The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service is seeking nominations to fill the 11-member Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) in California. Nominations are being accepted through Aug. 1.
Recreation RAC members provide recommendations to the agency on recreation fee changes at national forest sites throughout California. This includes:
Making recreation fee program recommendations on implementing or eliminating standard amenity fees; expanded amenity fees; and noncommercial, individual special recreation permit fees; expanding or limiting the recreation fee program; and fee-level changes.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), signed in December 2004, directs the secretary of Agriculture, the secretary of the Interior, or both to establish Recreation RACs, or use existing advisory committees to perform the duties of Recreation RACs, in each state or region for federal recreation lands and waters managed by the USDA Forest Service or the DOI Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
REA and Recreation RAC involvement does not apply to Forest Service recreation fee sites under concessionaire management.
Committee membership will be balanced in terms of the point of view represented and functions to be performed. The committee’s jurisdiction includes national forests and/or BLM managed lands, in California. They receive travel and per diem expenses for regularly scheduled meetings, but do not receive pay or other compensation.
The Recreation RAC shall include representation in the following areas:
1. Five people who represent recreation users and that include, as appropriate, persons representing
(a) Winter motorized recreation, such as snowmobiling;
(b) Winter nonmotorized recreation, such as snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, and snowboarding;
(c) Summer motorized recreation such as motorcycling, boating, and off-highway vehicle driving;
(d) Summer nonmotorized recreation such as backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing and rafting;
(e) Hunting and fishing.
2. Three people who represent interest groups that include, as appropriate:
(a) Motorized outfitters and guides;
(b) Nonmotorized outfitters and guides;
(c) Local environmental groups.
3. Three people who are:
(a) State tourism official representing the state;
(b) A representative of affected Indian tribes;
(c) A representative of affected local government interests.
The secretary shall appoint the members for staggered terms of two and three years beginning on the date the members are first appointed. The secretary may reappoint members to subsequent two- or three-year terms. Membership appointments are based on the following criteria:
· Qualifications to represent the desired interest group
· Rationale for committee service and desired contributions
· Experience working successfully as part of a collaborative group
Nominees’ demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women and persons with disabilities will also be considered in membership selections.
For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r5/recreation/racs, or contact Matthew Boisseau, 707-562-8846 or matthew.boisseau@usda.gov.
Interested individuals must complete an application and provide background information supporting their qualifications to represent at least one of the identified interest groups. Applications are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r5/recreation/racs.
Completed applications are due by Aug. 1, and must be mailed to: USFS Region 5- Recreation RAC Nomination Attn: Matthew Boisseau, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, or email to matthew.boisseau@usda.gov.
— Jennifer Gray for Los Padres National Forest.