Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

Local Area News Releases

Citizens Sought for Deschutes-Ochoco Resource Advisory Committee

BEND, OREGON - May 14, 2004

The USDA Forest Service is seeking nominees for the Deschutes-Ochoco Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). Members are appointed under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-393). The RAC consists of 15 members representing a wide array of interests. Duties of the committee include reviewing and recommending proposed forest resource projects, coordinating with Forest Service officials, and providing opportunities for interested parties to participate in the project development process.

Committee members are sought who are committed to working collaboratively with other interests for the long-term benefit of national forest system lands. New members will work with experienced committee members. The nomination period ends June 7, 2004.

Each RAC is assigned a Designated Federal Official (DFO) to work with the committee. The DFO for the Deschutes-Ochoco RAC is Deschutes National Forest Supervisor Leslie Weldon. Our RAC includes the Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests and represents Deschutes, Crook, Klamath, Jefferson, Wheeler and Grant counties.

Committee members are appointed to a three-year term without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. There are generally 3-4 days of meetings a year. Members must reside within Oregon, and to the extent practicable within the RAC boundary.

Forest Supervisor Leslie Weldon said, “I am very interested and committed to ensuring members of our RAC continue to represent the diversity of our communities of interest and place.” Specifically, the composition of the RAC is to be balanced according to the following interest categories:

• Category One (five members and one replacement) representing these interests:
  • Organized labor
  • Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users or commercial recreation
  • Energy and mineral development
  • Commercial timber industry
  • Federal grazing permit holders or land use permit holders within the RAC area
• Category Two (five members and one replacement) representing these interests:
  • Nationally recognized environmental organizations
  • Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
  • Dispersed recreation activities
  • Archaeological and historical interests
  • Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse or burro groups
• Category Three (five members and one replacement) representing these interests:
  • State-elected office holders or their designee
  • County or local elected office holders
  • American Indian tribal representatives from tribes within or adjacent to RAC areas
  • School officials or teachers
  • Citizens representing the affected public at large

To obtain an application packet or additional information, please contact Kyrie Murphy at (541) 383-5522.

Media Contacts:

• Kyrie Murphy (541) 383-5522
• Sue Olson (541) 383-5561