Every year agency budgets direct billions of dollars to address all too familiar emergency situations such as uncharacteristically severe wildfire, insect and disease outbreaks, and soil erosion that threaten water supplies and fisheries while still failing to address underlying restoration needs. Rural communities face these environmental challenges while they struggle to create and maintain educational opportunity, local employment, access to health care and safe, affordable housing.

 RVCC Key Recommendations:

1. Create budget line items for comprehensive restoration and stewardship and collaboration.
2. Restructure agency allocation and accountability systems.
3. Establish and fund a capacity building program for rural communities and businesses.
4. Support reauthorization of county payments.

 Read the FY 2009 Appropriations Issue Paper.