Cantwell Applauds Bush Administration's Decision to Support Timber Payments Program
Just weeks after hesitating to support extension of "county payments" program, Administration official vows to help find funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a hearing today of the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, a U.S. Forest Service official backed off the Administration's initial hesitance to support extension of the "county payments" program. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, a member of the subcommittee and strong supporter of the program, welcomed the news.
Since 2001, the county payments program has provided some $2 billion for schools and roads in communities in Washington and other states that have lost timber income due to changes in federal forest policies. (see county-by-county data below)
"I'm encouraged to hear that the Administration now recognizes how important this funding is for our rural communities," Cantwell said. "My hope now is that they will meet their commitment to help Congress find funding in the federal budget. Those of us from the Northwest understand that the county payments program is the lifeblood of many of our communities. It's helping keep these counties fiscally solvent."
At today's hearing, Undersecretary Mark Rey said the Bush Administration will support efforts to extend the county payments program, which expires at the end of the year, and will also help Senators find funding in the federal budget.
"This is a tough year for the federal budget," Cantwell said. "But timber revenue declines have meant years of tough times for these communities, and we need to make sure they continue to have the vital resources they need to educate their children and repair their roads."
Cantwell and a bipartisan group of four other North west senators sent a letter last Friday to the Senate Budget Committee, requesting full funding for the county payments program. The Senate's version of the federal budget will be marked up by the Budget Committee over the next few days. (see text of letter below)
In addition to Cantwell, the letter was signed by Senators Murray (D-WA), Wyden (D-OR), Smith (R-OR), Craig (R-ID), and Bennett (R-UT).
Cantwell is also a cosponsor of legislation (S. 267) that would extend these vital payments through 2014.
The Administration's announcement of support is a reversal from an earlier position, expressed during a subcommittee hearing on February 8. At that hearing, Rey did not endorse an extension of the program, citing the "difficult budget environment."
The text of the Senators' letter follows below:
March 4, 2005
Judd Gregg Kent Conrad Chairman Ranking Member U.S. Senate Budget Committee U.S. Senate Budget Committee 624 Dirksen 624 Dirksen Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Chairman Gregg and Senator Conrad:
We are writing to urge your inclusion in the Senate Budget Resolution language that would continue the current baseline funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000.
The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-393) will sunset in FY 2007. A bill to extend this very successful law through FY 2013 has been introduced and is being considered by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. We respectfully urge that the upcoming Budget Resolution include this extension in its "outyear" assumptions. It is imperative to forest dependent rural communities in over 40 states and in over 700 counties nationwide that this law continue and continue to be funded. This law has been revolutionary in making the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management more responsive to these communities.
We realize that the current budgetary situation limits our ability to fully fund all federal priorities. However, this law has been invaluable in leveraging other state and private money, as well as good will.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY DATA:
County Full 2004
Payment Amount Asotin $142,603 Chelan $2,751,520 Clallam $2,388,295 Clark $15,087 Columbia $422,746 Cowlitz $424,503 Ferry $931,985 Garfield $253,069 Grays Harbor $703,820 Jefferson $3,221,181 King $2,229,468 Kittitas $1,042,864 Klickitat $171,434 Lewis $5,258,962 Mason $757,658 Okanogan $2,193,301 Pend Oreille $1,149,300 Pierce $804,262 Skagit $1,295,107 Skamania $10,850,871 Snohomish $2,250,032 Stevens $439,177 Thurston $3,927 Walla Walla $6,407 Whatcom $2,085,315 Yakima $3,470,117 TOTAL $45,263,011
SOURCE: U. S. Forest Service:
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