Monday, October 6, 2008

Bingaman Tours Santa Fe Watershed Restoration Project

SANTA FE – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today was in Santa Fe to get a firsthand look and tour the completed Santa Fe Watershed Restoration Project.

Bingaman secured a total of over $7 million since fiscal year 2002 to help the Santa Fe Watershed Association improve and restore the overall health of the forest and watershed.

"This successful restoration project will benefit Santa Fe's watershed and will dramatically reduce intense fire danger in the National Forest" Bingaman said.

Bingaman also learned of the Association's long-term management plans for the area, including a new community forest restoration project aimed at removing small diameter trees and brush, which fuel wildfires and threaten watersheds.  Bingaman is the author of legislation that created the Community Forest Restoration Program (CFRP), which provides funding to communities on a competitive basis to help foster the creation of community-level programs to engage in economical forest restoration activities.   For the past several years, Bingaman has secured $5 million annually for CFRP projects in New Mexico.

"Forest restoration is important in maintaining a healthy watershed and I am pleased the Santa Fe Watershed Association is making this a priority," Bingaman said. 

Search:   cfrp, santa fe watershed association


Contact
Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521


"This successful restoration project will benefit Santa Fe's watershed and will dramatically reduce intense fire danger in the National Forest."

-Jeff Bingaman