles that state law imposes,” says Bellingham Councilmember Michael Lilliquist
This legislation is especially germane to more vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. “Older pedestrians because of their increased fragility particularly benefit from low-speed environments,” wrote AARP-Washington in its letter of support for SHB 1217.
“The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill is a win-win for Washingtonians statewide,” says Bicycle Alliance of Washington Executive Director Barbara Culp. “This is legislation that provides more local control over roadway safety, saves local government money by reducing administrative and staff requirements, and adds to the growing safety toolbox for cities and towns to create complete and healthy streets for residents and visitors alike.”
Following today’s successful House vote, the bill will now move to the Washington State Senate for consideration.
###
About the Bicycle Alliance of Washington:
Founded in 1987, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington is Washington’s statewide bicycle advocacy organization. The Alliance works to grow bicycling statewide and to create complete and healthy streets through education, developing more inclusive communities for cycling, building a coalition of organizations, and seeking to make bicycling accessible to everyone. More information about the Bicycle Alliance of Washington’s advocacy, education, and safety programs is available online at www.bicyclealliance.org.
* * *
Blake Trask
Statewide Policy Director
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
cell: 206.310.4762
office: 206.224.9252 x 302
Advocating for a bicycle-friendly Washington.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and read our Blog!
News |
12:27 am
“SNOWBOARDING WAS NEVER MEANT to be about you and how cool you are,” says Chuck Schmidt, whose hometown is Coeur d’Alene. “It’s about shredding and having fun.”
As a 14-year-old kid, he says, “I found out there were such things as terrain parks on mountains—my idea of snowboarding forever changed.”
Now at age 23, Chuck is the terrain park manager for Lookout Pass—his job the past two years. He snowboards about 100 days during a typical winter season. “Running a park is a lot of work. I have grown to respect terrain parks more, but I have also discovered that you are only limited to your creativity. Here at Lookout, we do our best to expand on that as much as possible.”
Chuck’s favorite places to snowboard, besides Lookout, include Revelstoked, B.C., Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain in California. “Being able to live [at Mammoth for two seasons] and to see how the mountain works with its terrain parks is how I mold Lookout’s way of things,” he says.
“Lookout Terrain Park, or LKTPRK, started its progression in the 2010-11 season. Now it holds a brand new total of 20+ features alone this year, three parks, and lots more coming,” says Chuck. Weekly videos are posted at www.facebook.com/lktprk. “Lookout’s motive is to provide progression, but at the same time create an environment and community for all to enjoy.”
Chuck describes his riding style as “smooth and consistent.” He says, “People forget that these days—seems like it’s a ‘spin to win’ on anything and there’s absolutely no style in that. I grew up throwing myself off any sort of jump…and when moving to Mammoth I progressed in that. So I would say hitting an awesome 70-foot+ jump that sits 10 feet high or so gets my adrenaline going—but a good skinny down box is pretty legit.”
His advice for younger riders is to focus on the fun. “Snowboarding will always be progressive. People will progress, styles progress, tricks progress, etc. but never forget that snowboarding is here for us to enjoy. We can make it a sport, which is fine, but it’s really here for us to have a good time and shred,” he says.
Although Chuck has never snowboarded as a professional, he came close during his second season at Mammoth. “My biggest break was when a huge and well-known company came to me with a contract to be on their international team,” he says. But the day before he was to ride with the team manager in order to qualify, he fell on his shoulder and suffered a level two dislocation.
And only two months prior, Chuck survived an “unbelievable ‘freak accident’,” as he describes it. “I jumped a cliff that was roughly 25 feet or so and landed on a tree stump that was covered by snow.” The 2.5-inch diameter stump punctured him—going in 8.5 inches and shattering his tailbone.
“It was gnarly,” Chuck says. “Doctors and surgeons told me that if I jumped back 1-2 more inches to the right, I would have had some life-changing medical problems for the rest of my life. They told me I wouldn’t be able to snowboard the rest of the year, but miraculously I healed very quickly and got back on my board two months later.”
However, Chuck says, “…these events saved me. I was living for myself, I was prideful, and I didn’t care about anything else but myself. All I wanted was to be noticed in the snowboarding world. But God wanted me to do something greater…[Now] I get to place opportunity in our local area and I get to, in a way, help others succeed in their passion for skiing or snowboarding. I don’t care if I ever go pro. If the opportunity dropped at my feet, maybe—but it’s not my focus. My focus lies on those around me.”
Chuck’s other outdoor recreation activities include biking (he logged over 1,000 miles on his new road bike last summer and plans to double that this summer), skateboarding and skurfing (surfing behind a boat on a wake). “My father is an epic 50-year-old surfer who, I think, still kills me on a skurf board,” he says.
Chuck’s sponsors include O-Matic Snowboards, Nike, Ashbury, Saga, I.A. (I’m Awesome) Clothing and BFC (Boarders For Christ). Here is the gear you’ll see him using.
SNOWBOARD: O-Matic Extr-Eco 157.
BINDINGS: Flux RK30 Bindings.
BOOTS: Nike Kaiju.
HELMET: R.E.D. hi-fi.
JACKET: Saga Anomie series jacket or a sweet hoodie.
PANTS: Saga Anomie series.
LAYERS: A good set of thermals.
SOCKS: Black Nike sport socks.
GLOVES: Celtek Chroma.
GOGGLES: Anything from Ashbury.
OTHER ESSENTIAL GEAR: I.A. facemask and beanie and Nixon headphones for iphone music. //
Magazine Article, What's Your Gear? |
