Recreation RAC Committee members sought
Warren, PA, January 3, 2024—The USDA Forest Service announced that staff at the Allegheny National Forest will be assisting in the recruitment of nominees for a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (Recreation RAC), which is being re-established for the Eastern Region. The Forest Service is seeking a diversity of candidates to join the 11-member committee. This opportunity is in addition to the September 2023, call for Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee members.
The purpose of the Recreation RAC is to provide recommendations to the Forest Service on recreation fee matters, which include initiating, eliminating, or modifying fees on National Forests in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. The committee's recommendations will help the Forest Service garner public opinion about recreation fees, but will not supersede the agency's legally established decision authority.
Potential nominees must represent certain forest-related interests as described in the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act:
• Category One: Five people who represent recreation users, one in each position: summer motorized, summer non-motorized, winter motorized, winter non-motorized, and hunting and fishing.
• Category Two: Three people who represent interest groups that include, as appropriate: motorized outfitters and guides, nonmotorized outfitters and guides, and local environmental groups.
• Category Three: Three people, one in each position: State tourism official, a person who represents affected local government interests, and a person who represents affected Tribal Nations' issues.
Applicants for the advisory committee will be asked to provide information about their qualifications and background as required by the Federal Advisory
Committee Act. Conditions associated with serving on a Recreation RAC, include:
• For this phase of recruitment, members serve a three-year term.
• Members do not receive compensation; however, travel and per diem expenses will be covered according to federal guidelines.
• Both members and alternates will be chosen from those who submit nominations. Alternates will only become participating members an initial member permanently leaves the committee.
• All nominees will go through a background check. A Social Security Number is required for the background check to be completed and the nomination processed.
Applicants will be recommended to the Regional Forester for appointment based on the following evaluation criteria:
• How the person is uniquely qualified to represent one or more of the interests listed above.
• Experience working with underserved populations including
people of color.
• Why the person wants to serve on the committee and what they can contribute.
• The person's experience in successfully working collaboratively in a group setting.
Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, shall be followed in all membership appointments to the committee. To ensure recommendations of the committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups within the Eastern Region states, RAC membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
Additional information about RACS and the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act is available on the RAC website.
If you would like to be considered for membership or wish to recommend nominees, please contact Jamie Klebanski at Jamie.klebanski@ usda.gov. Nomination packets will be sent to potential nominees. Applications must be submitted no later than March 1, 2024.