IDAHO FALLS, Id: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bonneville, Caribou, Clark, Franklin, Fremont Madison, Oneida and Teton Counties, along with the Caribou-Targhee National Forests, are seeking to fill positions recently vacated on the Eastern Idaho Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).
Committee members work collaboratively through funding with partners to provide long-term watershed benefits in the above counties, restore watershed conditions, provide local jobs, and meet the intent of legislation.
“This group works extraordinarily well together,” said Brent Larson. Larson is the Designated Federal Official responsible for the Eastern Idaho RAC, and is enthusiastic about the committee’s work. “The tremendous amount of respect they hold for each other is exceptional. They are organized and professional.
It’s amazing how they effectively allocate roughly $500,000 in the form of watershed restoration and forest management projects each year.”
The Eastern Idaho RAC and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest would like to thank Gerry Bates, Lyn Benjamin and Rick Cheatum for their past service.
The RAC is chartered under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000. The RAC consists of 15 members representing a variety of interests. The committee’s duties include reviewing and recommending proposed watershed restoration and other forest management projects, as well as providing opportunities for interested parties to participate in the project development process.
The 15-member RAC is divided into three subgroups. Members are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. To be selected, nominees must demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others representing a variety of positions and perspectives on watershed restoration and forest management. Each subgroup also has one replacement member. The role of a replacement member is to fill any vacancies within the group they represent.
Members Sought for Advisory Committee
Category One
· Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester group
· Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation
· Energy and mineral development interests, or commercial or recreational fishing interests
· Commercial timber industry
· Federal grazing or other land use permitee within the RAC area
Category Two
· Nationally recognized environmental organizations
· Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
· Dispersed recreational activities.
· Archaeological and historical interests
· Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse or burro groups, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed association
Category Three
· State-elected official or their designee
· 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
Currently four committee (highlighted above) and two replacement positions are vacant and need to be filled.
Citizens interested in applying for RAC membership, or as a replacement member, are encouraged to contact Eastern Idaho RAC Coordinator, Lynn Ballard at (208) 557-5765. Applications are available through the RAC Coordinator.
The deadline for applications is August 1, 2012