Infrastructure funds awarded for fuel reduction and forest health projects

California Construction News staff writer

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced agreements with CAL FIRE, Caltrans and the California Conservation Corps. to complete restoration work, fuels reduction and forest health projects across California. The three cooperative agreements are being funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“We are excited to partner with CAL FIRE, Caltrans and the California Conservation Corps on important projects on BLM-managed public lands throughout California,” said BLM California State Director Karen Mouritsen. “These agreements will result in better coordination for activities to reduce fuels that feed wildfires, protect wildlife habitat, improve forest health, and restore important watersheds.”

Good Neighbor Authority projects have a five-year project period and a lifetime funding cap of $12.8 million:

• The California Conservation Corps agreement allows up to $4.2 million for restoration work. Work will include adding fuel breaks, planting, post-fire burned area rehabilitation, prescribed fire, proactive forest and range restoration to improve wildlife habitat and livestock forage, noxious weed and invasive species treatments and wildland-urban interface fuels reduction.
• The California Department of Transportation agreement includes up to $4.2 million. In partnership with Caltrans, the goals of the project are to scale up forest management, reduce wildfire hazards, and enhance wildlife habitats on BLM-managed public lands near highways.
• The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection agreement allows up to $4.5 million and the project focuses on ecological resilience on BLM-managed lands. Restoration work includes treating insect and disease-infested trees, reducing hazardous fuels, and other activities to restore and improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat.