U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said today that the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), the largest landscape-scale restoration initiative of its kind, has reached a pivotal milestone towards achieving accelerated forest restoration on more than 500,000 acres of the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and grasslands in Arizona. Coconino National Forest Supervisor Earl Stewart and Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Mike Williams signed the final decision document for the project’s first Environmental Impact Statement on April 17th.
“The Forest Service is accelerating the restoration and management of our national forests, despite budgetary challenges, using innovative and collaborative strategies to work across large landscapes,” said USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Bonnie, “The 4FRI project is one of the best examples of this approach, and we appreciate the hard work and participation of the many employees and partners who have worked to achieve this milestone.”
“This is exceptional work of Forest Service employees and citizens who joined together to support this historic endeavor,” said Tidwell. “This restoration work will contribute significantly to our efforts to sustain healthy, resilient landscapes. Support from these citizen groups will ensure we maintain this momentum for the long haul. That’s what it will take to make a difference.”
More than 30 stakeholder groups contributed significantly to the development of this phase of work, which also reflects public comments and input received throughout the process. Additional 4FRI restoration projects have already been and are being implemented across the Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Tonto, and Kaibab National Forests. To date, approximately 300,000 acres have received some sort of restoration treatment as part of the initiative.
From the U.S. Forest Service: https://www.fs.fed.us/news/releases/largest-forest-service-restoration-initiative-reaches-milestone