Committees
The Rogue-Umpqua and Siskiyou Resource Advisory Committees (RAC) are two separate groups of volunteers that provide advice and recommendations to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest regarding the allocation of funds, fee proposals, and greater project work across the forest. Advisory committee members represent a wide variety of backgrounds and interests with equal representation from tribal and government agencies, industry, environmental groups, recreation groups, and local residents.
Working collaboratively with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, the RACs make funding recommendations for projects proposed under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act (SRS Act). Projects are considered for Title II funding if they make additional investments in, and create employment opportunities through:
- Improvement of existing infrastructure maintenance.
- Implementation of stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems; and
- Restoration and improvement of land health and water quality.
The committees' role is to improve collaborative relationships among community members and land managers that use and care for the national forest, as well as provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the SRS Act.
Submit a Project Proposal
Projects are considered for Title II funding if they make additional investments in, and create employment opportunities through:
- Improvement of existing infrastructure maintenance;
- Implementation of stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems;
- Restoration and improvement of land health and water quality;
- Projects must comply with all applicable Federal laws and regulations; and/or
- Projects must be consistent with the applicable resource management plan and with any watershed or subsequent plan developed pursuant to the resource management plan.
The funds may be used for projects that have broad-based support and with objectives that include:
- Road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration;
- Soil productivity improvement;
- Forest ecosystem health improvements;
- Watershed restoration and maintenance;
- Wildlife and fish habitat restoration, maintenance, and improvement;
- Noxious and exotic weeds control; and/or
- Native species re-establishment.
At least 50% of all project funds are to be used for projects that are primarily dedicated to road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration; or to restoration of streams and watersheds.
Planning and implementing the projects should help improve cooperative relationships among the people that use and care for Federal land and the agencies that manage the Federal land.
Who Can Apply
- Federal agencies
- State and local governments
- Private entities
- Nonprofit entities
- Landowners
Projects may take place on Federal land and on non-Federal land where projects would benefit the resources on Federal land.
Project Proposal Forms
Match Listed in Proposals
The Secure Rural Schools Act does not include a statutory match requirement. However, if a proposal includes match, the match must be included in the resulting agreement. Please note, some funding instruments require a specific percentage of match. For further information, please talk with your Forest Service contact.
Learn More About the Secure Rural Schools Act
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should serve on a Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)?
The 15-member Resource Advisory Committees (RAC) review projects funded by the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The makeup of the advisory committees is diverse, with representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, forest-user groups, and public at large.
Any individual who cares about roads, recreation, natural resource restoration, and job creation on or in communities around the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is encouraged to apply.
Why serve on a RAC?
RAC members can have a direct impact on where and how hundreds of thousands of federal dollars are spent. These dollars improve local infrastructure, create local jobs, enhance tourism opportunities, and restore ecosystems both in their communities and on and off federal land.
RAC members review proposed land management projects on or adjacent to national forest lands in Jackson, Klamath, Douglas, Josephine, Coos, Curry, and Del Norte Counties. They then make recommendations to the Forest Service in accordance with the Act on which projects should be funded.
How are committee members chosen?
Nominees will be evaluated based on their education, training and experience working within the interest area they represent. Consideration is also made for their knowledge of the geographic area covered by the RAC they are interested in serving on, demonstrated commitment to collaborative resource decision-making, and contribution to the balance and diversity of the RACs.
Committee members are nominated by the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and must be approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. Members must reside within the State in which the RAC is located, and to the extent practicable within the RAC boundary.
What is the time commitment?
Members serve a four-year term without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. Day-long meetings are generally held yearly in locations determined prior.
Interest Groups
The Rogue-Umpqua and Siskiyou OR Resource Advisory Committees each has 15 members representing various interests and areas of expertise. Interest groups are established by the national Charter and are divided into three categories: A, B, and C. Each category has 3-5 members. To hold a RAC meeting, at least 3 members from each category need to be present.
Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees Membership Categories
Category A 3-5 persons that: | Category B 3-5 persons that represent: | Category C 3-5 persons that: |
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Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees operate under a national Charter.
Secure Rural Schools Program
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.