Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

Local Area News Releases

Resource Advisory Committee Members Selected

BEND, OREGON, January 10, 2005

The Secretary of Agriculture has announced the appointment of Deschutes–Ochoco Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) members for a new three-year term.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 provides for the Deschutes-Ochoco RAC, which will review and recommend projects to the Forest Service totaling approximately $1 million this year.

The RAC is comprised of local citizens who will recommend projects related to watershed restoration, road and trail maintenance, wildlife and fish habitat improvement, forest health, and fuels treatment. Project areas are on or adjacent to National Forest lands in Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Wheeler, and Klamath counties.

Ochoco National Forest Supervisor Larry Timchak has been appointed Designated Federal Official for the RAC. “The RAC is an exciting partnership for the Forest Service and local communities that benefits watersheds and supports healthy rural communities and healthy forest ecosystems,” he said.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-393) replaced an arrangement that gave counties 25 percent of Forest Service receipts from logging, grazing, recreation and other activities on national forest lands.

In the last decade, these receipts have dwindled with changes in national forest management. This year, under Public Law 106-393, Oregon counties will share $159.9 million. This compares to $76.3 million shared by counties in 2000 and $80.8 million in 1999.

Fifteen primary members and three replacement members representing a wide array of interests will serve on the Deschutes-Ochoco RAC. Selected members include a balance of experienced members reappointed to a second term and new members. New members are italicized in the list below.

Members of Group A represent developed outdoor or commercial recreation, off-highway vehicle users, energy and mineral development, commercial timber and grazing permittees or other land-use permittees – Peggy Spieger, Karol Bauldree, Patricia Gainsforth, John Morgan, Ken Read, and John Asher.

Group B members represent nationally recognized environmental organizations, regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological/historical interests and dispersed recreation – Tim Lillebo, Andrea Rabe, Ryan Houston, Michael Gangstead, Kelly Cannon-Miller, Arlie Holm.

Group C members represent county or local-elected officials, American Indian tribes, school officials or teachers and the affected public-at-large – Bill Bellamy, Lonny Macy, Tim Deboodt, Lani Hickey, Mike Daly, and Toni Foster.

The public will have an opportunity to propose natural resource projects to the RAC beginning February 7, when this year’s application will be released. It will be posted at www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/partnership/rac-index.shtml and available at Forest Service offices. For additional information, contact Kyrie Murphy at (541) 383-5522 or vmurphy@fs.fed.us

Media Contacts:

• Larry Timchak (541) 416-6625
• Kyrie Murphy (541) 383-5522