Project Grant 23DG11100106809

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service awarded a $466,240 Project Grant under the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act Financial Assistance to Facilities that Purchase and Process Byproducts for Ecosystem Restoration program (CFDA 10.725) to the Mentasta Traditional Council, doing business as Mentasta Tribal Council, on September 13, 2023. This grant will support the Mentasta Wood Harvest and Processing Capacity Expansion Project, which aims to expand the Tribal Council's wood harvesting and processing capabilities to increase utilization of byproducts from ecosystem restoration projects on federal and Tribal lands in the region. The funding will enable facility expansions, equipment upgrades, and infrastructure improvements to enhance the Tribal Council's ability to procure and process wood materials generated through timber management activities, thinning, hazardous fuels reduction, and other restoration efforts. This project aligns with the USDA Forest Service's objectives to decrease the costs of vegetation removal and promote the utilization of byproducts from federal and Tribal land restoration initiatives.