Five hazardous fuels reduction projects in Colorado forests and grasslands will receive $12.3 million in economic stimulus money, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The agriculture department, which oversees the U.S. Forest Service, on Tuesday announced it will spend $224 million on 110 fuels reduction and ecosystem improvement projects in 26 states and territories.
The projects will may be in federal forests and grasslands, and on lands owned by state and local goverments, private organizations and individuals. The money will be handed out through “financial assistance and partnership agreements,” U.S. Sens Michael Bennet and Mark Udall said in a joint press release this morning.
“These funds will allow us to move forward with several worthwhile and long-neglected hazardous fuels projects that will put Coloradans to work and restore Colorado’s forest health,” Bennet said.
The Forest Service will ultimately release $1.5 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds that are expected to create 1,500 jobs for urban youth and individuals involved in urban forestry, restoration projects, fire prevention, roads, bridges, buildings and recreation facilities.
