By Suzi Johnson
The Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is inviting interested parties to attend their meeting on August 21st at 3:00 P.M. The meeting will be held in the Modoc National Forest conference room at 225 W 8th St. Alturas, CA. This meeting is intended to review and prioritize preliminary project proposals, provide feedback to project proponents for their final proposals, and strategize for future meetings and project awards. If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please complete and submit the Concept Paper/Pre-Application found online at
https://www.fs.usda.gov//Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd881792.pdfand or send it to sm.fs.modoc_info@usda.gov. Forms are also available from the Forest Partnership Coordinator at the Modoc National Forest Supervisor’s Office.
Additional information about the Modoc County RAC and the Secure Rural Schools initiative can be found at https://origin-fs.fs.usda.gov/main/modoc/workingtogether/advisorycommittees. Please submit new project proposal short forms and/or long forms for Approved Projects by the close of business on Friday, August 14, 2024. Projects must benefit National Forest System lands and ecosystems in Modoc County and must meet established criteria in the following areas: roads and trails, infrastructure maintenance, soil and forest ecosystem health, watershed restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat, control of noxious weeds, and re-establishment of native species.
H.R.2389 – Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 also outlines expected outcomes, including how the project will meet or exceed desired ecological conditions, maintenance objectives, or stewardship objectives. It should also include an estimation of the amount of any timber, forage, other commodities, and other economic activity, including jobs generated if any, anticipated as part of the project. A detailed monitoring plan, including funding needs and sources that tracks and identifies the positive or negative impacts of the project and provides for validation monitoring. The monitoring plan shall include an assessment of whether the project met or exceeded desired ecological conditions, created local employment or training opportunities, and whether the project improved the use of, or added value to, any products removed from lands consistent with the purposes of this Act. At least 50 percent of all project funds are dedicated to restoring streams and watersheds, or road maintenance, decommissioning, or removal. Projects may be on private land but must show a direct benefit to National Forest System lands.
The Modoc County RAC receives funds through the reauthorized Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. More information about the revised legislation can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/states/secure-rural-schools/title-2. If you are interested in becoming a Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) Member, please send an email of interest to SM.FS.Modoc_info@usda.gov. We will get you started on the member application process. People of all ethnicities, races, genders, disability status, and ages are encouraged to apply.
