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Forest Advisory Committee Recommends Over $800,000 In Resource Projects
CENTRAL OREGON, October 30, 2002
Watershed restoration, noxious weed removal, culvert replacement, hazardous
fuels reduction and other forest improvement projects are among over $800,000
in recommendations made recently by the Deschutes-Ochoco Resource Advisory
Committee (RAC) and approved by Leslie Weldon, Deschutes Forest Supervisor
and Designated Federal Official for the Committee.
The RAC is required under new county payments legislation to review proposals
for funding projects located on or that benefit the Deschutes or Ochoco
National Forests. The Deschutes-Ochoco RAC is comprised of 15 members
from a variety of backgrounds selected to three-year terms by the Secretary
of Agriculture. The Deschutes-Ochoco RAC represents all or portions of
Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Jefferson, Klamath and Wheeler counties.
"Working with our county and community partners to accomplish priority
natural resource projects has been a tremendous experience. I look forward
to continuing to work with the RAC and counties to fund future projects,"
stated Leslie Weldon, Deschutes National Forest Supervisor and Designated
Federal Official for the Committee.
In January of 2003 there will be a call for the next round of project
proposals. The Deschutes-Ochoco RAC will host a workshop after applications
are available to provide tips on filling out the application package.
These applications will be available at:
- The website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/index-racom.html
- Deschutes headquarters office at 1645 Highway 20 East, Bend, OR 97701
- Ochoco headquarters at 3160 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, OR 97754
The Secure Rural Schools and County Self-Determination Act of 2000 gives
counties a payment in lieu of taxes on federal lands equal to the average
of their three highest years' payments for Forest products between 1986
and 1999. The counties are required to spend between 15 and 20 percent
of their payments on either Title II or Title III projects. Title II projects
are Forest enhancement activities requiring approval by the Designated
Federal Official after being recommended by a RAC.
Deschutes Ochoco RAC 2003 Approved Projects
PROJECT NAME |
AMOUNT OF AWARD |
Crook County Weed Control |
$44,000.00
|
Crook Co. Natural Resource Planning Committee |
$32,176.00
|
Little Summit Culvert Replacement |
$70,350.00
|
McKay Creek Meadow/Riparian Restoration |
$26,933.00
|
Deschutes County Noxious Weed Program |
$80,000.00
|
Fall Forest Restoration/Fuels Hazard Reduction/Road to Trail Project |
$32,550.00
|
Rosland Campground Ladder Fuel/Stewardship |
$40,096.00
|
Cardinal Bridge Fuels Reduction & Restoration |
$34,266.00
|
North Fork Wind Culvert Replacement Design |
$8,820.00
|
Windy John Pre-commercial Thinning and Hazardous Fuels Reduction |
$112,219.00
|
Central Oregon Youth Land Stewardship |
$46,018.00
|
Sagebrush Habitat Restoration on Crooked River National Grassland |
$40,000.00
|
Metolius Basin Water Monitoring |
$4,725.00
|
Metolius Basin-Jack Canyon Road Closure |
$12,719.00
|
Crescent Lake WUI Fuels Reduction Project |
$49,875.00
|
Crescent Aspen Stands Restoration |
$26,198.00
|
Happy Camp Culvert Replacement |
$55,125.00
|
Deschutes National Forest Noxious Weed Projects |
$75,000.00
|
Ochoco National Forest Noxious Weed Projects |
$75,000.00
|
Sub-Total
|
$866,070.00
|
RAC Administrative Support (COIC) |
$30,000.00
|
TOTAL
|
$896,070.00
|
Media Contacts:
- Kyrie Murphy (541) 383-5522
|
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