This award supports active forest management and timber harvesting where crossing streams, wet areas, buried energy pipelines, and other buried infrastructure is required

The University of Kentucky Research Foundation received a $500,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, Region 8 (Southern Region), under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Temporary Bridge Program (CFDA 10.721). The award, effective August 15, 2025, through August 14, 2030, supports the establishment of a rental program for portable skidder bridges, bridge mats, and other temporary water crossing structures designed to facilitate active forest management and timber harvesting operations across Kentucky.

The funded initiative will enable crossing of streams, wet areas, and other sensitive terrain while minimizing stream bed disturbance and protecting water supplies and energy infrastructure. The project is expected to result in 241,718 acres of additional active forest management activity and the production of 1.478 billion board feet of timber from private, public, and tribal lands. By reducing operational barriers and downtime for timber producers and loggers, the program supports rural economic development and the sustainable production of American timber while maintaining environmental protections.

These projects support loggers, rural economies, active forest management, safety, and the production of american timber by opening up more forest lands to active forest management and by increasing productivity and reducing down-time for timber producers while protecting american water supplies and energy infrastructure. These projects will result in 241,718 acres of additional active forest management and produce 1.478 billion board feet of timber from private, public, and tribal lands in the united states.