WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 16, 2012 - Today, the Committee will mark up H.R. 4019, the Federal Forest County Revenue, Schools and Jobs Act of 2012, a long-term solution that would provide rural counties with a stable revenue stream, create jobs and grow rural economies.
Numerous national and local organizations, including local officials from 70 counties in 13 states, have contacted Congress to show their support for Committee efforts to create a sustainable revenue stream for rural counties by restoring active, healthy forest management.
What They’re Saying:
National Association of Counties
“NACO applauds the Committee’s commitment to addressing job creation and enhancement of rural forest economies by addressing the Federal governments continued inability to effectively manage our federal lands. On behalf of the nation’s 3,068 counties, I thank you for your continued support for these programs critical to America’s counties."
California Farm Bureau Federation
“Active forest management particularly makes sense in California, as each year we experience more catastrophic wildfires, primarily as a result of immense fuel loading being created in our national forests…This bill works to address a very important issue in our rural communities."
Ron Walter, Chelan County Commissioner, WA State
“Elected county officials would prefer to share in the revenue from production in healthy forests that are a part of our community fabric, whether those lands are generating biomass or timber products, mineral, energy production, recreation or grazing. Effective management of our federal forests will create much needed, family-wage jobs in our resource dependent communities while providing sufficient revenue sharing to county governments and schools through the historic 25% revenue sharing agreements."
American Land Rights Association
“This legislation is another excellent step in Chairman Hastings ongoing efforts to promote responsible forest management and benefit rural communities."
American Loggers Council
“This is good, common sense legislation that will create jobs and help to restore the health of our nation's public forest lands. Timber dependent communities across the nation need the funds that sustainable forest management can provide for both schools and county road improvement projects."
Organizations:
American Land Rights Association
American Loggers Council
California Farm Bureau Federation
Federal Forest Resource Coalition
Louisiana Forestry Association
National Association of Counties
Off-Road Business Association
Oregon Women in Timber
Partnership for Rural America
Public Lands Council
Counties:
Ada County, Idaho
Angelina County, Texas
Bonner County, Idaho
Box Elder County, Utah
Cache County, Utah
Calaveras County, California
Cherokee County, North Carolina
Clallam County, Washington
Clark County, Idaho
Cowlitz County, Washington
Curry County, Oregon
Custer County, South Dakota
Del Norte County, California
Douglas County, Oregon
Duchesne County, Utah
El Dorado County, California
Fannin County, Georgia
Ferry County, Washington
Fremont County, Idaho
Glenn County, California
Granite County, Montana
Grays Harbor County, Washington
Houston County, Texas
Humboldt County, California
Idaho County, Idaho
Iron County, Utah
Jackson County, North Carolina
Jackson County, Oregon
Jefferson County, Montana
Jefferson County, Oregon
Lake County, Oregon
Lassen County, California
Liberty County, Florida
Lincoln County, Montana
Macon County, North Carolina
Marion County, Oregon
Mariposa County, California
Mendocino County, California
Modoc County, California
Mono County, California
Murray County, Georgia
Nevada County, California
Newton County, Texas
Otero County, New Mexico
Pendleton County, West Virginia
Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Polk County, Oregon
Randolph County, West Virginia
Sabine County, Texas
San Augustine County, Texas
Sevier County, Utah
Shelby County, Texas
Shoshone County, Idaho
Sierra County, California
Sierra County, New Mexico
Skagit County, Washington
Skamania County, Washington
Snohomish County, Washington
Stevens County, Washington
Tehama County, California
Tillamook County, Oregon
Union County, Georgia
Wakulla County, Florida
Wallowa County, Oregon
Wasatch County, Utah
Wasco County, Oregon
Washington County, Idaho
Washington County, Oregon
Washington County, Utah
Yuba County, California
