MISSOULA, Mont. – The Missoula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is now accepting new project proposals. The application deadline is Aug. 1. The committee has approximately $151,500 in project funding to award. Funding and administration for the RAC is provided under the authority of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self–Determination Act (Title II). Projects must benefit National Forest System lands and ecosystems in Missoula County.
The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was passed by Congress to restore stability and predictability to the annual payments made to states and counties containing National Forest System lands. The Act established Resource Advisory Committees, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and consisting of fifteen local citizens, “to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the land management agencies consistent with the purposes of the Act.”
The RAC for Missoula County has been in place since 2010. Since there hasn’t been a committee in place since 2017, the fund has continued to grow. If the money earned is not spent within a certain amount of time on local projects, it goes back to the U.S. Treasury. Seeley Lake District Ranger Quinn Carver agreed to be the designated federal officer and decided to stand up a committee and start allocating funds.
“It’s not a lot of money but in a community like this one where you have Blackfoot Challenge, [Big Blackfoot Chapter] Trout Unlimited and [Rocky Mountain] Elk Foundation, everyone partners on everything. A little bit of money can be leveraged for a lot,” said Carver.
Each RAC consists of 15 people representing varied interests and areas of expertise, who work collaboratively to improve working relationships among community members and National Forest personnel. Missoula RAC members from the Seeley Lake area include: Jack Rich, Michael McGrew, Kristen Baker-Dickinson, Scott Kuehn, Dr. Seth Wilson, Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier and Zachary Bashoor.
At least 50% of all funds must be used for projects primarily dedicated to restoring streams and watersheds or road maintenance, decommissioning or removal. In addition, eligible projects may include those that improve Forest Service roads and trails, provide infrastructure maintenance, improve soil and forest ecosystem health, provide watershed restoration, maintain and improve wildlife and fish habitat, control noxious weeds and re-establish native species. Projects may be on non-federal land but must show a direct benefit to National Forest System lands.
While generally the Forest Service does the work and oversees implementation, organizations are encouraged to submit collaborative projects that leverage capacity, funding and resources.
Individuals are encouraged to submit their proposals as soon as possible. It is the responsibility of the proponent to coordinate with Forest Service staff and all other partners prior to submitting the proposal to ensure it is complete. Project applications and instructions on how to submit a proposal are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lolo/workingtogether/advisorycommittees/?cid=fsm9_021467
Projects funded in the past include trail reconstruction, restoration of historical sites, improvement of wildlife habitat, treatment of invasive species, road improvements, riparian restoration and recreational site improvements.
The Missoula RAC is required to obligate the funding by the end of Sept. 30, 2022. Following the Aug. 1 deadline for proposals, the RAC will hold a public meeting. The public will be given the opportunity to comment on the proposals.
For more information or details on submitting a project proposal contact Kate Jerman, Missoula RAC Coordinator, at (406) 552-7944 or Katelyn.jerman@usda.gov.
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