[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 241 (Monday, December 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87398-87400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27745]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Intent To Establish Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory 
Committee and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership for Secure 
Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of Establishment for Secure Rural Schools Resource 
Advisory Committee and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and 
Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 as amended, codified in 
Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, and the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA), as amended, the United States Department of 
Agriculture announces its intent to renew the charter for 80 Secure 
Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) and establish six new 
RACs through merger/consolidation. The Secure Rural Schools Advisory 
Committees will advise the Secretary of Agriculture on proposed 
recommendations and other such matters as the Secretary determines. The 
Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees will be governed by 
the provisions of FACA. Duration of Secure Rural Schools Resource 
Advisory Committees are for two years unless renewed by the Secretary, 
USDA. This notice also solicits nominations for membership on the 
Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees.

DATES: Written nominations must be submitted via email or postmarked 
within 90 days following the publication date of this notice. A 
completed application packet includes the nominee's name, resume, and 
completed Form AD-755 (Advisory Committee or Research and Promotion 
Background Information, https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf). All completed application packets must be sent 
to the addresses below.

ADDRESSES: 

Northern Regional Office--Region I

Central Montana RAC, Flathead RAC, Gallatin RAC, Idaho Panhandle RAC, 
Lincoln RAC, Mineral County RAC, Missoula RAC, Missouri River RAC, 
North Central Idaho RAC, Ravalli RAC, Sanders RAC, Southern Montana 
RAC, Southwest Montana RAC, Tri-County RAC

    Jeffery Miller, Northern Regional Coordinator, Forest Service, 26 
Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, Montana 59804, (406) 329-3576, 
[email protected].

Rocky Mountain Regional Office--Region II

Black Hills RAC and Greater Rocky Mountain RAC

    David Boyd, Rocky Mountain Regional Coordinator, Forest Service, 
1617 Cole Boulevard, Building 17, Lakewood, Colorado 80401, 
[email protected], (970) 319-4895.

Southwestern Regional Office--Region III

Coconino County RAC, Eastern Arizona RAC, Northern New Mexico RAC, 
Southern Arizona RAC, Southern New Mexico RAC, Yavapai RAC

    Erick Stemmerman, Southwestern Regional Coordinator, Forest 
Service, 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102, (575) 654-
3278, [email protected].

Intermountain Regional Office--Region IV

Alpine RAC, Bridger-Teton RAC, Central Idaho RAC, Dixie RAC, Eastern 
Idaho RAC, Fishlake RAC, Lyon-Mineral RAC, Manti-La Sal RAC, Northern 
Utah RAC, South Central Idaho RAC, Southwest Idaho RAC, Rural Nevada 
RAC

    Hannah Lenkowski, Intermountain Regional Coordinator, Forest 
Service, 355 North Vernal Avenue, Vernal, UT 84078, 
[email protected], 385-517-0972.

[[Page 87399]]

Pacific Southwest Regional Office--Region V

Butte County RAC, Del Norte County RAC, El Dorado County RAC, Fresno 
County RAC, Glenn and Colusa Counties RAC, Humboldt County RAC, Kern 
and Tulare Counties RAC, Lassen County RAC, Mendo-Lake County RAC, 
Modoc County RAC, Nevada and Placer Counties RAC, Plumas County RAC, 
Shasta County RAC, Sierra County RAC, Siskiyou County RAC, Tehama RAC, 
Trinity County RAC, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties RAC

    Paul Wade, Pacific Southwest Regional Coordinator, Forest Service, 
1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, California 94592, (707) 562-9010, 
[email protected].

Pacific Northwest Regional Office--VI

Columbia County RAC, Colville RAC, Deschutes and Ochoco RAC, Fremont 
and Winema RAC, Hood and Willamette RAC, Gifford Pinchot RAC, North Mt. 
Baker-Snoqualmie RAC, Northeast Oregon Forests RAC, Olympic Peninsula 
RAC, Rogue and Umpqua RAC, Siskiyou (OR) RAC, Siuslaw RAC, Snohomish-
South Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie RAC, Southeast Washington Forest RAC, 
Wenatchee-Okanogan RAC

    Yewah Lau, Pacific Northwest Regional Office, Forest Service, 
295142 Highway 101 South, Quilcene, Washington 98379, (360) 981-9101, 
[email protected].

Southern Regional Office--Region VIII

Alabama RAC, Cherokee RAC, Daniel Boone RAC, Davy Crockett RAC, Florida 
National Forests RAC, Francis Marion-Sumter RAC, Kisatchie RAC, Ozark-
Ouachita RAC, Sabine-Angelina RAC, National Forests in Mississippi RAC, 
Virginia RAC

    Sheila Holifield, Southern Regional Coordinator, Forest Service, 
1720 Peachtree Road, Northwest, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, (205) 517-9033, 
[email protected].

Eastern Regional Office--Region IX

Allegheny RAC, Chippewa National Forest RAC, Eleven Point RAC, Hiawatha 
RAC, Huron-Manistee RAC, North Wisconsin RAC, Ottawa RAC, Superior RAC, 
West Virginia RAC

    Tiffany Benna, Eastern Regional Coordinator, Forest Service, 71 
White Mountain Drive, Campton, New Hampshire 03223, (603) 348-0078, 
[email protected].

Alaska Regional Office--Region X

Kenai Peninsula-Anchorage Borough RAC, North Tongass RAC, Prince 
William Sound RAC, South Tongass RAC

    Carlos De La Torre, Alaska Regional Coordinator, Forest Service, 
709 West 9th Street, Room 561C, Juneau, Alaska 99801-1807, 
[email protected], 907-738-2758.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brianna Gallegos, National Partnership 
Coordinator, National Partnership Office, USDA Forest Service, Yates 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, Mailstop #1158, Washington, DC 
20250, by email to [email protected], or call 505-218-1535. 
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf and hard-of-
hearing (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, 24 
hours per day, every day of the week, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-
Determination Act of 2000, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 7125, directs the 
Secretary of Agriculture to create Secure Rural Schools Advisory 
Committees 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.
    This charter renewal will establish six new committees as follows: 
Helena-Lewis and Clark RAC in Region 1 by consolidating the Central 
Montana and Missouri River RACs; the Southern Utah RAC in Region 4 by 
consolidating Dixie, Fishlake, and Manti-La Sal RACs; Nevada RAC in 
Region 4 by consolidating Rural Nevada and Lyon-Mineral RACs; the Mt. 
Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest RAC in Region 6 by consolidating 
Snohomish-South Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and North Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie 
RACs; Umatilla Washington RAC in Region 6 by consolidating Columbia 
County and Southeast Washington RACs; El Yunque RAC in Region 8.
    Meetings for the Secure Rural Schools Advisory Committees will be 
published on the Federal Register website at least 15 days prior to the 
meeting date at: www.federalregister.gov. The SRS RACs will be 
comprised of 15 members. Members must be approved by the Secretary of 
Agriculture. 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 
NonIndustrial 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.
    Each member will serve a 4-year term.
    Balanced representation: In appointing committee members from the 3 
categories above, the Secretary shall provide for balanced and broad 
representation from within each category. In addition, SRS RACs 
membership will be balanced in terms of the points of view represented 
and functions to be performed.
    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 Agency.
    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.

[[Page 87400]]

    Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified 
individuals for membership. Interested candidates may nominate 
themselves. Individuals who wish to be considered for membership on the 
Secure Rural Schools Advisory Committee must submit a nomination with 
information, including a background disclosure form (Form AD-755). 
Nominations should be typed and include the following:
    (1) If nominating an individual, a brief summary, no more than two 
pages, explaining the nominee's qualifications to serve on the Secure 
Rural Schools Advisory Committee and addressing the membership 
composition and criteria described above.
    (2) A resume providing the nominee's background, experience, and 
educational qualifications.
    (3) A completed background disclosure form (Form AD-755) signed by 
the nominee. https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf.
    (4) Letters of endorsement are optional.
    Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA policies shall 
be followed in all appointments to the SRS RACs. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the SRS RACs have taken into account the needs of 
the diverse groups served by USDA, membership will, to the extent 
practicable, include individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
all racial and ethnic groups, women and men, and persons with 
disabilities.

    Dated: December 13, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-27745 Filed 12-15-23; 8:45 am]
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