Forest improvement projects sought

Wenatchee – Over the past 18 years, more than $11 million dollars has been allocated to projects on the National Forest in Okanogan, Chelan, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties through the Secure Rural School program. From Feb. 6 through April 17, volunteer organizations, interest groups, local governments, and others can once again submit a proposal for forest improvement projects.

“These projects enhance the quality of life and support rural prosperity for all of Central Washington,” said Deputy Forest Supervisor Erick Walker. “We all benefit from clean water, improved roads, and reduced wildfire risk.”

Projects selected in the past have varied widely including trailhead relocation, noxious weed control projects, road stabilization, trail maintenance and construction of trail bridges, roadside brush cutting, relocation of campsites out of sensitive streamside areas, fire risk reduction, forest road resurfacing, enhancing wildlife habitat, rehabilitation of wetlands, toilet replacements and portable toilet rentals, litter and abandoned vehicle removal, herbicide treatments, culvert replacement and youth-oriented outdoor recreation project work.

Project proposals must be submitted to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest headquarters in Wenatchee by April 17, 2019 to receive consideration for Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act Title II funds for 2019. Projects will be reviewed and recommended by the Forest’s citizen resource advisory committee. For more information about the reauthorized Act, go to www.fs.fed.us/srs .

For those planning to submit projects for consideration, project submission forms are available on the Forest’s website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/okawen/rac (scroll to the bottom), and may also be obtained at the Forest Headquarters office at 215 Melody Lane in Wenatchee. Please send completed project submission forms to Robin DeMario (rdemario@fs.fed.us); hardcopy submissions can be sent to DeMario at Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801.