The USDA Forest Service has determined its 2022 annual payments to counties in which National Forest System Lands occur.

In Indiana, the Hoosier National Forest administers land in nine counties, Monroe, Brown, Jackson, Lawrence, Orange, Martin, Dubois, Crawford and Perry, all of which will receive funding through the agency’s Secure Rural Schools Program.

The program was reauthorized for fiscal years 2021 through 2023 by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

These Indiana counties will receive a total of $230,545, while nationally, $228 million will be paid to 742 eligible counties in 41 states and Puerto Rico to support public schools, roads and other municipal services.

Jackson County’s total payment is $23,708.97 for an average of $1.03 per acre of the 23,684 acres of Hoosier National Forest located the county in 2o22. The Hoosier National Forest acreage is located in the far northwestern part of the county.

“The Secure Rural Schools program is one of many ways the Forest Service provides continuous support to communities across the country,” Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said. “Not only do these dollars provide funding for schools and roads, but the program also reimburses counties for providing emergency services on national forests and supports the development of community wildfire protection plans, all critical programs designed to improve the quality of life in these communities.”

In addition to the SRS program payments, the Forest Service will distribute a total of $512,927 to the nine Indiana counties for Payments In Lieu of Taxes for 2023.

Jackson County is slated to received $52,737 based on 23,694 acres of Hoosier National Forest reported this year.

PILT payments help local governments carry out such vital services as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. To date, including the fiscal year (FY) 2023 payments, nearly $11.4 billion in payments have been made to local governments. PILT payments may be used by local jurisdictions for any governmental purpose.

For payment information by county for these programs, visit Secure Rural Schools – Payments | US Forest Service or Payment in Lieu of Taxes (doi.gov).