WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley issued the following press release:
Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is awarding $3.75 million to Lostine Forest in Wallowa County and $5.56 million to Madrone Ridge Forest in Jackson County.
The Senators secured this federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior-Environment Appropriations Act through the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the Forest Legacy Program. These Oregon projects will help conserve nearly 12,000 acres of working forestland, improve wildfire resilience, protect fish and wildlife habitat, and expand public recreation opportunities.
"Oregon's forests must be conserved to ensure our lands remain healthy, well-...