Advisory Committees

NORTHERN UTAH RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

How can I become involved?

Members of the Ashley RAC committee meeting at Summit Springs Guard Station to discuss improvements

The Northern Utah RAC is currently soliciting applications from individuals to fill positions on our Resource Advisory Committee. Interested individuals should have an interest in resource management and a strong desire to work collaboratively within a diverse group of interests.

To be a RAC member, applicants must fall into one of the following categories:

Category A

Organized Labor or Non-Timber Forest Product Harvester Groups
Developed Outdoor Recreation, Off Highway Vehicle Users, or Commercial Recreation Activities
Energy & Mineral Development Interests or Commercial or Recreational Fishing Interests
Commercial Timber Industry
Hold Federal Grazing or Other Land Use Permits, or Represent Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners Within the Area for Which the Committee is Organized

Category 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, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed organizations.

Category C

State-elected office-holders or their designee.
County or local elected office-holders.
American Indian tribal representatives from tribes within or adjacent to the RAC area.
School officials or teachers.
Citizens representing the affected public at large.

How do I apply?

If you would like to become a member of the Northern Utah Resource Advisory Committee please contact Louis J Haynes or email Louis.Haynes@usda.gov.

Applications can be mailed to:

Resource Advisory Committee

Attn: Louis J Haynes

Ashley National Forest
355 North Vernal Avenue
Vernal, Utah 84078

or call 435-781-5105 for more information

If you would like to apply for a position on the Northern Utah Resource Advisory Committee, please provide the categories of representation interest and application form below and return with original signatures.

NOTE: Application forms need to be submitted in hard copy including the Representation Interest Form and an AD-755 Form with origninal signature to the Ashley National Forest office by March 31, 2023.

Additional information can be found at the Forest Service's Secure Rural Schools Program page.

Background Information

What is the purpose of a Resource Advisory Committee?

Resource Advisory Committees were established under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 and with reauthorized payments by Congress in 2020. The RAC’s recommend how to allocate a portion of federal funds counties receive under the Act. The Act directs that funds be spent on projects such as road, trail and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration, improvements in soil and forest ecosystem health, restoration and improvements of wildlife and fish habitat, control of weeds, and reestablishment of native animals and plants. Projects must benefit resources on National Forest lands and meet federal environmental laws.

What areas does the Northern Utah Resources Advisory Committee serve?

The Northern Utah RAC advises the Ashley, Cache, Uinta and Wasatch National Forests.

What are the duties of the Resource Advisory Committee?

The RAC's duties include reviewing proposed forest management projects in accordance with the SRS Act and making recommendations to the Forest Service and providing opportunities for interested parties to participate in the project development process. RAC duties have been expanded to include monitoring of project progress and completion.

Who makes up the Resource Advisory Committee?

Each resource advisory committee shall be comprised of 15 members made up of people from categories including the general public, with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, and other local interests. Members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and serve a four-year term.

What types of Projects does the RAC fund?

Projects which have been funded represent a number of categories. These include projects like trail projects, weed spraying, lake and stream monitoring, dust abatement, signage, education events, and vault toilets.

Northern Utah Resource Advisory Committee Held Meetings to Provide Approval Recomendations for Title II Projects

The Northern Utah Resources Advisory Committee (RAC) conducted meetings on September 22 and September 29, 2021 to address RAC business, and review and prioritize Title II project proposals. The meetings were held virtually and open to the public.

The RAC voted to approve 26 of 31 project proposals and provided these and their ranking recommendations to the Forest Service. The Forest Service reviewed the recommendations and provided a letter of project approval and funding on December 22, 2021.

Forest Service Approval Letter of 2021 Title II Projects

Northern Utah RAC Meeting Minutes

The Northern Utah RAC is authorized through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Act as a mechanism for local community collaboration with Federal land managers in recommending projects that will benefit Federal lands. SRS allocations are based on and funded by national forest receipts. These funds are required to be utilized on national forests, or projects that will directly benefit these lands.

The Northern Utah RAC serves the areas of the Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests.

Project funding is made available under the reauthorized Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS Act). The purposes of the SRS Act include making additional investments in, and creating employment opportunities through the Title II funded projects that: