Healthy Forests Initiative - Fact Sheet

Making A Difference
Gila National Forest - Armijo Springs and Jewitt Gap, New Mexico

The purpose of the project is to protect the Wildland Urban Interface around Armijo Springs and the Jewitt Gap. Hazardous fuel concentrations will be reduced from around the private lands using a combination of timber sales, stewardship contracting, and possible force account project. The size of this project is 952 acres. NEPA will be completed in 2004 and implementation in 2005. The status of this project is ongoing. One of the new categorical exclusions under the Healthy Forests Initiatve will be used to implement the project.

The categorical exclusion for fuels reduction limits the appeals and expedites the NEPA process for a more rapid decision to be made and implementation can take place much more rapidly. The appeal costs and scoping are reduced so the is more funds going to implementation. Improving forest health will also occur while providing better protection to communities.

Typical Ponderosa Pine stands in the GAP II area. Basal will be reduced to
40 square feet per acre from 70 square feet per

For more information on the project, contact Greg Peterson, gpeterson02@fs.fed.us, (505) 773-4678

For more information on the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and the Healthy Forests Initiative, visit www.healthyforests.gov

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