Forest service seeks nominations to Northeast Oregon Forests Resource Advisory Committee

By Terry Murry on Monday, November 25th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

BAKER CITY — (News release from the Blue Mountain National Forests) The Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman and Malheur National Forests will soon be seeking nominations for positions on the Northeast Oregon Forest (NEOF) Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). This citizen-based council assists with providing recommendations on project proposals that address public land management within the three forests.

The NEOF RAC is a function of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, which was passed in 2000 to stabilize funds available to rural counties, and the Forest Service maintains RACs chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Each Committee consists of 10 to 15 members from diverse interests in local communities.

“Participation on a Resource Advisory Committee facilitates a unique opportunity for stakeholders to provide their expertise, perspective, and recommend projects on Federal Lands”, said Darren Goodding, NEOF RAC Designated Federal Officer and Wallowa-Whitman Staff Officer. “All of these recommendations help us better achieve the mission of the Forest Service”.

Serving as a RAC member offers an opportunity to gain understanding of the Forest Service and provide ideas and recommendations on a diverse range of projects including land use planning, road maintenance, fire management, recreation and grazing, to name a few. This group supports the agency’s commitment to enhance the quality of life for everyone through the balanced stewardship of public lands and resources.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on the RAC. Nominees must be residents of Oregon, where the NEOF RAC has jurisdiction. Each person will be reviewed based on their training, education, and knowledge of the RAC’s geographic area. Individuals should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. Alongside a completed RAC application, applicants are encouraged to provide any additional information that speaks to theirs or the nominee’s qualifications.

The NEOF RAC is seeking fifteen nominations for the following categories:

Five in Category A – Representatives of organizations associated with energy/mineral development; Federal grazing permit holders; the timber industry; transportation or rights-of-way; off-highway vehicle users; or commercial and developed outdoor recreation.
Five in Category B – Representatives of archeological and historical organizations; dispersed recreation users; wild horse and burro organizations; or nationally or regionally-recognized environmental organizations.
Five in Category C – Representatives of State, county, or local elected office; Indian Tribes located within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; academicians employed in natural resource management or natural sciences; employees of a state agency responsible for management of natural resources; or the public at large.

The official application period for nominations is January 1 through January 31, 2025. During that time, interested parties will be able to apply on our website, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/workingtogether/advisorycommittees/?cid=fseprd1003510, or access the hard copy form to apply via mail. Hard copies will be accepted at Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, ATTN: Darren Goodding, 1550 Dewey Ave, Suite A, Baker City, OR 97814.

Electronic application is highly encouraged as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). Selected nominees will begin their membership on the NEOF RAC at the end of 2025. For more information, please contact the Wallowa-Whitman NF RAC Coordinator, Acacia Probert at acacia.probert@usda.gov or 541-523-1387, Umatilla NF RAC Coordinator, Krystal Collins at krystal.collins@usda.gov, and/or the Malheur NF RAC Coordinator, Amy Franklin at amy.franklin1@usda.gov.