Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee

The Secure Rural Schools program provides critical funding for schools, roads, and other municipal services to more than 700 counties across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

A North Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee, established as part of the Secure Rural Schools program, reviews and recommends projects to be implemented on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest or to benefit the national forest. The Forest Supervisor makes final decisions about which projects to implement.

Funds for the projects come from Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Self Determination Act, which established a way for counties with eligible lands to benefit from revenue-generating activities on the national forest, such as timber harvests and recreation. Counties elect how much of their Secure Rural School funding going into the Title II category, improving or benefiting national forest lands and providing local employment opportunities.

Local counties that are currently allocating Title II funds for such purposes include:

• Ashland
• Bayfield
• Forest
• Oconto
• Price
• Sawyer
• Taylor

Past projects implemented include:

• Recreation trail and road erosion mitigation
• Stream restoration
• Boat landing improvement
• ATV/UTV trail connector projects

The North Wisconsin RAC is made of citizens representing a variety of natural resource-based interests who were selected by the Secretary of Agriculture to advise the Forest Service on the use of funds allocated to Wisconsin Forests. 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 
• Restoration and improvement of land health and water quality 
• Projects must comply with all applicable Federal laws and regulations. 
• Projects must be consistent with the applicable resource management plan and with any watershed or subsequent plan developed pursuant to the resource management plan 
• Improve forest conditions and support jobs in rural communities.

Information about Title II under the Secure Rural Schools is available online. 

Contact Ann Dassow, Natural Resources Staff Officer, at ann.dassow@usda.gov or 715-314-9109 for additional information.

2024 Northern Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee Meetings (occurred on April 23rd and May 2nd).

The North Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) held a public meeting on April 23rd and May 2nd, 2024, to complete annual funding recommendations. 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).

Meeting Minutes 2024

Supplementary Information:

The purpose of the April/May 2024 meetings was to:

1. Elect a 2024/2025 chairperson;
2. Hear from Title II project proponents and discuss Title II project proposals;
3. Make funding recommendations on Title II projects; and
4. Hear and make decisions on Recreation Fee proposal.

The meeting was open to the public. The agenda included time for individuals to make oral statements. Members of the North Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) reviewed and recommended projects submitted through the Reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.

Funds retained by the Forest Service are allocated to specific RAC recommended projects and were officially approved by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Forest Supervisor. The 2024 approved projects include:

• West Zone Boat Landing Improvement ($39,000)
• Lakewood-Laona District LAMBA Trail Maintenance ($15,000)
• Medford-Park Falls District Parking Lot Improvement ($29,000)
• Great Divide District Recreation Solar ($10,000)
• West Zone Trail Grooming ($9,000)
• West Zone Sign and Access ($13,000)

The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act reauthorized Secure Rural School funding through 2023. Additional opportunities to fund projects under the Title II program are not available as the Law is written on August 2024. Thus, a Fall 2024 project solicitation is not planned.

Archived information below:

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest seeks Secure Rural School proposals for 2024 review

November 28, 2023 is the deadline to submit project proposals to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest under the Secure Rural Schools program.

Consult with your local Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest district office before completing the project submission form, located online. Local district rangers and resource specialists can help ensure proposals are implemented in a timely manner and meet Title II guidelines. In addition, Forest Service personnel can help proposal proponents better understand if their project meets other required federal laws, like the National Environmental Policy Act.

Send completed forms by email to adam.felts@usda.gov or by U.S. mail to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, 500 Hanson Lake Road, Rhinelander, WI 54501, ATTN: Adam Felts by the above deadline.

For more information about the proposal request, please see the Secure Rural School news release.

2023 Northern Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee May Meetings

The North Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) held a public meeting on May 3rd, 2023, and completed funding recommendations for 2023. All projects were reviewed so no additional meeting was required for 2023. 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 to make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

Meeting Minutes 2023

Supplementary Information

The purpose of the meeting:

1. Elect a chairperson;
2. Hear from Title II project proponents and discuss Title II project proposals; and
3. Make funding recommendations on Title II projects.

The meeting was open to the public. The agenda included time for individuals to make oral statements of three minutes or less. Members of the North Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) reviewed and recommended projects submitted through the Reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.

Funds retained by the Forest Service are allocated to specific RAC recommended projects and were officially approved by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Supervisor. The 2023 approved projects include:

• Re-establish Wildlife Openings with Mechanical Treatment ($6,804)
• Forest Service Road 251 Gravel ($100,000)
• Forest Service Road 251 Blacktop Replacement ($197,700)
• Recreation Site Management Efficiency with WisCorps ($15,146)
• Northern Great Lake Visitor Center Trail Maintenance ($37,000)
• Campground Improvements for Volunteers ($20,000)
• Northland College Outdoor Pursuits Program ($30,000)
• Improving the efficiency of the West Zone Recreation Program during Spring/Fall Campground and Trails opening/closing ($17,000)
• Town Of Worcester Forest Roads ($100,315)
• Morgan Falls/St. Peter’s Dome Trailhead Parking Area Improvements ($34,356)
• Improving Access and Wayfinding on West Zone of the CNNF ($15,000)
• Silver Lake Eurasian Watermilfoil Treatment ($11,380)
• Forest Service Road 132 Reconditioning ($100,000)

2022 Northern Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee Meetings

Members of the North Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) reviewed and recommended projects submitted through the Reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act reauthorized Secure Rural School Title II funding through 2023.

Funds retained by the Forest Service are allocated to specific RAC recommended projects and were officially approved by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Supervisor. The 2022 approved projects include:

• Improving watershed health and recreation opportunities Lake Superior Basin – $ 3,000.00
• Northland College Recreation Program Collaboration – $43,155.52
• Lakewood Cross Country Ski Trails – $ 8,000.00
• Little Cub Lake Boardwalk – $ 3,515.00
• Washburn area Forest Road 500 – $62,000.00
• Flowage, Fisheries, Wildlife, and Recreation Improvement Project – $16,000.00
• Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance and Rehab – $49,213.60
• Infrastructure removal on Mineral Lake and Brunsweiler River – $42,791.59
• Infrastructure removal on West Fork of the Chippewa River – $19,064.19
• Gravel Pit non-native invasive plant control – $46,200.00
• Aquatic Organism Passage culvert replacement Armstrong Creek – $90,000.00
• Recreation Site Management efficiency improvement WisCorps collaboration – $13,442.00
• Wildlife Opening Improvement – $4,937.70

Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee

You are invited to bring your unique perspective to a citizen advisory committee. 

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking a diverse group of nominees to reflect and represent your respective community needs and values as part of the Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. The 11 positions will serve 17 national forests and one tall grass prairie across the Northeast and Midwest. The committee will review recreation fee proposals for the forests/prairie in the Eastern Region and recommend fee changes. 

Recreation is the portal through which people connect to their national forests. Thus, national forest recreation plays a key role in the social stability, environmental integrity, and economic vitality of these communities. Recreation fees help improve access to recreation sites and increase opportunities for enjoyment of public lands.

To be effective, we need a committee that is representative of the diversity of our nation. We will look to members to communicate emerging issues and share technical and professional knowledge. This will allow us to increase collaborative work across boundaries and borders to optimize recreation benefits for all.

Nomination Information

Potential nominees must represent the following forest-related interests:

• Category One: Five people who represent recreation users, one in each position: summer motorized, summer non-motorized, winter motorized, winter non-motorized, and hunting and fishing. 
• Category Two: Three people who represent interest groups that include as appropriate: motorized outfitter and guides, non-motorized outfitter and guides, and local environmental groups. 
• Category Three: Three people, one in each position: State tourism official, a person who represents affected local government interests, and a person who represents affected Tribal Nations’ issues. 

Applicants will be recommended to the Regional Forester for a two to three-year term appointment based on the following criteria:

• How the person is qualified to represent one or more of the interests listed above. 
• Experience working with underserved populations including people of color. 
• Why the person wants to serve on the committee and what they can contribute. 
• Past experience in successfully working in a group setting. 

Nominees’ demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities will be considered in membership selections.  United States Department of Agriculture policies regarding equal opportunity will be followed. 

Travel Costs

The Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee members will receive travel and per diem expenses for regularly scheduled meetings, however, they will not receive compensation. Meetings may be in-person, virtual, or a combination of the two. The jurisdiction of the Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee covers the National Forests/National Tallgrass Prairie in: Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.

Nominee Submissions

Completed applications must be received by March 1, 2024. 

Nomination packets and details are available at: Region 9 - Advisory Committees

Have questions or need assistance? Contact Krystal Fleeger, Regional Recreation Fees & Reservations Coordinator at sm.fs.r9_rrac@usda.gov or Karen Katz, CNNF Recreation Program Manager at karen.katz@usda.gov or 715-362-1381.