The U.S. Forest Service recently allocated $248 million via the Secure Rural Schools program, benefiting counties nationwide, including over $14 million for Montana counties. Western states, especially Montana, receive significant funding due to federal land. The state’s congressional delegation played a crucial role in pushing a bill to reauthorize the program through Congress last year.
In 2023, Congress let the program lapse, causing uncertainty for many counties. “Secure Rural Schools is a commitment to communities like ours that live with the reality of federal land ownership every day,” stated Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Republican from western Montana. He emphasized the importance of federal responsibility in maintaining infrastructure and supporting local services, especially when timber sales stall due to environmental challenges.
Since its inception in 2000, the Secure Rural Schools program has supported rural counties with extensive federal land. The U.S. Forest Service distributes payments, calculated using a formula based on factors like economic activity and timber harvests, to fund schools, road maintenance, and other essential services.
A funding bill co-sponsored by Montana Republican Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy was passed by the Senate in June, with the House voting in December. This authorization covers retroactive payments for 2024 and extends the program through 2026.
Within Montana, northwest counties, historically reliant on the timber industry, receive substantial payments. Lincoln County is set to receive $3.6 million, with Sanders and Flathead Counties receiving $1.4 million and just under $1 million, respectively.
