FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Coconino County and Coconino National Forest are seeking candidates to fill vacancies on the Coconino Resource Advisory Committee to review and recommend projects that will benefit national forest land in their region.
Recommendations will be given to the forest supervisor for further action.
The committee will be comprised of 15 members who represent a particular set of interests. Each member must commit to serving a full term of four years — meeting only a handful of times annually. Committee members are volunteers and do not receive pay.
Current vacancies on the Coconino RAC include seats representing the following interests listed in the Secure Rural School Act and reauthorized by Congress:
- Organized labor or nontimber forest product harvester.
- Developed outdoor recreation.
- Off-highway-vehicle users.
- Energy and mineral development interests.
- Commercial timber industry.
- Federal grazing permittees or other land use permittees.
- Nationally, regionally, or locally recognized environmental organizations.
- Dispersed recreational activities.
- Archaeological and historical interests.
- Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro groups.
- County or local-elected officials.
- State-elected officials.
- American Indian tribes.
- School officials or teachers.
- The public at large.
National forests falling within Coconino County that the committee would consider projects for include, Coconino, Kaibab and parts of the Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
“We’re looking for people with energy and commitment to the long-term benefit of our national forests, who are also interested in working with a diverse array of interests represented on the committee,” said Laura Jo West, forest supervisor for Coconino National Forest.
Under the Secure Rural Schools Act, federal payments to states and counties were reauthorized in April 2015 and will be allocated according to the amount of national forest land in the county and other factors. These funds can be used for projects to enhance forest ecosystems and restore and improve land health and water quality.
Any Arizona resident interested in serving on the committee must complete an application form. The information provided in the application will be used for a required background check. Applications are available at forest service offices in the Coconino National Forest, and online.
Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 and must be mailed or dropped off to Coconino National Forest. Please send the applications to the attention of Brady Smith, Resource Advisory Committee, 1824 S. Thompson St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Scanned copies cannot be submitted and electronic signatures will not be accepted.
For more information, call Brady Smith, the Coconino National Forest public affairs officer, at telephone 928-527-3490, or email him at [email protected].
For more information on RACs, see the Forest Service webpage on the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
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This is a very important responsibility and a serious issue. it takes qualified people two maintain certain aspects of our national parks, it’s part of our treasure to have these national parks for our use to enjoy time with friends and family. thank you for all those involved in making it possible.