Great American Outdoors Act in the Northern Region

Maximizing the benefits to the American public and increasing the resiliency of our Northern Region forests for present and future generations one project at a time...

The Northern Region is actively implementing projects funded by the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which enables us to take aggressive steps to address deferred maintenance and other infrastructure projects on our national forests and grasslands through 2025.

Our Stories, Our Successes

• A Tangible and Immediate Impact: West Boulder Cabin Restoration is Underway with Funding from the Great American Outdoors Act

  

  The West Boulder Cabin is located south of Big Timber, Montana, next to the beautiful West Boulder River, and is one of 28 recreation rental cabin restoration projects on the Custer Gallatin National Forest funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund established by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).

  August 2024

• Flathead National Forest rental cabins get critical repairs thanks to Legacy Restoration Funds

  

  Since 2022, the Flathead National Forest has been busy with maintenance and upgrades to over half of the 14 cabins and lookouts it has available for public rentals. From new floors, new wood stoves, window replacements, furniture upgrades, and more, and with the help of Trapper Creek Job Corps students, the cabins are looking great! Work continues in 2024

  June 2024

• Montana Fact Sheet: GAOA Legacy Restoration Fund

  

  The Forest Service is implementing 88 projects in Montana funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund, 16 of which have been completed to date. Together, we estimate these projects will address $54 million in deferred maintenance! Read about two on-going projects in the state.

  May 2024

• Paradise Watercraft Ramp Upgraded Using Legacy Restoration Funds

  

  Legacy Restoration Funds help to replace a boat ramp, gear slide, railing and stairs at an access point to the Wild and Scenic Selway River in the Bitterroot National Forest.

  January 2024

• The Custer Gallatin National Forest GAOA Cabins Project

  

  GAOA funding is allowing us to give some TLC to 25 historic cabins, lookouts, and homesteads used by the public for recreation rentals.

  October 2023

• Access to Hungry Horse Reservoir is maintained through GAOA funding

  

  Flathead National Forest and partners overcame challenges to replace a failing culvert and keep access to hundreds of thousands of acres of public land and popular recreation spots around Hungry Horse Reservoir open.

  September 2023

• Meyers Creek Work Center Listed on the National Historic Register

  

  In 2021, GAOA funding was awarded to the Meyers Creek Work center, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to conduct restoration of the rental cabin and to improve the water system. The Custer Gallatin Historic Preservation Team will be working during the summers of 2024 to 2025 to restore this rental cabin.

   

• Lincoln Ranger District and Partners Work to Maintain Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Trail System

  

  Partnerships between the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Montana Conservation Corps and Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, funded by GAOA are getting some trails in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex some TLC.

  May 2023

• Preserving the Historic Lochsa Ranger Station

  

  GAOA funding has helped bring new life to the 1925 Historic Lochsa Ranger Station in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in 2022.

  March 2023

• The Route of the Hiawatha Trail

  

  The Idaho Panhandle National Forests used GAOA funding to resurface 3 miles of the Route of the Hiawatha Trail in 2022, including the 1.66-mile-long St. Paul (Taft) Tunnel.

  December 2022

• Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and Adjacent Lands Priority Area Trail Maintenance Project

  

  Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund, this multi-year, $5.4 million project is focused on reducing deferred maintenance on 3,247 miles of trails within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and surrounding adjacent areas in the Flathead, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forests.

  April 2022

• Improving recreational opportunities for hikers in the Lochsa River Corridor

  

  Forest Service employees and partners worked together over the summer to improve recreational opportunities for hikers in the Lochsa River corridor on the Lochsa Downriver Trail #2

  February 2022

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Interactive Maps

For up-to-date information on GAOA-LRF projects across the nation visit the Forest Service’s GAOA dashboard.

Northern Region (R1) Presentation to Montana Forest Collaboration Network

• Montana Forest Collaboration Network Presentation | November 2021 [PDF]

Northern Region (R1) Public Information Sessions

• Idaho GAOA Public Information Session

   

  Presented June 2021

• Montana GAOA Public Information Session

   

  Presented June 2021

• North and South Dakota GAOA Public Information Session

   

  Presented  June 2021