By Aaron Voos
Public Affairs, US Forest Service
As part of a region-wide effort, the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests are assisting in the recruitment of new members for the Greater Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region is seeking six new members with diverse backgrounds and interests to serve on the committee. Using Title II Secure Rural Schools
(SRS) funds, members recommend projects that are on, or impacting Forest Service managed lands.
The Greater Rocky Mountain RAC is the largest of its kind, representing the Grand Mesa, Gunnison, Pike, Rio Grande, Roosevelt, Routt, San Isabel, San Juan, Uncompahgre, and White River National Forests in Colorado and the Bighorn, Medicine Bow, and Shoshone National Forests in Wyoming.
The committee recommends annual project funding and is responsible for coordinating with land management agencies and county officials region wide. Local projects are considered in Routt and Jackson counties in Colorado, as well as Albany and Carbon counties in Wyoming.
In June 2023 the Greater Rocky Mountain RAC awarded a total of $4,283,091 from Secure Rural Schools Title II funds for 38 projects across nine national forests. Out of that total, nine local projects were recommended for $1,036,740 in funding.
Since the inception of SRS funding in 2008, RACs have approved over $2.4 million worth of funding locally towards various projects impacting the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests.
The Forest Service seeks to have the Greater Rocky Mountain RAC represent as many interests as possible. Below are the categories for which we are seeking representation:
• Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities
• Energy and mineral development, or commercial or recreational fishing interests
• Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
• Archaeological and historical interests
• State-elected office (or a designee)
• American Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the committee is organized
• Affected public-at-large
The committee consists of 15 people who work in collaboration with natural resource managers and community members to help make project decisions that benefit federal lands and local communities.
Serving on the committee provides a great opportunity for citizens to have a voice in future management actions across the region. Members volunteer to serve a four-year term without pay but may be reimbursed for travel expenses.
Projects are funded primarily by Title II, and must improve forest health, fish, wildlife, soils, watersheds, or other resources; maintain, de-commission or obliterate roads; improve trails and other infrastructure; or control noxious weeds. Previous projects have included meadow restoration in wetland areas, wildlife habitat improvements, and the installation of Aquatic Organism Passages to replace undersized culverts. The projects must be located on or provide a direct benefit to National Forest lands. The committee is also responsible for monitoring projects and making recommendations for improvements.
Those who are interested in serving on the committee are invited to submit nominations. Final selections will be vetted and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. Nominees must:
• Be a resident of Colorado or Wyoming; committee members will vote on projects in both states, regardless of their state of residency;
• Provide a cover letter stating why they want to serve on the Greater Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Committee and what they can contribute;
• Provide a resume that shows experience working successfully in a collaborative setting and/or in work related to forest management activities;
• Complete Form AD-755, Advisory Committee or Research and Promotion Background Information. The AD-755 can be obtained at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd674657.pdf
• Identify the interest group they would like to represent and their qualifications to represent that group. Interest groups include:
o Category A: 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.
o Category B: 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.
o Category C: 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.
Nominations must be received by December 1, 2023. Please email nomination packages to Karley O’Connor at Karley.O’Connor@usda.gov; or mail them to Karley O’Connor at Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, 2250 South Main Street, Delta, CO 81416. You may also contact Karley O’Connor for assistance with the application process.
