On Tuesday, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (USFS) distributed Secure Rural Schools & Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) monies to states. California received approximately $26.1 million (not including Title II funds) in payments.
In 2000, Congress enacted SRS to provide funding for rural counties and school districts to replace revenue from dwindling forest receipts due to a national decline in timber harvesting. When first enacted, SRS provided nearly $60 million annually to California’s forested counties, with half of the funding allocated to school districts, and half of the funding allocated to counties for county roads.
SRS initially expired in 2006, but has been reauthorized multiple times albeit with program funding reductions. SRS payments were most recently reauthorized for a two-year authorization (Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020) as part of the $1.37 trillion Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 package. States should receive the released funds within 5-7 business days.
The USFS news release regarding distribution of SRS payments can be accessed here. Detailed USFS Federal SRS payment reports, including Title II funds, can be accessed here.
RCRC continues to advocate for a permanent solution to SRS funding rather than lobbying Congress every year to reauthorize and fund. As such RCRC is supporting legislation by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) – known as the Forest Management for Rural Stability Act - which would make permanent the SRS program by creating an endowment fund to ensure forest counties receive stable, long-term payments not subject to the annual appropriations process.