Staff at the Allegheny National Forest will be assisting in the recruitment of nominees for a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (Recreation RAC) that is being re-established for the Eastern Region.

The Forest Service is seeking candidates to join the 11-member committee. The purpose of the Recreation RAC is to provide recommendations to the Forest Service on recreation fee matters, which include initiating, eliminating, or modifying fees on National Forests in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. The committee’s recommendations will help the Forest Service garner public opinion about recreation fees, but will not supersede the agency’s legally established decision authority.

Potential nominees must represent certain forest-related interests as described in the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, including: five people who represent recreation users, one in each position: summer motorized, summer non-motorized, winter motorized, winter non-motorized, and hunting and fishing; three people who represent interest groups that include, as appropriate: motorized outfitters and guides, non-motorized outfitters and guides, and local environmental groups; and three people, one in each position: state tourism official, a person who represents affected local government interests, and a person who represents affected Tribal Nations’ issues.

Applicants for the advisory committee will be asked to provide information about their qualifications and background as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Conditions associated with serving on a Recreation RAC committing to serve a three-year term with travel and per diem expenses covered according to federal guidelines. Both members and alternates will be chosen from those who submit nominations. Alternates will only become participating members if an initial member permanently leaves the committee. All nominees will go through a background check. A Social Security number is required for the background check to be completed and the nomination processed.

Applicants will be recommended to the Regional Forester for appointment based on the following evaluation criteria: how the person is uniquely qualified to represent one or more of the interests listed; experience working with underserved populations including people of color; why the person wants to serve on the committee and what they can contribute; and the person’s experience in successfully working collaboratively in a group setting.

For more information or to recommend a potential nominee, email Jamie Klebanski at Jamie.Klebanski@usda.gov. Nomination packets will be sent to potential nominees. Applications must be submitted no later than March 1.