Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted to approve funding for the Secure Rural Schools program that provides critical support for schools, transportation infrastructure and public safety in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. The Secure Rural Schools program compensates counties for their lost ability to develop or use federally managed lands.

“Secure Rural Schools funding keeps teachers in classrooms and cops on the beat in Northwest Washington,” Larsen said. “These dollars are fair compensation for Northwest counties that include so many federally managed lands.”

In 2012, Whatcom County received $908,504, Skagit County received $639,849 and Snohomish County received $737,202 in Secure Rural Schools funding, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Secure Rural Schools program, included in H.R. 527 which the House passed tonight, will be extended for one year. For more on the Secure Rural Schools program, click here.