The USDA has announced over $1.4 million dollars for projects on the Ashley National Forest and within Uintah Basin communities. The announcement states that the Ashley National Forest and Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation will complete activities to support the South Slope cross-boundary project in partnership with the Utah Department of Natural Resources. The project includes fuels reduction, forest health treatments, wildlife habitat enhancement, and protection of infrastructure for public safety through thinning, chipping, and prescribed burning on 26,160 acres. Funding will provide for remaining archeological surveys and clearances. Approximately $1.1 million of the announced total funding is for the Vernal Municipal Watershed Project through the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership. The Vernal project is designed to reduce wildfire threats to communities, protect water quality and supply, and improve wildlife habitat. The Vernal Municipal Watershed Project focuses on protecting the Ashley Karst system located on the Ashley National Forest, which supplies water to the local community as well as reducing wildfire risk to local residents.
