Great American Outdoors Act partnerships and funding are key

3-Year anniversary update

Enacted into law on August 4, 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) continues to provide new opportunities for the USDA Forest Service to deliver benefits to the American public through major investments in infrastructure, recreation facilities, public lands access; and land and water conservation. Much of the work that is being accomplished is here in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, which is the only National Forest in Wisconsin. 

“Well-designed and maintained infrastructure deepens people’s connection to the land,” said USDA FS Technical Services Staff Officer Mark Beuning. “Deferred maintenance projects utilizing funding through the GAOA impact and improve outdoor recreation opportunities across public lands and support rural economies.”

The vision statement for the Great American Outdoors Act National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (GAOA LRF) is: Invest in Forest Service infrastructure by addressing deferred maintenance, to create economic opportunities, enhance partnerships, improve visitor experience, and expand public access for everyone.  

“The GAOA LRF provides a unique opportunity to engage with stakeholders, leverage funding, amplify shared messages, and advance exceptional public-private partnerships,” said CNNF Forest Supervisor Jenn Youngblood. “Partnerships are critical and integral to project success with the GAOA. This is a shared effort, and we are pleased to be able to continue to accomplish these projects in collaboration with others who share our objective to care for the land while serving people.”  

Since Fiscal Year 2021, GAOA projects have helped improve outdoor recreation and contributed to economic growth and job creation by improving infrastructure and public land access in the CNNF. 

• Projects that are completed and underway will address approximately $5.1 million in deferred maintenance.  
• 4 trail, 20 recreation sites, and 7 roads related projects currently working across 10 counties in Wisconsin. 
• 100 percent of all contracts are with small businesses.  
• 2 partnership agreements were or will be utilized for project completion. 
• As of Jan. 24, 2023, there were currently 18 GAOA LRF projects in various stages of completion across the CNNF. 
• With Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus, we now have a total of 18 projects funded, totaling $6.7 million in appropriated funds.  

So far, seven GAOA LRF projects have been completed in the CNNF: 

STRUCTURAL REPAIRS AT LOST LAKE DEVELOPED RECREATION SITE  

• Addressed Lost Lake cabin dining hall foundation, decks, and exterior stairs, providing safe access to the dining hall, which is the focal point of this recreation area that sees more than 3,000 visitors per year. 

BRIDGE REPLACEMENT ON FOREST ROAD 144, MILEPOST 5.3 OVER THE SPRINGSTEAD CREEK FOR RECREATION AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ACCESS 

• Ensures sustainable recreational access to hunting, gathering, and dispersed camping for years to come as well as support of vegetation management program. 
• USDA FS Partnered with the Town of Fifield, which contributed nearly $77,000.00.  

REHABILITATION OF BRIDGE ON FOREST ROAD 187, MILEPOST 1.8 OVER THE BRUNSWEILER RIVER TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO MORGAN FALLS TRAILS AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT  

• Provides sustainable access to vegetation management vehicles, as well as to the Morgan Falls/St. Peters Dome recreation area and increased opportunities for other recreational activities like fishing, hunting, gathering, hiking, and dispersed camping.  

FOREST ROAD 2123 RECONSTRUCTION AND MCCASLIN STREAM CROSSING REPLACEMENT  

• Addressed the reconstruction needs of FR2123 (ditching, improving drainage, and resurfacing) and replaced an aquatic organism passage barrier stream crossing.  
• Provides access to Ada Lake and Boot Lake recreation areas, which are signature recreation sites on the Forest. The area is used for hunting, gathering, fishing, camping, and hiking. The road also supports timber hauling operations, a part of the important forest products industry in Wisconsin. The project also involves replacement of the crossing at McCaslin Brook, which serves seven miles of aquatic habitat in the Class II native brook trout stream. 
• Completed in partnership with Trout Unlimited, which contributed nearly $25,000.00.  

NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL: BRUNSWEILER TRAIL BRIDGE REPLACEMENT  

• Provides a new bridge that is longer to allow for a wider channel. Its sustainable design and materials will support hikers for years to come. The North Country Trail is one of 11 National Scenic Trails that draw hikers from around the world who contribute to the economies of rural communities that the trail traverses. 

FIRST SOUTH BRANCH OCONTO SNOWMOBILE TRAIL BRIDGE REPLACEMENT  

• Restored safe access for modern trail grooming equipment which will support winter lodging, restaurants, fuel, and other locations on the forest. The connectivity provided contributes to important local tourism during winter months. 

KENTUCK CREEK (FOREST ROAD 2176) STREAM CROSSING REPLACEMENT  

• Restored aquatic organism passage; access to the Kentuck Lake Recreation Area; hunting, gathering, fishing, dispersed camping, hiking, and other recreational opportunities. It will also support future forest vegetation management projects.