RCRC Vice Chair Stacy Corless Highlights the Need for Permanent PILT and SRS Funding

As Americans are under public health restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, many are turning to the nation’s public lands for recreation. But the public-land counties that contain National Forests and National Parks are facing heightened financial burdens amid the coronavirus economic crisis. In an opinion piece published earlier this week, Mono County Supervisor and RCRC Vice Chair, Stacy Corless, highlighted the need for permanent funding of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) programs, established by Congress to provide funding for public-land counties. In California, more than 75% of U.S. Forest Service land lies within RCRC member counties.

Supervisor Corless serves as Chair of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Public Lands Management Subcommittee.