SEATTLE (March 20, 2007) -- “The Wilderness Society applauds the multi-year proposal announced today by Democratic Senators from six western states to provide secure funding for rural schools and counties. This important proposal will provide reliable funding to over 4,400 schools and support other vital county programs.

“The Senators’ plan will prevent a catastrophic cut-off of funding that has threatened many communities – especially in the Pacific Northwest – due to the failure of the 109th Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The proposed formula will provide full funding in 2007 and then phase down federal payments by 10% per year, giving the 770 counties in 39 states time to adjust their budgets gradually.

“The plan will also benefit hundreds of counties throughout the West through full funding of the Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Western communities have been short-changed for too long by chronic under-funding of PILT.

“We are very pleased that the Senators have rejected the Bush Administration’s extremely controversial scheme to fund county payments through the sale of national forest lands.

“We encourage others in Congress to join in support of this balanced and well-crafted plan to ensure adequate funding for rural communities adjacent to public lands.”