The project treats 1,309 acres along national forest system roads 42 and 42B in the chiricahua mountains across three primary units, with additional units proceeding upon completion of heritage and…

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R3-Southwestern Region awarded a $1,395,024 Cooperative Agreement to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management on June 29, 2026, under the Good Neighbor Authority program (CFDA 10.691).

The award funds forest restoration treatments across 1,309 acres along National Forest System Roads 42 and 42B in the Chiricahua Mountains. Planned work includes hand thinning and piling on 842 acres, mixed limbing and chipping on 130 acres, herbicide treatment on 73 acres, and combined thinning and herbicide work on 264 acres. Additional treatment units will proceed upon completion of heritage and wildlife surveys and silvicultural prescriptions. The project aligns with regional active forest management strategy to create and sustain healthy, resilient forests and watersheds.

Performance occurs in Arizona with an ultimate completion date of June 19, 2036. The Good Neighbor Authority mechanism authorizes the Forest Service to enter into cooperative agreements with states to conduct restoration services on federal lands; associated funding and work products are negotiated between the parties. The law permits agreements up to 10 years and authorizes sole-source award on the basis of negotiated work products and regional forest and watershed health priorities.

The project treats 1,309 acres along national forest system roads 42 and 42B in the chiricahua mountains across three primary units, with additional units proceeding upon completion of heritage and wildlife surveys and silvicultural prescriptions. Planned treatments include thinning, hand piling, limbing, LOP-and-scatter, chipping, and herbicide application. Treatment acreage includes 842 acres of hand thinning and piling, 130 acres of mixed limbing and chipping, 73 acres of herbicide treatment, and 264 acres combining thinning and herbicide work. This project is aligned with secretary rollins memo 1078-006, the chiefs 2025 letter of intent, and region 3'S active forest management strategy by creating and sustaining healthy and resilient forests and watersheds by doing the right treatments in the right places.