Citizens sought for Resource Advisory Committee
The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland are seeking nominees to fill vacancies on its 15-member Resource Advisory Committee,, which reviews projects funded by the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
RAC members review proposed land management projects on or adjacent to national forest lands in Deschutes, Crook, Klamath and Wheeler Counties. They then make recommendations to the Forest Service in accordance with the Act on which projects should be funded. The Forest Service seeks committee members committed to working collaboratively with other interests for the long-term benefit of national forest system lands. The nomination period ends June 30, 2015.
Committee members are nominated by the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland and must be approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. Members serve a three-year term without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. Day-long meetings are generally held yearly at the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Counsel Offices in Bend and project monitoring field trips may be associated with the committee’s work.
Members must reside within the State in which the RAC is located, and to the extent practicable within the RAC boundary. Prospective members are advised that membership on a RAC calls for a substantial commitment of time and energy.
These committees are to be balanced and diverse with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, and local people. Specifically, the composition of each RAC is to be balanced according to the following three interest categories identified in Public Law 106-393:
Category One: five persons who represent one or more of the following interests:
Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups
Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities
Energy and mineral development Commercial timber industry Commercial or recreational fishing interests Federal grazing permit holders or land use permit holders within the RAC area
Non industrial private forest land owners
Category Two: five persons who represent one or more of the following interests:
Nationally recognized environmental organizations
Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations Dispersed recreation activities Archaeological and historical interests Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse or burro groups Wildlife or hunting organizations Watershed associations
Category Three: five persons who represent one or more of the following interests:
State-elected office holders or their designee
County or local elected office holders
American Indian tribal representatives from tribes within or adjacent to RAC areas
School officials or teachers
Citizens representing the affected public at large
On April 16, 2015, Congress passed a two year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The Act authorizes use of RACs as a mechanism for local community collaboration with federal land managers in recommending projects that benefit natural resources.
Those interested in applying may nominate themselves. Letters of support are helpful, but not required. When selections are made, the appointed voting member will become part of the 15-member RAC.
RAC application forms and information on Title II legislation is located on the Deschutes National Forest web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/deschutes/workingtogether/advisorycommittees (scroll to the middle of the page for the link to the application form).
For additional information, contact Sean Ferrell, Deschutes National Forest, 63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR 97701, 541-383-5576. Completed application packets should be sent to Ferrell by June 30, 2015, at the same address.
Nominees will be evaluated based on their education, training and experience working within the interest area they represent. Consideration is also made for their knowledge of the geographic area covered by the RAC, demonstrated commitment to collaborative resource decision-making, and contribution to the balance and diversity of the RAC.
Equal opportunity practices, in line with U.S. Department of Agriculture policies, shall be followed in all membership appointments to the committee. Membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women and persons with disabilities to ensure the recommendations of the committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department. RACs are authorized under Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (Public Law 106-393).
