Secure Rural Schools Program

Secure Rural Schools Program is sponsored by U.S. Forest Service. This program provides funding for schools, roads, and other municipal services to eligible counties. While not directly focused on mapping, the funds can be used for projects that support schools, which might include infrastructure improvements where mapping could be a component.

Secure Rural Schools Program | US Forest Service Secure Rural Schools Program The Secure Rural Schools program provides critical funding for schools, roads, and other municipal services to more than 700 counties across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The Forest Service was established in 1905 with 56 million acres of land. By 1910, the amount of National Forest System land tripled to 172 million acres.

Today, the agency manages approximately 196 million acres. Congress ratified the Act of May 23, 1908, as a measure to support rural counties whose tax base was limited by the growing amount of Federal land. A portion of Forest Service funds generated through multi-use activities, such as grazing, timber production, and special use permits, are distributed to eligible counties to help maintain local roads and schools.

By the year 2000, after decades of declining agency revenues, Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act to help stabilize the funds available to rural counties. Payments are divided into three distinct categories, or Titles: Title I for roads and schools, Title II for projects on Federal lands, and Title III for county projects.

Retroactive Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments for FY 2024 were distributed to states on February 20, 2026, following enactment of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 (Public Law 119-58) on December 18, 2025. Congress reauthorized Secure Rural Schools payments through FY 2026, including retroactive payments for FY 2024 and FY 2025. Secure Rural Schools projects must be initiated by Sept.

30, 2028, and project funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2029. Any funds, including funds from previous years, can be used.

2024 payments 1908 Act (amended) were distributed to states in April 2025. 2024 payments are subjected to 5. 7% sequestration reduction.

Payment reports do not include a sequestration reduction except the new Final Total Payment Report. Secure Rural Schools County Allocation Election Training (PPTX, 1. 04 MB) and recording .

The payment and title allocation elections forms were sent to the States Treasurer’s office via email on 6/16/23. Payment elections (1908 Act Amended vs SRS) must be submitted to the Forest Service by August 1, 2023, and title allocation (Title I, II, III percentages) must be submitted by September 30, 2023.

States working with their counties are encouraged to submit both the payment and title allocation election by the August 1st deadline. The Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee Charter (PDF, 274 KB) allows committees the flexibility to meet virtually. All committees are encouraged to utilize this flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notices of virtual meetings will be published in the Federal Register at least 15 days in advance. Contact Brianna Gallegos to find a local Resource Advisory Committee coordinator or for general questions about Forest Service Secure Rural Schools Program. Please allow at least two business days for a response.

If you have questions about the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, need support, or would like additional information, please contact the Secure Rural Schools team at SM. FS. SRSInbox@usda.

gov .