Feds funnel $12.3 million to Colo. forest-fire reduction
Feds funnel $12.3 million to Colo. forest-fire reduction
8 May 2009
published by www.denverpost.com
USA — Five hazardous-fuels reduction projects in Colorado forests and grasslands will receive $12.3 million in economic-stimulus money, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The department, which oversees the U.S. Forest Service, on Tuesday announced it will spend $224 million on 110 fuels-reduction and ecosystem-improvement projects in 26 states and territories.
Hazardous-fuels reduction includes the removal of trees killed by pine beetles.
“These funds will allow us to move forward with several worthwhile and long-neglected hazardous-fuels projects that will put Coloradans to work and restore Colorado’s forest health,” said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in a joint news release with U.S. Sen. Mark Udall this morning.
The Colorado projects are:
The Forest Service will ultimately release $1.5 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds that are expected to create 1,500 jobs for urban youth and individuals involved in urban forestry, restoration projects, fire prevention, roads, bridges, buildings and recreation facilities.