Self-Sufficient Community Lands Act

The Self-Sufficient Communities Lands Act is a bill that has been proposed to generate dependable economic activity for counties and local governments through sustainable forest management. If passed, revenue from the bill will replace the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act in its essential function of channeling funding to rural schools in Idaho. Therefore, the passing of this bill has a large impact on the people living in these communities. The timber industry in Idaho provides a lot of revenue, but many factors come into play when these forests become managed by the local communities. The factors that determine whether a community forest can be successful or fail by looking at other community forests have been identified. In considering these factors, we feel that at this time there is not enough clear evidence that it should be passed or that it would be successful. More research needs to be done on the challenges and benefits of implementing a program that includes local natural resources, private firms and community oversight