The Ozark-St. Francis National Forest has announced the completion of another project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act that will address critical deferred maintenance improvements on the Forests.
Four billboard map trail signs have been replaced along the North Sylamore Creek Trail, which runs adjacent to its namesake, the North Sylamore Creek Wild, and Scenic River.
“The previous signs were well over twenty years old, aesthetically displeasing and structurally disintegrating,” said Jim McCoy, Sylamore-St. Francis District Ranger.
According to McCoy, replacing the signs has eliminated long-term deferred maintenance needs on the signature trail system, which connects visitors to a wide variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, swimming, and fishing.
“Providing our Forest visitors with the best recreation opportunities possible is one of our goals in the Sylamore Ranger District,” added McCoy.
“Providing our Forest visitors with the best recreation opportunities possible is one of our goals in the Sylamore Ranger District,” added McCoy. “These billboard map signs are just one way we are able to improve visitor experience, enhance safety conditions, and visually connect some of Arkansas’ most stunning natural wonders. We are also committed to providing much-needed jobs and economic opportunities in our rural areas, which is a goal of the GAOA. The sign project is one example of keeping project dollars local while meeting the multiple-use mandate of the Forest Service.”
Over a dozen projects, investments made possible by GAOA, are being planned or are currently being implemented on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. The projects will serve as a catalyst for economic development and employment opportunities in rural communities. These new investments will strengthen shared stewardship of national forests and grasslands by expanding the Forest Service’s work with public and private partners.
Projects funded by the GAOA and its associated funding will contribute to efforts to develop more sustainable infrastructure resilient to climate change impacts. Projects may also address Forest objectives to provide improved recreational opportunities and access to underserved communities.
For more information on these projects in the USDA Forest Service Southern Region, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r8/home/?cid=fseprd796778. For more information on the Great American Outdoors Act and related projects, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/gaoa. For complete Great American Outdoors Act text, visit https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ152/PLAW-116publ152.pdf.
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