Posted on February 9, 2026
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RALEIGH, N.C. (WECT) – The U.S. Forest Service and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission signed a $290 million Good Neighbor Agreement to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in western North Carolina, officials said Thursday.
The agreement is the largest of its kind for the Forest Service. Officials say it will fund recovery work across the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests over the next 10 years.
The commission will remove storm debris, repair roads and recreation areas, manage invasive species, restore damaged watersheds and improve wildlife habitat.
“Helping communities recover from Helene has been a top priority for the Forest Service since the storm tore through the Southeast more than a year ago,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “North Carolina’s national forests are an economic powerhouse, bringing billions of dollars into local communities through world‑class outdoor recreation. Restoring access means restoring both livelihoods and the family moments that make these forests so meaningful.”
