Committees
Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee
In 2000, Congress signed the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Public Law 106- 393), also known as Payments to Counties, to provide support for counties that have historically depended on income from federal timber programs.
The national forest works with a resource advisory committee to select projects available for funding under Title II of the act. These projects may be proposed by individuals, non-profit organizations, local governments, or others and must restore watersheds, decommission or maintain roads, control noxious weeds, or otherwise improve the condition of the Forest. Proposed projects need not be implemented on Forest Service lands but must show benefit to national forest resources.
What is the Meeting Frequency?
The Eastern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee meets an average of twice per year to consider proposals for Title II spending.
What is the Typical Meeting Length?
Meetings are generally one half of a day
How Are Meetings Conducted?
Meetings can be in-person, virtual, or a hybrid of the two depending on the committee’s needs.
How Long is the Term?
Committee members are appointed to four-year terms by the Secretary of Agriculture
How Many People Are on the Committee?
There are a total of 15 citizens on a Resource Advisory Committee
The Eastern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee is an opportunity for local community collaboration with federal land managers on implementation of Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act.
Members of the Resource Advisory Committee are 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 Eastern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee has time windows where it accepts project proposals, to be funded via SRS Title II funds.
View Title Categories Information
Funds may be used for projects on National Forests or adjoining private land to provide benefits to National Forest resources. The committee may fund projects such as culvert replacement to enhance fish passage, fuel reduction project to protect a community from wildland fire, or weed control programs.
Advisory Committee Overview
The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 as amended by Public Law 116-94, provided for the establishment of Resource Advisory Committees. The purpose of these committees is to improve collaborative relationships between communities and their local forests and to provide advice and recommendations to the U.S. Forest Service concerning implementing Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
All committee activities operate in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.