National Forest Receipts (NFR)/Secure Rural Schools Program Grant

Funder: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development

The National Forest Receipts (NFR)/Secure Rural Schools Program provides funding to states derived from national forest activities. Authorized by a 1908 law, it allocates 25% of the annual income from these activities to local governments and educational areas. The program was revised in 2000 under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, establishing payments based on historical averages from 1987 to 2000, ensuring essential financial support for communities surrounding national forests.

Historically, the distribution of funds under the National Forest Receipts Program was authorized under a 1908 federal law (16 USC 500) where 25% of the annual income earned from activities within a national forest was shared with the State for distribution to boroughs, cities and regional educational attendance areas (REAAs) located within the national forest. With the passage of the "Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000," National Forest Receipts payments to the State are based upon the average of the three highest payments made to the State during the "eligibility period" of fiscal years 1987-2000.