Press Release from the USDA Forest Service
WASHINGTON,
April 14, 2023 –
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service today announced it is
issuing more than $228 million to support public schools, roads and other
municipal services through the agency’s Secure Rural Schools program. The program was
reauthorized for fiscal years 2021 through 2023 by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funds will be paid to 742
eligible counties in 41 states and Puerto Rico.
“The
Secure Rural Schools program is one of many ways the Forest Service provides
continuous support to communities across the country” said Forest Service Chief
Randy Moore. “Not only do these dollars provide funding for schools and roads,
but the program also reimburses counties for providing emergency services on
national forests and supports the development of community wildfire protection
plans, all critical programs designed to improve the quality of life in these
communities.”
The Forest
Service retains some of the funding to support projects that improve forest
conditions and support jobs in rural communities. Resource advisory committees made up of residents representing
varied interests and areas of expertise review and recommend the projects that
meet their local needs.
In
addition to Secure Rural Schools payments, the Forest Service is using
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding to improve
forest conditions, support local economies and create jobs by investing in
forest restoration projects, road and trail maintenance, recreation
opportunities and wood innovation development.
Over the
past 10 years, the Forest Service has distributed $2.4 billion through the Secure Rural Schools program. This year’s payments to
states are below.
- Alabama: $1,592,935
- Alaska: $10,493,105
- Arizona: $9,382,509
- Arkansas: $5,240,717
- California: $32,535,506
- Colorado: $11,920,745
- Florida: $2,165,753
- Georgia: $1,201,669
- Idaho: $22,993,216
- Illinois: $219,617
- Indiana: $230,545
- Kentucky: $1,218,658
- Louisiana: $1,540,415
- Maine: $62,592
- Michigan: $3,058,004
- Minnesota: $2,111,545
- Mississippi: $4,344,135
- Missouri: $2,678,719
- Montana: $14,255,025
- Nebraska: $169,974
- Nevada: $3,411,616
- New Hampshire: $428,027
- New Mexico: $9,588,527
- New York: $17,905
- North Carolina: $1,383,685
- North Dakota: $289
- Ohio: $213,428
- Oklahoma: $784,344
- Oregon: $45,656,904
- Pennsylvania: $2,827,147
- Puerto Rico: $167,296
- South Carolina: $1,382,911
- South Dakota: $1,233,941
- Tennessee: $1,022,448
- Texas: $1,852,860
- Utah: $7,659,122
- Vermont: $293,711
- Virginia: $1,392,356
- Washington: $14,562,647
- West Virginia: $1,391,968
- Wisconsin: $1,539,177
- Wyoming: $4,422,350
TOTAL:
$228,648,043
For
payment information by county, visit Secure Rural Schools - Payments |
US Forest Service.
No comments:
Post a Comment