USDA Forest Service invests additional $33 million in deferred maintenance projects in CA
The USDA Forest Service
announced $33 million in funding from the Great American Outdoors Act to help support 23 select projects across California in fiscal year 2023. The Great American Outdoors Act of 2021 established the Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund and represents the single largest investment in public lands in U.S. history, that will run for five years.
These projects support the recent announcement by the Departments of Agriculture and Interior proposing a combined $2.8 billion in funding for fiscal year 2024 to improve infrastructure, recreation facilities, access to public lands, and land and water conservation as the legislation enters its third year.
“We are motivated and encouraged by this additional funding, especially after the heavy rain and snow affecting our national forest over the past months,” said Jennifer Eberlien, Regional
Forester for the Pacific Southwest Region. “These funds allow us to continue upgrades to trails and campgrounds, for even more enjoyment and access to many of the public’s favorite places.”
Adding to the current jobs, the Pacific Southwest Region has a total of 54 Legacy Restorations Fund projects in
various stages of development. Since 2021, the Forest Service has completed more than 122 deferred maintenance projects across 53 national forests in 25 states with more than 880 additional projects currently funded and in various stages of completion.
One of the projects selected in California, the
Southern Sierra Zone Recreation Facility Improvements, will upgrade the quality and diversity of sustainable recreation. Many recreation facilities on the Inyo, Sequoia and Stanislaus national forests have urgent health and safety maintenance needs. And the Highway 88 Trailhead Improvements and Trail Maintenance plan in the Eldorado National Forest will address capacity challenges at popular trailheads with trail maintenance and improvements to the parking area, signs and restrooms.
The Great American Outdoors Act addresses the growing $7 billion backlog of deferred maintenance on national forest and grasslands.