Photo provided to the Times Observer
A new roof on a bathhouse at Loleta Recreation Area, part of a two-phase rehabilitation, was funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. Forest Service staff are highlighting that work as the fourth anniversary of the Act, the single largest investment made in federal public lands, approaches.

Deferred maintenance projects can be both big and small.

But there’s a reality to the fact that those projects – when left unaddressed – tend to grow, both in scope and cost.

Federal legislation enacted in 2020 – the Great American Outdoors Act – provides “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,” according to the Forest Service.

“This act is the single largest investment in public lands in United States history,” Public Affairs Officer Christopher Leeser said.

The Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund has provided dollars for several projects on the ANF and federal officials are highlighting the work at the Loleta Recreation Area.

According to the ANF, the Act funded a “two-part rehabilitation project” at Loleta.

The first phase, completed last fall, replaced the roofs on bathhouses. The second phase will repair and upgrade the water reply system.

“The facility repairs will provide forest visitors with assurance of health and safety when recreating at Loleta Recreation Area for years to come,” Marienville District Ranger, Daniele Gualtieri, said. “The GAOA has provided needed maintenance on projects we haven’t otherwise had the funding to pursue.”

Per the ANF, Forest Service economists estimate that projects funded with these dollars will support roughly 4,400 jobs and contribute $420 million to the gross domestic product.

Here’s a look at the other projects funded by the Act on the ANF.

KIASUTHA

A $2.1 million project will repair the boat launch, remove and renovate old toilet and shower buildings and replace new toilets as necessary, according to a project website that identifies all of the funded projects in the country.

Work started in Sept. 2023 and is planned to be completed in Oct. 2025.

LONGHOUSE

The restoration of Longhouse Scenic Drive is the largest project funded under the Act on the ANF.

The $25.4 million award will replace culverts and improve drainage on both Longhouse and Jakes Rocks Rd.

The Forest Service says the project is projected to address $35 million in deferred maintenance costs. A planned completion date is Oct. 2026.

MORRISON AND MINISTER CREEK

An $85,000 project focused on these two trail systems and included bridge repairs, tread work and drainage improvements.

The work was completed in 2022 by a Youth Corps group.

KANE EXPERIMENTAL FOREST

The project replaced the septic system to ensure that the “housing remains habitable for researchers at the site.”

The $200,000 project is planned to be completed next fall.

IRWIN RUN BOAT LAUNCH

The $500,000 project will “design and improve expansion of (the) parking area for adequate entry and exit off access road, demo old vault toilet and install a new toilet, and design and install new canoe/kayak launch.

The work was completed in June 2023.