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| CONTACT: | Ray Massey • rmassey@fs.fed.us P.O. Box 21628, Juneau AK 99802 |
Work 907-586-7876 Cell 907-209-2094 |
| January 14, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||
Forest Service Needs Resource Advisory Committee Members |
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JUNEAU, Alaska- Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been set aside to directly or indirectly benefit the communities of Juneau, Hoonah, Gustavus, Haines, Pelican, and Angoon and could soon be lost because there are not enough people to decide how to spend it. Under the 2008 Secure Rural Schools Act, resource advisory committees have been proposed across the nation to make recommendations for funding forest improvement projects. Two RACs in Alaska have not yet been established; the Juneau RAC and the Lynn Canal-Icy Strait RAC. The funds from the Secure Rural Schools Act can be spent on national forest projects that could help bring local employment to our small communities, as well as sustain the health of the forest for wildlife, subsistence and even enhance recreation opportunities. This opportunity will not last indefinitely. This money sits idle in a government account, and will be returned to the government if it is not committed by September 2011. The Forest Service wants to hear from people who are willing to work with others to recommend where these funds could be directed. They ask you not to pass up this opportunity. Each RAC needs 15 members and three alternates representing variable interests before it can begin to hold meetings to decide how to spend its funds. Any Alaskan resident can sign up to be a member of any of the Alaskan RACs. All nominations must be approved in the Forest Service Washington, D.C., office. Juneau District Ranger Marti Marshall is the designated federal official (DFO) responsible for the establishment and support of the Juneau RAC (907-789-6244). Hoonah District Ranger Rich Jennings is the DFO for the Lynn Canal-Icy Strait RAC (907-945-1201). Chad VanOrmer (at 907-789-6202) is the alternate DFO and Admiralty Island National Monument District Ranger. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity, please give one of them a call. Detailed information concerning the makeup, functions and responsibilities of resource advisory committees under the 2008 Secure Rural Schools Act is on the Web at http://www.fs.fed.us/srs/racs.shtml. A RAC application form, AD-755, can be found at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/ocio_forms.html Please direct your nomination forms to:
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Editor’s Note: Side bar material The following table summarizes the funding for these two RACS:
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