Welcome to Skagit County

March 21st, 2005

COMMISSIONERS LAUD MURRAY AND CANTWELL FOR CO-SPONSORING SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS FUNDING REAUTHORIZATION BILL

SKAGIT COUNTY – The Board of Skagit County Commissioners submitted a letter today to United States Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell thanking them for co-sponsoring the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. More than 4,400 rural schools in the West receive funds from this act. If re-authorized, this bill would provide $300 million for roads and schools in National Forest-dependent counties. In addition to school funding, more than $600,000 was allocated in Skagit and Whatcom County in 2004 for projects for road maintenance and restoration of streams and watersheds. $625,000 is the anticipated allocation for 2005.

“Skagit County has more 538,817 acres of federal forest lands that are tax exempt. This program and the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program help offset our local government expenses for jurisdictional responsibilities on federal lands,” said Skagit County Commissioner Ted Anderson.

In 1908, in response to opposition to the creation of the National Forest System in the West, Congress passed a bill creating revenue sharing to offset the effects of removing lands from economic development. The 1908 Act specified that 25 percent of all revenues generated from the management of National Forests would be shared with the counties to support public schools and roads.

The Act worked well for counties until 1985 when the multi-use of National Forest Lands dropped sharply. Most counties saw a decline of more than 85 percent in revenues do to the reduction of timber harvesting.

“Both of our United Senators, Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray are playing a key role in making sure this Act is re-authorized,” said Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt. “We appreciate the support for the rural counties.”

Both Murray and Cantwell have been strong supporters of the PILT Act, (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) that helps counties offset the costs incurred by federal employees and families and the users of public lands. Portions of these funds can be deposited into the General fund to help offset expenses for jurisdictional responsibilities on public lands. Since 1997, Skagit County has received more than $6 million in PILT funding.

For further information, contact: Dan Berentson
Communications Director
360-419-3461