USDA provides $20 million to help combat pine beetles in Montana forest

Montana gets $20 million to combat pine beetles

HELENA, Mont. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $20 million to accelerate efforts to fight mountain pine beetle infestation in Montana.

The announcement follows 2009 aerial surveys of the state showing 2.7 million acres of lodge pole pines infested with mountain pine beetle.

USDA is allocating $20 million above amounts initially provided for forest management and conservation programs in Montana. The money can be used to help address bark beetles.

U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Elizabeth Slown says it hasn’t been determined how much each of the state’s 10 forests will receive.

The money will be used to remove beetle-killed trees, especially in areas frequented by people such as campgrounds. It will also be used to thin areas of thick stands.