Advisory Committees

Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)

Title II of the Secure Rural School Act (SRS Act) provides funding, allocated by county, for the protection, restoration and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, and other natural resource objectives on Federal land and on non-federal land where a project directly impacts resources on Federal land.

The Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of 15 volunteers who provide advice and recommendations to the Olympic National Forest regarding the allocation of Title II funds, fee proposals, and greater project work across the Forest.

The committee's role is to improve collaborative relationships among community members and land managers that use and care for the National Forests, as well as provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act (SRS Act).

Advisory committee members represent a wide variety of backgrounds and interests with equal representation from local tribal and government agencies, industry, environmental groups, recreation groups, and residents.

Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee to meet Nov. 25, 2024 in Olympia, Wash.

The Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).  The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act, as well as make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Olympic National Forest within Mason, Jefferson, Clallam, and Grays Harbor County, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. 

DATE: November 25, 2024

An in-person and virtual meeting will be held on November 25, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time at the Olympic National Forest Supervisor's Office located at 1835 Black Lake Blvd SW Olympia, WA 98512.

All RAC meetings are subject to cancellation.  For status of the meeting prior to attendance, please contact Jennifer Garcia Santiago, RAC Coordinator at 564-669-9623 or email at Jennifer.garciasantiago@usda.gov.

Meeting Accommodations

The meeting location is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the USDA provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities where appropriate.  If you are a person requiring reasonable accommodation, please make requests in advance for sign language interpretation, assistive listening devices, or other reasonable accommodation to the person listed under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, or contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

Virtual meeting information (Microsoft Teams Meeting)

The public may also join virtually via webcast, teleconference, videoconference and/or Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN)virtual meeting at: Teams Meeting, Meeting ID: 211 449 578 067, Passcode: ZL4BLG. Dial in by phone +1 202-650-0123/127880262# United States, Washington. 

Oral Comments

Anyone wishing to provide in-person or virtual oral comments must pre-register by 11:59 p.m. (P.T.) on November 20, 2024. Written public comments will be accepted by 11:59 p.m. (P.T.) on November 20, 2024. Comments submitted after this date will be provided to the Agency, but the Committee may not have adequate time to consider those comments prior to the meeting. Speakers may only register for one speaking slot. Oral comments must also be sent by email to jennifer.garciasantiago@usda.gov or via mail (i.e., postmarked) to Jennifer Garcia Santiago, 1835 Black Lake Blvd South West, Olympia, Washington, 98512. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying.  The public may inspect comments received upon request.

Written Comments

Written comments must be sent by email to jennifer.garciasantiago@usda.gov or via mail (i.e., postmarked) to Jennifer Garcia Santiago, 1835 Black Lake Blvd South West, Olympia, Washington, 98512.  The Forest Service strongly prefers comments be submitted electronically.  All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying.  The public may inspect comments received upon request.

For Further Information Contact

Jennifer Garcia Santiago, RAC Coordinator at 564-669-9623 or email at Jennifer.garciasantiago@usda.gov.

or

Kelly Lawrence, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), by phone at 360-956-2301 or email at kelly.lawrence2@usda.gov

Supplemental Information

The purpose of the meeting is to:

1. Review meeting agenda and FACA requirements;
2. Elect a Chairperson;
3. Hear from Title II project proponents and discuss Title II project proposals;
4. Provide opportunity for public comment;
5. Discussion, prioritization and recommendations on Title II projects by the RAC;
6. Approve meeting minutes;
7. Close out the meeting

USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA’s policies will be followed in all appointments to the Committee.  To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken in account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include to the extent possible, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and person with disabilities. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

How are projects chosen?

The Olympic Peninsula RAC meets annually to discuss project applications and hear presentations from project sponsors so they can make informed recommendations for funding projects proposed under Title II of the SRS Act.

Projects are considered for Title II funding if they make additional investments in, and create employment opportunities through:

• Improvement of existing infrastructure maintenance,
• Implementation of stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems; and
• Restoration and improvement of land health and water quality.

Fifty percent of Title II funds are reserved for road and trail maintenance and stream and watershed restoration.

Title II projects are treated the same as projects funded by appropriated dollars. The Forest Service is responsible for complying with National Environmental Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and all other applicable law and regulations for these projects. Like other projects on National Forest Service lands, Title II projects are subject to administrative appeal and judicial review.

Past approved projects on the Olympic National Forest have involved road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration, soil productivity improvement, improvements in forest ecosystem health, watershed restoration and maintenance, restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat, control of noxious and exotic weeds, and the reestablishment of native species.

Click here to see previously funded projects.

 

• Secure Rural Schools

  

  Learn about the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, title categories, payments, and legislation on the National Secure Rural Schools Homepage

  Learn More

• Apply to be a RAC Volunteer!

  

  Serving as a RAC member is a way to engage with your local land managers, work in collaboration with other community members, and further the Forest Service mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands

  Learn More

• Title II Project Proposals

  

  Learn more about Title II funding, previously approved projects and how to submit a new Title II project proposal

  Learn More

Archived Information

Past Proposal Information /Archive