$10M Announced For Tualatin Mountain Forest Project
The U.S. Forest Service is awarding $10,180,000 to boost the Tualatin Mountain Forest Project through the USDA's Forest Legacy Program. That announcement was made Friday by Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. This new federal funding from the historic Inflation Reduction Act builds off the $3.63 million award Merkley and Wyden announced for the project earlier this year. This latest round of funding is going toward 21 projects in 17 states to conserve working forests that support rural economies.
The Tualatin Mountain Forest Phase 3 project promotes sustainable forest management, climate resiliency, conservation efforts, watershed health, and recreation activities for this economically and ecologically significant forestland in Multnomah County.
“Oregon’s forests must be conserved to ensure our lands remain healthy, well-managed, and accessible to Oregonians, visitors, and future generations,” said Merkley. “I’ve long championed the Forest Legacy Program to boost vital conservation activities like the Tualatin Mountain Forest Project. This over $10 million in federal funding is essential to conserving the Tualatin Mountain Forest for generations to come, and I will keep fighting to ensure the federal government does its part to create and conserve healthy, resilient forests across our state and nation."
“Oregonians treasure our opportunities across the state to enjoy the outdoors, and preserving forests in a balanced fashion plays a pivotal role in that dynamic,” Wyden added. “I’m glad the Tualatin Mountain Forest Project has earned these additional federal investments that I worked to secure. And I’ll keep battling for similar federal resources throughout our state.”
The latest award to the Tualatin Mountain Forest Project is a part of more than a $265 million investment by the Forest Service to conserve nearly 335,000 acres of ecologically and economically significant forestlands across the nation. In 2024 alone, the Forest Service has invested nearly $420 million to conserve more than 500,000 acres through the Forest Legacy Program.
"Through this U.S. Forest Legacy Program grant, we're one step closer to ensuring that this remarkable landscape remains a resilient and accessible natural resource for all—protecting critical wildlife habitat, water quality, and expanding equitable recreation opportunities," noted Kristin Kovalik, Oregon Program Director for Trust for Public Land. "TPL is grateful for Senators Merkley and Wyden's continued support in conserving working forests that are essential to the livelihoods of timber-dependent communities and critical for environmental sustainability."
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