Committees
Resource Advisory Committee
The Flathead Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. It operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
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.
2026 Proposal Meeting
Join us for the 2026 RAC Proposal Meeting:
Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office
650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell Montana.
November 18, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. MST and
November 19, 2026 – 5:30-8:30 p.m. MST.
The meeting is open to the public.
If you have questions, please call Tad, Forest Partnership Coordinator: 406-758-5280
Funded 2025 Projects
- Glacier Nordic Club - Round Meadow Nordic trail work
- Flathead Youth Corps - Montana Conservation Corps
- Abandoned vehicle mitigation
- Back Country Horseman - Flathead Seemo Creek trail work
- Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation interns and volunteer stewardship
- Family Forestry Expo
- Flathead Area Mountain Bikers - Peterson to Broken Leg trail work
- Flathead County - Ashley Lake Road/ Batavia Hill dust abatement
- Flathead County - North Fork Road dust abatement
- Middle Fork Flathead River Knapweed control
- Flathead Snowmobile Association - Canyon Creek parking lot and plow truck
- Foys to Blacktail - lakeside to Blacktail access road repairs
- Trout Unlimited - Bull trout eDNA Project
- Flathead County - North Ashley Lake Road dust abatement
- Flathead Lake Biological Station - pesticide monitoring
- Whitefish Legacy Partners - Holbrook and associated trailhead
- Gateway to Glacier - Cedar Flats trail work and water management
- Flathead Rivers Alliance - ADA Accessibility work and "recreate responsibly" campaign
- Friends of Flathead Avalanche Center - education and support
2025 Project Selection Info
The RAC meeting on June 9, 2025 was a strong success with 27 projects submitted for consideration. A sincere thank you to both the project proponents for their submissions and presentations, and to the committee members for their time and consideration. The Flathead National Forest is grateful for the level of participation in this years RAC.
Additional Information
Resource Advisory Committees were established under the Reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. 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. In the past five years, the RACs have approved more than $3.5 million in funding for projects that benefit National Forest system lands.
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 making recommendations for appropriate changes to projects being monitored.
Each resource advisory committee shall be comprised of 15 members made up of people from 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.
The committee reviews proposals for funding in accordance with the Secure Rural Schools Act requirements. Projects include trail and road improvement work, weed control, lake and stream monitoring, road dust abatement, signage, education events, recreational facility improvement, etc.
To apply for RAC funding, reach out to RAC Coordinator Ivy Gehling
The Flathead County RAC periodically solicits applications from individuals to fill positions on our Resource Advisory Committees (RAC). 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.
If you are interested in serving on the Flathead County Resource Advisory Committee, please reach out to Ivy Gehling
Additional information can be found at the Forest Service's Secure Rural Schools Program page.