RACs accepting 2015 project proposals through Sept. 30

CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST

BOZEMAN/BILLINGS – The Gallatin County and Southern Montana Resource Advisory committees for the Custer Gallatin National Forest will be accepting project proposals through Sept. 30 at midnight. Participating counties include Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Stillwater and Powder River.

Organizations, government entities, or individuals may submit proposals and are encouraged to work with each local ranger district on project submissions and feasibility prior to submitting the final proposal.

RAC projects must be located on, or be adjacent to the Custer Gallatin National Forest and directly benefit Forest land within the respective counties. Projects can be completed through partnership agreements, by open-bid contracting with individuals and corporations, or by Forest Service personnel.

Acceptable projects aim to enhance forest ecosystems and restore and improve land health or water quality on the Forest and/or adjacent lands. In 2014, 27 area projects were approved including snowplowing, avalanche education, and multi-user trail projects that protect cabin infrastructure, fisheries improvements, noxious weed eradication, preventative wash stations for aquatic invasive species, and road resurfacing work.

“Each resource advisory committee offers a great opportunity for citizens and organizations to bring project ideas forward,” said Mary Erickson, Custer Gallatin Forest Supervisor. “Many of these projects benefit overall ecosystem health, and recreationists often see work done on trails they care about.”

Each RAC is chartered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and consists of 15 members representing a wide array of interests.

Project submission forms are available at fs.usda.gov/custer or fs.usda.gov/gallatin and clicking on the Resource Advisory Committee link. Forms must be submitted to the address noted on the application, electronic submissions are preferred.

The public is invited to attend all RAC meetings. For additional information on the RAC or to learn more about proposing projects, contact Mariah Leuschen at her office at (406) 587-6735 or cell at (406) 548-1174.