H. R. 517, the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Reauthorization Act of 2005 maintains funding for schools, roads and other public safety in more than 700 counties in 39 states with large federal land holdings.
Background
It has been the intent and policy of the federal government to hold rural communities harmless for the creation of federal lands. Since 1906 Congress recognized that the presence of federal lands could create a hardship for many counties as they provide little revenue or commerce. Several times during the 1900’s, the federal government passed laws protecting communities by requiring that local governments be given payments for federal land to be spent on schools and roads. It was recognized that viable communities adjacent to the public lands, with adequate roads and schools, were essential to the development and preservation of these national treasures.
During the 1990s, the federal payments to states, local governments, and schools were severely affected by reductions in receipts collected from the sale of timber from national forests and certain Bureau of Land Management lands. These receipts, as well as the economies supported by the harvest of timber, were critical to rural education, transportation, and local economies. Payments to many counties and schools from receipt collections declined by an average of 70% from 1986 through 1998.
In 2000, Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, Public Law 106-393 with the strong support of the National Grange. The Act restored historical payment levels made to states and counties from the federal government for road and school purposes. Under certain conditions, it provided for the creation of citizen advisory committees, public lands projects, and county projects that meet specific criteria. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act provided for a six-year period to test new concepts for allocating funds, and for participation by citizens who have a vested interest in management of the public lands. However, the Act expires in 2006 and needs reauthorization.
Bill Highlights
- Amends the Act to make elections by eligible counties to receive the full payment amount with respect to payments from National Forest lands for the benefit of public education and transportation or the BLM lands for the benefit of public safety, law enforcement, education, and other public purposes effective through FY2013.
Grange Policy
Public Lands Management Practices
7. The National Grange supports legislation to require federal and state governments to pay a proportionate share of monies, in lieu of taxes, to those counties, cities, and communities that provide public services to the parks and recreational areas within their boundaries in addition to supporting federal legislation allowing national parks to keep a major portion of entrance fees to be used for the development and maintenance of recreational facilities. The National Grange opposes any change in the National Forest Acts of 1908 and 1911 which allows the use of the National Forest receipts in the county of origin for schools and roads.
Action Needed
Please e-mail your U. S. Representative and U. S. Senators urging them to vote in favor of HR 517 before the end of this session of Congress. Please feel free to cut and paste the following sample letter. If you do not know your Senators and Representatives e-mail addresses please click here to find them.
Sample e-mail:
Dear Senator/ Representative __________,
I am writing to urge you to support H.R. 517, the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Reauthorization Act of 2005. This legislation maintains funding for schools, roads and other public safety in more than 700 counties in 39 states with large federal land holdings.
During the 1990s, the federal payments to states, local governments, and schools were being severely affected by reductions in receipts collected from the sale of timber from national forests and certain Bureau of Land Management lands. In 2000 Congress restored historical payment levels made to states and counties from the federal government for road and school purposes for a six-year period. However, the Act will expire in 2006 unless it is reauthorized.
Again, please vote in favor of H. R. 517 before the end of 2006. Thank you.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
(Name)_________________
(Grange name and number) ________________
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If you have any questions or comments regarding this Action Alert, please contact Legislative Director Leroy Watson by e-mail: lwatson@nationalgrange.org by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 114.
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Thank you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative Program.
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