558 N. Main St., Prineville, OR 97754 | (541) 447-6205
The Ochoco and Deschutes national forests are giving citizens, organizations and local governments a chance to propose natural resource projects this month.
More than $600,000 in federal grant funding will be available in 2011 for projects that improve the health of forests and watersheds in the region.
"The money is available for anybody who has an idea about how to spend that grant funding for natural resource benefits," said Ochoco National Forest public affairs specialist Virginia Gibbons. "Anybody can come forward if they have an idea about how to improve forest health, wildlife habitat, or improving soils."
Projects have a better chance of being approved if they are proposed by multiple entities, such as a partnership between a landowner and a non-governmental organization, Gibbons added. Those that provide employment opportunities are also preferred.
The money comes from Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, also known as county timber payments. Timber payments were reinstated in 2008 after a two-year absence.
In 2009, approximately $850,000 in Title II funding for projects was available. The Forest Service has been taking proposals every year since 2000.
Projects approved in Crook County last year included $3,675 for controlling noxious vegetation on properties infested with A- or B-listed weeds, $70,000 to identify new weed infestations and involve landowners with the noxious weed cost-share project, $28,728 to improve watershed conditions within the Deep Creek and Paulina Creek watersheds, and $40,000 to rehabilitate areas damaged by off-road use in the McKay Creek watershed.
Applications for 2011 project proposals became available on March 1, 2010 and must be submitted by March 26, 2010 to be considered.
Need ideas? According to Gibbons, projects could include maintaining roads, trails or other infrastructure; restoring fish and wildlife habitat; removing noxious weeds; improving soil productivity; reducing hazardous fuels; and re-establishing native species.
"If people have great ideas about how to spend dollars to improve natural resources - fish, wildlife, noxious weed reduction - we welcome them," Gibbons said. "This is the time of year to come forward with ideas."
Proposals for projects will be reviewed and selected in May by a local resource advisory committee, which will make recommendations to Forest Supervisor Jeff Walter. Applicants will be notified if their projects are approved for funding.
Applications are available on the Forest Service Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/partnership/rac/rac-index.shtml
Hard copies of applications are also available at the Ochoco National Forest Headquarters in Prineville, 3160 NE Third St.
