Committees

Resource Advisory Committees were established under the Reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. The RAC’s recommend how to allocate a portion of federal funds counties receive under the Act. The Act directs that funds be spent on projects such as road, trail and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration, improvements in soil and forest ecosystem health, restoration and improvements of wildlife and fish habitat, control of weeds, and reestablishment of native animals and plants. Projects must benefit resources on National Forest lands and meet federal environmental laws. In the past five years, the RACs have approved more than $3.5 million in funding for projects that benefit National Forest system lands.

The RAC's duties include reviewing proposed forest management projects in accordance with the SRS Act and making recommendations to the Forest Service and providing opportunities for interested parties to participate in the project development process. RAC duties have been expanded to include monitoring of project progress and making recommendations for appropriate changes to projects being monitored.

Each resource advisory committee shall be comprised of 15 members made up of people from the general public, with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, and other local interests. Members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and serve a four-year term.

Projects which have been funded represent a number of categories.  These include projects like trail projects, weed spraying, lake and stream monitoring, dust abatement, signage, education events, and vault toilets.

To apply for RAC funding, reach out to RAC Coordinator Ivy Gehling

The Flathead County RAC periodically solicits applications from individuals to fill positions on our Resource Advisory Committees (RAC). Interested individuals should have an interest in resource management and a strong desire to work collaboratively within a diverse group of interests. To be a RAC member, applicants must fall into one of the following categories:

Category A

• Organized Labor or Non-Timber Forest Product Harvester Groups
• Developed Outdoor Recreation, Off Highway Vehicle Users, or Commercial Recreation Activities
• Energy & Mineral Development Interests or Commercial or Recreational Fishing Interests
• Commercial Timber Industry
• Hold Federal Grazing or Other Land Use Permits, or Represent Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners Within the Area for Which the Committee is Organized

Category B

• 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, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed organizations.

Category C

• State-elected office-holders or their designee.
• County or local elected office-holders.
• American Indian tribal representatives from tribes within or adjacent to the RAC area.
• School officials or teachers.
• Citizens representing the affected public at large.

If you are interested in serving on the Flathead County Resource Advisory Committee, please reach out to Ivy Gehling