SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Placerville, Calif. The El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee is accepting proposals for projects that benefit National Forest lands in El Dorado County.
The deadline for applications is December 1, 2010. Applications, instructions, project evaluation considerations and other information are found on the Eldorado National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado.
The committee currently has $500,000 available to recommend projects to the Eldorado National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest Supervisors for implementation on their respective units. Additional funds will be available after January.
“The first step in the application process is to go to the website,” said Dale van Dam, El Dorado County RAC Chairperson. “The next step is to contact the Eldorado National Forest District Ranger or the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit representative who is responsible for managing lands nearest to your proposed project. There’s a map on the website to help guide you.”
RAC funds were made available under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2008 which spells out how the funds can be spent. The Act says funds may be used for the purpose of making additional investments in, and creating additional employment opportunities through, projects that improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems, and restore and improve land health and water quality.
The Act goes on to say that projects should have broad based support with objectives that may include, but are not limited to: road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration; soil productivity improvement; improvements in ecosystem health; watershed restoration and maintenance; restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat; control of noxious and exotic weeds; and re-establishment of native grasses.
At least 50% of the funds must be used for projects that are primarily dedicated to: road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration; or restoration of streams and watersheds.
The purpose of the El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee is to recommend funding of eligible projects to the Forest Supervisors of Eldorado National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The next scheduled RAC meeting is October 18 at the El Dorado Center, Folsom Lake College, in the Community Room, beginning at 6 PM. Project proposal presentations to the RAC will begin on January 24, 2011 at the same location and time.
