[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54917-54918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21683]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Intent To Establish Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory 
Committees

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to establish Secure Rural Schools Resource 
Advisory Committees.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), intends to establish the following: The Greater Rocky Mountain 
Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) in the Rocky Mountain Region (R2) by 
consolidating the Saguache-Upper Rio Grande, Rocky Mountain, and San 
Juan RACs; the Rural Nevada RAC in the Intermountain Region (R4) by 
consolidating the White Pine-Nye and Humboldt NV RACs; the National 
Forests in Mississippi RAC in the Southern Region (R8) by consolidating 
the Delta-Bienville, DeSoto, Holly Springs-Tombigbee, and Southwest 
Missippippi RACs; the Ottawa RAC in the Eastern Region (R9) by 
consolidating the Gogebic and Ontonagon RACs; the North Tongass RAC in 
the Alaska Region (R10) by consolidating the Juneau, Lynn Canal-Icy 
Strait, Yakutat, and Sitka RAC; and the South Tongass RAC in the Alaska 
Region (R10) by consolidating the Wrangell-Petersburg, Prince of Wales, 
and Ketchikan RACs. Secure Rural Schools (SRS) RACs are established 
pursuant to the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination 
Act (the Act), as amended, and most recently authorized in accordance 
to the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). The SRS 
RACs will operate in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA). The purpose of the SRS RACs is to improve collaborative 
relationships among people who use and care for National Forests. The 
Secretary has determined that the work of the SRS RACs are in the 
public's interest and relevant to the duties of the Department of 
Agriculture. The SRS RACs are statutory committees. Additional 
information concerning the SRS RACs can be found by visiting the SRS 
RACs website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/pts/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments concerning this notice should 
be addressed to Juana Rosas, National Partnership Coordinator, National 
Partnership Office, USDA Forest Service, Yates Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue, Mailstop #1158, Washington, DC 20250. Comments 
also may be submitted by email to: Juana Rosas at [email protected]. 
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf/hard-of-
hearing (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-
8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In accordance with the provisions of FACA, the Secretary of 
Agriculture intends to establish SRS RACs to provide advice and 
recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding 
consistent with SRS Title II of the Act. The duties of SRS RACs include 
monitoring projects, advising the Secretary on the progress and results 
of monitoring efforts, and making recommendations to the Forest Service 
for any appropriate changes or adjustments to the projects being 
monitored by the SRS RACs.

SRS RACs Membership

    The SRS RACs will be comprised of no more than 15 members and no 
fewer than 9 members in accordance with the Agricultural Improvement 
Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill. Members will be approved 
by the Secretary of Agriculture or their designee except for RACs 
located in the states of Arizona and Montana where they will be 
approved by the Regional Forester and each will serve a 4-year term. 
SRS RAC memberships will be balanced in terms of the points of view 
represented and functions to be performed. The SRS RACs shall include 
representation from the following interest areas:
    (1) Five persons who represent:
    (a) Organized Labor or Non-Timber Forest Product Harvester Groups,
    (b) Developed Outdoor Recreation, Off Highway Vehicle Users, or 
Commercial Recreation Activities,
    (c) Energy and Mineral Development, or Commercial or Recreational 
Fishing Interests,
    (d) Commercial Timber Industry, or
    (e) Federal Grazing or Other Land Use Permits, or Represent Non-
industrial Private Forest Land Owners within the area for which the 
committee is organized.
    (2) Five persons who represent:
    (a) Nationally Recognized Environmental Organizations,
    (b) Regionally or Locally Recognized Environmental Organizations,
    (c) Dispersed Recreational Activities,
    (d) Archaeological and Historical Interests, or
    (e) Nationally or Regionally Recognized Wild Horse and Burro 
Interest Groups, Wildlife or Hunting Organizations, or Watershed 
Associations.
    (3) Five persons who represent:
    (a) State Elected Office (or a designee),
    (b) County or Local Elected Office,
    (c) American Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which 
the committee is organized,
    (d) Area School Officials or Teachers, or
    (e) Affected Public at Large.
    Of these members, one will become the Chairperson who is recognized 
for their ability to lead a group in a fair and focused manner and who 
has been briefed on the mission of the RAC. A chairperson is selected 
by a majority of RAC members. The Committee will meet on an annual 
basis or as needed and determined by the Forest Service.
    In the event that a vacancy arises, the Designated Federal Officer 
(DFO) may fill the vacancy in the manner in which the original 
appointments were made. In accordance with the SRS Act, members of the 
SRS RAC shall serve without compensation. SRS RAC members may be 
allowed travel and per diem expenses for attendance at committee 
meetings, subject to approval of the DFO responsible for administrative 
support to the SRS RAC.
    Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA policies shall 
be followed in all appointments to the RACs. To help ensure that the 
recommendations of the RACs have taken into account the needs of the 
diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include, to 
the extent practicable, individuals representing minorities, women, and 
persons with disabilities. USDA prohibits discrimination in all of its 
programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, 
religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual 
orientation, disability or age. Additionally, discrimination based on 
political beliefs, income derived from a public assistance program, 
marital status, family/parental status, or reprisal or retaliation for 
prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or 
funded by USDA is also prohibited by

[[Page 54918]]

statutes enforced by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).

    Dated: September 30, 2021.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-21683 Filed 10-4-21; 8:45 am]
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