The USDA Forest Service Eastern Region is seeking public feedback on a proposed list of deferred maintenance projects selected for Great American Outdoors Act funding in fiscal year 2022.
The region’s project list can be found on the Eastern Region Great American Outdoors Act Projects webpage at fs.usda.gov/detail/r9/home/?cid=FSEPRD796841. Eighteen projects are located in Hoosier National Forest.
These projects aim to address the agency’s $5.2 billion deferred maintenance backlog and improve public access and quality of visitor experience through repair and restoration of roads, trails, bridges, recreation sites and other facilities.
The proposed projects were selected based on seven criteria:
- Reducing deferred maintenance
- Promoting management of forests
- Improving visitor experience
- Contributing to rural economic development
- Improving visitor access
- Ensuring health and safety
- Leveraging partner contributions and resources
Signed into law this summer, the Great American Outdoors Act provides funding to help federal land managers take steps to address deferred maintenance and other infrastructure projects on national forest and grasslands through 2025.
The public has until Nov. 30 to review and provide feedback on the proposed projects. For details on how to submit your feedback, visit: "The Great American Outdoors Act Virtual Sensing Opportunity" online.