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Board backs reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools funding, citing school and road impacts
Summary
Lake County supervisors voted unanimously to send a letter supporting federal reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program (HR 1383), which provides in-lieu funds historically derived from national-forest timber receipts and supports local schools and road maintenance.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors on April 1 approved a letter of support for HR 1383, legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program.
Brock (staff/advocate) briefed the board on the program’s background: the original Forest Reserve Act historically directed 25% of timber-sale revenues toward local governments and schools. As timber sales declined, Congress established the SRS program to provide transition funding; funding has been temporary and subject to reauthorization. Lake County typically received roughly $465,000 in SRS funds in fiscal 2023; historically about half of that amount has been used for school-related allocations (including modest school-district distributions and program support) and the remainder for county purposes such as road maintenance and traffic-calming measures around schools.
The board voted 5-0 to authorize the chair to sign a letter to the county’s congressional delegation supporting HR 1383, which backers say will restore or extend payments to counties and schools that have relied on the revenues. Board members said the funds are important for local education programs and road safety work and noted the statewide advocacy coordinated through county associations. County staff said SRS shortfalls could affect small school districts most heavily and reduce county funds available for school-area signage, pavement markings and traffic studies.
