Oregon Public Broadcasting

In spite of efforts to cushion the blow from the loss of federal timber payments, a new study shows that many counties are still going to be hit hard. Rob Manning reports.

All but three Oregon counties have received money meant to replace revenues from federal timber-cutting. 

The loss of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act means roads in a handful of counties could degrade to “gravel.”

That's according to the governor’s task force on county payments. But a survey conducted by Oregon State University found that three-quarters of counties losing money already lack the funds to cover road maintenance.

Bruce Webber, with OSU’s Rural Studies Department, co-authored the study.

Bruce Webber: “This is a problem of enormous magnitude for many of these counties. And the way our system is set up, these counties are not going to be able to grow their way out of this.”

Webber says the difficult economic environment exacerbates county funding problems.

Members of Oregon’s congressional delegation have so far been unable to pass legislation renewing the payments.