The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is accepting proposals for forest improvement projects, funded by the Secure Rural Schools program, from now through Dec. 6. Volunteer and nonprofit organizations, interest groups, local governments and others may submit proposals.
Acting Forest Supervisor Donna Mickley, in a news release, said the Forest Service is seeking projects that would improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, enhance forest ecosystems or restore and improve land health, fish and wildlife habitat, and water quality.
Projects must occur on national forest land or benefit the national forest. Projects selected in the past have varied widely including trailhead relocation, noxious weed control, road maintenance and stabilization, trail maintenance and construction of trail bridges, roadside brush cutting, relocation of campsites out of sensitive streamside areas, fire risk reduction, enhancing wildlife habitat, rehabilitation of wetlands, toilet replacements and portable toilet rentals, litter and abandoned vehicle removal, culvert replacement, and youth-oriented outdoor recreation project work, according to the release.
For those planning to submit projects for consideration, the project proposal form and new supplemental form are available on the forest’s website at www.fs.usda.gov/main/giffordpinchot/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
Proposals will be reviewed and recommended by the Forest’s citizen resource advisory committee. For more information about the reauthorized act that funds these projects, go to www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/secure-rural-schools.
Projects may be completed by U.S. Forest Service personnel, through partnership agreements, or by contracting with individuals and corporations.
Prior to applying, projects proposed on National Forest System lands should be coordinated with the local Ranger District office to obtain information that may be needed for a proposal, including a Forest Service contact, and to ensure proper agreements and paperwork are completed that will enable the project sponsor to obtain funding if recommended for funding by the committee. Project sponsors may make a brief presentation to the committee when they meet this winter.
Send completed project submission forms to advisory committee coordinator Gala Miller (gala.miller@usda.gov) by 5 p.m. Dec. 6. Hardcopy submissions may be mailed Attn: Gala Miller, Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters, 987 McClellan Road, Vancouver, WA 98661.
For more information or questions about Secure Rural Schools project submissions, contact Miller at 360-891-5014.
