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Advisory 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.
List of Olympic Peninsula Title II Projects Announced
OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec. 20, 2024—The Olympic National Forest Supervisor has approved the Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee’s (RAC) Title II project recommendations releasing more than $264,000 in funds for forest improvement projects across the Olympic Peninsula.
The RAC met in Olympia on Nov. 25 to hear presentations, deliberate and vote on projects to fund. The RAC’s recommendations were approved by the Kelly Lawrence, Forest Supervisor for the Olympic National Forest on Dec. 13.
The following projects were approved for funding:
Clallam County $87,279
• Clallam County Cooperative Noxious Weed Control $28,000
• Restoration Through Invasive Plant Prevention and Control $6,000
• Road Maintenance and Sedimentation Reduction Project $26,261
• Recreation Operations Field Staffing $27,018
Grays Harbor County $43,216
• Tiger Tail – Olympic National Forest Health and Local Economic Benefit Thinning Project $12,000
• Restoration Through Invasive Plant Prevention and Control $16,000
• Road Maintenance and Sedimentation Reduction Project $11,216
• Improving and Maintaining Trails (WTA) $4,000
Jefferson County $109,595
• Duckabush Corridor Habitat Enhancement Project $30,595
• Olympic Peninsula Cooperative Noxious Weed Control – East Jefferson County $27,500
• Restoration Through Invasive Plant Prevention and Control $10,000
• Road Maintenance and Sedimentation Reduction Project $10,000
• Recreation Operations Field Staffing $17,982 • Improving and Maintaining Trails (WTA) $13,518
Mason County $23,996
• Mason County-Hood Canal Ranger District Cooperative Noxious Weed Control $18,996
• Recreation Operations Field Staffing $5,000
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 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.
For Further Information Contact
Jennifer Garcia Santiago, RAC Coordinator at 564-669-9623 or email at Jennifer.garciasantiago@usda.gov.
or
Kelly Lawrence, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), by phone at 360-956-2301 or email at kelly.lawrence2@usda.gov
How are projects chosen?
The Olympic Peninsula RAC meets annually to discuss project applications and hear presentations from project sponsors so they can make informed recommendations for funding projects proposed under Title II of the SRS Act.
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; and
- Restoration and improvement of land health and water quality.
Fifty percent of Title II funds are reserved for road and trail maintenance and stream and watershed restoration.
Title II projects are treated the same as projects funded by appropriated dollars. The Forest Service is responsible for complying with National Environmental Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and all other applicable law and regulations for these projects. Like other projects on National Forest Service lands, Title II projects are subject to administrative appeal and judicial review.
Past approved projects on the Olympic National Forest have involved road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration, soil productivity improvement, improvements in forest ecosystem health, watershed restoration and maintenance, restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat, control of noxious and exotic weeds, and the reestablishment of native species.
Click here to see previously funded projects.
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Secure Rural Schools
Learn about the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, title categories, payments, and legislation on the National Secure Rural Schools Homepage
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Apply to be a RAC Volunteer!
Serving as a RAC member is a way to engage with your local land managers, work in collaboration with other community members, and further the Forest Service mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands
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Title II Project Proposals
Learn more about Title II funding, previously approved projects and how to submit a new Title II project proposal