North Carolina Receives $290 Million For U.S. Forest Service For Helene Recovery

This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission entered into a $290 million agreement to support Helene recovery efforts across Western North Carolina. The agreement — the largest of its kind for the Forest Service — will speed up recovery efforts, create new jobs, reduce overall costs and strengthen communities impacted by the hurricane.  

The agreement empowers the Wildlife Commission to perform comprehensive recovery efforts over the next 10 years. These projects include: removing storm debris, repairing roads and recreation areas, managing invasive species, restore damaged watersheds and improve wildlife habitat. 

“Helping communities recover from Helene has been a top priority for the Forest Service since the storm tore through the Southeast more than a year ago,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “North Carolina’s national forests are an economic powerhouse, bringing billions of dollars into local communities through world class outdoor recreation. Restoring access means restoring both livelihoods and the family moments that make these forests so meaningful.” 

Hurricane Helene damaged a tremendous among of Pisgah and Nantahala national forest, including tens of thousands of acres of blown-down timber, widespread damage to roads and infrastructure and wildlife habitat damage, and as well as leaving an unprecedented level of fuel for wildfires in the form of downed trees and devastated vegetation.  

“The impacts from Helene were sudden and created immense devastation across Western North Carolina, including severe impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and their habitats,” said Wildlife Resources Commission Executive Director Kyle Briggs. “Restoring these species and habitats is essential to maintaining a functional ecosystem, reducing wildfire risks and providing quality recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts that Western North Carolina is known for attracting. No single organization or group can address all this alone. We are so grateful to the administration and the leadership of the Forest Service for their partnership and the funding they are providing to help us meet the challenges of restoring the forests and its wildlife.” 

The Good Neighbor Authority is a tool that allows non-federal partners to care for Forest. This authority was first approved in 2001 and expanded in the 2018 Farm Bill, setting the state for more growth in cooperative forest management.  

“From improving access for hunters and anglers to addressing critical restoration needs, this new agreement is a practical approach to using state-based expertise to address Helene recovery needs while bringing a significant investment to North Carolina,” said Schultz. 

With four national forest across North Carolina, the Forest Service and the Wildlife Commission regularly work together. After Helene, the commission quickly reached out to National Forest leadership to offer assistance in recovery.  

“I remember my first conversation with Kyle (Briggs) just days after the storm,” said James Melonas, forest supervisor for the National Forests in North Carolina. “While my team in the greater Asheville area and I were still in shock from what just happened, he let me know that his team was standing by to help however possible. This unprompted offer of assistance during one of our most difficult moments highlights the success of the partnership we have with the commission.”   

While the majority of both the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests have reopened following Hurricane Helene, a significant amount of work remains to repair damage to roads, recreation areas, trails and watersheds. 

Visit the National Forests in North Carolina’s website and follow @NFSNC on Facebook for the latest information on Helene recovery. 

Visit the national website for more information on Good Neighbor Authority.