Committees
Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
Title II of the Secure Rural School Act (SRS Act) provides funding, allocated by county, for the protection, restoration and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, and other natural resource objectives on Federal land and on non-federal land where a project directly impacts resources on Federal land.
The Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of 15 volunteers who provide advice and recommendations to the Olympic National Forest regarding the allocation of Title II funds, fee proposals, and greater project work across the Forest.
The committee's role is to improve collaborative relationships among community members and land managers that use and care for the National Forests, as well as provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act (SRS Act).
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. Meetings are generally held quarterly at locations within the geographic area the RAC serves. Members must reside within the State in which the RAC is located, and to the extent practicable, within the RAC boundary. Prospective members are advised that membership on a RAC calls for a substantial commitment of time and energy.
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 RAC Coordinator, Jennifer Garcia-Santiago at jennifer.garciasantiago@usda.gov
Steps:
- Complete a background check form AD-755 and Interest Form
- Submit your completed AD-755 and Interest Form along with a current resume to: RAC Coordinator, Jennifer Garcia-Santiago 1835 Black Lake Blvd SW Olympia, WA 98512
Due to the Personal Identifiable Information (PII) on background check form, the most secure and preferred method for sending is through the mail. Applications sent to the Olympic National Forest via email will not be accepted unless they are password protected or encrypted emails.
In order to be considered for the Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee applicants must be a resident of the State of Washington.
Nominees are vetted, reviewed and appointed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Please note that this process can take several 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
Apply for Title II Funding
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.
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.
Supplemental Information:
Project proposals for the Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee must:
- have regulatory compliance (NEPA) completed
- cost a minimum of $10,000
- have a Olympic National Forest staff member who has participated in the development of the project. If you have not yet connected with a staff member, please refer to the contact list below and reach out to the person who best aligns with your project.
Program Area Contact Email Engineering Juan Mendoza Juan.Mendoza@usda.gov Recreation Josh Parker Joshua.Parker3@usda.gov Natural Resources Alison Center alison.center@usda.gov Youth Crews Jenni Garcia-Santiago jennifer.garciasantiago@usda.gov Archelogy Kevin Bruce kevin.bruce@usda.gov
- Title II Guide Project Submission Form Instructions
- FS-1800-0030 SRS Project Proposal Form
- Olympic National Forest Title II Project Proposal Supplement (Required for all non-Forest Service proposals)
Completed project submission forms to RAC Coordinator Jennifer Garcia-Santiago at jennifer.garciasantiago@usda.gov by August 7th, 2026.
Meeting Archives
On November 25, 2024 the Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) met in Olympia, WA and virtually to review Fiscal Year 23 Title II project proposals and make recommendations for the expenditure of funds resulting from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
On September 18, 2023, the Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) met in Port Angeles, WA and virtually to review Fiscal Year 20, 21, and 22 Title II project proposals and make recommendations for the expenditure of funds resulting from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
Secure Rural Schools Program
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.
Counties typically receive 20% or less of Secure Rural Schools funds under Title II, which are used by willing Federal agencies, State and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners for protection, restoration and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, and other natural resource objectives on Federal land and on non-Federal land where projects would benefit these resources on Federal land.