LAKEVIEW, Ore.—Fremont-Winema National Forest officials have extended the application deadline for the national forest’s Resource Advisory Committee in an effort to encourage more Klamath and Lake County residents to apply to the 18-member volunteer committee.
They have extended the applications for the Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) until Friday, September 11, to encourage the submission of additional applications.
“This important committee has a tremendous impact on how roughly $1.5 million is allocated each year for watershed restoration and forest management projects in Klamath and Lake Counties,” said Fremont and Winema RAC Designated Federal Official Michael Tighe. “RAC members volunteer their time, but are reward by knowing their work greatly improves the health of public and private land in their communities.”
Members of the Fremont and Winema RAC collaboratively review and recommend watershed restoration and forest management projects for funding, in accordance with Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000. Watershed restoration projects selected for funding will be implemented on public or private lands located within Lake and Klamath counties.
The RAC must be balanced and diverse with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials and local residents. Membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women and persons with disabilities to ensure the recommendations of the committee have taken into account the needs of diverse groups.
Members of the RAC volunteer their time, but are compensated for travel expenses and per diem. Meetings are alternately held in Lakeview and Klamath Falls, with some monitoring field trips scheduled each year.
Citizens seeking to apply for Fremont and Winema RAC vacancies should contact Michael Tighe at 541-947-6246 (mtighe@fs.fed.us) or Fremont-Winema National Forest Partnership Coordinator Roland Giller at 541-783-4069 (rgiller@fs.fed.us).
More information and AD-755 membership application forms are available online at http://go.usa.gov/3Ab4j