Deschutes advisory panel members sought

The Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee is seeking new members to serve on a committee that advises officials on projects and management issues for the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville Bureau of Land Management.

The Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) provides consensus advice to federal land management and regulatory officials on topics of strategic importance within the Deschutes Basin. The PAC is chartered by the Secretary of Agriculture, but also serves the Bureau of Land Management. The PAC is composed of local, federal, tribal, private industry, special interests, and public at large representatives.

The Deschutes PAC is seeking dedicated individuals with the following interests:

· Environmental interests,

· Different sectors of the forest products industry,

· Recreation and tourism sectors,

· Wildlife interests,

· Grazing interests, and

· Public-at-Large.

To become a member of the PAC a candidate must submit an application to the Deschutes National Forest. The Forest Service’s Regional Forester reviews the applications and then forwards them to the Secretary of Agriculture who makes the final selection. Deschutes PAC applications must be submitted by midnight on February 22, 2017 to be considered. The application and information about the application process are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/deschutes/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

The Deschutes PAC members meet four times a year. Members selected during this application process will serve a two year term. At the end of their term, members may choose to apply to continue to serve as a member for up to six years.

For additional information about the Deschutes PAC or the application process please call Beth Peer, Deschutes National Forest Provincial Advisory Committee Liaison (541) 383-4761 or Jean Nelson-Dean, Public Affairs Officer, Deschutes National Forest, 541-383-5561.