The Hiawatha National Forest is recruiting individuals to be members of its Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) that was established as required by the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Initial review of applications will take place at the start of the new year, so all interested individuals are encouraged to submit their applications by December 31, 2024.
The Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program provides necessary funding to over 700 counties across the U.S. and Puerto Rico that goes towards roads, schools, and other municipal services. The program was established in 1908 to compensate counties with Forest Service lands for potential losses of tax revenue due to federal land ownership. The Forest Service distributes a portion of agency revenues from timber sales, mineral leases, recreation, grazing, and other sources to those states and counties containing national forests and grasslands.
Over the past ten years, the Forest Service has distributed $2.4 billion across the country through the SRS program. Payments are divided into three categories: Title II – Roads and Schools; Title II – Projects on Federal Lands; and Title III – County Projects. The Hiawatha RAC serves the critical role of reviewing and providing recommendations for SRS Title II projects (projects on Federal Lands) in Chippewa County.
The RAC is made up of fifteen members who are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Membership will have balanced and diverse representation and include individuals who are recreation users, members of environmental organizations, elected officials, tribal representatives, school officials, timber industry, public at large, and other interest groups. The Hiawatha aims to have representation from each of the fifteen sub-categories listed below:
Category A: Five persons who represent –
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 permits or other land use permit holders or represent non-industrial private forest landowners within the area for which the committee is organized.
Category B: Five persons who represent –
1. Nationally recognized environmental organizations
2. Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
3. Dispersed recreational activities
4. Archaeological and historical interests
5. Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed associations.
Category C: Five persons who represent –
1. State elected office (or a designee)
2. County or local elected office
3. American Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the committee is organized
4. Area school officials or teachers
5. Affected public-at-large
RAC members must reside within the State of Michigan, and to the extent practicable within the RAC boundary, which is Chippewa County. 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.
More information may be requested to determine qualifications.
Initial review of applications will take place at the start of the new year, so interested individuals are encouraged to submit their applications by December 31, 2024.
Selected candidates will serve a four-year term. RAC business is normally conducted during 2 or 3 meetings per year and typically held in Chippewa County. Meetings are usually one to two hours in length.
To apply, please fill out the Interest Form (required), Form AD-755: Advisory Committee or Research and Promotion Background Information (required), and any supporting documents such as a resume (optional) and send by mail or email to:
McKenzie Fox-Potter, RAC Coordinator
Hiawatha National Forest
820 Rains Drive
Gladstone, MI 49837
mckenzie.fox-potter@usda.gov
(906) 428-5853.
Additional information about Secure Rural Schools Self-Determination Act can be found at Secure Rural Schools Program | US Forest Service (usda.gov)
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