Hudson Again Secures Support for Uwharrie Roads

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after the House passed the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 6147), including his legislation to encourage the Forest Service to address road conditions in the Uwharrie National Forest, working with the State and surrounding communities to identify priority projects:

Rep. Hudson surveying the roads and visiting Uwharrie National Forest.

In addition, today’s funding bill included additional funding for the U.S. Forest Service’s Capital Improvement and Maintenance account – $50 million above last year’s levels. This program provides funding to pave National Forest roads, such as those within the Uwharrie National Forest.

Rep. Hudson has been advocating on behalf of the Uwharrie National Forest and working with local, state and federal stakeholders on supporting its upkeep since his first term in Congress. He has continued to meet with constituents, Forest Rangers and other stakeholders to make sure the Uwharrie National Forest has the best tools, resources and funding to maintain forest roasts. In September of last year, Rep. Hudson spoke on the House floor to advocate on behalf of the Uwharrie Forest and was successful in encouraging the prioritization of funding for the U.S. Forest Service’s Capital Improvement and Maintenance account.

In March of 2017, Rep. Hudson sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney requesting the paving of three National Forest Roads in the Uwharrie be included in President Trump’s FY 2018 budget. In addition, Rep. Hudson advocated for robust funding for the U.S. Forest Service’s Capital Improvement and Maintenance account.

In April 2014, he was successful in getting Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack and the U.S. Forest Service to agree to fixing the roads in the Uwharrie Forest that had been severely damaged by rains and flooding.