U.S. Forest Service - Green Mountain National Forest

Amount Appropriated?

$3.5M

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

Green Mountain National Forest is seeking $3,500,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding from the U.S. Forest Service\u2019s Land Acquisition account (via the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)) to purchase, from a willing seller, the 2,738-acre Taconic Gateway/Big Spruce parcel. \n\nThe Green Mountain \u2013 Taconic Gateway/Big Spruce project offers enhanced public recreational opportunities for hikers, hunters, anglers, cross-country skiers, and wildlife watchers, benefitting Vermont\u2019s outdoor recreation economy, which contributes $1.2 billion to the state\u2019s GDP. It also provides increased public access to existing National Forest System lands, because of its frontage on town roads. In 2018, the Arlington Area Renewal Project found that 80% of residents supported walking and hiking trails, yet there's currently only one mile of public trail in the Town. \n\nThe property offers habitat for diverse species, including Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, hummingbirds, black bear, and federally-threatened Northern long-eared bat. The project will also help preserve the water quality of the headwater streams of the Batten Kill River\u2014a native brook trout fly fishing destination that is an important economic resource for the community.