Fence & Infrastructure Reconstruction "These (Forest Service) people have been great to work with. I wouldn't have believed the government could have set up a program that worked as quickly and easily as this one." ~ Pat Wyff, Montana rancher Congress authorized special funding through the National Fire Plan to reimburse hard-hit Western ranchers and their families for the fences and infrastructure destroyed in the devastating wildfires of 2000. Montana statistics: Average net income (1999): *$17,200 Miles of fence destroyed per farm: 1.8 miles Replacement cost of destroyed fence: $16,200 Fence replacement as a percentage of net income: 94 percent * USDA Economic Research Service State & Private Forestry (S&PF) received $3 million to distribute to affected Montana residents.  S&PF partnered with local National Forests through Ranger Districts to quickly and efficiently deliver payments to 179 private landowners in Montana. S&PF administered the $5.1 million fence program in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and North Dakota with only 3 percent overhead, meaning that 97 percent of the funds were used on the ground by landowners. The fence program has reimbursed Montana communities for: 328 miles of damaged fence 13 culvert/road repairs 10 water structures Three ranch bridges Forest Service employees called upon their historic "can-do" spirit and sense of community to provide relief and assistance to their neighbors in a time of need. For more details on the program in Montana, see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page or email Dennis Elliott or Angela Farr.

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