Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor, Cid Morgan, announced today that the US Forest Service will implement a sediment reduction project in tandem with Delta County Road Commission’s planned upgrades on County Road 440 (CR440).
This summer, Delta County Road Commission will be repaving 2.5 miles of County Road 440 (from Highway 13 to Camel Riders). The segment of road passes through National Forest System lands and includes several water crossings.
The road also accesses private lands, whose owners are also contributing funds for the project. The cost of the project will be split among the County ($350,000), local residents of CR440 ($30,000) and the US Forest Service ($50,000), with the Forest Service portion consisting of Stewardship Contracting retained receipts.
“We are pleased that we have the opportunity to accomplish this work through the county. Given the potential for sedimentation along this road way, the project is a perfect fit for expenditure of Stewardship Contracting dollars,” said Morgan.
The Stewardship Contracting authority began 1999 and provides a means for federal agencies to contribute to the development of sustainable rural communities, restore and maintain healthy forest ecosystems, and provide a continuing source of funds in local communities. The agency will contribute the project funds to Delta County Road Commission, whose employees and contractors will conduct the work.
Stewardship Contracting funds are generated through specific vegetation management/timber sales. In order to utilize Stewardship Contracting retained receipts, a project must address at least one of the authority’s key goals:
- Improve, maintain, and restore forest and rangeland health
- Restore/maintain water quality
- Improve fish/wildlife habitat
- Re-establish native plant species and increase their resilience
- Reduce hazardous fuel
For more information about this project, contact Greg Gardner, Forest Engineer, at 906-428-5800. To learn more about Stewardship Contracting, visit the Forest Service web page (https://www.fs.fed.us/restoration/Stewardship_Contracting/overview.shtml), or contact Loren Everest, Public Service Team Leader, 906-428-5800.
