Forest Service Seeks Volunteers for Resource Advisory Committee
Release Date: Nov 22, 2016
Gladstone, MI -- The U.S. Forest Service, Hiawatha National Forest is recruiting for volunteer candidates interested in serving on a federal Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) in several membership categories.
The role of the RAC is to recommend how certain federal funds will be spent on the forest and in neighboring counties. The funds are issued to participating counties annually as part of a federal revenue-sharing program for counties that contain National Forest System lands. Applications are due by January 30, 2017.
According to District Ranger, Robert West, “One of the Hiawatha National Forest’s biggest assets is the number of people who have an interest in how their National Forest is managed. Becoming a RAC member is an excellent way to take an active role in that management.”
Fifteen members and three alternates are needed to fill all committee positions. Committee members serve four-year terms and are selected by the Secretary of Agriculture. There is no compensation for RAC service, but committee members may be reimbursed for certain travel expenses.
Members of the RAC must reside in the state of Michigan and must represent the following interests as described in the Secure Rural School Act:
Category A– Five persons representing the following interests– (1) Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups; (2) Developed outdoor recreation, off highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities; (3) Energy and mineral development, or commercial or recreational fishing interests; (4) Commercial timber industry; or (5) Hold Federal grazing permits or other land use permits or represent non-industrial private forest land owners.
Category B – Five persons who represent-- (1) Nationally recognized environmental organizations; (2) Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations; (3) Dispersed recreational activities; (4) Archaeological and historical interests; or (5) Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed associations.
Category C– Five persons who – (1) Hold State elected office or their designee; (2) Hold County or local elected official; (3) Represent American Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the committee is organized; (4) School officials or teachers; or (5) Represent the affected public-at-large.
The committee will collaborate with Forest Service managers in developing and recommending projects which benefit national forest land in selected counties.
Any Michigan resident interested in serving on the committee must complete an application form that will be used for a required background check. For more information on the Secure Rural School Act, visit the website http://www.fs.fed.us/srs/. For more information on the Hiawatha RAC, please contact Robert West (906) 643-7900 x 113 or Janel Crooks (906) 428-5800. You may also download the application at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/hiawatha/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
About the U.S. Forest Service
National Forest System lands provide 20 percent of America’s drinking water. The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of land and is the largest forestry research organization in the world. The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (toll-free customer service), (800) 877-8339 (TDD), or (800) 845-6136 (TDD in Spanish).