Provide portable bridges and timber mats to protect water quality and support rural economies

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R9-Eastern Region awarded the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Finance and Operations Division $500,000 on July 15, 2026, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Temporary Bridge Program (CFDA 10.721) to establish and operate a temporary bridge and timber mat rental program serving active forest management and timber harvesting operations across Michigan.

The award funds portable bridges and timber mats available to member loggers at no-cost rent-to-own terms, enabling crossing of streams, wet areas, buried energy pipelines, and other buried infrastructure while minimizing stream bed disturbance on non-Federal and Federal lands. The program operates as a rental offering designed to support rural economies and water quality protection during forest management activities.

Performance runs through December 31, 2028. The DNR implements this as a state administrator of federal natural resources assistance, leveraging its role as a prime recipient managing federal conservation grants across wildlife restoration, forest health, outdoor recreation, and Great Lakes restoration initiatives.

There will be no cost rent to own for member loggers. And continue a temporary bridge rental program to support active forest management and timber harvesting where crossing streams, wet areas, buried energy pipelines, and other buried infrastructure is required.