Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee

One of the best ways to influence the care and use of our Forest Service lands is to join a Forest Service Resource Advisory Committee, also known as a RAC. The Forest is currently seeking new members to be a part of the Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). Mineral County RAC members are responsible for reviewing and recommending projects for funding under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. 

If you live in Montana and have experience within a qualifying category below, you may be eligible to become one of the 15 committee members who are essential to recommending how Secure Rural Schools funding is used for the protection, restoration and enhancement of natural resource objectives on National Forest System lands. We encourage all interested individuals to apply.

Committee members must reside within the State of Montana, and to the extent practicable, reside within or have a vested interest in Mineral County.  Membership will have balanced and diverse representation and include individuals who are recreation users, members of environmental organizations, elected officials, Tribal representatives, school officials, timber industry, the public at-large, and other interest groups.

Applicants will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience working with the interest area they represent, their knowledge of the geographic area covered by the Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee, their demonstrated commitment to collaborative decision making, and their contribution to the balance and diversity of the committee. A portion of the applicants will be nominated for the committee and final membership will be selected by the Secretary of Agriculture.

To be considered for membership, nominees must:

• Be a resident of the State of Montana
• Identify what interest group you would represent and how they are qualified to represent that interest group
• Contact the Mineral County RAC Coordinator, Sandra Treadaway, at (406) 329-3804 or by emailing Sandra.Treadaway@usda.gov.

Selected candidates will serve a four-year term, expected to begin in late 2025.  Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee business is normally conducted during two or three meetings per year.  Meetings usually last two to three hours in length and are held in-person or virtually, depending on the needs of the committee members.

Members of the RAC must be appointed to represent one of the following three interest groups:

• Category One: Five members who represent energy and mineral development; the commercial timber industry; organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups; developed outdoor recreation; off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation; or federal grazing or other land permits or represent nonindustrial private forest landowners.
• Category Two: Five members who represent nationally recognized environmental organizations; regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations; dispersed recreational activities; archaeological and historical interests; or nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed associations.
• Category Three: Five members who are elected state officials; are county or local elected officials; represent Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the Council is organized; are school officials or teachers with knowledge in natural resource management or the natural sciences; or represent the affected public-at-large and/or are employed by a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources, land or water.

The RAC has more than $338,000 for the 2014 – 2023 Secure Rural Schools Title II payments that was available for projects.

Funding and administration for the Mineral County RAC is provided under the authority of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self–Determination Act.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act funds activities that benefit federal lands and resources in Mineral County. The Title II funds are designed to make investments in public lands and create additional employment opportunities through projects that improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems, and restore and improve land health and water quality. These projects are also designed to improve cooperative relationships among the people that use and care for public lands and the agencies that manage these lands. At least 50 percent of all funds must be used for projects primarily dedicated to restoring streams and watersheds, and road maintenance, decommissioning, or removal.

Individuals are encouraged to begin thinking about project proposals to submit once there is a full committee. It is the responsibility of the project proponent to coordinate with Forest Service staff and all other partners prior to submitting the proposal to ensure it is complete and meets the intent of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.

Please contact the Mineral County RAC Coordinator, Sandra Treadaway, at (406) 329-3804 or by emailing Sandra.Treadaway@usda.gov.