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The Forest Service and local counties are seeking citizens, elected officials and special-interest group representatives in Southwest Colorado to apply for membership on the San Juan National Forest Resource Advisory Committee.The committee will represent a wide range of interests to support the San Juan National Forest and participating counties in reviewing and evaluating projects submitted under the Secure Rural Schools Act.

Eligible counties will receive an annual allocation of funds over the next four years for projects that create local employment opportunities maintaining or improving public lands and resources.

The RAC will recommend which projects to fund and coordinate with agencies and county officials.

Projects will be located in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata and Montezuma counties.

RAC members will serve four-year terms upon appointment by the secretary of agriculture.

Members will serve without compensation, but can be reimbursed for travel expenses. Members must be Colorado residents, preferably living in one of the counties served by the RAC. Meetings will be held at least once and up to four times a year.

The RAC will consist of 15 members representing three categories. Applicants may apply in more than one category.

The secretary of agriculture will make appointments based on the applications received, striving to appoint members who have demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively with others of different viewpoints.

• Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups



• Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle, commercial recreation



• Energy and mineral development



• Commercial or recreational fishing



• Commercial timber industry



• Federal grazing permit holders or land-use permit holders within the RAC area

• Nationally recognized environmental organizations



• Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations



• Dispersed recreation



• Archaeological and historical interests



• Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse or burro groups, wildlife or hunting  organizations or watershed associations.

• State-elected office holders



• County or local elected officials



• American Indian tribal representatives from tribes within or adjacent to RAC areas



• School officials or teachers



• Citizens representing the affected public at large