To ensure the continued flow of Federal funds to counties that are home to National Forests, the U.S. House Resources Committee today unanimously approved an extension of the program that supplements local budgets for schools and roads, said Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall (D-WV).
For nearly 100 years, the U.S. Forest Service has returned a portion of the revenues from logging activities to the counties that host National Forest lands. Those funds have traditionally supported local schools and roads. In more recent years, revenues from logging in federal forests have dipped, trimming funds returned to affected rural communities.
"It’s only common sense that our forest communities should benefit from revenues generated in their backyards, including those from timbering on Federal Forest property. It’s a matter of fairness," observed Rahall.
The legislation – the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2005 – continues an existing program that is set to expire next year. That program has ensured that counties with Federal Forest lands would receive continuing, guaranteed federal funds based on historical timber receipts. The program also ensures a stable level of payments.
In Fiscal Year 2004, almost $400 million was provided to counties across the country via this program.
Forests and Forest Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Udall (D-NM) said, "This legislation keeps the federal government's promise to rural communities near National Forests, including those in my district in New Mexico, and provides some certainty of federal support for local schools and roads. Pulling the rug out from under this program would only exacerbate the problems so many local communities have trying to make ends meet."
![[New for the Democrats - Committee on Resources - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, Ranking Democrat - 1329 Longworth HOB - Washington, DC 20015]](news_banner.gif)
