Advisory Committees

Installing a septic tank on private property to improve resident’s water quality.

• This project does not occur on Federal land. The project would benefit the community, but it does not have benefits to federal land. This project is not eligible for Title II funding.

A project is proposed to stabilize an eroding streambank that is not located on Federal land. The stream bank is along a body of water that runs through multiple land ownerships, and it is upstream from Federal land.

• Stabilizing an eroding streambank can improve the water quality of waters that are upstream from Federal land, which could benefit the health of those lands. This project is eligible.

A road, which is not located on Federal land, is contributing to runoff into Forest Service fish habitat waterways. A project is proposed to re-pave the road to mitigate runoff.

• Even though the road is not on Federal land, a project to re-pave the road would benefit Forest Service fish habitat waterways by mitigating runoff. This project is eligible.

Spraying weeds on lands adjacent to Forest Service lands, but not directly on Forest Service lands.

• This treatment would prevent weed seeds from migrating to Forest Service lands, therefore it would benefit the Forest Service. This project is eligible.

Contracting a Youth Conservation Corp crew to conduct trail maintenance on forest land.

• This project entails entering and implementing a cooperative agreement with a nonprofit entity (YCC). This project would benefit resources on Forest Service land and improve wildlife habitat. This project is eligible.

A local Nordic ski club wants to purchase a vehicle and equipment to groom Nordic ski trails across Forest Service, city, and county lands.

• This project entails entering and implementing a cooperative agreement with a nonprofit entity (Nordic ski club). Since the ski trails cover Forest Service lands, it is beneficial to Forest Service resources. This project is eligible.

Proposal to provide funds to a local sheriff’s department to provide patrols of Forest Service roads during hunting season.

• This project entails entering and implementing a cooperative agreement with a local government (Sheriff’s Department). These funds would protect Forest Service resources. This project is eligible.

In 2000, Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act ( Public Law 106-393) to provide support for counties that historically depended on income from Federal timber programs.

The Fremont and Winema RAC reviews and makes recommendations on project proposals requesting funding under  Title II of the Act. Proposed projects need not be implemented on Forest Service lands, but they must show benefit to National Forest resources. The RAC may also review and make recommendations on recreation fee proposals.

Projects may be 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.

The funds may be used for projects that have broad-based support and with objectives that include:

• road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration
• soil productivity improvement
• forest ecosystem health improvements
• watershed restoration and maintenance
• wildlife and fish habitat restoration, maintenance, and improvement
• noxious and exotic weeds control
• native species re-establishment

Resource Advisory Committees were established under Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act ( Public Law 106-393).

The committees’ duties include reviewing proposed forest management projects in accordance with the Act and making recommendations to the Forest Service. Committee members are committed to working collaboratively with other interests for the long-term benefit of national forest system lands.

The Act created a mechanism for local community collaboration with Federal land managers in recommending projects to be conducted on Federal lands or that will benefit resources on Federal lands. The geographic boundaries of the RACs in Oregon and Washington are generally aligned with National Forest boundaries, and each RAC is assigned a Designated Federal Officer (DFO) to serve as the point of contact. 

Committee members serve a four-year term without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. Meetings are generally held one to four times a year at locations within the geographic area the RAC serves, virtually, or a combination of the two. Members must reside within the State in which the RAC is located, and to the extent practicable, within the RAC boundary. 

A RAC consists of 15 members representing a wide array of interests. Committees are balanced and diverse with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, and local citizens.  Specifically, the composition of each RAC is balanced according to the following three interest categories identified in the Act.

The definition of a ‘functioning’ RAC; a functioning RAC consists of at least nine members, with three members representing each category. A full RAC consists of fifteen members, with five members representing each category.

A functioning RAC must be in place to vote to recommend projects for funding. Without a RAC in place, available money goes unspent. When the money goes unspent, the local communities and environment don’t see a positive impact from projects.

Participation as a member of the RAC gives you the opportunity to represent a community and influence how money is spent to care for and protect public lands. Participation in this vital civic process allows you to help identify common ground among stakeholders and be a part of the solution.  

You! Citizens of Klamath and Lake Counties are eligible to apply to become a member of the RAC. Members of the RAC are required to live within the state in which the Committee has jurisdiction and to the extent practicable, live in the Counties the RAC covers.

The RAC is comprised of three categories; each category is made up of three to five members. Within each category a member must represent a specified interest group. The intent is for one person to represent each interest group, but more than one person may be selected to represent an interest group.

Category A contains three to five persons that:

• represent organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups
• represent developed outdoor recreation, off highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities
• represent energy and mineral development interests or commercial or recreational fishing interests
• represent the commercial timber industry; or
• hold Federal grazing or other land use permits, or represent nonindustrial private forest landowners, within the area for which the committee is organized

Category B contains three to five persons that:

• nationally recognized environmental organizations
• regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
• dispersed recreational activities
• archaeological and historical interests
• nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed associations

Category C contains three to five persons that:

• hold State elected office (or a designee)
• hold county or local elected office
• represent American Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the committee is organized
• area school officials or teachers
• represent the affected public at large