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The Idaho Panhandle RAC will meet from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on August 18 and 19 at the Interagency Natural Resource Center, 3232 West Nursery Road, in Coeur d'Alene to consider proposals for FY24 and FY25 funding. These meetings are open to the public.
There will also be a virtual option using Microsoft Teams. Contact RAC Coordinator Patrick Lair for a virtual meeting link.
The RAC will be accepting project proposals through July 31, 2026. Project proposal forms and instructions are available on this page. If the project is proposed for National Forest System lands, please check in with the local ranger district before submitting a proposal to ensure coordination and viability of the proposal.
Please email completed proposal forms to RAC Coordinator Patrick Lair by July 31, 2026 at patrick.lair@usda.gov or call (208) 765-7211 with any questions.
Idaho Panhandle Resource Advisory Committee
The Idaho Panhandle Resource Advisory Committee consists of 15 people representing varied interests and areas of expertise, who work collaboratively to improve relationships among community members and national forest personnel.
The RAC is balanced and diverse with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, recreation groups, elected officials, and local residents.
Idaho Panhandle RAC members are residents of Idaho and should reside within Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone or Benewah County, to the extent practicable.
Committee members review and approve projects and associated funding for improvements that benefit the residents of north Idaho.
Past projects include noxious weed control, road realignment, trail construction and improvement, timber sale preparation, and the restoration of fish passages to restore native species.
Funding for these projects is derived from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
The RAC is continuously recruiting for membership. Members serve four-year terms in one of 15 specific categories:
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 land owners, within the area for which the committee is organized.
The Idaho Panhandle RAC receives annual funding through Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act to be spent on natural resource projects in north Idaho.
The RAC will publicly solicit for project proposals.
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.
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
At least 50% of all project funds are to be used for projects that are primarily dedicated to road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration; or to restoration of streams and watersheds.
Federal agencies
State and local governments
Private entities
Nonprofit entities
Landowners
Applicants should consult with the local District Ranger prior to proposal submission. Projects must be reviewed and recommended by the local Resource Advisory Committee and approved by the Designated Federal Officer for that committee.
