April 1, 2022 3:40 a.m.

Staff with the Forest Service are calling for new project proposals for the North Umpqua Hydropower Federal Mitigation Fund.

A release said PacificCorp contributes to the fund as part of the North Umpqua Hydroelectric Project Settlement Agreement. The goal behind the funding is to offset adverse impacts to aquatic, terrestrial, and other natural resources caused by the hydropower operations. The majority of these funds are used to complete projects geared around aquatic and upland habitat restoration and maintenance.

The release said funds collected on an annual basis through the agreement are allocated to projects on federal lands within the North Umpqua River Watershed. Eligible applicants include local, state and federal agencies, Native American Tribes, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. A committee of staff from the Umpqua National Forest and Roseburg District Bureau of Land Management works collaboratively to review the proposals and make recommendations to the UNF Forest Supervisor who makes the final decision on project selection.

The release said the UNF has partnered with the National Forest Foundation to assist in project management and in facilitating the granting process.

In past years, allocated funding of projects has been geared toward stream and wetland restoration, wildlife habitat improvement, riparian plantings in the Archie Creek Fire area, and many others throughout the North Umpqua River Watershed.

For more information, email: asquires@nationalforests.org.