DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST - RAC Meeting -

DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST- RAC Meeting -July 27, 2010Sharwan Smith Conference CenterOVERVIEWSecure Rural Schools ActFederal Advisory Committee ActRAC Roles and ResponsibilitiesTitle II ProjectsProject Timeline and Submission ProcessDixie National Forest RAC Specific InformationQuestionsSecure Rural Schools and Self Determination Act (SRS)History of Act1908 25% Payment ActShare national forest receipts from Timber, Grazing, Land Use, Recreation/Special Uses, User Fees, Minerals (including oil, gas, coal)These payments have declined in recent decades and flucuated widely.2000-2007 First Round of SRS Act Original Act for 5 years, followed by emergency supplemental appropriation (1 year)2008 Act is Reauthorized (Public Law 110-343)Purpose of the ActStabilize and transition payments to states for schools and roadsInvest in the land and create employment opportunitiesImprove cooperative relationships among the people that use and care for national forestsTitles in 2008 Reauthorization of the ActTitle I Secure payments for states and counties containing federal land to help fund schools and roadsTitle II Special projects on federal landsTitle III County funds for specific purposesNarrower list of eligible activitiesTitle IV Misc. provisions including new calculation for 25% payment Complex formula: Acres of Fed land, Average 25% payment, per capita income in countyLogistics of PaymentsCounties receiving over $100,000 from the state payment must allocate between 15-20 % to Title II and/or Title IIICounties receiving over $350,000 must allocate to Title IICounties make the election on percentages by September 30 each yearPayments are made by JanuaryTitle I and III funds goes to counties through state governmentTitle II funds are held in Forest Service accounts for approved RAC projectsFY 2008 and FY 2009 available, FY 2010 funds available Feb 2011, FY 2011 funds available Feb 2012RAC must initiate all projects for Title II funding by Sept 30, 2011Committee Basis in LawSRS and FACA2008 SRS Act Title IIEstablish and maintain committeePurpose and duties of committeeComposition of membershipBalanced representationQuorum requirementsNewspaper notice of meetings seven days prior1972, 2001 Federal Advisory Committee Act Open meetingsPublic involvement in governanceTransparent, accessible proceedings/recordsFederal Register Notice of Meetings 15-45 days prior

Post on RAC WebsiteMeeting noticesMeeting agendasMeeting notes and RAC recommendationsMembers names and interests representedDFO and Coordinator namesProjects and other relevant informationRAC Roles and ResponsiblitiesRAC Key PlayersRAC ChairMembersReplacement MembersForest SupervisorDesignated Federal Official (DFO)RAC CoordinatorCounty OfficialsGeneral Public/Community PartnersRAC Roles and ResponsibilitiesRAC ChairOpen, conduct, and close meetingsCoordinate preparation of agendasCoordinate with DFO to provide briefings to RAC partners (e.g., local elected officials, state/congress staff, other partners)Represent RAC member concerns to Forest SupervisorOther duties as agreed to in RAC membersMembersParticipation (potential for removal if 2 meetings are missed)Represent interestsReview and recommend projectsMonitor projectsProvide adviceRAC Roles and ResponsibilitiesReplacement MembersParticipationReview projectsMonitor projectsInformally provide adviceDont voteForest SupervisorApprove projects recommended by the RACProvide sufficient support to make RAC successfulListen to discussions

RAC Roles and ResponsibilitiesDesignated Federal Official (DFO)Know the Act provide guidanceIdentify staff support for Title II programWork closely with RAC ChairInteract with elected officials and stakeholdersLiaison with Forest SupervisorWork with additional Forest Service staff assigned to assist RAC

RAC CoordinatorProgram management (process/timelines, coordination with Regional Office)Liaison with RAC Chair/Members/PartnersFederal Register noticesFacilitation (if needed)Notetaking (for official record)Monitoring (field trips)Annual Report to CongressRAC Roles and ResponsibilitiesCounty OfficialsAnnual allocations among titlesNotify RAC of Title III projectsInteract with Forest Service about projectsRepresentation on RACGeneral Public/Community PartnersParticipate during public forum at RAC mtgsSubmit project proposalsWork with appropriate line officer on projectsFollow federal regulations during implementation if project is approvedRepot accomplishmentsTitle II ProjectsTitle II ProjectsOn or directly benefiting national forest landsHave broad-based supportHelp foster collaborative relationshipsReviewed and recommended by RACApproved by the Forest ServiceTitle II: What Can Be Done?Improve the maintenance of existing infrastructureImplement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystemsRestore and improve health of the land and water qualityProtect, restore, and enhance fish and wildlife habitatRoad, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliterationSoil productivity improvementImprovements to forest ecosystem healthWatershed restoration and maintenanceThe restoration, maintenance, and improvement of fish and wildlife habitatThe control of noxious and exotic weedsThe re-establishment of native speciesOne LimitationAt least 50% of Title II funds must go to projects that:

Do road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration

And /Or Restoration of streams and watershedsWho Can Propose a Project?RAC membersTribes, counties, state, federal agenciesFire Safe Councils, Firewise CommunitiesFish, Wildlife, & Watershed Interest GroupsOther partners or stakeholdersGeneral publicForest SeriviceSuccessful ProjectsProject Timeline and Submission ProcessWhat We Have Done AlreadyProvided notice for first two meetingsJuly 27, August 18Solicited preliminary project proposalsEngaged Forest Service employees to think about potential projectsSubmission Form

What You May Choose to DoEstablish a year long calendar (do one Federal Register notice with all meetings)Develop a plan for the year (need to have recommendations for projects by Fall 2011)Solicit project ideas from public (with clear expectations/dates for submittal)Dixie National Forest RAC Specific InformationDixie National Forest RAC MembersCategory AJay Var CampbellGaylord RobbCarl AlbrechtJim MatsonH. Dell LefevreReplacement Member: Kip BowlerCategory BMary OBrienRick RosenbergDenny DrakeDorothy UherkaDonnie HunterReplacement Member: Gayle PollockDixie National Forest RAC MembersCategory CClare RamsayLois BullochMarshall TophamBrian BremnerLaura CottsReplacement Member: Paul NelsonNOT MEMBERS BUT KEY SUPPORT

Designated Federal OfficialGretchen Merrill

RAC CoordinatorKenton CallTitle II Funds AvailableApproximately $1.4 millionApprox $650K Garfield County (45%)Approx $375K Iron County (26%)Approx $100K Kane County (7%)Approx $1K Piute County (0.1%)Approx $250K Washington County (18%)Approx $50K Wayne County (4%)

A Couple Notes on How RACs WorkMajority of each category must be available for a QuorumProjects are recommended with vote of majority of members within each Category (e.g., 3 of 5 or 2 or 3 must vote in favor of the project)Questions?