Projects for forest road maintenance and associated watershed and ecosystem restoration

by S. C.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for roads maintenance and decommissioning and associated watershed restoration. The 106 projects, funded at more than $228 million, are located on Forest Service land in 31 states.

"These road maintenance projects will provide for public health and safety, resource protection, and access to lands in the National Forests," said Vilsack. "The rehabilitation of roads will improve water quality by reducing sediments in nearby streams and help to restore natural resources and habitats for fish in areas impacted by deterioration and erosion of road surfaces."

Activities include the maintenance of roads, bridges, and other vehicle access areas; road maintenance for passenger cars which provide access for forest visitors and local residents to National Forest sites and escape routes in the event of emergency situations. Road decommissioning eliminates unneeded and unauthorized roads and restores land to a more natural state. Watershed restoration and ecosystem enhancement activities include thinning, removing competing vegetation, planting native species, and constructing new stream channels and ponds.

A listing of the roads and associated watershed and ecosystem restoration projects and information on other Forest Service ARRA projects can be found at: link esterno

by S. C.
04 June 2009 Teatro Naturale International n. 5 Year 1

^© REPRODUCTION RESERVED