News Release USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region

Public Invited to Propose Forest Projects Under County Payments Program ~ Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests

Date: January 9, 2009
Media Contact: Jennifer O'Leary 503-854-4210

The public is invited to propose projects by February 13, 2009 for improvements on the Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests under Title II of the reauthorized Secure Rural Schools and County Self-Determination Act of 2000, also known as the Payments-to-Counties program. Project submissions are being requested for federal fiscal years 2009 and 2010.

The legislation encourages individuals, non-profit organizations, local governments and others to propose projects that restore watersheds, decommission or maintain roads, remove noxious weeds, thin tree stands, or otherwise improve the condition of the Forests. The proposed projects need not be implemented on Forest Service lands, but must benefit National Forest resources. More information about the revised legislation can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/srs/.

Applications and instructions for Title II proposals, as well as past examples of Payments-to-Counties funded projects can be found online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/partnersites/payco. Applications should be submitted electronically to Donna Short, Designated Federal Official, via email at dshort@fs.fed.us. If email is not available, project submissions can be mailed to the Sweet Home Ranger District located at 4431 Highway 20, Sweet Home, OR 97386. Mailed proposals must be postmarked by 5:00 p.m., February 13, 2009.

These funds are made available by Clackamas, Douglas, Hood River, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, and Wasco counties, which receive federal funds based on the percentage of land in federal ownership. Title II project proposals are reviewed by the 15 members of the public that comprise the Hood-Willamette Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC then makes recommendations about the proposals to the Willamette or Mt. Hood National Forest Forest Supervisor.

Examples of past Payments-to-Counties projects approved by the Hood-Willamette RAC include:

• Kitson Bat Habitat Restoration Project – Title II funds contributed $4,648 to a $12,700 project submitted by the Boy Scouts of America to improve roosting habitat for bats in a rundown bath house at Kitson Hot Springs.
• Eagle Rock Park Fuels Reduction and Toilet Project – A total of $40,000 Title II funds were awarded to Lane County to implement a fuels reduction program in Eagle Rock Park under the Community Wildfire Protection Program and install a new ADA accessible toilet.
• Brownsville Dam Removal Project – Title II funds contributed $45,000 of the $600,000 needed by the Calapooia Watershed Council to remove the Brownsville Dam and restore fish passage for winter steelhead and spring Chinook salmon to the Calapooia River.

The RAC made recommendations on 72 projects totaling $3.7 million in fiscal year 2008. There will be $4.3 million available to fund 2009 projects and approximately $3.9 million available for projects in 2010. Project proponents for RAC recommended projects will be asked to complete additional forms required by the Federal Financial Assistance Grant/Cooperative Agreement process to be able to receive funds.

For more information please call Donna Short at (541) 367-3540.