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Advisory Committees
Eastern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee
Congress passed legislation to restore stability and predictability to the annual payments made to states and counties containing National Forest lands. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act establishes Resource Advisory Committees (RAC’s), appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and consisting of fifteen local citizens and three replacement members.
RAC-funded projects must be located in Apache, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, or Navajo counties on National Forest System Lands or on nearby lands if the project will benefit resources on the National Forests. Projects can be completed by Forest Service personnel, through partnership agreements or by open-bid contracting with individuals and corporations. The RAC works closely with the Forest Service to recommend projects that will benefit forest health, fish, wildlife, soils, watersheds and other resources; maintain roads, trails and other infrastructure; or control noxious weeds.
Generally, the committee’s role is to review and recommend projects and funding to the Forest Supervisor. The Forest Supervisor is responsible for considering the committee’s recommendations in the context of the forest land management plan and the laws and regulations that govern Forest Service activities and to approve the project if appropriate.
The RAC helps “to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the land management agencies consistent with the purposes of the Act." Members of the Eastern Arizona RAC represent a variety of interests ranging from organized labor, mining, grazing and timber interests, nationally and locally recognized environmental organizations, elected officials and tribal representatives.
Eastern Arizona RAC Current Membership and Projects
- List of Current Members
- Project Guidelines (63 KB PDF)
- Project Proposal (91 KB Word Document)
Eastern Arizona RAC Member Nomination Process
To be considered for membership on the Eastern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee, nominees must:
- Be a resident of the State of Arizona, from any county
- Submit a complete application package by December 1st, 2022, which includes the following:
- Provide a cover letter stating why they want to serve on the Eastern Arizona RAC and what they can contribute,
- Identify what interest group they would represent and how they are qualified to represent that interest group,
- Provide a resume showing their past experience in working successfully as part of a group working on forest management activities,
- Include a completed AD-755/Advisory Committee Background Information
The Eastern Arizona RAC shall include representation from the following interest areas, and in the following numbers:
- Five persons who represent:
- Organized Labor or Non-Timber Forest Product Harvester Groups;
- Developed Outdoor Recreation, Off-Highway Vehicle Users, or Commercial Recreation Activities;
- Energy and Mineral Development, or Commercial or Recreational Fishing Groups;
- Commercial Timber Industry; and
- Federal Grazing Permit or Other Land Use Permit Holders, or Representative of Non-Industrial Private Forest Land Owners, within the area for which the committee is organized.
- Five persons who represent:
- Nationally or Regionally Recognized Environmental Organizations;
- Regionally or Locally Recognized Environmental Organizations;
- Dispersed Recreational Activities;
- Archaeology and History; and
- Nationally or Regionally Recognized Wild Horse and Burro Interest, Wildlife Hunting Organizations, or Watershed Associations.
- Five persons who represent:
- State Elected Office holder;
- County or Local Elected Office holder;
- American Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the committee is organized;
- Area School Officials or Teachers; and Affected Public-at-Large.
Inquiries about the application process, and completed application packages can be submitted to SM.FS.ASNF_PAO@usda.gov or 928-333-6263. Applications can also be submitted through the district offices that are assisting with the recruitment effort:
Apache County: Springerville or Alpine Districts of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
Gila County: Payson District of the Tonto National Forest
Graham County: Safford District of the Coronado National Forest
Greenlee County: Clifton District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
Navajo County: Black Mesa or Lakeside Districts of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
For further information about the RAC, please contact Jeffrey Todd or call 928-333-6263.