The Hood-Willamette Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) recently approved 45 local restoration projects for a combined $3.4 million of Title II Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding on the Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests. These projects are designed to improve roads and water quality, enhance ecosystems, restore habitat, and support trail and infrastructure maintenance while employing youth and local contractors as much as possible to accomplish the work.
“A huge thank you to our 13 dedicated RAC members and to everyone who submitted project proposals for consideration in this competitive process,” said Mt. Hood National Forest Supervisor Meta Loftsgaarden. “We are excited to move forward on the list of approved projects with our staff and partners.”
The Hood-Willamette RAC is responsible for distributing funds authorized by the federal Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act within Douglas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Clackamas, Multnomah, Hood River, Wasco, and Jefferson counties. The available funds come from a portion of the revenue generated from timber production, grazing, and special use permits on National Forest land within each county. RAC members include representatives from tribal and government agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry, recreation, and environmental groups.
Approved projects on Mt. Hood National Forest:
Wasco County:
- Wasco Soil & Water Conservation District, Mt. Hood East Zone Forest Collaboratives: $30,000
- The Next Door Summer Youth Employment Program: $15,000
- Forest Road 4890 Culvert & Road Maintenance: $55,000
- Invasive Plant Control: $20,724
- Camas Prairie Wildlife Protection & Grazing Management: $72,500
- Fuels Reduction in Gates Project Area: $48,104
Hood River County:
- Hood River Watershed Group, Upper West Fork Hood River Habitat Restoration: $24,000
- The Next Door Summer Youth Employment Program: $10,000
- Trail Maintenance Partnership: $10,000
Clackamas County:
- Trailkeepers of Oregon Stewardship & Ambassador Program: $23,000
- AntFarm, National Forest Community Youth Crews: $50,000
- Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation District, Invasive Weed Control: $35,000
- Mt. Hood National Forest Seed Orchard: $20,000
- Riverside Fire Wet Meadow Restoration: $17,315
- Trail Maintenance Partnership: $10,000
- Trailhead Improvements on Zigzag Ranger District: $40,000
Marion County:
- Olallie Lakes Native Plant Replanting: $37,435
- Clackamas River RD Road Decommissioning & Maintenance in Hunter Project: $43,000
- Trailkeepers of Oregon Stewardship & Ambassador Program (Clackamas River RD): $11,153
Forest-wide:
- Road Maintenance: $220,210
- Abandoned Vehicle & Trash Disposal: $22,500
- Native Plant Materials Development: $30,200
More information about the voting process, including meeting notes, the list of RAC members, and the full list of approved projects on both national forests, can be found here.
The Hood-Willamette RAC is always accepting applications for new members. If you are interested in volunteering your time to serve a four-year term as a RAC member, please email [email protected].
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