Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Resource Advisory Committees
The U.S. Forest Service is seeking nominations to fill 11 positions on the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee to serve national forests across the Southeast. The committee is tasked with reviewing fee proposals for the forests in 13 southern states and Puerto Rico and recommending fee changes.
Potential nominees must represent the following forest-related interests:
- Category One: Five people who represent recreation users, one in each position: camping, summer motorized, summer non-motorized, wildlife and nature viewing/viewing of interpretive sites and hunting and fishing.
- Category Two: Three people who represent interest groups that include: outfitter and guides (two positions), and local environmental groups (one position).
- Category Three: Three people, one in each position: State tourism official, a person who represents affected local government interests, and a person who represents affected Indian tribes.
Applicants will be recommended to the Regional Forester for a three-year term appointment based on the following criteria:
- How the person is qualified to represent one or more of the interest listed above.
- Experience working with underserved populations including people of color.
- Why the person wants to serve on the committee and what they can contribute.
- Past experience in successfully working in a group setting.
Nominees’ demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities will be considered in membership selections. United States Department of Agriculture policies regarding equal opportunity will be followed.
The RRAC members will receive travel and per diem expenses for regularly scheduled meetings, however, they will not receive compensation. The jurisdiction of the RRAC covers the National Forests in: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the territory of Puerto Rico.
Completed criteria responses and applications are due by December 1, 2023, and may be mailed to:
or Express Delivery:
For more information, please contact Tiffany Williams at 404-576-1024 or email
For a word file version of the application click here and for the nomination criteria requirement click here.
Objective
The Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (Recreation RAC) of the Southern Region will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture through a designated federal official (DFO) concerning recreation fees on national forest lands.
Recreation RAC Role
The Recreation RAC makes recommendations to the DFO of the Southern Region. The DFO is responsible for bringing the recommendations forward to the Regional Forester who will make final decisions. The Recreation RAC is composed of a diverse group of 11 citizens, which allows for sharing of knowledge and personal experience. Council members consist of three distinct groups:
- Five people represent recreation users who participate in activities such as motorized and non-motorized recreation, camping, wildlife viewing/visiting interpretive sites and hunting and fishing;
- Three people who represent, as appropriate, the following recreation interest groups: motorized and non-motorized outfitting and guiding as well as environmental groups; and
- Three people who represent: State tourism; Indian tribes; and Local government.
To be useful by the Forest Service, recommendations by the Recreation RAC should fall within the sideboards established by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), the Federal Advisory Council Act, and any other pertinent guiding legislation or direction. As stated in the Recreation RAC charter, members provide recommendations to Forest Service officials on matters including, but not limited to:
- The implementation of a standard amenity recreation fee or an expanded amenity recreation fee or the establishment of a specific recreation fee site;
- The elimination of a standard amenity recreation fee or an expanded amenity recreation fee;
- The expansion or limitation of the recreation fee program;
- The implementation of or elimination of non-commercial, individual special recreation permit fees; and
- The implementation of fee level changes (increases or decreases).
Although the Recreation RAC will make recommendations to the DFO, the public at-large will be given opportunities to participate as well. All Recreation RAC meetings will be open to the public; however non-committee members will not be able to participate directly in committee discussions or exercises unless invited.
Recreation RAC members will be responsible for being accessible to others, and for bringing forward ideas they receive.
Following the Regional Forester decisions, the Recreation RAC will be encouraged to monitor the implementation process and actions taken.
Member Responsibilities
- Represent interests of appropriate groups by 1) generating information necessary from interest groups, and 2) keeping your constituency informed of progress.
- Determine whether general public support exists for their recommendation. Documentation of public support will be provided to the Recreation RAC.
- Understand and agree to meeting commitments. This is highly important because if the correct make-up of members is not attending a meeting, recommendations cannot be made. According to the charter:
- Quorum, 8 members, must exist for the Recreation RAC to hold an official meeting.
- A majority of members from each of three member groups (at least 7 members) must be present to make recommendations.
- A majority of total members (at least 6 members) must be present to make decisions such as nominating a chairperson or forming a subcommittee.
- Work in a team setting and be open to discussing and understanding differing viewpoints.
- Give everyone a chance to speak and withhold judgment on an idea presented by others until it has a chance to be developed.
- Focus on issues, needs and opportunities, not on personalities, people, or firm positions.
- Speak concisely and listen without interrupting.
- If problems or concerns arise about how the Recreation RAC is operating, members should make these known to the Recreation RAC or facilitators first and attempt to resolve them within the Recreation RAC structure. This will help to avoid undermining the process.
The Recreation RAC helps the Forest Service be more effective by
- Bringing stakeholder concerns and interests to the table;
- Carrying information back to the stakeholders
- Alerting the Forest Service to emerging issues
- Sharing technical and professional knowledge with the Forest Service and other council members
- Attending meetings
- Being a hands on, problem solving group
Summary of Duties
Duties of the DFO:
While Recreation RACs make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary has designated the duties of DFO to the Regional Forester, who has assigned Michelle Mitchell as DFO. The DFO, or an officer or employee of the Federal Government, must be present during each Recreation RAC meeting. The DFO is authorized, whenever he/she determines it to be in the public interest, to adjourn any such meeting. No Recreation RAC will conduct any meeting in the absence of that officer or employee.
- Approve or call both the Recreation RAC and any subcommittee meetings;
- Approve the agendas;
- Attend the meetings;
- Adjourn the meeting when such an adjournment is in the public interest; and
- Chair the meeting in absence of a Chairperson selected by the Recreation RAC.
Duties of the Agency (including, but not limited to):
- Orient new committee members;
- Ensure notices of meetings are posted in the Federal Register at least 15 days in advance;
- Ensure notices of meetings are posted in local newspapers at least 5 days in advance;
- Ensure public participation opportunities in open advisory committee meetings;
- Maintain the records, reports, transcripts, minutes, appendices, working papers, drafts, studies, agendas, or other documents which are made available for public inspection and copying at a single location in the agency until the advisory committee ceases to exist;
- Maintain detailed minutes;
- Maintain records of costs;
- Ensure committee members are reimbursed for travel and per diem costs;
- Track committee recommendations and obtaining agency responses; and
- File Annual Report to Congress
Duties of the Chairperson:
The Chairperson shall be selected by a majority vote of Recreation RAC members for a period of time that the Recreation RAC determines. Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Presides over committee meetings and must be familiar with the openness provision of the Federal Advisory Committee Act;
- Certifies the accuracy of all minutes; and
- Works with the DFO in the formation of agendas.
Q: What is the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA)?
A: The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, signed into law in December 2004, authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to establish, modify, charge, and collect recreation fees at Federal recreation lands and waters.
Q: What is the Southern Region RRAC?
A: The Southern Region RRAC is a citizen advisory committee established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). It ensures that the Forest Service receives broad and balanced input into their decision-making process. Federal law requires the establishment of RRACs by state or region to provide recommendations concerning recreation fee proposals on public lands. RRAC recommendations are considered by Forest Service officials who, ultimately, are responsible for making decisions about recreation fees.
Q: Is there currently a functioning Southern Region RRAC?
A: No, the last Southern Region RRAC was appointed in 2016 and served for three years until members’ terms expired in September 2019. Currently, the Region does not have a functioning RRAC and, therefore, cannot implement fee changes.
Q:How will the Southern Region RRAC be re-established?
A: The establishment of the RRAC is guided by provisions of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and Federal Advisory Committee Act. Public outreach includes a mandatory notice in the Federal Register and recruitment of nominees from organizations representing key recreational interests.
Q: When does the region anticipate re-establishing the RRAC?
A: The regions is engaged in the process to re-establish the RRAC.
Target dates leading up to the committee seating and first RRAC meeting:
- Recruitment and outreach – October 1 to December 1, 2023
- Submittal of nomination package to the Department for review –March 2024
- Selection and notification to members – Summer 2024
- First RRAC meeting – Fall 2024
Q:What States does the Southern Region RRAC cover?
A: The Southern Region RRAC provides recommendations to the Forest Service on recreation fee matters on national forests and grasslands in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the territory of Puerto Rico.
Q:What kinds of fees does the committee consider?
A: RRACs provide recommendations on implementing or eliminating standard amenity fees, expanded amenity fees, and non-commercial individual special recreation permit fees; expanding or limiting the recreation fee program; and fee level changes (increases or decreases). RRACs do not make recommendations on recreation fee sites operated by a concessionaire or contractor, commercial permits such as outfitting and guiding, or Forest Service special use permits issued for group events such as bike races.
Q: Who serves on a RRAC?
A: The advisory committee will be comprised of 11 members under the following criteria:
- Category One – Five people who represent recreation users, one in each position: camping, summer motorized, summer non-motorized, wildlife and nature viewing/viewing interpretive sites, and hunting and fishing.
- Category Two – Three people who represent interest groups that include: outfitter and guides (2 positions) and local environmental groups (1 position).
- Category Three – Three people, one in each position: State tourism official, a person who represents affected local government interests, and a person who represents affected American Indian tribal issues.
Q: If an individual is currently serving on a RAC, can they be selected for the regional RRAC?
A: No. Members can only serve on one RAC at a time.
Q: What are the responsibilities of individual committee members?
A: Through by-laws each RRAC may identify unique responsibilities for members. In general, some are:
- Represent interests of appropriate groups by receiving pertinent information from and sharing discussions with interest groups.
- Consider whether general public support exists for a recommendation.
- Understand and agree to meeting commitments.
- Work in a team setting and be open to discussing and understanding differing viewpoints.
- Give everyone a chance to speak and withhold judgment on an idea presented by others until it has a chance to be developed.
- Focus on issues, needs and opportunities, not on personalities, people, or firm positions.
Q: How does the RRAC interact with the Forest Service?
A: The RRAC has a Designated Federal Official, or DFO, who serves as a liaison to the Forest Service. The DFO will:
- Approve or call the RRAC and any subcommittee meetings
- Approve the agendas
- Attend the meetings
- Adjourn the meeting when such an adjournment is in the public interest
- Chair the meeting in absence of a chairperson selected by the RRAC
Q: When and where will the RRAC meet?
A: The committee meets at least once per year or as often as is determined necessary. The location and length of meetings will be determined by the DFO and chairperson and will be shared with members.
Q: How are meetings conducted?
A: Each RRAC may identify the specific methods or requirements by which meetings are run and majority or consensus decisions are reached. However, REA states that:
- A quorum, eight members, must exist for the RRAC to hold an official meeting.
- A majority of members from each of three member groups (at least seven members) must be present to make recommendations.
- A majority of total members (at least six members) must be present to make decisions such as nominating a chairperson or forming a subcommittee.
Q: Are RRAC members paid or compensated for travel to meetings?
A: RRAC members do not receive compensation; however, they are reimbursed for transportation, lodging, and meal expenses.
Q: How long do members serve?
A: Members will serve two to three years. A member cannot exceed two consecutive terms.
Q: Can members be reappointed to the RRAC or are they limited to one term?
A: The Secretary of Agriculture may choose to reappoint RRAC members to additional terms.
Q: What is a RRAC charter?
A: The charter is a national document that officially identifies the membership, duties, costs, meeting requirements and any special instructions for the RRACs. This document is renewed every two years.