Refurbishing a campground, eradicating noxious weeds on private and public lands, and removing illegal dumpsites were among 29 projects approved for funding recently by the Siuslaw National Forest’s Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC is responsible for distributing funds authorized by the federal Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
More than 37 proposals requesting an accumulative $1.2 million vied for $621,561 allotted to the Siuslaw National Forest under Title II of the act. While Title II proposed projects don’t need to occur on National Forest System lands to be eligible for funding, they must demonstrate a direct benefit to national forest resources.
A proposal by the Lincoln County Soil and Water Conservation District to eradicate noxious weeds on private and public lands received the largest distribution of $66,550. It was followed by Lane County Park’s request for $58,838 to rehabilitate and reopen the Archie Knowles Campground, a Forest Service campground near the community of Mapleton that the county will soon operate under a special use permit. The smallest approved projects will help the Forest Service identify and remove illegal dumpsites in Douglas and Lincoln Counties, both valued at $2,000 each.
“Funding through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act benefits national forests and communities,” said Siuslaw National Forest Supervisor Jerry Ingersoll. “Projects promote collaboration between public and private parties, provide jobs to local economies, and improve natural resources beyond what the agency could do on its own.”
The RAC comprises a cross-section of national forest stakeholders from tribal and government agencies, non-profit organizations, industry, recreation and environmental groups. The Siuslaw National Forest is recruiting new RAC members for the 2016 fiscal year. Eligibility and responsibilities can be found under the “Highlights” section on the agency’s homepage at www.fs.usda.gov/siuslaw.
The following projects were approved for funding by the RAC (amounts do not include 7 percent overhead approved by the RAC to be retained by the Forest Service to support RAC coordination and project logistics):
Lincoln County
Lincoln County Noxious Weed Control $66,550
Lincoln County North Creek Road/Stream Crossing $50,000
Lincoln County Schooner Creek Riparian Fence $35,750
Lincoln County Road Maintenance $26,080
Lincoln County Cooperative Weed Control $21,018
Lincoln County Hwy 101 No Spray $20,000
Lincoln County Drift Creek Falls Trail Repair $14,216
Lincoln County Meadow Restoration and Maintenance $ 7,200
Lincoln County Dumpsite Removal $ 2,000
Tillamook County
Tillamook County Galloway Road Pavement Preservation $50,000
Tillamook County Road Maintenance $12,153
Tillamook County Little Nestucca Knotweed Control $ 3,728
Information provided by Siuslaw National Forest
