Submitted by Willie Sykes, USFS
The Kootenai National Forest is seeking members for the Lincoln Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). Congress passed the 2018 spending bill P.L 115-141, which reauthorizes Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments to the states, including retroactive payments to the states for FY17. Also, forests are to obligate any SRS funding before September 30, 2018.
The RACs are to consist of 15 members representing a wide array of interests. The committee’s duties include reviewing proposed forest management projects in accordance with Title II of the Act and making funding recommendations to the Forest Service, coordinating with land management agency officials, and providing opportunities for interested parties to participate in the project development process. Committee members are sought to work collaboratively with other interests for the long-term benefit of National Forest System lands. The nomination period ends May 11, 2018.
The RACs create mechanisms for local community collaboration with federal land managers in recommending projects to be conducted on federal lands or that will benefit resources on federal lands. The geographic boundaries of the RACs in northwest Montana are proposed to be aligned with county boundaries. The boundary of this RAC would cover Lincoln County. The Kootenai National Forest’s contact person is Katie Andreessen (406) 293-6211.
Committee members serve a three-year term without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. Meetings are generally held quarterly at locations within the geographic area the RAC serves. Members must reside within the State in which the RAC is located and preferably within the RAC’s geographic boundary. Prospective members are advised that membership on a RAC calls for a commitment of time and energy.
Specifically, the composition of the RAC is to be balanced according to the following three interest categories identified in the Act.
Group A:
Organized labor
Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation
Energy and mineral development
Commercial timber industry
Federal grazing permit holders or land use permit holders within the RAC area
Group B:
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
Group C:
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
The application process involves completing one federal form which is available at the Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s Office. Please send completed application packets by May 11, 2018 to:
Katie Andreessen, Kootenai National Forest, 31374 U.S. Highway 2 West, Libby, MT. 59923
Nominees will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience working with the interest area they represent, their knowledge of the geographic area covered by the RAC, their demonstrated commitment to collaborative resource decision-making, and their contribution to the balance and diversity of the RAC.
Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be followed in all membership appointments to the committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership will include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.