Rep. Neguse, Sen. Bennet Announce Significant USFS Funding Headed to Rocky Mountain Region for Projects Addressing Clean Water, Roads, and Trails Improvement
Statement
Today Congressman Joe Neguse and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) announced that the Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. Forest Service will receive a significant portion of the $65 million allocated from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for nationwide investments in water quality, roads, trails, and fish habitats. Projects will be part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service's new Collaborative Aquatic Landscape Restoration Program and the existing Legacy Roads and Trails Program.
"Time and time again we are seeing the historic impacts of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on Colorado"s rural and mountain communities. This announcement is truly significant for our state, addressing the critical needs of our forests and public lands and helping to support our mountain towns. From bolstering wildfire mitigation and prevention to watershed protection. I am thrilled to see these resources directed to Colorado's national forests," said Congressman Joe Neguse.
"The future of Colorado relies on keeping our watersheds, forests, and public lands healthy," Bennet said. "These projects -- funded by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law -- will help grow our outdoor recreation economy and protect the Colorado we call home for the next generation."
Colorado landscapes receiving funding include the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, Cimmaron and Comanche National Grassland, Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests, Pike and San Isabel National Forests, San Juan National Forest, White River National Forest, Black Hills National Forest, Bighorn National Forest, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, and the Shoshone National Forest. Please find additional information, including project specifics, here.
Representative Neguse played a key role in the swift passage and enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a historic piece of legislation that invests in the economy, rebuilds crumbling roads and bridges, and ensures American communities can compete in the 21st Century. Thanks to the advocacy and leadership of Congressman Neguse, the bill also includes several other wildfire response initiatives including funds for wildfire prevention, a pay raise for federal wildland firefighters, and investments in collaborative forest programs, such as the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership.
The state of Colorado is already set to receive the following in federal funding from the historic law:
$3.7 billion for highway projects, $716 million in FY 2022;
$100 million for I-70, Mountain Corridor improvement projects;
$225 million for bridge replacement and repairs, $45 million in FY 2022;
$917 million to improve public transportation, $54 million in FY 2022;
$688 million for water infrastructure,
$432 million for airports,
$35 million for wildfire recovery, including $ 20 billion for the Colorado State University Forest Restoration Research;
$57 million to support the expansion of an electric vehicle charging network throughout the state, $8 million in FY 2022; and
A minimum of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state.
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