Vilsack announces wildland fire prevention stimulus $$

[Muttocracy]

USDA
Release No. 0061.09
Contact: Nayyera Haq [phone]

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES NATIONAL FOREST STIMULUS
PROJECTS TO PROTECT PUBLIC FROM WILDLAND FIRES

In Meeting with Firefighters, Vilsack Discusses Local Job Creation

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2009 - In an address to the International
Association of Firefighters today, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
announced several projects for wildland fire protection and removal of
hazardous fuels that will begin immediately. These USDA projects, funded
by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will create
thousands of jobs in California, Colorado, Florida, and Oregon.

"President Obama is delivering on his promise to the American people to
create jobs," said Vilsack. "These private sector jobs will increase
forest restoration and decrease the size and intensity of wildland
fires. Providing healthy forests puts men and women to work and makes
communities safer and healthier."

USDA received approximately $33 million from the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to fund wildland fire management projects and
the removal of hazardous fuels. Projects funded by the Recovery Act also
will assist with technology that converts wood to energy. Wood
bioenergy, derived from the fiber of removed hazardous fuels, has become
a cost-effective energy source. The use of economic recovery funds for
this effort will be an investment in America's future.

USDA anticipates creating 25,000 new jobs over the next two years on
projects relating to land stewardship and watershed restoration, green
infrastructure repair and in the production of energy from wood. Many of
the most affected communities of the economic downturn are located near
national forests. Rural jobs are being created on millions of acres in
need of restoration work so that money can flow into local communities.
The following projects are being implemented immediately:

* In California, $1.5 million of Recovery Act funding will create
jobs across Northern California. The project work will include fuel
reduction work near communities, Forest Service recreation facilities,
and access routes and will also maintain facilities to reduce deferred
maintenance while making crews available for fires suppression when
needed.

* In Colorado, $5 million of Recovery Act funding has been
targeted to remove dead trees along 150 miles of roadsides affected by
the large-scale mountain pine beetle infestation. In addition, fire
prevention projects to remove hazardous fuels around private property
and communities-at-risk and critical municipal watersheds serving Denver
and the Front Range are underway.

* In Florida, a state-wide hazardous fuels reduction program and a
public safety and educational campaign are underway because of Recovery
Act funding. Not only will this reduce threat to communities at risk
from wildfire, but it also provides protection to the large number of
vacant and foreclosed property around the state. Direct stimulus through
contracts, services, supplies and salaries will help the hard-hit
economy throughout the state.

* In Oregon, initial wildland fire management projects totaling
$16.5 million have been identified. Many of these projects are
associated with the Youth Employment Initiative and will offer work that
supports natural resource management and conservation education.
Announcements of additional Forest Service projects funded by the
Recovery Act are expected in the coming weeks. More information about
USDA's efforts regarding the Recovery Act is available at
http://www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government's
efforts on the economic stimulus is available at http://www.recovery.gov/
#

http://www.usda.gov/ .]

[enough]

1. Is this just the Bushco "Healthy Forest Initiative" under a new name, or is

there something better here?

[Muttocracy]

2. not sure, I wondered the same thing. Fuel removal could be

relatively environmentally friendly or an absolute nightmare.