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Five Restoration Grants ($500 each) and one Emergency Stabilization Grant ($150) were awarded in 2009, for a total of $2650: 1 - Mineral Peak Lookout, Montana The first FFLA Restoration Grant of 2009 went toward the continued restoration of Mineral Peak Lookout (Lolo NF, MT), a 53-foot tower with L-4 cab, under the leadership of FFLA member Libby Langston. The FFLA grant, along with North Idaho-Montana Chapter funds, was used to pay for certified climbers to re-tighten al the bolts and apply preservative to the entire tower. 2 - Mosley Hill Fire Lookout, Louisiana The second restoration grant was awarded for the continued restoration of the Mosley Hill Lookout on the Kisatchie NF’s Catahoula District. The grant will be used to replace the glass in the cab, repair metal window frames, and clean and waterproof the cab, under the direction of FFLA Director Mark Gutzman. 3 - Berry Hill Fire Tower Facility, New York The local Berry Hill FFLA Chapter was awarded the program’s third grant of the year. Fred Lamb, FFLA-NY member, is chairing the project. The $500 grant will be used to begin restoration of the observer cabin, including installation of a new porch floor and porch railing, repairs to the roof, cleanup of the interior with a fresh coat of varnish to be applied, installation of vintage photos illustrating the history and development of the New York State fire towers, and the implementation of a public interpretive program. 4 - Pinnacle Mountain Lookout Tower, Tennessee The "Partners of the Cherokee National Forest" received the program’s fourth award for the year, for restoration of the Pinnacle Mountain Lookout Tower, a 40-foot steel tower with 14' x 14' live-in cab. Sam Brocato, Executive Director of the Partners, is chairing the project. The grant will be applied toward the second of three phases of the project, which includes rehabilitation of the two flights of stairs, replacement of stair treads, installation and upgrade of hand railings, and installation of additional steel supports to strenghthen the structure. 5 - Tater Knob Fire Tower, Kentucky The final restoration grant for 2009 was awarded for the restoration of the Tater Knob Fire Tower, near Cave Run Lake on the Daniel Boone National Forest. The tower was badly damaged in a December 2008 arson fire. KY FFLA Director Danny Blevins is leading the effort; in addition to the USFS and the KY FFLA, other local groups from Rowan, Bath, and Menifee counties are partnering in the effort. Cost estimates range from $3000 to $5000. A - Emergency Stabilization Grant - Duckett Top Lookout Tower, North Carolina The first ever grant from the emergency stabilization fund was awarded to Duckett Top's new official lookout steward, FFLA member Wes Greene. The $150 grant assisted in the purchasing of supplies for the repainting and maintenance of the two-story live-in lookout tower. Wes funded the remaining expense of paint and supplies. NCFS had replaced Duckett Top's roof in 2008. Duckett Top is one of the leading examples of the synergistic partnership between the FFLA and the Forest Service. Gary Weber |