April 19, 2023

Wyden, Merkley: More than $45 Million in Secure Rural Schools Funds to Oregon Counties

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Oregon counties will receive more than $45 million in payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) for school and road maintenance, youth job training, wildfire prevention, watershed restoration and habitat conservation.

“I’m glad the Secure Rural Schools law continues to pay huge dividends for rural America with Oregon leading the way and securing more than $45 million this year in federal investment for schools, roads, wildfire prevention and more in our state,” said Wyden, who co-authored the original SRS law in 2000 and secured three additional years of funding for the SRS program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “This federal investment in counties across our state provides a lifeline for Oregonians working on solutions that make their communities safer and better.”

“Secure Rural Schools payments are crucial investments in our rural communities and help provide vital services, ranging from schools to infrastructure and public safety,” said Merkley. “These funds will help ensure Oregon counties with federal forest lands have the resources they need for basic services, and I’ll keep fighting to uphold the federal government’s promises to rural Oregon.” 

The $228 million for the SRS program nationwide provides critical funding for schools, roads, and other municipal services to more than 700 counties across the nation. A portion of U.S. Forest Service funds generated through multi-use activities, such as grazing, timber production, and special use permits supports rural counties with federal forestland to improve the health of forested communities, and can include improving schools and roads, preventing wildfire, stream and watershed restoration, improvement of fish and wildlife habitat, and opportunities for youth training and employment. 

The county-by-county breakdown for the $45.6 million in Oregon is as follows:

  • Baker, $841,859
  • Benton, $107,255
  • Clackamas, $1.046 million
  • Coos $201,751
  • Crook, $1.18 million
  • Curry, $1.60 million
  • Deschutes, $1.00 million
  • Douglas, $6.10 million
  • Grant, $3.55 million
  • Harney, $1.34 million
  • Hood River, $517,806
  • Jackson, $1.44 million
  • Jefferson, $444,539
  • Josephine, $838,182
  • Klamath, $5.92 million
  • Lake, $2.29 million
  • Lane, $7.73 million
  • Lincoln, $1.29 million
  • Linn, $2.82 million
  • Malheur, $726
  • Marion, $1.03 million
  • Morrow, $175,726
  • Multnomah, $160,993
  • Polk, $3,499
  • Tillamook, $710,770
  • Umatilla, $95,182
  • Union, $698,635
  • Wallowa, $1.04 million
  • Wasco, $735,346
  • Wheeler, $570,450
  • Yamhill, $156,505