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Last updated on Thursday, November 19, 2015
(UNDATED) - The DNR Division of Forestry has notified Lawrence County they are one of 16 counties that will receive shares of nearly $442,000 to help support public safety efforts of rural and volunteer fire departments.
The Division of Forestry allocates 15 percent of timber sale revenue from state forests to counties in which harvests occur. Each county shares the funds it receives with rural and volunteer fire departments that maintain a cooperative agreement with the DNR's Fire Control Headquarters.
The $441,976.92 being distributed is a record for the program despite a dip in the volume of timber sold during the last fiscal year. Higher timber prices and the timing of payments to the DNR contributed to the record funding.
Although timber sale revenue helps fund several DNR Division of Forestry programs, DNR's forestry management focus is to improve and maintain forest health for long-term sustainability as required by state law. DNR forestry management practices are based on the best science and nationally accepted standards, and conducted in a certified sustainable manner that earns continued approval from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council.
This year, 123 rural and volunteer fire departments will benefit. Fire departments are encouraged to use the funds to improve their wildland firefighting capability.
The 16 counties and their share of the funds are:
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