Ontonagon Resource Advisory Committee to Consider Funding for Secure Rural Schools Title II Projects

Ironwood, MI (August 12, 2016) – The Ontonagon Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, August 30, beginning at 9:30 a.m. (EST) at the Ewen-Trout Creek School, in Ewen, Michigan.  This meeting is open to the public.

Agenda items include introduction of new committee members, election of a Chairperson and consideration of resource projects that enhance forest ecosystems, restore and improve land health and water quality, and improve the maintenance of existing Forest infrastructure.  Project proposals were received from the public, RAC Committee members, and Forest Service employees over the past year.  The Ontonagon RAC will make recommendations on how to spend nearly $126,500 of Title II funds.  This federal government funding is made available to Ontonagon County through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Public Law 110-343.)

The public is invited to view project proposals and provide comments prior to or during the August 30 meeting.  Project proposals can be viewed at any Forest Service office or on-line at: http://cloudapps-usda-gov.force.com/FSSRS/RAC_Page?id=001t0000002JcvqAAC.

Written comments should be sent to Lisa Klaus, Ottawa National Forest, E6248 US Hwy. 2, Ironwood, MI 49938. Comments may also be sent via email to lklaus@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to 906-932-0122.  All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying.

The committee is meeting as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub.L 110-343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Lisa Klaus, RAC coordinator, Ottawa National Forest, E6248 US Hwy. 2, Ironwood, MI, (906) 932-1330, ext. 328; e-mail lklaus@fs.fed.us.

The U.S. Forest Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a mission of sustaining the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Forest Service’s Eastern Region includes 20 states in the Midwest and East, stretching from Maine, to Maryland, to Missouri, to Minnesota.  There are 17 national forests and one national tallgrass prairie in the Eastern Region. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/R9.

The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us.