This Land, Your Land

The National Forest Service has announced $9,449,000 in stimulus fund money to rehabilitate trails and facilities in North Carolina's National Forests.

Among the spending announced Tuesday:

- $6.2 million for rehabilitation and replacement of trail bridges in each of the state's national forests; rehabilitation of the Roan Mountain Trail, which includes replacement of a raised viewing platform; repaving of the Forest Discovery Trail at the Cradle of Forestry; and deferred maintenance activities on forest hiking, biking, equestrian and off-highway vehicle trails.

- $734,000 to restore Civilian Conservation Corps shelters and towers, including repairs to the rock walls, roof, and stairs of the observation tower at Wayah Bald, trail shelters on the Appalachian Trail and a tower at Pine Cliff recreation area at Croatan National Forest.

- $545,000 for deferred facilities maintenance at Croatan, Uhwarrie and Nantahala forests, including replacing water and wastewater systems, repairing roofs and lighting at buildings, sidewalks and campsites.

- $230,000 at Roan Mountain to remove encroaching blackberry plants and shrubby growth to restore the native ecosystems of the grassy balds.