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Pacific Southwest Region
1323 Club Drive
Vallejo, CA 94592
707.562.8737
TTY: 707.562.9240
FAX: 707.562.9130

Forest Service First Round ARRA "Fuels" Projects Announced

VALLEJO, Calif., Mar. 12, 2009—U.S. Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell recently announced the Agency's plan to participate in the nation's economic recovery program. The Forest Service has received $1.15 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The first 10 percent of Forest Service projects nationwide created by the ARRA, totaling $98 million, have been selected. These initial projects will create 1,500 jobs, giving the Agency the early opportunity to put people to work. The remaining projects, totaling $1.052 billion, will be announced shortly and will create an additional 23,500 jobs nationwide.

First round Forest Service "fuels" projects in California will total approximately $1.5 million. The jobs are estimated to last up to 18 months. Projects will take place on the Shasta Trinity National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest through contracts and agreements and with a Grant through State and Private Forestry.

"I am proud that the Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region will be playing an important role in creating private sector jobs for Californians on their national forests," said Regional Forester Randy Moore. "I am pleased that we have the opportunity to provide jobs to counties with high unemployment that last for up to a year and a half. We experienced an unprecedented number of wildfires in California in 2008, so I am excited to be able to move forward on these fuels projects to help us prepare for the coming fire season."

Overall, first round total projects on lands managed by the Forest Service in California which was rolled out on March 5 will include maintenance and construction on facilities, roads, trails and now "fuels" totaling $9.25 million.

Under the language of the ARRA, the Forest Service will create as many jobs as possible to support communities and to get money flowing through the economy again. All funds will be spent on specific targeted projects that are, or soon will be, ready to go.

"The Forest Service anticipates playing a key role in our nation's economic recovery," said Chief Kimbell. "We are grateful for the confidence Congress has shown us and look forward to demonstrating how the Forest Service can create good jobs during difficult times," Kimbell added.

Many of the most affected communities of the economic downturn are located near national forests. Rural jobs will be created in areas needing restoration work with shovel ready projects related to fire prevention, roads, bridges, buildings and recreation facilities.

More detailed information about new Forest Service projects and jobs in California will be forthcoming.

Information on the overall U.S. Forest Service role in the ARRA can be found at: http://fs.usda.gov/recovery. Information on the total federal effort can be found at http://www.recovery.gov.