PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a total of $6 million to two Oregon restoration projects.  The Southern Blues Restoration Coalition was awarded $2.5 million and the Lakeview Stewardship Project was awarded $3.5 million. The projects will help reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, use woody biomass and harvest timber.

“Getting Oregonians back to work in the woods and helping reduce the risk of wildfire is great news for Eastern Oregon,” said Merkley. “These are the right types of investments to help both the economy and the environment of our state. Creating jobs and healthy forests is just what is needed in communities across Oregon, and I’m thrilled with today’s announcement.”

“I am delighted that Secretary Vilsack has awarded a total of $6 million to these two Oregon restoration projects,” Wyden said.  “The Lakeview and Southern Blues projects were the highest ranking in the nation because they will put people to work in the forests and mills of Eastern Oregon while make our forests healthier and more fire resistant. They are also consistent with my long-held belief that through collaboration we can have an healthy economy and healthy forests.”

Today’s funding of the two Oregon projects was part of $40 million in grants announced today for 20 forest and watershed restoration projects. The announcement included ten new projects under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, continued funding for the original 10 projects selected under the CFLR program in 2010, and an additional $4.6 million to support other high priority restoration projects.

Source: Office of Senator Jeff Merkley

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