[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 6, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S2718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAIG:
  S. 779. A bill to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community 
Self-Determination Act of 2000; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a one year only 
reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-
Determination Act.
  For the last six years, this Act has provided critical funding to our 
rural schools and counties and has built collaboration on the ground 
through the accomplishments of the Resource Advisory Committees.
  Unfortunately Congress has not been able to reauthorize P.L. 106-393 
and I do not feel the schools and counties should become victims while 
we in Congress negotiate a path forward.
  Thus, I am introducing this bill today and will work to include it in 
any legislation that is being considered by the Senate.
  The Act has been an enormous success in achieving and even surpassing 
the goals of Congress. This Act has restored programs for students in 
rural schools and prevented the closure of numerous isolated rural 
schools. It has been a primary funding mechanism to provide rural 
school students with educational opportunities comparable to suburban 
and urban students. Over 4,400 rural schools receive funds because of 
this Act.
  Next, the Act has allowed rural county road districts and county road 
departments to address the severe maintenance backlog. Snow removal has 
been restored for citizens, tourists, and school buses. Bridges have 
been upgraded and replaced and culverts that are hazardous to fish 
passage have been upgraded and replaced.
  In addition, over 70 Resource Advisory Committees, or RACs have been 
formed. These RAC's cover our largest 150 forest counties. Nationally 
these 15-person diverse RAC stakeholder committees have studied and 
approved over 2,500 projects on Federal forestlands and adjacent public 
and private lands. These projects have addressed a wide variety of 
improvements drastically needed on our National Forests. Projects have 
included fuels reduction, habitat improvement, watershed restoration, 
road maintenance and rehabilitation, reforestation, campground and 
trail improvement, and noxious weed eradication.
  The accomplishments of this Act over the last few years are positive 
and substantial. This law should be extended so it can continue to 
benefit the forest counties, their schools, and continue to contribute 
to improving the health of our National Forests.
  If we do not work to reauthorize this Act, all of the progress of the 
last six years will be lost. Schools in timber dependant communities 
will lose a substantial part of their funding. These school districts 
will have to start making tough budget decisions such as keeping or 
canceling after school programs, sports programs, music programs, and 
trying to determine what is the basic educational needs of our 
children. Next, counties will have to reprioritize road maintenance so 
that only the essential services of the county are met because that is 
all they will be able to afford.
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