[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 163 (Thursday, August 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49406-49407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19253]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Pacific Northwest Recreation Resource Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for nominations for Recreation Resource 
Advisory Committees.

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SUMMARY: Nominations are being sought for certain positions to serve on 
the Pacific Northwest Recreation Resource Advisory Committees 
(Recreation RAC). New members will be appointed by the Secretary of 
Agriculture (Secretary) and serve three-year terms. Appointments will 
begin in February 2009 when current member appointments expire.
    One member is being sought to represent each of the following 
interests: Winter Non-motorized, Summer Non-motorized, Local 
Environmental, State Tourism, and Affected Local Governments. The 
public is invited to submit nominations for membership on the 
Recreation RAC. Current members who have only served one term may also 
apply. Application packets for Recreation RACs can be obtained from the 
Forest Service Pacific Northwest Regional Office listed below or on the 
Web at http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/rrac. All nominations must 
include a completed application packet that includes background 
information and other information that addresses a nominee's 
qualifications.

DATES: All applications must be received by the Pacific Northwest 
Regional Office on or before September 30, 2008. This timeframe may be 
extended if officials do not receive applications for needed positions.

ADDRESSES: You may submit nominations to the Pacific Northwest 
Recreation RAC by: U.S. Mail: Shandra Terry, Regional Public 
Involvement Coordinator, Public Affairs, Pacific Northwest Regional 
Office, PO Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208, (503) 808-2242.
    Express Delivery: Shandra Terry, Regional Public Involvement 
Coordinator, Public Affairs, Pacific Northwest Regional Office, 333 SW 
1st Ave., Portland, OR 97204, (503) 808-2242.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anyone wanting further information 
regarding this request for nominations may contact Jocelyn Biro, 
Recreation Fee Coordinator, Pacific Northwest Regional Office, PO Box 
3623, Portland, OR 97208, (503) 808-2411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), signed December 
2004, requires that the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) provide Recreation RACs with an opportunity to make 
recommendations to the two agencies on certain types of proposed 
recreation fee changes.
    REA allows the agencies to use existing advisory councils, such as 
BLM Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), or to establish new committees 
as appropriate. The Forest Service and BLM elected to jointly use 
existing BLM RACs in the states of Arizona, Idaho, the Dakotas, 
Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. In 2006, the Forest Service 
chartered new Recreation RACs for the states of California and 
Colorado, and for the Forest Service Pacific Northwest, Eastern and 
Southern Regions. The Forest Service is using an existing advisory 
board for the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.

[[Page 49407]]

In addition, the Governors of three states--Alaska, Nebraska and 
Wyoming--requested that their States be exempt from the REA-RIRAC 
requirement, and the two Departments concurred with the exemptions.
    Members were appointed to the Pacific Northwest Recreation RAC in 
February 2007 for either two-year or three year terms. The terms for 
the two-year members will expire February 2009. The Pacific Northwest 
Recreation RAC provides recreation fee recommendations to both the 
Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Recreation 
RAC makes recreation fee program recommendations on implementing or 
eliminating standard amenity fees; expanded amenity fees; and 
noncommercial, individual special recreation permit fees; expanding or 
limiting the recreation fee program; and fee-level changes.

Recreation RAC Composition

    The Recreation RAC consists of 11 members appointed by the 
Secretary. These members provide a broad and balanced representation 
from the recreation community as follows:
    (1) Five persons who represent recreation users and that include, 
as appropriate, the following:
    a. Winter motorized recreation, such as snowmobiling;
    b. Winter non-motorized recreation, such as snowshoeing, cross-
country and downhill skiing, and snowboarding;
    c. Summer motorized recreation, such as motorcycles, boaters, and 
off-highway vehicles;
    d. Summer non-motorized recreation, such as backpacking, horseback 
riding, mountain biking, canoeing, and rafting; and
    e. Hunting and fishing.
    (2) Three persons who represent interest groups that include, as 
appropriate, the following:
    a. Motorized outfitters and guides;
    b. Non-motorized outfitters and guides; and
    c. Local environmental groups.
    (3) Three persons, as follows:
    a. State tourism official to represent the State;
    b. A person who represents affected Indian tribes; and
    c. A person who represents affected local government interests.

Nomination Information

    Any individual or organization may nominate one or more qualified 
persons to represent the interests listed above to serve on the 
Recreation RAC. To be considered for membership, nominees must:
    <bullet> Identify what interest group they would represent and how 
they are qualified to represent that group;
    <bullet> State why they want to serve on the committee and what 
they can contribute;
    <bullet> Show their past experience in working successfully as part 
of a collaborative group; and
    <bullet> Complete Form AD-755, Advisory Committee or Research and 
Promotion Background Information.
    Letters of recommendation are welcome. Individuals may also 
nominate themselves. Nominees do not need to live in a state within a 
particular Recreation RAC's area of jurisdiction nor live in a state in 
which Forest Service-managed lands are located.
    Application packets, including evaluation criteria and the AD-755 
form, are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/rrac or by 
contacting the respective regions identified in this notice. Nominees 
must submit all documents to the appropriate regional contact. 
Additional information about recreation fees and REA is available at 
http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/about-rec-fees.shtml.
    The Forest Service will also work with Governors and county 
officials to identify potential nominees.
    The Forest Service will review the applications and prepare a list 
of qualified applicants from which the Secretary shall appoint both 
members and alternates. An alternate will become a participating member 
of the Recreation RAC only if the member for whom the alternate is 
appointed to replace leaves the committee permanently.
    Recreation RAC members serve without pay but are reimbursed for 
travel and per diem expenses for regularly scheduled committee 
meetings. All Recreation RAC meetings are open to the public and an 
open public forum is part of each meeting. Meeting dates and times will 
be determined by agency officials in consultation with the Recreation 
RAC members.

    Dated: August 14, 2008.
Calvin N. Joyner,
Acting Regional Forester, Pacific Northwest Region, USDA Forest 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19253 Filed 8-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M