Northeast Oregon Resource Advisory Committee (NEOF-RAC)

Latest NEOF-RAC information

Beginning January 1, 2025, the NEOF-RAC will be accepting applications to become a RAC member through February 28, 2025. There will be 15 vacancies, 5 in each of the categories. See categories below for a list of interests RAC members represent.

If you are interested in becoming a member of this committee, please send an email to the appropriate contact in the contact section below or mail a hardcopy to Malheur National Forest, ATTN: Northeast Oregon Forests Resource Advisory Committee, 431 Patterson Bridge Road, PO Box 909, John Day, OR 97845. If you have any questions about becoming a RAC member, you can email any of the contacts in the contact section below. 

Resource Advisory Committees were established under Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-393) signed by the president on October 30, 2000, and reauthorized for fiscal years 2021-2023. RACs consist of 15 members representing a wide array of interests.

The committees’ duties include reviewing proposed forest management projects in accordance with the Act and making recommendations to the Forest Service. Committee members are committed to working collaboratively with other interests for the long-term benefit of national forest system lands.

Public Law 106-393 created a mechanism for local community collaboration with federal land managers in recommending projects to be conducted on federal lands or that will benefit resources on federal lands. The geographic boundaries of the RACs in Oregon and Washington are generally aligned with National Forest boundaries, and each RAC is assigned a Designated Federal Official (DFO) to serve as the point of contact. 

Council members serve a four-year term without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. Meetings are generally held quarterly at locations within the geographic area the RAC serves.  Members must reside within the State in which the RAC is located, and to the extent practicable, within the RAC boundary.  Prospective members are advised that membership on a RAC calls for a substantial commitment of time and energy.

These committees are balanced and diverse with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, and local people.  Specifically, the composition of each RAC is balanced according to the following three interest categories identified in Public Law 106-393:

Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Secure Rural Schools Program website

For status of meetings, information on how to become a member of the RAC, or other questions, please contact your Forest’s RAC Coordinator in the contacts section below.

The purpose of RAC meetings is to hear about Title II projects from their proponents, discuss the projects, and eventually the RAC will provide funding recommendations for projects back to the Forest Service.

Project proposals can be submitted from any organization. However, proposals have to clearly articulate and demonstrate a benefit to public lands to be in compliance with Title II funding criteria. Forms are to be submitted to the DFO and RAC Coordinators listed in the NEOF-RAC Contacts. Please include any needed maps or attachments for proposals. 

Proposals coming from entities outside of the Forest Service do require a Forest Service Sponsor, as well as a Project Proposal Form and the Supplemental to Non-FS Title II Project Applicants Form. 

This section provides news releases and key upcoming dates to keep you aware of important updates for the Northeast Oregon Forests Resource Advisory Committee.