USDA Forest Service Invests in Rural Communities

Revenue Sharing Program to Aid Schools and Improve Roads WASHINGTON More than $389 million is being distributed to 41 states and Puerto Rico for public schools and roads and specific county programs. Since 1908, 25 percent of Forest Service revenues from timber sales, mineral leases, recreation, grazing and other sources have been shared with states and counties in which national forest lands are located. In the 1980s Forest Service revenues began to decline, largely as a result of changes in social values and diminished timber sales volume. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 authorized enhanced and gradually declining payments to ease the transition to reduced federal revenues. Counties received more than $2.5 billion over seven years until the Act expired in September 2007. In 2008, the Congress extended the program four more years, through 2011. Under the extended Act states and counties will receive another $1.7 billion to help transition to reduced payment levels. In addition to payments for schools and roads, the Secure Rural Schools Act supports Firewise Communities programs, reimburses counties for emergency services on national forests and funds development of community wildfire protection plans. Secretary Vilsack also highlighted the Act's successful Title II program that provides additional funding for projects recommended by local resource advisory committees to maintain national forest infrastructure, improve the health of watersheds and ecosystems, provide employment and strengthen local economies. The payments table displays the distribution of payments to Puerto Rico and the 41 states in which national forests are located. More information on the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act is on the web at www.fs.fed.us/srs The Forest Service manages approximately 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. For more information, visit: www.fs.fed.us.