The Lolo National Forest is recruiting applicants to be nominated for the Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) that was established as required by the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Recruitment activities will end on February 15, 2025. People of all ethnicities, races, gender, disability status, and age are encouraged to apply.
The RAC exists to improve collaborative relationships between the public and the USDA Forest Service. The primary role of the committee is to review project proposals and make recommendations to the Designated Federal Officer for the RAC on the expenditure of Title II funds provided via the Secure Rural Schools Act. Title II funds are used for projects on federal lands such as infrastructure maintenance, forest stewardship, and land and water quality.
Committee members must reside within the State of Montana, and to the extent practicable, reside within or have a vested interest in Mineral County. Membership will have balanced and diverse representation and include individuals who are recreation users, members of environmental organizations, elected officials, Tribal representatives, school officials, timber industry, the public at-large, and other interest groups.
Applicants will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience working with the interest area they represent, their knowledge of the geographic area covered by the Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee, their demonstrated commitment to collaborative decision making, and their contribution to the balance and diversity of the committee. A portion of the applicants will be nominated for the committee and final membership will be selected by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Completed application packets should be submitted prior to February 15, 2025. Selected candidates will serve a four-year term, expected to begin in late 2025. Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee business is normally conducted during two or three meetings per year. Meetings usually last two to three hours in length and are held in-person or virtually, depending on the needs of the committee members.
