RENO - About $3 million in federal stimulus money will allow the largest U.S. national forest outside Alaska to complete a variety of trail and campground projects.
Eight major projects will be funded in the 6-million-acre Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which covers much of Nevada and a portion of California, said Ed Monnig, its supervisor.
Reno-area plans call for $700,000 in improvements for Mount Rose recreation facilities and for $150,000 in trail maintenance for the Mount Rose Wilderness. Las Vegas-area plans include $250,000 in trail maintenance for the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.
"The funding will allow us to complete maintenance backlog projects that will improve a number of our forest's facilities and trails for our visitors," Monnig said. "These projects will also help stimulate local economies."
Forest Service spokeswoman Christie Kalkowski said it was not immediately clear how many jobs would be created. Some of the projects involve seasonal employees, while others rely on partnerships with volunteer groups, she said.
"It's a win-win for everyone," she said. "It's about creating jobs. And we get to work on projects that definitely need attention."
Plans also call for $550,000 to re-roof historic buildings and $325,000 to replace restrooms across the national forest, and $140,000 to maintain trails in Nye and Lander counties.
In California, the agency has earmarked $300,000 for trail maintenance in the Sierra's Carson-Iceberg and Hoover wilderness areas and $472,000 for improvements of the Honeymoon Campground in Mono County.
"I'm pleased these funds have been made available to help create jobs, increase tourism and make improvements to Nevada's trails and forest facilities," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a statement.
Last month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that stimulus funding of more than $274 million would go to nearly 200 such projects on national forests in 32 states.