Advisory Committees
Fremont and Winema Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
On October 30, 2000, Congress signed Public Law 106-393, also known as the "Secure Rural School and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000." Public Law 106-393 creates a mechanism for local community collaboration with federal land managers in recommending projects to be conducted on federal lands or that will benefit resources on federal lands. The Fremont and Winema Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) was established in accordance with the Secure Rural Schools Act.
The Fremont and Winema RAC provides advice and recommendations to the Fremont-Winema National Forest. The jurisdiction of the Fremont and Winema RAC includes U.S. Forest Service managed land in both Klamath and Lake counties. View a vicinity map of the Winema and Fremont Resource Advisory Committee area.
Announcements
Secure Rural Schools Act Pending Reauthorization
The Secure Rural Schools Act (SRS) has expired and is pending reauthorization. The SRS Charter, a document internal to the Forest Service, has been renewed. What does that mean for RAC members and the Forest Service? All SRS program activities, such as soliciting for Title II projects and hosting RAC meetings, can proceed and continue as normal. Funding will be delivered as normal, which typically occurs in April or May. However, if the SRS Act is not reauthorized, the funding received in 2024 will be the last money received that can be distributed by the RAC.
Advisory Committee Members Awaiting Appointment
A nomination package has been submitted and is being reviewed by the Secretary of Agriculture. This page will be updated when the nomination package is approved and members have accepted their appointments (page last updated 03/13/2024).
If you are interested in applying to become a RAC member, please do not hesitate to reach out! Applications are always accepted and you will be contacted during the next outreach period to confirm your continued interest.
Applications are accepted for all interested groups. Please identify all interest groups you are eligible to represent. Please note, an application submitted now will be saved for the next outreach period, or when a vacancy occurs.
Contact:
For questions, please contact RAC Coordinator, Avery Kool, by phone, 541-219-0372, or email, avery.kool@usda.gov.
Meetings
The Fremont and Winema RAC met virtually on May 5, 2022. The purpose of this meeting was to hear from Title II project proponents, discuss project proposals, and make funding recommendations on Title II projects.
The next meeting will be scheduled when new members have been appointed and a functioning committe is in place.
Project Proposal Forms
The next call for projects will be announced when new members have been appointed and a committee is in place.
Background Information
- Payments to Counties Overview - Understanding Resource Advisory Committees and how to submit projects for funding.
- Title II Program (.pdf)
In 2000, Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act ( Public Law 106-393) to provide support for counties that historically depended on income from Federal timber programs.
The Fremont and Winema RAC reviews and makes recommendations on project proposals requesting funding under Title II of the Act. Proposed projects need not be implemented on Forest Service lands, but they must show benefit to National Forest resources. The RAC may also review and make recommendations on recreation fee proposals.
Projects may be considered for Title II funding if they make additional investments in, and create employment opportunities through:
- Improvement of existing infrastructure maintenance
- Implementation of stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems
- Restoration and improvement of land health and water quality
- Projects must comply with all applicable Federal laws and regulations
Projects must be consistent with the applicable resource management plan and with any watershed or subsequent plan developed pursuant to the resource management plan.
The funds may be used for projects that have broad-based support and with objectives that include:
- road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration
- soil productivity improvement
- forest ecosystem health improvements
- watershed restoration and maintenance
- wildlife and fish habitat restoration, maintenance, and improvement
- noxious and exotic weeds control
- native species re-establishment
Resource Advisory Committees were established under Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act ( Public Law 106-393).
The committees’ duties include reviewing proposed forest management projects in accordance with the Act and making recommendations to the Forest Service. Committee members are committed to working collaboratively with other interests for the long-term benefit of national forest system lands.
The Act created a mechanism for local community collaboration with Federal land managers in recommending projects to be conducted on Federal lands or that will benefit resources on Federal lands. The geographic boundaries of the RACs in Oregon and Washington are generally aligned with National Forest boundaries, and each RAC is assigned a Designated Federal Officer (DFO) to serve as the point of contact.
Committee members serve a four-year term without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. Meetings are generally held one to four times a year at locations within the geographic area the RAC serves, virtually, or a combination of the two. Members must reside within the State in which the RAC is located, and to the extent practicable, within the RAC boundary.
A RAC consists of 15 members representing a wide array of interests. Committees are balanced and diverse with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, and local citizens. Specifically, the composition of each RAC is balanced according to the following three interest categories identified in the Act.
The definition of a ‘functioning’ RAC; a functioning RAC consists of at least nine members, with three members representing each category. A full RAC consists of fifteen members, with five members representing each category.
A functioning RAC must be in place to vote to recommend projects for funding. Without a RAC in place, available money goes unspent. When the money goes unspent, the local communities and environment don’t see a positive impact from projects.
Participation as a member of the RAC gives you the opportunity to represent a community and influence how money is spent to care for and protect public lands. Participation in this vital civic process allows you to help identify common ground among stakeholders and be a part of the solution.
You! Citizens of Klamath and Lake Counties are eligible to apply to become a member of the RAC. Members of the RAC are required to live within the state in which the Committee has jurisdiction and to the extent practicable, live in the Counties the RAC covers.
The RAC is comprised of three categories; each category is made up of three to five members. Within each category a member must represent a specified interest group. The intent is for one person to represent each interest group, but more than one person may be selected to represent an interest group.
Category A contains three to five persons that:
- represent organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups
- represent developed outdoor recreation, off highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities
- represent energy and mineral development interests or commercial or recreational fishing interests
- represent the commercial timber industry; or
- hold Federal grazing or other land use permits, or represent nonindustrial private forest landowners, within the area for which the committee is organized
Category B contains three to five persons that:
- nationally recognized environmental organizations
- regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
- dispersed recreational activities
- archaeological and historical interests
- nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed associations
Category C contains three to five persons that:
- hold State elected office (or a designee)
- hold county or local elected office
- represent American Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the committee is organized
- area school officials or teachers
- represent the affected public at large