WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two grants worth more than $1.1 million have been awarded to improve roads for fire suppression and emergency medical services on the former Fort Ord. The funds were awarded to the local office of the Bureau of Land Management through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"We've heard reports in the last week of jobs that have already been created and saved through investments provided by the Recover Act," said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). "This is yet another injection of funds into our local economy that will provide jobs as well as lasting improvements to our infrastructure."

The Construction and deferred maintenance funds will be used to conduct repairs on fuel break roads on the former Fort Ord. Repair work will begin in December and is expected to continue through October 2010. The two grants for repair work total $1,147,000.

"The fuel break system on the former Fort Ord is crucial for fire suppression and EMS capabilities, and we look forward to replacing failing culverts and repairing rutted roads," said Eric Morgan, BLM's Fort Ord manager. "Wildfires throughout California this year and last have provided many examples of how important it is to provide a system of well-maintained fuel break roads in urban interface areas."

The fuel break road repair work has been coordinated with emergency personnel from Cal Fire and Salinas Rural Fire Departments, who provide emergency services on the Fort Ord public lands.

"Many of the fuel break roads at Fort Ord are in a state of disrepair. We look forward to the ease of access that these road repairs will provide," said Fire Chief George Haines of Cal Fire.

Salinas Rural Fire District Chief Mike Urquides added: "Each year Salinas Rural assists with medical response on 10 to 15 accidents on the Fort Ord Public Lands. Roads in good condition can accelerate response times to victims."

For further information about these Recovery Act projects, contact BLM's Eric Morgan at 831-394-8314 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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