La Pine, Ore. – Public and private forests in the greater La Pine area will soon undergo much-needed restoration, thanks to $1.2 million in funding this year from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funding is provided through the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership, a partnership between two USDA agencies—the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)—to improve the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where public and private lands meet.
This year USDA is investing $7 million in 11 new Joint Chiefs projects across the nation. Additionally, the Department is committing additional investments totaling nearly $33 million for 27 existing Joint Chiefs projects launched in 2014 and 2015. Local partners plan to invest up to an additional $11 in financial, technical and in-kind assistance for all Joint Chiefs projects.
The overall goals of Joint Chiefs projects are to reduce wildfire threats, protect water supplies, improve wildlife habitat and support rural economies. These projects typically last three years. During that time, partnering agencies work with private landowners and on public lands to implement forest conservation practices such as thinning, slash treatment, fire breaks, and more.
For the Greater La Pine Basin Cohesive Strategy Project, NRCS will invest $250,000 this year and the U.S. Forest Service will invest $952,125. Distribution of these funds among other project partners will be determined in the future.
“We are very excited to work with private landowners and partners on this much-needed forest restoration project,” said Kevin Conroy, NRCS basin team leader for the Deschutes and High Desert basins. “This project leverages strong partnerships across diverse organizations and community groups to integrate multiple objectives across the landscape. Together, and with involvement from private woodland owners, we will increase the forest’s resiliency to insects, disease, and fire. Other benefits include protecting water yield and water quality and improving wildlife habitat.”
“Our strong community partners in Central Oregon helped us compete successfully for these funds that will benefit both our local communities and forests,” said John Allen, Forest Supervisor for the Deschutes National Forest.
Spanning 344,701 acres, the project area includes state, public, and private lands. The project will implement activities focused on hazardous fuels reduction, restoration, and maintenance on federal lands, fuels reduction and restoration work on private lands, and outreach and education to assist local communities in becoming more fire-adapted.
The Greater La Pine Basin Cohesive Strategy Project combines the skills and expertise of multiple partners, including:
· Deschutes County
· Project Wildfire
· Oregon Department of Forestry
· Bureau of Land Management
· Oregon State University Extension
· Walker Range
· Oregon Department of Corrections
· Upper Deschutes River Coalition
· Upper Deschutes Watershed Council
· Firewise Communities
· Klamath County
· Central Oregon Fire Chief’s Association
· Central Oregon Cohesive Strategy Initiative
· Deschutes Fire Learning Network
· Oregon Department of Transportation
· Oregon Department of Agriculture
· Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
In addition to the new La Pine project, two existing Joint Chiefs projects in Oregon (awarded in 2014 and 2015) will receive additional funds this year. The East Face of the Elkhorn Mountains Partnership in Baker and Union counties will receive $1.2 million this year; and the Ashland Forest All Lands Restoration Project in Jackson County will receive $3 million.
Since its start, $104 million has been invested through USDA’s Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership to reduce wildfire threats to communities and landowners, protect water resources, and improve habitat for at risk species. Summaries of all projects selected can be found on the NRCS website.
For an interactive look at USDA’s work in conservation and forestry over the course of this Administration, visit http://medium.com/usda-results.
