Mike Simpson is serving his fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Idaho's 2nd Congressional District, which includes Blaine County.
By MIKE SIMPSON
These days it doesn't seem that there are many things Republicans and Democrats agree on. However, some issues transcend party politics and become regional matters, such as funding to our public lands counties.
Western states like Nevada, Utah and Idaho have a disproportionate amount of federal land. Approximately two out of every three acres in Idaho is owned by the federal government. Two out of three! These federal lands are both a luxury and a burden to Westerners. We have access to some of the most beautiful land America has to offer. These lands provide unsurpassed recreational activities for individuals and families. Many of us can remember when we cast our first line in a mountain lake, or marveled at the majestic wildlife.
However, these vast lands come with a heavy burden. Federal lands cannot be taxed by local governments, yet these local governments are responsible for providing services to those who recreate on them. These services include emergency medical response teams, road maintenance and law enforcement. With such a large amount of federal land in some Idaho counties, local governments are left with little tax revenue, resulting in budget strains on these fundamental services. The Payment in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools programs were authorized specifically to alleviate such burdens. Unfortunately, Congress has been reluctant to fully fund PILT or reauthorize Secure Rural Schools, and as a result, Western communities suffer.
It is important to note that these lands are not set aside solely for the use of Westerners. All Americans benefit from them. As that is the case, it is simply not fair to expect small rural communities to bear 100 percent of the burden. Programs like PILT and Secure Rural Schools are justifiable means of spreading the cost of these lands to all Americans. If people on the East Coast want access to public lands, it is only fair that they bear some of the cost.
I have worked with both Republicans and Democrats on this important issue in an effort to ensure that Western counties are treated equally. Most recently, I signed a letter to the House Interior Appropriations Committee urging it to move the Department of the Interior's Fiscal Year 2009 budget toward full funding for PILT. Furthermore, I have cosponsored legislation that would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools Program and have sought alternative avenues to reauthorize it. Admittedly, much work remains to persuade members of Congress from states not faced with an overwhelming percentage of federal lands. However, I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure that our rural communities are fairly compensated for the burden of federal lands.
Mike Simpson
