Welcome to Skagit County

May 18th, 2004

CITIZENS SOUGHT FOR RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Managers of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National are seeking nominees for three Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) under Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-393).

Each advisory committee consists of 15 members representing a wide array of public interests. The committees’ duties include reviewing proposed forest management projects in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and making 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 should be individuals who are committed to working collaboratively with other interests for the long-term benefit of national forest system lands. The nomination period closes June 15, 2004.

Public Law 106-393 creates a mechanism for local community collaboration in recommending projects to be conducted on federal lands or that will benefit resources on federal lands.

The geographic boundaries of three local advisory committees are aligned with subsegments of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The northern RAC includes national forest lands in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, the central RAC includes national forest lands in Snohomish County, and the southern RAC includes national forest lands in King and Pierce Counties.

Each RAC is assigned a Designated Federal Official (DFO) to serve as the point of contact. Local DFO’s are: North – Jon Vanderheyden, 360-856-5700, Central – Barb Busse, 360-677-2414, South – Jim Franzel 425-888-1421.

Committee members serve a three-year term without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. Meetings are generally held once or twice yearly within the geographic area the RAC serves. Members must reside within the State in which the RAC is located, and to the extent practicable, within the RAC boundary.

Advisory Committee Members 2-2-2

Advisory committees are to be balanced and diverse with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, and citizens-at-large. Potential candidates’ names will be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (or her designee) for appointment consideration. Specifically, the composition of each RAC is to be balanced according to three interest categories:

Category One: Five regular members and one replacement who represent one or more of the following interests:
· Organized labor
· Developed recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation
· Energy and mineral development
· Commercial timber industry
· Federal grazing permit holders or land use permit holders within the RAC area

Category Two: Five regular members and one replacement who represent one or more of the following interests:
· Nationally recognized environmental organizations
· Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
· Dispersed recreation activities
· Archaeological and historical interests
· Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse or burro groups

Category Three: Five regular members and one replacement who represent one or more of the following interests:
· State-elected office holders or their designee
· County or local elected office holders
· American Indian tribal representatives from within or adjacent to RAC areas
· School officials or teachers
· Citizens representing the affected public at large

To obtain an application, which should be returned to the appropriate Designated Federal Official (DFO), please contact one of the following:

Jim Franzel Barbara Busse Jon Vanderheyden
South DFO Central DFO North DFO
425-888-1421 360-677-2414 360-856-5700
FAX: 425-888-1910 FAX: 425-744-3265 360-856-1934

Snoqualmie Ranger Dist. Skykomish Ranger Dist. Mt. Baker Ranger Dist.
42404 SE North Bend Way
P.O. Box 305 810 State Route 20
North Bend, WA 98045 Skykomish, WA 98288 Sedro Woolley, WA 98284

RAC applications also are available at www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs

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, shall be followed in all committee appointments. Membership shall, to the extent practicable, include individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.