This agreement will mainly consist of marking and cruising timber but may progress to other sale preparation activities with additional training

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R8-Southern Region awarded a $600,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians on March 17, 2026, to support forest restoration and revegetation activities under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Restoration/Revegetation program (CFDA 10.717).

The work consists primarily of marking and cruising timber, with potential expansion to other sale preparation activities as training progresses. The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, a federally recognized tribal government based in Trout, Louisiana, will execute this work across its three-parish service area in Louisiana. The award runs through March 16, 2036.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act commits $560 million toward restoration and revegetation of National Forest System lands through multiple agreement types, including Tribal Forestry Protection Agreements. The Forest Service's restoration and revegetation program aims to restore healthy, diverse, and resilient ecological systems, minimize severe fires on critical watersheds, rebuild ecosystems, protect wildlife habitat, and restore streams, rivers, and watersheds in high-risk fire areas. The program also strengthens long-term forest and watershed health while supporting land managers with technical expertise during restoration activities.