Kilmer Calls for Swift Renewal of a Program Essential to Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) called on Congressional leaders to reauthorize a program that provides key support to rural communities. Representatives Kilmer, Chris Stewart (R-UT), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) led a letter urging the swift renewal of Secure Rural Schools (SRS) to help counties with national forests.
Since national forest land cannot be taxed by counties or states, for more than 100 years the Forest Service has shared revenues from timber harvests on federal lands with the nearby communities. In the letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi the members pointed out that SRS program provides funding to forest communities facing declining revenue from U.S. Forest Service timber sales on federal lands. The program helps rural counties pay for infrastructure projects and supports local school districts.
“Failing to renew the SRS program will cause significant harm to the ability of rural and timber communities to provide basic services to their residents,” the members wrote in the letter sent today. “We urge you to work quickly, in a bipartisan fashion, to reauthorize, fund and make payments under SRS as early as possible in the next Congress ensuring that local governments across the country can access these essential funds.”
Washington state is typically among the top recipients of SRS funds. The program was previously extended through fiscal year 2013. During the last year that payments went out Clallam County received $866,081 Grays Harbor County received $369,996, Jefferson County received $877,496, and Mason County received $393,938. Across the nation SRS sends funds to more than 700 counties and 4,000 school districts.
Kilmer’s letter was signed by 34 other members and is supported by the National Association of Counties, National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition, The School Superintendents Association, Association of Educational Service Agencies, National Rural Education Association, and the National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition.
The full text of the letter follows.
Dear Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi,
As the 113th Congress comes to an end, we write to express our concern that the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) was not reauthorized for fiscal year 2014. More than 700 counties and school districts across the country receive funding through the SRS program.
As you know, for more than 100 years, the Forest Service has shared 25 percent of timber revenues with rural counties to compensate them for federal ownership of lands, which cannot be taxed at the local level. Counties and school districts rely on these funds to help support critical services, including education and infrastructure projects. While timber harvest levels have dropped over the last two decades, Congress has recognized the need to live up to its obligations and continue to support these districts.
Unfortunately, the authorization for SRS lapsed in September 2013 and the last payments were distributed in April 2014. Failing to renew the SRS program will cause significant harm to the ability of rural and timber communities to provide basic services to their residents.
We urge you to work quickly, in a bipartisan fashion, to reauthorize, fund and make payments under SRS as early as possible in the next Congress ensuring that local governments across the country can access these essential funds.
Sincerely,
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