Forest service regional advisory board openings

By By

Individuals and groups with great ideas to benefit the Manti-La Sal National Forest may now have an opportunity to see those ideas become a reality.
The Manti-LaSal Resource Advisory Committee is seeking proposals for projects that will benefit resources on the Manti-La Sal National Forest located in Emery, San Juan and Sanpete counties, Utah; and Mesa and Montrose counties, Colo.
According to RAC Chairman Glen Zumwalt, “The advisory committee will have just under $1 million to spend on projects.”
Under the Secure Rural Schools Act, Title II, these counties contributed a portion of their appropriation to the forest for such projects. The RAC, whose members are residents of the counties, recommends projects for funding to the forest supervisor, who makes the final decision.
County and state agencies, non-governmental agencies, the forest service and individuals are eligible to apply. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Jan. 14, 2011, and can be submitted by email, online or hard copy.
Projects can be on the Manti-La Sal National Forest or nearby land if the project will benefit resources on the national forest. Projects can be completed by forest service personnel, through partnership agreements, or by open-bid contracting with individuals and corporations.
Projects must benefit forest health, fish, wildlife, soils, watersheds and other resources; maintain roads, trails and other infrastructure; or control noxious weeds. The committee has said it will not fund environmental planning and reviews. Its focus is project implementation.
Applications and additional information about submission can be obtained from Rosann Fillmore at (435)-636-3525, rdfillmore@fs.fed.us, or on the RAC website. Finalists will be invited to make an oral presentation to the RAC in March.
Fillmore will be providing workshops to assist applicants with their proposal and to answer questions about RAC projects as follows: 10 a.m., Nov. 15, Monticello District Office, 432 East Center Street, Monticello, 10 a.m., Nov. 17, Sanpete District Office, 540 North Main, Ephraim. 10 a.m., Nov. 18, Ferron/Price District Office, 115 West Canyon Road, Ferron. To RSVP, please call 435-636-3525.
The Manti-La Sal RAC is a newly organized advisory group made up of volunteers who have been appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to assist the Manti-La Sal National Forest in prioritizing and recommending projects for funding from the Secure Rural Schools Title II appropriation. There are 14 members, one vacancy and three alternates, representing commercial interests, recreational interests, environmental interests, public officials and the public at large.
Members are Ronald Stevenson, Glen Zumwalt, Cody Allred, John McAllister, Clay Conway, Dale Jones, Susan Bellagamba, Jason Stevens, Lee Bennett, Jay Humphrey, Stan Baker, Ray Petersen, Kenneth Maryboy, Claudia Jarrett, David Hinkins, Barbara Wintch, and Gary Kofford.
RAC meetings are advertised and open to the public. Its next meeting is scheduled Feb. 16, 2011, 9 a.m. at 319 North Carbonville Road, Price.