TUCSON, AZ – June 3, 2019 – The USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Regional Forester is seeking nominations for the Southern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) pursuant to the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (the Act) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
The legislation requires the Forest Service, working with the counties, to establish a RAC made up of a diverse 15-member group of citizens with a formal charter. Members of a RAC must reside within the State in which the committee has jurisdiction and, to the extent possible, ensure local representation in each category included. RAC members serve 4-year terms without pay but may elect to be reimbursed for travel expenses.
The five Arizona counties participating in the Southern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee are Cochise, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Santa Cruz. This year these counties elected to receive over $250,000 in Title II funds for RAC grant and project recommendations to be used on a variety of projects on or benefitting the Coronado and Tonto National Forests.
Nominations are being sought for the purpose of improving collaborative relationships among people who use and care for National Forests and provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. The duties of the Southern Arizona RAC include monitoring projects, advising the Secretary of Agriculture on progress and results of monitoring efforts, and making recommendations to the Forest Service for any appropriate changes or adjustments to the projects being monitored by the RAC.
Title II funds may be used for road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration; soil productivity improvement; improvements in forest ecosystem health; watershed restoration and maintenance; restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat; control of noxious and exotic weeds; re-establishment of native species; road maintenance, decommissioning , or obliteration; and restoration of streams and watersheds.
The RAC membership shall include representation from the following interest areas:
(1) Five persons who represent:
(a) Organized Labor or Non-Timber Forest Product Harvester Groups,
(b) Developed Outdoor Recreation, Off-Highway Vehicle Users, or Commercial Recreation Activities,
(c) Energy and Mineral Development, or Commercial or Recreational Fishing Groups,
(d) Commercial Timber Industry, and
(e) Federal Grazing Permit or Other Land Use Permit Holders, or Representative of Non-Industrial Private Forest Land Owners, within the area for which the committee is organized.
(2) Five persons who represent:
(a) Nationally or Regionally Recognized Environmental Organizations,
(b) Regionally or Locally Recognized Environmental Organizations,
(c) Dispersed Recreational Activities,
(d) Archaeology and History, and
(e) Nationally or Regionally Recognized Wild Horse and Burro Interest, Wildlife Hunting Organizations, or Watershed Associations.
(3) Five persons who represent:
(a) Hold State-Elected Office,
(b) Hold County- or Local-Elected Office,
(c) American Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the committee is organized,
(d) Area School Officials or Teachers, and
(e) Affected Public at Large.
In accordance with the Act, members of the RAC shall serve without compensation. RAC members may be allowed travel expenses and per diem for attendance at committee meetings, subject to approval of the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) responsible for administrative support to the RAC.
Nomination and Application Information
The appointment of members to the Southern Arizona RAC will be made by the Southwestern Regional Forester. The public is invited to submit nominations for membership on the RAC, either as a self-nomination or a nomination of any qualified and interested person. Any individual or organization may nominate one or more qualified persons to represent the interest areas listed above. To be considered for membership, nominees must:
- Be a resident of the State of Arizona,
- Identify what interest group they would represent and how they are qualified to represent that interest group,
- Provide a cover letter stating why they want to serve on the Southern Arizona RAC and what they can contribute,
- Provide a resume showing their past experience in working successfully as part of a group working on forest management activities,
- Complete Form AD-755, Advisory Committee or Research and Promotion Background Information. The Form AD-755 may be obtained from the contact person listed below or from the following Secure Rural Schools RAC Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/specialprojects/racs. All nominations will be vetted by the Agency.
Written nominations must be received by July 12, 2019. Nominations must contain a completed application packet that includes the nominee’s name, resume, and completed Form AD-755 (Advisory Committee or Research and Promotion Background Information). The nomination package must be sent to: Rose Robinson, Coronado National Forest, 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701. For additional information, please contact: Rose Robinson at 520-388-8491 or rosamond.robinson@usda.gov.
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