Applicants Sought for Forest Service Rec. Advisory Committee

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George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 265-5100

Contact: Al McPherson

September 22, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Applicants Sought for Forest Service Recreation Advisory Committee

Atlanta, GA – The USDA Forest Service is seeking nominations to fill 11 positions on a new Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (Recreation RAC). The Recreation RAC will provide recommendations on recreation fees for National Forests in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the territory of Puerto Rico. Nominations for these positions will be accepted through Monday, October 23, 2006.

Potential nominees must represent certain Forest-related recreation interests as described in the December 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act:

• Recreational uses, including:
o Camping
o Motorized recreation
o Non-motorized recreation
o Wildlife and nature viewing/visiting interpretive sites
o Hunting and fishing
• Environmental groups
• Outfitters and guides
• State tourism interests
• American Indian tribes
• Local government interests

All Recreation RAC meetings will be open to the public, and a public forum will be part of each meeting. Meeting dates and times will be determined by the Forest Service in consultation with the Recreation RAC members after the committee is formed.

Recreation RAC – Page 2

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, include:
• Initially, members serve either a two or three-year term. The committee will decide the terms.
• Members do not receive compensation; however, travel and per diem expenses will be covered for regularly scheduled meetings according to federal guidelines.
• Both members and alternates will be chosen from those who submit nominations. Alternates will only become participating members if the initial member, for whom he or she is an alternate, permanently leaves the committee.

Applicants will be recommended to the Regional Forester for appointment based on the following evaluation criteria:
• What interest groups they represent and how they are qualified to represent that group.
• Why they want to serve on the committee and what they can contribute.
• Their past experience in working successfully as part of a collaborative group.

USDA policies regarding equal opportunity will be followed. The demonstrated ability of the prospective committee members to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities will be considered in membership selections.

Letters of recommendation are welcome, but not required.

Additional information about the Recreation RAC and nomination packets are available at www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/rrac or by contacting Caroline Mitchell at 501-321-5318, email, r8¬_rrac@fs.fed.us. Completed nomination forms should be returned by Monday, October 23, 2006, to Recreation RAC Nomination, P.O. Box 1270, Hot Springs, AR 71902.