The Forest Service is gearing up for filling the gaps in their Resource Advisory Council (RAC) and putting out the word that it's time for organizations or individuals to submit proposals for cooperative projects to benefit, directly or indirectly the forest service lands. The purpose of the forest service RAC is to consider applications for cooperative projects - the funding for the projects comes from Secure Rural Schools money Humboldt County receives as part of the state's allotment.
Secure Rural Schools is a federal payment meant to provide partial compensate to states for Forest Service lands, much as PILT is partial compensation for non-taxable public land administered by the BLM.
County Administrator Bill Deist said Humboldt County's share of the State Secure Rural Schools funding last year was a little over $139,000. That money is allocated by law - 50 percent goes to the road department and 50 percent goes to the school district. The RAC distributed a little less than $35,000 in additional Secure Rural Schools funding for the cooperative special projects on federal land.
Examples of past RAC cooperative projects include Nevada Outdoor School's successful applications for projects involving students from rural schools in science learning and rehabilitation work on public lands, and Paradise Valley Weed District assistance for weed control programs.
Acting Santa Rosa District Ranger Doug Clarke explained that successful applications will feature projects that have benefit to Forest Service lands directly or indirectly.
Since Clarke is on his way out, having been on loan from the Elko office, he said RAC Chairman, Tony Lesperance will help keep things organized for the transition to another temporary acting Santa Rosa District Ranger, who will start in March.
Lesperance said the search for additional RAC members is on. He said there are people interested in serving on the Resource Advisory Council; the challenge comes with the background check required of would-be RAC members. Lesperance said he feels the comprehensive background check stops some otherwise qualified volunteers from putting in an application. "Either they may have a minor problem somewhere in their background, or they just don't want the federal government looking into their background even though they may be squeaky clean."
Lesperance hopes there will be some folks still willing to serve. "If we don't have an active Resource Advisory Council, we'll lose the federal funding that could contribute to some good projects in the county," he said.[[In-content Ad]]
