Secure Rural Schools - Categories Title I-III

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Resource Advisory Committees must initiate (recommend) Title II projects by September 30, 2025. Project funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2026 Title III - County Projects Funds received under Title III are used to: • carry out activities under the Firewise Communities program • reimburse the participating county for search and rescue and other emergency services, including firefighting and law enforcement patrols • cover training costs and equipment purchases directly related to the emergency service • develop and carry out community wildfire protection plans. • provide or expand access to broadband telecommunications services In years when the Secure Rural Schools Act is reauthorized by Congress, Title III payments are made from the Forest Service to states. States then distribute the payment to all eligible counties. There is a required 45-day public comment period before using Title III funds. Eligible counties must first publish in a publication of local record a proposal that describes the intended use of the county funds. The county also must submit the proposal to any Resource Advisory Committee for the participating county. Counties are required to certify use of Title III funds. Counties are required to certify use of Title III funds. • The appropriate official of a county that receives funds under Title III shall submit an annual certification that the funds have been expended for the uses authorized under section 302(a) of the Act. • Certification is to be made by February 1 of the year following the year in which the expenditures were made. • The certification may be in the form of conventional correspondence such as a letter, and at the option of the certifying official, attached tables, or similar graphic display. Or, the certification may employ the optional form OMB 0596-0220 (PDF, 39 KB). Certification of expenditures of Title III funds received from the Forest Service may be submitted by: