PORTLAND, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington is announcing $29.4 million in payments to 18 western Oregon counties under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The payments are made in lieu of timber harvest receipts based on a formula set by Congress.
“We’re committed to sustainable forest management as part of our multiple-use and sustained yield mission,” said BLM Oregon/Washington State Director Barry Bushue. “This work supports local economies and provides family-wage jobs for our neighbors, and with the funds we are able to support critical community services like education and public safety.”
The BLM manages 2.4 million acres of Oregon and California Railroad Revested Lands in 18 western Oregon counties for sustainable timber harvest. The lands are some of the most productive timberlands in the world. In addition to sustainable timber harvest, BLM-managed forests are home to valuable fish and wildlife habitat, world-class recreational opportunities, cultural and historic resources, and wild and scenic rivers.
Of the $29 million, roughly $2.6 million will be set aside for cooperative Title II projects. Authorized by the Western Oregon Resource Advisory Committee, these projects aim to improve the health of public lands, and can include wildfire hazard reduction, stream and watershed restoration, forest road maintenance, road decommissioning or obliteration, control of noxious weeds, improvement of fish and wildlife habitat, and opportunities for youth training and employment.
Additional information about the Western Oregon Resource Advisory Committee is available at: www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/oregon-washington/western-oregon-rac
Total Secure Rural Schools Funding by County:
| County | Total SRS Funding TitleS I, II & III |
| Benton | $ 776,095.50 |
| Clackamas | $ 903,107.53 |
| Columbia | $ 586,072.40 |
| Coos | $ 1,831,999.48 |
| Curry | $ 1,081,516.90 |
| Douglas | $ 8,291,539.65 |
| Jackson | $ 4,139,275.20 |
| Josephine | $ 3,866,625.33 |
| Klamath | $ 830,370.72 |
| Lane | $ 4,332,448.20 |
| Lincoln | $ 114,720.29 |
| Linn | $ 825,256.64 |
| Marion | $ 435,387.38 |
| Multnomah | $ 180,104.98 |
| Polk | $ 723,691.54 |
| Tillamook | $ 191,224.81 |
| Washington | $ 98,869.30 |
| Yamhill | $ 206,538.90 |
-BLM-
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.