November 14, 2024 3:30 a.m.

A bipartisan bill to reauthorize the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program through 2026, was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate on Monday night.

A release from Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said the legislation was introduced by Wyden and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Wyden and Crapo were joined by Senator Merkley and Idaho’s other Senator Jim Risch in reintroducing the legislation this year.

Wyden said, “Building on a history of bipartisanship, today, the Senate reiterated its support for rural communities”. Wyden said, “..Once we’ve completed the remaining work to secure this three-year extension, I will be using it as a bridge to a permanent fix for providing services to rural Oregonians and Americans in every corner of our country”.

Merkley said, “Our bipartisan bill provides reliable funding that is crucial in keeping schools and libraries open, maintaining roads, restoring watersheds, and ensuring there are police officers and firefighters to keep communities safe”. Merkley said, “The Senate did its job and now the House must swiftly pass this bill to extend the SRS program so Oregon communities can maintain access to these important lifelines and resources”.

4th District Congresswoman Val Hoyle and Representatives Joe Neguse of Colorado and Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The release said SRS was authored by Wyden and enacted in 2000 to financially assist counties with public, tax-exempt forestlands. The Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management administer the funds. The totals are based on a formula including economic activity, timber harvest levels and other considerations that vary from county to county. SRS payments are critical to maintain education programs for many rural counties that contain federal lands exempt from property taxes, according to the release.