Committees
Wenatchee-Okanogan Resource Advisory Committee
View of the Upper Swauk project area from the Swuak Forest Discovery Trailhead, May 2024.
Title II of the Secure Rural School Act (SRS Act) provides funding, allocated by county, for projects that benefit forest resources and infrastructure.
The Wenatchee-Okanogan Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of 15 volunteers who provide recommendations to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest regarding the allocation of Title II funds, fee proposals, or other work across the forest.
The committee has funded projects such as culvert replacement to enhance fish passage, fuel reduction projects to protect communities from wildland fire, and several countywide weed control programs. At least 50% of funding must be road maintenance/obliteration or watershed improvement/restoration projects.
Advisory committee members represent a wide variety of backgrounds and interests with equal representation from local tribal and government agencies, industry, environmental groups, recreation groups, and residents.
Committee members serve a four-year term without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. Wenatchee-Okanogan RAC meetings are generally held for two full days each year in Wenatchee, WA. Members must reside within the Washington State, and to the extent practicable, within the RAC boundary (Okanogan, Chelan, Kittitas and Yakima counties).
These committees are balanced and diverse with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, and local people. Specifically, the composition of each RAC is balanced according to the following three interest categories identified in Public Law 106-393:
Category One: (five regular members) who represent one or more of the following interests:
- Organized labor
- Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation
- Energy and mineral development
- Commercial timber industry
- Federal grazing permit holders or land use permit holders within the RAC area
Category Two: (five regular members) who represent one or more of the following interests):
- 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
Category Three: (five regular members) who represent one or more of the following interests):
- State-elected office holders or their designee
- County or local elected office holders
- American Indian tribal representatives from tribes within or adjacent to RAC areas
- School officials or teachers
- Citizens representing the affected public at large
Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Seth Kammer, Partnership Coordinator, at seth.kammer@usda.gov with questions before submitting an application.
Steps to Apply:
- Complete a background check form AD-755 and cover letter
- Submit your completed AD-755 and cover letter to: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; ATTN: Partnership Coordinator ; 215 Melody Lane; Wenatchee, WA 98801
- Optional: Sometimes a resume is requested by the national office or department during vetting of applications. You are welcome to include a resume when you submit your application. Otherwise, we will contact you if a resume is requested.
Due to the Personal Identifiable Information (PII) on the background check form, the most secure and preferred method for sending is through the mail. Applications sent to the RAC Coordinator via email should be password protected or encrypted .
Once enough individuals have applied to fill all vacancies, nominees will be evaluated on their education, training, and experience within the area of interest they represent. All applications and nominations are sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture for final vetting and appointment. Please note that this process can take up to six months.
How does the RAC operate?
The Resource Advisory Committee meets periodically to review and recommend funding for projects that support economically healthy communities and healthy, sustainable public lands. All meetings are announced in the Federal Register and local newspapers, and are open to the public.
How are members appointed?
Fifteen citizens are vetted by the USDA and appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to serve four‑year terms. The appointment process may take several months. Membership is voluntary, and mileage for travel may be reimbursed.
Citizens apply using the AD‑755 form referenced in the previous section.
The Forest continually seeks new members to ensure the RAC remains full and fully functional. Ongoing outreach and community interest are essential to the success and continuity of the program.
How are Title II funds used?
Each county in an eligible state must elect to receive either:
• A share of the state’s 25‑percent payment, or
• A share of the “State payment” under the Secure Rural Schools Act.
25‑percent payment:
Since 2008, the 25‑percent payment has been calculated using a 7‑year rolling average of national forest receipts. Payments are distributed to counties based on the acreage of national forest land within their boundaries. These funds must be used for public schools and roads, as allowed under 16 U.S.C. 500, with states determining the allocation method.
State payment:
Counties may allocate their State payment toward:
- Public schools and roads (Title I)
- Special projects on national forests (Title II)
- County projects such as Firewise activities, emergency services on national forests, and community wildfire protection plans (Title III)
Title II funds may be used for projects on National Forest System lands or adjacent private lands when they benefit national forest resources. Examples of past projects include culvert replacements to improve fish passage, community wildfire protection fuel reduction work, and countywide noxious weed control. At least 50 percent of Title II funds must support road maintenance/obliteration or watershed improvement/restoration.
Authorized project purposes include:
- Road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration
- Soil productivity improvement
- Forest ecosystem health improvements
- Watershed restoration and maintenance
- Wildlife and fish habitat restoration
- Noxious and invasive weed control
- Re‑establishment of native species
Projects are intended to improve land health, enhance stewardship, and strengthen cooperative relationships between communities and federal land managers.
What are the duties of RAC members?
RAC members are responsible for:
- Reviewing project proposals submitted by counties, tribes, organizations, and individuals under Title II
- Recommending projects and funding levels to the Designated Federal Official (DFO)
- Ensuring opportunities for open and meaningful public participation throughout project development
- Monitoring projects approved by the DFO and advising on progress
- Recommending adjustments to ongoing projects as needed
Secure Rural Schools
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.
The Forest Service was established in 1905 with 56 million acres of land. By 1910, the amount of National Forest System land tripled to 172 million acres. Today, the agency manages approximately 196 million acres. Congress ratified the Act of May 23, 1908, as a measure to support rural counties whose tax base was limited by the growing amount of Federal land. A portion of Forest Service funds generated through multi-use activities, such as grazing, timber production, and special use permits, are distributed to eligible counties to help maintain local roads and schools.
By the year 2000, after decades of declining agency revenues, Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act to help stabilize the funds available to rural counties.
Payments are divided into three distinct categories, or Titles:
- Title I for roads and schools;
- Title II for projects on Federal lands; and
- Title III for county projects.