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bipartisan backing.
• A multi-year partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service is being formed to improve the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where public and private lands meet across the nation. The project, called the Chiefs' Joint Landscape Restoration Partnership, will invest $30 million in 13 projects across the country this year to help mitigate wildfire threats to communities and landowners, protect water quality, and supply and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.
• Last month, Secretary Vilsack announced that Farm Service Agency-administered disaster assistance programs, reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill were open for applications. To date, approximately 33,000 applications have been received.
• Along with these examples, USDA administers a wide range of conservation programs, as well as efforts to boost biomanufacturing, bioenergy, and other cutting edge industries that reduce consumption of fossil fuels and make our land, air and water cleaner.