By Jamie Martin
The USDA Forest Service today unveiled a $25 million funding initiative aimed at reducing wildfire risks and bolstering local economies through sustainable forest management.
This grant, facilitated by the Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, targets local businesses engaged in removing hazardous fuels from national forests and transporting them for processing into valuable wood products or services.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted that the timber and wood products industries are crucial for maintaining healthy and resilient forests. The funding is expected to not only support local jobs but also implement practices that significantly lower the risk of wildfires.
The program addresses the challenge of high transportation costs for materials with little commercial value, such as woody debris, which are often left untreated due to their prohibitive removal costs.
By providing financial assistance for transportation, the initiative helps convert these materials into commercially viable products like firewood and animal bedding, which in 2023 alone helped remove almost 59,000 tons of hazardous fuels.
Interested parties can apply for this grant within the next 30 days, with public information sessions scheduled to assist applicants.
The USDA's commitment extends beyond immediate wildfire prevention, aiming to transform America’s food system and enhance rural infrastructure and equity.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National