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HomeMy WebLinkAbout57-11 - Res. National Forest Counties & Schools Coalition Selection of Forest Reserve Payment SystemResolution No. 7- 0 National Forest Counties & Schools Coalition Purpose: Selection of Forest Reserve Payment System Opting ire/out of 1-IR 1424 (PL 1 10-343 — Sect. 601(a), Division C) Safety N e Whereas counties having United States National Forests within their boundaries have received Forest Reserve funds for roads and schools since the passage of the Agricultural Reapportionment Act of 1908 based on revenues generated from these forests; and Whereas these counties have substantial areas of land in public ownership which can neither be developed nor taxed to generate revenue from economic activity or taxation; and Whereas during most of the 20th century Forest Reserve payments were a consistent but cyclical source of income for schools and counties; and Whereas during the past decade changes in public policy at the national revenue have substantially reduced and in some cases virtually eliminated economic activity on national forests; and Whereas the demands for education and roads have in most jurisdictions continually increased while Forest Reserve revenues have declined; and Whereas the Congress of the United States recognizing the existence of the above mentioned conditions has seen fit to pass PL 110-343, which provides a four (4) year safety net whereby counties may either receive the traditional annual payment from the Forest Service (and/or BLM) or select four years of payments based on a formula provided in the legislation. Whereas PL 110-343 specifies that each forest county has an option to select either: (a) remaining on the traditional 25°,4 Forest Reserve Receipts payment system or (b) selecting the full payment system set forth in Title I of PL 110- 343; and Whereas it is understood that counties which select the PL 110-343 full payment (safety net) option are doing so for the full tour (4) year life of the bill; and Whereas it is further- understood, that those counties who select to remain on the traditional 25% Forest Reserve Receipt system, are obligating themselves for a two year period, and will have the option of changing to the PL 110-343 safety net system after the second year of the bill. BE IT TI-IEREFORE RESOLVED that Mason County and its impacted school districts, hereby select to receive their forest reserve payments as set forth below (specify one): Traditional 25% Forest Reserve Receipts — 1908 Act (7 year rolling average) X Full Safety Net Payment amount as per PL 110-343; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all jurisdictions receiving Forest Reserve Funds within Mason County receive a copy of this resolution for their official records as soon as it is officially adopted. ADOPTED this 6`I' day of September, 2011. ATr 'g1,. Shannon Gaudy, Cleric of th Board APPROVED AS TO FORM: Tim Whitehead, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIOI\ERS MASO COUNTY, WASHINP,TO\ Lyna Ring .Erickson, Ch S 1—)44 Tim Sheldon, Commissioner Vacant District No. 3, Commissioner