USDA Announces Grants to Boost Timber Production, Reduce Wildfire Risk

May 08, 2025   Advocacy   |   Forest and Public Lands Stewardship
On May 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $23 million in grants through the Forest Service’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program to support the transport of low-value wood and dead trees from national forests to processing facilities. The program targets fuels that pose wildfire risks to nearby communities and will prioritize projects in high-risk firesheds under Emergency Situation Determinations. 
According to the Notice of Funding Opportunity projects must: 

1. remove hazardous materials from and/or demonstrate direct benefit to National Forest System Lands, 
2. explain how and why it reduces hazardous fuels, and
3. escribe and provide documentation showing why transportation of the hazardous fuels to facility locations where they can be utilized or processed (e.g. mills etc.) is the limiting factor to removal.    

Applications will be accepted through June 20th.   The notice of funding opportunity, and additional guidance, is available on the Forest Service’s program website. 
For more information, contact RCRC Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Mary-Ann Warmerdam.