Secure Rural Schools funding is vital for rural economic survival

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 Secure Rural Schools 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 Secure Rural Schools lapsed in September 2013 and the last payments were distributed in April 2014. Failing to renew the Secure Rural Schools 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 Secure Rural Schools as early as possible in the next Congress ensuring that local governments across the country can access these essential funds.