Forest Resource Advisory Committee to Meet on October 31

In-person and virtual meetings scheduled

information released

The Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest will meet in-person and virtually on October 31 to discuss potential funding for 10 projects that benefit watersheds and forest-related resources on national forest lands in Okanogan County and three projects in Kittitas County. The meeting will be held at the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest headquarters office, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA, and starts at 9 a.m. and ends around 2:30 p.m. or until all committee work has been completed.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and Colville National Forest have submitted four project proposals requesting funding for trash removal, prescribed burning, meadow protection-noxious weed control, and trail maintenance work.

Nine other projects were submitted by other organizations and include proposals from Okanogan County Noxious Weed Board for noxious weed control, from Methow Valley Trails Collaborative for trail maintenance, Methow Trails for trailhead and toilet replacement, Evergreen Mountain Bike Association for trailhead improvement, Washington Trails Association for crew support projects, Okanogan County for sno-park plowing and road maintenance, fuel break work from Kittitas County Fire Adapted Council, and restoration of a lookout from Mountains to Sound Greenway.

“The work RAC members do in recommending projects is very important. We wouldn’t be able to utilize Secure Rural Schools Self-Determination Act Title II monies, which amount to almost six hundred thousand dollars this year, without the RACs review and recommendations,” said Resource Advisory Committee Designated Federal Official Victoria Wilkins.

The committee’s funding recommendations are forwarded to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Supervisor for final approval. Money for projects is distributed under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act.

All committee meetings are open to the public; a block of time has been reserved for members of the public to comment on proposed projects. Please contact Resource Advisory Committee Coordinator Robin DeMario at 509-664-9292 or robin.demario@usda.gov by Friday, October 25 to register for a public comment opportunity of 3 minutes or less or for information on attending the virtual and in-person meeting. Written comments will also be accepted.

Each RAC consists of 15 members who represent a wide variety of citizen interests and are residents of each of the four counties within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. In January 2025, six vacancies will occur on this 15-person advisory committee. If interested in becoming a member of the RAC, please contact DeMario for the application form and additional information. For more information on Resource Advisory Committees, go to the Secure Rural Schools website http://bit.ly/2oa2Jay .