Citizens sought for Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee
Published 11:12 am Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Olympic National Forest Supervisor Reta Laford invites interested citizens to become nominees for the Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC reviews and recommends land management projects that are on or adjacent to the Olympic National Forest. Projects are funded under the Secure Rural Schools program.
Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell said, “Our vision is that advisory committee members are well-informed, fully engaged citizens who reflect the gender and ethnicity of their rural communities as well as representing the interests described in the act.”
Typically, the department appoints people who have demonstrated an ability to work collaboratively.
RAC members represent a wide range of interests. The committee consists of 15 members and each is assigned to one of three categories. The Olympic Peninsula RAC has vacancies in all three categories.
Category A — represents organized labor, developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle use, commercial recreation activities, energy development, commercial timber industry and federal grazing or other land use permits.
Category B — represents nationally recognized environmental organizations, regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations, dispersed recreation activities, archaeological and historical interests.
Category C — represents state, county or local elected offices, American Indian tribes, school officials or teachers and the affected public-at-large.
A four-year term would begin upon appointment by the Secretary of Agriculture. Committee members are not paid; they are reimbursed for travel expenses. RAC members must be Washington residents, preferably living in one of the Olympic Peninsula counties. Meetings are held one to four times each year within Thurston, Mason, Jefferson, Clallam or Grays Harbor counties.
Interested participants should submit the required AD 755 application, available on the forest’s website at www.fs.usda.gov/main/olympic/workingtogether/advisorycommittees. Completed forms may be submitted in person or by mail: Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA 98512, attention: Susan Piper.
All applications must be received or postmarked by July 15. For additional information, contact Susan Piper, Title II Program coordinator, at 360-956-2435.
