Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committeee to Accept Project Proposals

Editor’s Note: We received this just today from Karen Takai.  It’s a little outside our usual coverage area, but if anybody knows of anyone wanting to do projects in the referenced counties, please pass this along.

ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO…The Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is seeking proposals for projects that enhance forest ecosystems (environment functioning) or restore and improve land health and water quality on the Cibola, Gila, and Lincoln National Forests and other adjacent lands in Catron, Grant, Lincoln, Otero, Socorro, and Sierra Counties.  The RAC committee has nearly $2,005,000 to allocate to projects this year, made available through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 Title II monies (http://www.fs.fed.us/srs/Title-II.shtml).  Proposals and Title II monies will be recommended by the RAC to the Designated Federal Official (DFO), Al Koss, based on each affected County’s Title II monies allocation percentage.  The RAC will be funded annually for an additional two years with slightly declining amounts each year.

The RAC works closely with Forest Service land managers to recommend projects that benefit forest health, fish, wildlife, soils, watersheds, and other resources; maintain roads, trails, and other infrastructure (basic structures needed for a society or the services/facilities necessary for an economy to function); or control noxious weeds.  Contact the National Forest District Ranger that would be affected by your proposal (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/contact/forestoffices.shtml) prior to submittal for their input.

RAC projects must be located on National Forest lands in Catron, Grant, Lincoln, Otero, Socorro, and Sierra Counties or on other adjacent lands if the project(s) benefit resources on the National Forest.  Projects can be completed by Forest Service personnel, through partnership agreements, or by open-bid contracting with individuals and businesses.  Individuals, non-profit organizations, and local governments can submit Title II project proposals.

RAC Project Preview forms and instructions are available on the Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees website at https://wwwnotes.fs.fed.us/wo/secure_rural_schools.nsf/Web_Project_Submit_Pre?OpenForm&ParentUNID=A1EEDD100A6ECF4588257545005A4787.  Proposals should be submitted electronically on the Southern New Mexico RAC website or sent hardcopy to the RAC Coordinator Patti Turpin/RAC Coordinator at the Lincoln National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 3463 Las Palomas Rd, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310 after they have received input for the affected District Ranger.
Proposals must be submitted by close of business October 1, 2010 for timely review and discussion.  The RAC will begin reviewing projects for possible funding recommendation during their meeting in November 2010.

The public is welcome to attend all RAC meetings which are announced through the Federal Register and news releases in the local newspapers of record.  For more information on the RAC or to learn more about proposing projects please contact RAC DFO, Al Koss, at 575-536-2250 or RAC Coordinator, Patti Turpin at 575-434-7230.

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