Advisory Committees

The Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) of the Southern Region will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture through a designated federal official (DFO) concerning recreation fees on national forest lands. The region is currently engaged in the process to re-establish the RRAC. 

Target dates leading up to the committee seating and first RRAC meeting: 

• Recruitment and outreach – October 1 to December 1, 2023 

• Submittal of nomination package to the Department for review – Spring 2024 

• Selection and notification to members – Summer 2024 

• First RRAC meeting – Fall 2024 

The group meets 1-2 times per year and serves national forests across the Southeast. The committee is tasked with reviewing fee proposals for forests in 13 southern states and Puerto Rico and recommending fee changes. 

Nominees must represent the following forest-related interests: 

• Category One – Five people who represent recreation users, one in each position:  camping, summer motorized, summer non-motorized, wildlife and nature viewing/viewing interpretive sites, and hunting and fishing. 

• Category Two – Three people who represent interest groups that include: outfitter and guides (two positions) and local environmental groups (one position). 

• Category Three – Three people, one in each position: State tourism official, a person who represents affected local government interests, and a person who represents affected American Indian tribal issues.   

Completed nomination forms were due by December 31, 2023. Nomination packets and details are available at www.fs.usda.gov/main/r8/recreation/racs, or by contacting Caroline Mitchell at 501-321-5318 or by e-mail to: r8_rrac@usda.gov. 

Questions and Answers 

Q: What is the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA)? 

A: The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, signed into law in December 2004, authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to establish, modify, charge, and collect recreation fees at Federal recreation lands and waters.    

Q: What is the Southern Region RRAC? 

A: The Southern Region RRAC is a citizen advisory committee established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). It ensures that the Forest Service receives broad and balanced input into their decision-making process. Federal law requires the establishment of RRACs by state or region to provide recommendations concerning recreation fee proposals on public lands. RRAC recommendations are considered by Forest Service officials who, ultimately, are responsible for making decisions about recreation fees.      

Q: Is there currently a functioning Southern Region RRAC? 

A: No, the last Southern Region RRAC was appointed in 2016 and served for three years until members’ terms expired in September 2019. Currently, the Region does not have a functioning RRAC and, therefore, cannot implement fee changes. 

Q: How will the Southern Region RRAC be re-established? 

A: The establishment of the RRAC is guided by provisions of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and Federal Advisory Committee Act. Public outreach includes a mandatory notice in the Federal Register and recruitment of nominees from organizations representing key recreational interests.   

Q: When does the region anticipate re-establishing the RRAC? 

A: The region is engaged in the process to re-establish the RRAC. Target dates leading up to the committee seating and first RRAC meeting: 

• Recruitment and outreach – October 1 to December 31, 2023 

• Submittal of nomination package to the Department for review – Spring 2024 

• Selection and notification to members – Summer 2024 

• First RRAC meeting – Fall 2024 

Q: What States does the Southern Region RRAC cover? 

A: The Southern Region RRAC provides recommendations to the Forest Service on recreation fee matters on national forests and grasslands in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the territory of Puerto Rico.   

Q: What kinds of fees does the committee consider? 

A: RRACs provide recommendations on implementing or eliminating standard amenity fees, expanded amenity fees, and non-commercial individual special recreation permit fees; expanding or limiting the recreation fee program; and fee level changes (increases or decreases). RRACs do not make recommendations on recreation fee sites operated by a concessionaire or contractor, commercial permits such as outfitting and guiding, or Forest Service special use permits issued for group events such as bike races. 

Q: Who serves on a RRAC?   

A: The advisory committee will be comprised of 11 members under the following criteria:  

• Category One – Five people who represent recreation users, one in each position:  camping, summer motorized, summer non-motorized, wildlife and nature viewing/viewing interpretive sites, and hunting and fishing. 

• Category Two – Three people who represent interest groups that include: outfitter and guides (2 positions) and local environmental groups (1 position). 

• Category Three – Three people, one in each position: State tourism official, a person who represents affected local government interests, and a person who represents affected American Indian tribal issues.   

Q: If an individual is currently serving on a RAC, can they be selected for the regional RRAC? 

A: No. Members can only serve on one RAC at a time. 

Q: What are the responsibilities of individual committee members? 

A: Through by-laws each RRAC may identify unique responsibilities for members. In general, some are:   

• Represent interests of appropriate groups by receiving pertinent information from and sharing discussions with interest groups.  

• Consider whether general public support exists for a recommendation.     

• Understand and agree to meeting commitments.  

• Work in a team setting and be open to discussing and understanding differing viewpoints.  

• Give everyone a chance to speak and withhold judgment on an idea presented by others until it has a chance to be developed.  

• Focus on issues, needs and opportunities, not on personalities, people, or firm positions. 

Q: How does the RRAC interact with the Forest Service?   

A: The RRAC has a Designated Federal Official, or DFO, who serves as a liaison to the Forest Service. The DFO will: 

• Approve or call the RRAC and any subcommittee meetings   

• Approve the agendas  

• Attend the meetings 

• Adjourn the meeting when such an adjournment is in the public interest 

• Chair the meeting in absence of a chairperson selected by the RRAC 

Q:  When and where will the RRAC meet? 

A: The committee meets at least once per year or as often as is determined necessary. The location and length of meetings will be determined by the DFO and chairperson and will be shared with members.    

Q:  How are meetings conducted? 

A: Each RRAC may identify the specific methods or requirements by which meetings are run and majority or consensus decisions are reached. However, REA states that: 

• A quorum, eight members, must exist for the RRAC to hold an official meeting.   

• A majority of members from each of three member groups (at least seven members) must be present to make recommendations. 

• A majority of total members (at least six members) must be present to make decisions such as nominating a chairperson or forming a subcommittee. 

Q: Are RRAC members paid or compensated for travel to meetings? 

A: RRAC members do not receive compensation; however, they are reimbursed for transportation, lodging, and meal expenses.   

Q: How long do members serve? 

A: Members will serve two to three years. A member cannot exceed two consecutive terms. 

Q: Can members be reappointed to the RRAC or are they limited to one term? 

A: The Secretary of Agriculture may choose to reappoint RRAC members to additional terms.  

Q: What is a RRAC charter? 

A: The charter is a national document that officially identifies the membership, duties, costs, meeting requirements and any special instructions for the RRACs. This document is renewed every two years.   

Q: Who should I contact for additional information? 

A: Contact your Forest Fee Coordinator; the Regional Fee Coordinator, Tiffany Williams at tiffany.p.williams@usda.gov or 404-347-2769; or the Regional RRAC Coordinator, Caroline Mitchell at caroline.mitchell@usda.gov or 501-321-5318. 

Q:  Is there a web address to obtain additional information? 

A: Yes, visit the national site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits/recreation-resource-advisory-committees or the regional site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r8/recreation/racs.