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.
Joining the Committee
The committee is not currently recruiting. For information on future openings contact the Resource Advisory Committee Coordinator.
Upcoming Meetings
The Allegheny RAC does not have an upcoming meeting scheduled at this time. Meeting information including dates, times, agendas, and how the public can join will be posted in the Events calendar.
Current Project Requests
There is not currently a request for proposals. Future requests for proposals will be posted on this website and provided via outreach to the media, partners, and the public.
What is the Meeting Frequency?
The Allegheny 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 Allegheny 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 Allegheny 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.
Allegheny Resource Advisory Committee Contact
Coordinator: Dale Readus
Secure Rural Schools National Website
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 national site provides information on Payments, Archived Payments, The Act, Title Categories, and Payments to Counties via Bankhead-Jones
Eastern Region Recreation RAC
You are invited to bring your unique perspective to a citizen advisory committee.
The U.S. Forest Service is seeking a diverse group of nominees to reflect and represent your respective community needs and values as part of the Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. The 11 positions will serve 17 national forests and one tall grass prairie across the Northeast and Midwest. The committee will review recreation fee proposals for the forests/prairie in the Eastern Region and recommend fee changes.
Recreation is the portal through which people connect to their national forests. Thus, national forest recreation plays a key role in the social stability, environmental integrity, and economic vitality of these communities. Recreation fees help improve access to recreation sites and increase opportunities for enjoyment of public lands.
To be effective, we need a committee that is representative of the diversity of our nation. We will look to members to communicate emerging issues and share technical and professional knowledge. This will allow us to increase collaborative work across boundaries and borders to optimize recreation benefits for all.
Nomination Information
Potential nominees must represent the following forest-related interests:
- Category One: Five people who represent recreation users, one in each position: summer motorized, summer non-motorized, winter motorized, winter non-motorized, and hunting and fishing.
- Category Two: Three people who represent interest groups that include as appropriate: motorized outfitter and guides, non-motorized outfitter and guides, and local environmental groups.
- Category Three: Three people, one in each position: State tourism official, a person who represents affected local government interests, and a person who represents affected Tribal Nations’ issues.
Applicants will be recommended to the Regional Forester for a two to three-year term appointment based on the following criteria:
- How the person is qualified to represent one or more of the interests listed above.
- Experience working with underserved populations including people of color.
- Why the person wants to serve on the committee and what they can contribute.
- Past experience in successfully working in a group setting.
Nominees’ demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities will be considered in membership selections.  United States Department of Agriculture policies regarding equal opportunity will be followed.
Travel Costs
The Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee members will receive travel and per diem expenses for regularly scheduled meetings, however, they will not receive compensation. Meetings may be in-person, virtual, or a combination of the two. The jurisdiction of the Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee covers the National Forests/National Tallgrass Prairie in: Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.