News Release: USDA Forest Service Kootenai National Forest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Willie Sykes 293-6211
December, 2008

CITIZENS SOUGHT FOR LINCOLN COUNTY RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Kootenai National Forest and Lincoln County Commissioners are jointly seeking members for a the Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) under Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000, which was reauthorized in October 2008 for another four years.  RACs are to consist of 15 members representing a wide array of interests.  The committee’s duties include reviewing proposed forest management projects in accordance with Title II of the Act and making funding recommendations to the Forest Service, coordinating with land management agency 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.  The nomination period ends December 22, 2008.  This is the first round of nominations and if all positions aren’t filled in this first round additional applications may be requested.

Public Law 106-393 creates 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 northwest Montana are aligned with county boundaries.  The boundary of this RAC covers Lincoln County.  The Kootenai National Forest’s contact person is Willie Sykes (293-6211).  Lincoln County’s contact is Bill Bishoff (293-7781, ext. 201).
                                
Committee members serve a three-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 preferably within the RAC’s geographic boundary.  Prospective members are advised that membership on a RAC calls for a substantial commitment of time and energy.

Specifically, the composition of the RAC is to be balanced according to the following three interest categories identified in Public Law 106-393.  There are 7 vacancies, 4 are regular members and 3 are replacement members in the following categories:

Category A: (two regular members and one replacement) who represent one or more of the following interests:

1. Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups
2. Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities
3. Energy and mineral development or commercial or recreational fishing interests
4. Commercial timber industry
5. Federal grazing permit holders or land use permit holders within the RAC area

Category B: (only one replacement) who represent one or more of the following interests):

1. Nationally recognized environmental organizations
2. Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
3. Dispersed recreation activities
4. Archaeological and historical interests
5. Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse or burro groups, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed associations

Category C: (two regular members and one replacement) who represent one or more of the following interests):

1. State-elected office holders or their designee
2. County or local elected office holders
3. American Indian tribal representatives from tribes within or adjacent to RAC areas
4. School officials or teachers
5. Citizens representing the affected public at large

The application forms are available on the following Internet site: www.fs.fed.us/r1/kootenai/rac/index.shtml or the following offices: the Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s Office or district offices, the Lincoln County Courthouse in Libby, or the Annex in Eureka.  Please send completed application packets by December 22, 2008, to either:

1. Willie Sykes, Kootenai National Forest, 31374 U.S. Highway 2 West, Libby, MT 59923 or
2. Bill Bischoff, Lincoln County Courthouse, 512 California Avenue, Libby, MT 59923

Nominees will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience working with the interest area they represent, their knowledge of the geographic area covered by the RAC, their demonstrated commitment to collaborative resource decision-making, and their contribution to the balance and diversity of the RAC.

Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be followed in all membership appointments to the committee.  To ensure that the recommendations of the committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership will include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

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