Forest Service & BLM Seeking Nominations for Recreation Resource Advisory Committee

Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that nominations are now being accepted for 11 positions on the Pacific Southwest Region California Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC). Nominations will be accepted through December 8, 2013.

Officials are seeking:

· five members of the public who will represent the following recreation interest groups: winter non-motorized recreation, such as snowshoeing, cross country, downhill skiing and snowboarding; summer motorized recreation, such as motorcycles, boaters, and off-highway vehicles; summer non-motorized recreation, such as backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing and rafting.

· three people who represent the following recreation interest groups: non-motorized outfitters and guides; local environmental groups.

· three people who represent the following perspectives: State tourism; Indian tribes; local government.

These term positions will begin March 2014 when the current three-year term appointments expire. Current members who have only served one term may reapply. Terms for the current appointed alternates also expire March 2014 and they may apply for a permanent term. Alternates for these positions may be selected from the applications received. Alternates do not take a member’s place in their absence; they are appointed to fill a vacancy should the member find it necessary to leave the RRAC.

The RRAC provides recommendations on recreation fees for federal lands within the state of California. This includes implementing or eliminating fees for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service recreation sites and services, expanding or limiting the recreation fee program, and fee level changes.

Recommendations from the RRAC do not supersede the legally established decision authority of the Forest Service or BLM; however, RRACs help federal agencies gather public opinion about recreation fees and programs. All recommendations are carefully considered.

Candidates interested in submitting a nomination for Recreation RAC membership may obtain a nomination packet on-line at www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/rrac, or by contacting Frances Enkoji (USFS) at (707) 562-8846, or via e-mail at R5rrac@fs.fed.us; or Jane Arteaga (BLM) at (916) 978-4654, or via e-mail at jarteaga@blm.gov.

Completed submissions should be mailed to Frances Enkoji, USDA Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA. Nomination packets must be received by December 8, 2013.

Additional information about recreation fees is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/about-rec-fees.shtml.