Advisory Committees

Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees

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.

For more information about the Secure Rural Schools program visit www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/secure-rural-schools

Six Rivers National Forest RACs

​Del Norte County RAC

Humboldt County RAC

Trinity County RAC: 

Humboldt County and Del Norte County RACs Seeking Project Proposals

The Humboldt County and Del Norte County Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) invite project proposals for the use of funds anticipated from the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. RACs advise the Forest Service on which projects are worthy of funding for the benefit of National Forest land and local communities. Each county’s RAC is composed of 9 to 15 members of the public who represent diverse interests related to public land management.

All proposals for fuels reduction, road/watershed improvements, and other activities that clearly demonstrate a benefit to Six Rivers National Forest lands are requested. Proposals are welcome from individuals, community-based organizations, tribes, and government agencies that are eligible for funding consideration with the Forest Service.

To submit a project proposal fill out a Project Submission Form (PDF). Completed project submission forms should be emailed to: Del Norte County RAC: Kathy Allen, Gasquet District Ranger, at kathy.m.allen@usda.gov; Humboldt County RAC: Nolan Colegrove, Lower Trinity/Orleans/Ukonom District Ranger, at nolan.colegrove@usda.gov.

Secure Rural Schools projects must be initiated by September 30, 2022, and project funds must be obligated by September 30, 2023. Any funds, including funds from previous years, can be used.

What is a RAC?

Resource Advisory Committees review and recommend land management projects for public benefit, directing money from the federal government to local priorities on or adjacent to federal land. Past projects funded at the advice of RACs include road and trail maintenance, fuels treatments, invasive plant removal, and sanitation improvement. RAC members serve a term of four years, with the possibility of a second term for a maximum of eight years. Once a committee of 15 members has been selected, RACs meet about every 1 to 2 months.

Each local RAC has nine to 15 representatives of varied interests and areas of expertise. They work collaboratively to improve working relationships among community members and national forest employees. Each RAC meets up to four times per year in a location and facility that is accessible to the public. Attendance may be in-person, by telephone, or other electronic means.

Members are required to live within the state(s) in which the committee has jurisdiction. To the extent practicable, the members also represent municipalities covered by the committee. Members are appointed to four-year terms and may be reappointed for additional terms. Members serve without compensation, but may be allowed travel expenses and per diem for attendance at committee meetings.

The Six Rivers National Forest is seeking community members to serve on the RAC for Humboldt County. The Del Norte County RAC has a full complement of members.

Category A
(3 to 5 members)

Category B
(3 to 5 members)

Category C
(3 to 5 members)

Organized labor or non-timber
forest product harvester groups

Nationally recognized
environmental
organizations

Hold state elected office
or their designee

Developed outdoor
recreation, off-highway
vehicle users, or
commercial recreation activities

Regionally or locally
recognized
environmental
organizations

Hold county or local
elected office

Energy and mineral
development interests; or
commercial or recreational
fishing interests

Dispersed recreational
activities

American Indian tribes
within or adjacent to
committee area

Commercial timber
industry

Archaeological and
historical interests

School officials or
teachers

Hold federal grazing or
other land use permits, or
represent non-industrial
private forest landowners,
within the area for which
the committee is organized

Nationally or regionally
recognized wild horse
and burro interest groups,
wildlife or hunting
organizations, or
watershed associations

Represent the affected
public at large

Why serve on a RAC?

This is a unique opportunity to provide advice and recommendation on management activities on national forest lands. RAC members are able to represent people who share their interests, learn about other community members’ interests, and help determine how funds are spent and projects are implemented on and around public land. RACs are designed to include diverse perspectives from the community and members are selected to equally represent three categories of interests, described below.

RAC meetings:

Each meeting shall be convened and conducted in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and USDA Departmental Regulations. FACA rules require the Designated Federal Official (DFO) to publish notice of a meeting in Federal Register at least 15 days in advance. The SRS Act requires announcement of a RAC meeting at least one week in advance in a local newspaper of record. Meetings are open to the public and the DFO is responsible for keeping minutes and other records related to the meetings.

More information:

Funding for RACs is authorized through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, reauthorized by Congress in H.R.1865 - Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. Prospective Del Norte and Humboldt County RAC committee members must reside within California, and to the extent practicable, provide local representation. Each committee consists of 15 members with a wide range of interests. Three additional members are also appointed as replacements should a committee member leave for any reason. RAC membership must represent the following interests (five members from each category):

How to apply:

If interested in being on either the Del Norte or Humboldt County RAC, please submit the two forms below plus a cover letter to: RAC Coordinator, Six Rivers National Forest, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA 95501.

Questions:

For further information, please contact Ben Littlefield Six Rivers National Forest RAC Coordinator, at benjamin.littlefield@usda.gov

Forms

Forms for Application Packages

Forms for Reporting Process

Forms for Reimbursements for Advance Payments

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