The U.S. Forest Service recently selected its contractor, Pioneer Forest Products, for the largest stewardship contract in the agency’s history. The contract will result in 300,000 acres of restoration-based thinning in Arizona over 10 years, improving forest health, reducing the risk from wildfire to communities, creating jobs, and improving local economies.
This contract represents the culmination of many years of collaborative work between the Forest Service and more than 30 stakeholder organizations. It is the first large step of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), a 20-year plan to restore 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona endorsed by the Forest Service, conservationists, scientists, local governments, and industry leaders.
“The importance of this contract cannot be overstated,” said Arthur “Butch” Blazer, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. “It will help meet Secretary Vilsack’s vision for increasing the size and pace of restoration and will make a difference not only on the landscape, but also to people and communities across Arizona.”
“This is an enormous step in restoring the health and sustainability of our forests,” said Earl Stewart, Coconino National Forest Supervisor. “This contract will help us achieve the goal of setting our forests and economies on a path of recovery.”