County, forest seek new members for resource committee

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead County and the Flathead National Forest are recruiting members for a local Resource Advisory Committee that is in charge of identifying projects that will be funded by the recently reauthorized Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.

There are openings on the committee for one member and three alternate members, according to a news release from Flathead Forest.

Applications must be submitted to the Flathead Forest Supervisor's Office by March 31.

Applications are available at the office at 650 Wolfpack Way or by calling 758-5252.

The committee consists of 15 members, each appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture for a four-year term. Members serve without compensation. Five members represent each of three categories established by Congress to provide balanced and broad representation. There also are three alternate or replacement members for each category.

One category covers organized labor, non-timber forest product harvester group, developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle use or commercial recreation, energy and mineral development, commercial or recreational fishing, commercial timber, and holders of federal grazing or other land-use permits or non-industrial private forest land owner.

There is a category for nationally, regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations, dispersed recreation, archaeology and history, nationally or regionally recognized wild horse or burro interests, and wildlife or hunting organizations or watershed associations.

The third category is for state, county or local elected officials, American Indian tribes, school officials or teachers and the public at large.

The committee reviews and recommends projects for funding that will benefit national forest system lands within Flathead County.

For more information about the committee, call Denise Germann, public affairs officer with the Flathead National Forest, at 758-5252.