Committees
The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (reauthorized by Section 524 of P.L 114-10 and signed into law by the President on April 16, 2015) established Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service on the development and implementation of special projects funded under the Act that provide a benefit to federal lands. RACs consist of 15 people representing varied interests and areas of expertise, working collaboratively to improve working relationships among community members and national forest personnel.
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. RAC members do not receive financial compensation, but they may be reimbursed for travel expenses.
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, although they may only serve two terms consecutively. Members serve without compensation, but they may be allowed travel expenses and per diem for attendance at committee meetings.
The Tahoe National Forest is seeking community members to serve on the RACs for both Nevada and Placer Counties and for Sierra County. Both RACs lapsed following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Tahoe National Forest is working to restart them.
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.
| 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 |
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:
The Nevada and Placer Counties RAC and the Sierra County RAC are looking to fill all 15 member seats for both RACs. In order to be considered for a RAC, you must live in the state of California and have an affiliation to one of the categories above.
Once enough individuals have applied to fill all 15 seats of the RAC, all applications and nominations are sent to the National Partnership Office and the White House Liaison’s Office for review and concurrence.
Questions:
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Tahoe National Forest RAC Coordinator Teeney Hood at christina.hood@usda.gov or 530-414-6867.