Citizens Sought for Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee

Release Date: Jan 13, 2011

Contact(s): Katie Sapp 541-750-7028, Joni Quarnstrom 541-750-7075

The Forest Service is seeking people from communities in and around the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon Coast as nominees for six vacancies to serve voluntarily on the Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).

The RAC consists of 15 members representing a wide range of interests. The committee’s duties include reviewing proposed land management projects on or adjacent to the Siuslw National Forest. The committee recommends which projects to fund and is responsible for coordinating with land management agencies and county officials. Projects are located in Coos, Lane, Douglas, Lincoln, Benton, Tillamook and Yamhill counties.

The one-year term would begin upon appointment by the Secretary of Agriculture. Committee members serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses. Members must be Oregon residents, preferably living in Coos, Lane, Douglas, Lincoln, Benton, Tillamook or Yamhill counties. Meetings are held at least once during the year, in Corvallis. Reauthorization of current legislation could lead to an extended appointment on the RAC.

The 15 members of the Siuslaw RAC are split equally between the following three categories. There may also be a non-voting replacement member in each category. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will make the appointments to the RAC based on the applications received, striving to appoint members who are well-informed, fully engaged citizens who reflect the gender and ethnicity of rural communities as well as representing the interests described in the Act.

There is one (1) vacancy in Category A, which represents the following interests:

• Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups
• Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle, commercial recreation
• Energy and mineral development
• Commercial or recreational fishing
• Commercial timber industry
• Federal grazing permit holders or land use permit holders within the RAC area

There are no vacancies in Category B, which represents the following interests:

• Nationally recognized environmental organizations
• Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
• Dispersed recreation
• Archaeological and historical interests
• Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse or burro groups, wildlife or hunting organizations or watershed associations.

There are two (2) vacancies in Category C, which represents the following interests:

• State-elected office holders
• County or local elected officials
• American Indian tribal representatives from tribes within or adjacent to RAC areas
• School officials or teachers
• Citizens representing the affected public at large

The Forest Service is also looking to fill one (1) replacement member position each for categories A, B and C. Replacement members attend meetings with the 15 RAC members, ready to fill in a permanent vacant position upon approval by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Jerry Ingersoll, the Forest Service official responsible for the Siuslaw RAC, is enthusiastic about the work of the committee currently in place.

“This is an exciting group to be involved with,” Ingersoll commented. “Since 2001, through the committee’s efforts, we’ve put a dent in noxious weeds along the Coast, repaired and restored forest roads and culverts and improved public safety.”

The group has also strengthened relationships between the counties, the forest and among the communities in the past decade.

In recent years, the Siuslaw RAC decided which projects to recommend for funding with the $1.5 million in Title II dollars available annually. Funding for this next year has not been determined.

Citizens interested in applying for RAC membership are encouraged to retrieve an application form (AD 755) and more information on-line at http://www.fs.usda.gov/siuslaw  or from any Forest Service office, or contact any County Court or Board of Commissioners.

Applications must be received at the Siuslaw National Forest, ATTN: Joni Quarnstrom, 4077 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR, 973330 no later than 4:30 p.m. February 4. Applications must contain original signatures.