Congressman Charles Bass

March 16, 2012

CONCORD – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) today hailed approval of a $4.04 million federal grant that will be used to repair damage to bridges, roads, and a snowmobile bridge in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) caused by Tropical Storm Irene last August.

The grant is being awarded through the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Program within the Department of Transportation, which provides assistance for the repair and reconstruction of federal roads to bring them to pre-disaster conditions.

Bass said:

"New Hampshire's Upper Valley and North Country received significant damage from Tropical Storm Irene last summer and, although most individuals and communities have been able to repair the damage, some areas, like the White Mountain National Forest, are still recovering. This grant could not have come at a better time as WMNF crews begin to get ready for the summer tourism season and provide opportunities for Granite Staters and other outdoor enthusiasts to camp, hike, and enjoy all that the White Mountains has to offer."

Tom Wagner, the Forest Supervisor for the White Mountain National Forest, said:

"These Emergency Relief funds from the Department of Transportation will help supplement the existing funding from the Forest Service and our many partners to help restore public access for recreation, our forestry program and many other management efforts. Contracts with private construction companies, Forest Service crews and many different partner organizations will enable us to continue our efforts to restore the significant damage on the Forest. We appreciate the public's patience and understanding as we work hard to restore their National Forest over the next two to three years."

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