WASHINGTON — The Department of Interior has allocated nearly $2.3 million in additional Payment in Lieu of Taxes funds to rural Montana counties.
Nationwide, nearly $34.5 million in additional PILT funds were issued last week by the department.
“These payments are welcome news for numerous Montana communities who have suffered from severe economic challenges due to declining timber harvests and natural resource production,” Sen. Steve Daines said in a news release. “The PILT program provides critical support for Montana’s rural and forested counties.”
The new payments boost the 2015 total to more than $29 million paid to Montana counties due to nontaxable federal lands within their borders. Nationwide, the payments for 2015 total $439 million.
“These payments are welcome news for numerous Montana communities who have suffered from severe economic challenges due to declining timber harvests and natural resource production,” Sen. Steve Daines said in a news release. “The PILT program provides critical support for Montana’s rural and forested counties.”
The new payments boost the 2015 total to more than $29 million paid to Montana counties due to nontaxable federal lands within their borders. Nationwide, the payments for 2015 total $439 million.