Southwestern Region

Forest Services Approves $4.11 Million for Collaborative Forest Restoration Grants

ALBUQUERQUE (June 6, 2007) -  The Forest Service has identified 13 projects eligible to receive up to $4.11 million in federal grant money through New Mexico’s Collaborative Forest Restoration Program (CFRP).  The grants are authorized under the Community Forest Restoration Act (P.L. 106-393) signed into law in 2000. 

The projects selected promote healthy watersheds, reduce the threat of wildfires, and improve the functioning of forest ecosystems by reducing the number and density of small diameter trees on public forest lands in New Mexico.

"These projects represent diverse approaches to collaborative forest restoration and include partners from numerous communities and organizations from across the state of New Mexico," said Harv Forsgren, Regional Forester, Southwestern Region.  "I am very pleased with the proposed projects."  

The program has funded 89 grants for over 26 million dollars in the past six years.  This year’s potential recipients include tribes, businesses, schools, and non-governmental organizations.  CFRP-funded projects conduct landscape analyses; develop products, markets and capacity for the utilization of small-diameter forest materials; conduct community outreach and youth education programs; and complete critical on-the-ground forest and watershed restoration activities. 

Collectively, CFRP projects have treated over 12,000 acres of New Mexico’s public lands to date; it is projected that current CFRP grantees will have treated over 18,000 acres upon project completion.

The thirteen 2007 CFRP projects approved for funding are the best of 26 eligible project proposals submitted to an advisory committee established by the Act.  The committee recommends projects to Regional Forester Forsgren based upon requirements described in the Act.  The committee is composed of individuals representing numerous interests from across New Mexico.

Forsgren made the final selections based upon recommendations from the committee.  The grantees must work with the Forest Service to address the committee’s recommendations prior to the final grant award.  Final grant awards are anticipated in late July. 

Information on the program and identification of eligible projects can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/spf/cfrp/

• Approved Projects

Contact: Walter Dunn, (505) 842-3425