CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR VOTES TO INCREASE PILT, FOREST FIRE FUNDING

Washington, DC – Congressman John Salazar (CO-03) voted today for the annual funding bill for the Department of the Interior and other related agencies.  As passed, the bill would increase federal spending on the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program and forest fire suppression in addition to adding new funding for the Arkansas Valley Conduit project.

“While I am disappointed we could not do more for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, this bill is a vast improvement over last year’s bill,” Salazar said.  “In addition to the improvements made this year, I am pleased that the Committee included my request for $675,000 for the Arkansas Valley Conduit – a project of vital importance to the residents of the Lower Arkansas Valley.”

Salazar offered an amendment to the bill to increase funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program in by $16 million.  PILT dollars help counties in rural areas who contain federal lands to pay for local infrastructure projects including roads and schools.

“I was proud to stand with my colleagues from the West to increase funding for PILT,” Salazar added.  “We think its only fair that the federal government assist local communities who have large tracts of federal land within their boundary; land where property tax revenues cannot be collected.”

In addition to funding for PILT and for the Arkansas Valley Conduit, the bill also increased funding for the following programs:

• $64 million for forest fire suppression costs;
• $41 million for daily operations costs at the national parks;
• $10 million for EPA water quality research; and,
• $18 million for expanded EPA diesel emissions program.