The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be offering nearly $66 million in grants through two programs.
A total of $37.5 million will be through the Legacy Roads and Trails Program. The program funds projects that restore habitat for threatened and endangered fish or wildlife, improve water quality, and maintain access for visitors, businesses and wildland firefighters on national forests and grasslands.
A total of $28.1 million will be through the Collaborative Aquatic Restoration Program. The program funds projects that increase landscape resiliency, eliminate high sediment loads in drinking water systems, improve water quality, prevent the spread of E. coli, and restore fish passage for threatened, endangered, and other aquatic species.
“This work is critical as we continue to see the devastating effects from extreme climate events,” Randy Moore, forest service chief, said. “By moving and repairing roads and trails, we are reducing potential impacts of flooding – ensuring access and water quality is preserved, especially in emergency situations. Local collaboration with tribes and partners has been key to identify and carry out this work.”
National forests are home to more than 400,000 miles of streams, 3 million acres of lakes, more than 160,000 miles of trails, 7,200 trail bridges, 6,700 road bridges, and 370,000 miles of roads.
Approximately 80 million people rely on drinking water sources originating on national forests and grasslands.