CONTACT: REUBEN MONTES, SANTA FE N.F. (505) 438-5356; IGNACIO PERALTA, CARSON N.F. (575) 758-6344; or MARK M. CHAVEZ, CIBOLA N.F. (505) 346-3878
NEW MEXICANS NEEDED FOR FOREST SERVICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Forest Service is seeking people to serve on new Resource Advisory Committees (RAC) in New Mexico under provisions of Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act of 2008. Nominations are due to the appropriate RAC Coordinator by November 16, 2009.
Fourteen counties in New Mexico elected to receive over $1.56 million in 2009 and continued amounts for the next three years to be used on a variety of projects on national forests.
The legislation requires the Forest Service, working with the counties, to establish Resource Advisory Committees made up of defined, diverse, 15-member RACs with a formal charter. The charter establishing the RACs will soon be approved by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Forest Service is now recruiting RAC members.
RAC nominees will be forwarded to the Secretary who appoints members to a four-year term following background checks. The RACs convene, propose and review project proposals and make recommendations to the local Forest Service Designated Federal Official (DFO) on how funds should be spent.
Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committee advising the Carson, Cibola, and Santa Fe National Forests in Cibola, McKinley, Mora, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel, Taos, and Torrance Counties. Individuals interested in serving on the northern New Mexico RAC are encouraged to make direct contact with:
Ignacio Peralta, Carson N.F. Coordinator, 575-758-6344 iperalta@fs.fed.us
Ruben Montes, Santa Fe N.F. Coordinator, 505-438-5356, rmontes@fs.fed.us
Diana M Trujillo, Designated Federal Official (DFO), 575-536-2250, dmtrujillo@fs.fed.us
Mark M. Chavez, Cibola N.F. Contact, 505-346-3878, mchavez@fs.fed.us
Members of a RAC must reside within the State in which the committee has jurisdiction and, to the extent possible, ensure local representation in each category. RAC members serve without pay but may elect to be reimbursed for travel expenses. For more information log onto:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson/secure_rural_schools/index.shtml
The following summarizes the interests to be represented on each RAC within three categories:
Category A, five persons who represent:
1. organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups;
2. developed outdoor recreation, off highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities;
3. energy and mineral development interests; or commercial or recreational fishing interests;
4. commercial timber industry;
5. hold Federal grazing or other land use permits, or represent nonindustrial private forest land owners, within the area for which the committee is organized.
Category B, five persons who represent:
1. nationally recognized environmental organizations;
2. regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations;
3. dispersed recreational activities;
4. archaeological and historical interests;
5. nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed associations.
Category C, five persons who represent:
1. State elected office (or a designee);
2. county or local elected office;
3. American Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the committee is organized;
4. school officials or teachers;
5. the affected public at large.
Mark M. Chavez
Public Affairs/Web Manager
Cibola National Forest & Grasslands
mchavez@fs.fed.us
505-346-3900
