The USDA Forest Service is soliciting members of the public to serve on the Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) under the recently reauthorized Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Community Self Determination Act.
The RAC establishes local priorities for the expenditure of federal funds provided through the SRS program. The SRS Act funds local projects to help maintain and improve public schools, public roads and forest health in rural communities near national forests. The legislation was introduced in 2000 to offset the loss of county revenues from timber sales on federal lands within their borders.
The Northern New Mexico RAC works closely with the Carson, Cibola and Santa Fe National Forests to recommend projects that address watershed improvement and restoration; noxious weed control; improvements in forest ecosystem health; soil productivity and improvement; road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or road decommissioning; and wildlife and fish habitat improvement.
The Northern New Mexico RAC has 15 members, three alternates and a Designated Federal Official, all of whom are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Forests are seeking 11 new members to join the seven who have confirmed that they will continue to serve on the RAC. Applicants should be residents of Taos, Sandoval, Mora, San Miguel, Rio Arriba, Torrance, McKinley or Cibola Counties.
Application materials are available on the Northern New Mexico RAC webpage. Nominations must be received on or before June 30, 2015. The application package must include the nominee’s name, resume and completed Form AD-755 (Advisory Committee Membership Background Information).
Please direct any questions about the RAC and send nominations and applications to one of the designated Forest representatives:
Raul Hurtado
RAC Coordinator
Carson National Forest
575.758.6344
rehurtado@fs.fed.us
Reuben Montes
RAC Coordinator
Santa Fe National Forest
505.438.5356
rmontes@fs.fed.us
Ian Fox
RAC Coordinator
Cibola National Forest
505.346.3814
ifox@fs.fed.us
The RAC is intended to represent a variety of interests and diverse points of view in a collaborative setting that focuses on building a broad base of support and improving local communities.
Forest Service Shield
Clifton L. Russell
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Forest Service
Santa Fe National Forest
p: 505-438-5321
cliftonlrussell@fs.fed.us
11 Forest Lane
Santa Fe, NM 87508
www.fs.fed.us