Minutes from SW Idaho Resource Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes from SW Idaho Resource Advisory Committee Meeting

December 12, 2001 Boise, Idaho

In attendance: Randy Swick (Designated Federal Officer), Scot Kump, Lois Van Hoover, John Gebhards, Sandra Mitchell, Tom Glass, John McCarthy, Barry Ross, Phil Davis, Bob Baker, Randy Harrison, Bob Coats, Mark Mahon, Darel Harris, Ed Mansfield, John Hiler, Gale Hogan, David Whaley, Kelly Woods (Forest Service - Recorder), Andy Brunelle (Forest Service)

  • The meeting started at 10:15 a.m. with a welcome by Randy Swick, the Designated Federal Officer, and introduction of RAC members and alternates.
  • Randy Swick reviewed the agenda and meeting objectives. Meeting objectives included: 1) To gain an understanding of Public Law 106-393; 2) To acquire an understanding of the role of the RAC under P.L. 106-393; 3) To develop operating guidelines for the RAC, and select a chairperson; and 4) To provide an opportunity for public interaction with the RAC. Swick entertained any needed modifications to the agenda. No modifications were proposed.
  • Phil Davis, Valley County Commissioner, provided background information on Public Law 106-393, discussing the role that groups, such as the Quincy Library Group and the National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition, played in developing the legislation. He offered to bring the RAC the list of principles that drove the legislation.
  • Randy Swick, Designated Federal Officer, discussed Public Law 106-393 – its purpose and the roles, responsibilities, and make-up of the RAC. A binder with several handouts, including a copy of the law, was provided to each RAC member. Swick covered the funding options available to counties and some of the specifics of Title II and Title III funds. He focused on title II funds and associated project proposals, timelines and approval processes.
  • Andy Brunelle, Forest Service, discussed the Charter for Idaho RACs. He said that six RACs were established in Idaho, but only five have been activated. (The RAC in the Magic Valley does not receive enough money to activate the RAC, but it may in the future.) All of the RACs operate under the same general charter and each RAC is allowed to develop their own operating guidelines. Much of the language in the charter has been carried over from the legislation.
  • Andy Brunelle provided a flowchart that described the process counties have gone through to decide if they wanted to opt for the new payment scheme under P.L. 106-393, or the old. All counties in Idaho opted for the new option because they would receive more funding. Counties must make that decision annually.

Andy Brunelle reminded the group that counties will receive six annual payments starting with fiscal year 2001. This year’s money should be available very soon and unused money carries over into the next fiscal year. The legislation is authorized through 2006.

The flowchart also depicted the path of project development and approval under Title II.

There was discussion about whether or not groups outside of the RAC could propose and/or offer funds for projects. Andy Brunelle said any group or individual could propose a project. The RAC could forward the project for Forest Supervisor approval as long as it is consistent with all guiding legislation.

The question was raised on whether or not NEPA/consultation would be required for Title II funds expended on projects not on federal land. Swick said yes, NEPA would be required because the project would become a federal project per the legislation. Brunelle was going to follow-up with the consultation question.

  • Andy Brunelle addressed questions from RAC members stating that:
    1. Fifty percent of Title II money must be used for projects that are primarily dedicated to road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration or to restoration of streams and watersheds.
    2. September 30 is the deadline for RAC project submittal to the Forest Supervisor, not the Supervisor’s deadline for approval.
    3. The RAC could set a deadline for non-RAC members to submit project proposals to the RAC.
    4. Projects can go beyond a year – be ongoing.
    5. Although it is not precluded by the legislation, it would be speculative for the RAC to obligate funds beyond what the counties have assigned for any given year, because counties could annually alter the distribution.
  • Lunch with Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, R1 Regional Forester Brad Powell, R4 Acting Regional Forester Jack Troyer, and Boise National Forest Supervisor Dave Rittenhouse – Q and A opportunity for RAC.
  • The meeting resumed after lunch and the discussion focused on establishing operating guidelines for the RAC. There was much discussion about voting, quorum, and meetings. The following decisions were reached:
    1. Decisions on RAC operating procedures will be made by a simple majority of members present at a RAC meeting where quorum has been established.
    2. Quorum, for purposes of conducting an official meeting of the RAC, will be defined as having at least nine members, three from each RAC category, physically present or able to fully participate via conference call as allowed for in the charter.

      3. (Quorum was determined to be present for the 12-12-01 meeting.)

    3. Roberts Rules of Order will be used to conduct RAC meetings.
    4. Phil Davis was elected as Chairperson and Gale Hogan was elected Vice Chairperson. (A motion to nominate Phil Davis as Chairperson was made by Darel Harris and seconded by Mark Mahon. Mr. Davis accepted the nomination. A motion to nominate Gale Hogan as Chairperson was made by John McCarthy and seconded by David Whaley. Mr. Hogan accepted the nomination. A motion to close nominations was made by Bob Baker and seconded by Bob Coates. Motion carried. A secret ballot was held with all fifteen RAC members voting. Darel Harris and Randy Harrison counted the ballots. Phil Davis was elected. A motion to have Gale Hogan serve as Vice Chairperson was made by Bob Baker and seconded by Bob Coates. Mr. Hogan was agreeable to serve. Motion carried unanimously.) Mr. Davis yielded the floor to DFO Swick to facilitate the remainder of the meeting agenda.
    5. Next meeting:

      6. A motion to hold the next RAC meeting on Wednesday, January 16 was made by Chairperson Phil Davis and seconded by Barry Ross. Motion carried. A motion to hold the meeting from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm was made by Scot Kump and seconded by Phil Davis. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to hold the meeting at the Idaho Department of Agriculture building in Boise, Idaho was made by Scott Kump and seconded by John Gebhards. Motion carried unanimously. (After the meeting ended, it was determined that the conference room facilities at the Idaho Dept of Ag building were not available on January 16. The meeting location has been moved to the Bureau of Reclamation Building, 1150 North Curtis Road, Boise, ID.)

    6. RAC Expenses:

A motion to use Title II funds as allowed by the law to cover RAC expenses, including meals, lodging, and mileage expenses incurred by RAC members and alternates attending RAC meetings within the limits of Forest Service per diem rates, was made by Randy Harrison and seconded by Sandra Mitchell. Motion was amended to include the stipulation that the RAC will approve re-imbursement of such expenses at each meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
  • Several RAC members asked if the Forests had potential projects that might be suitable under Title II. Randy Swick and Andy Brunelle distributed a "tickler list" of potential projects on the Boise and Payette Forests. RAC members were told that these were just ideas, and that the RAC is free to develop its own process for soliciting project proposals from a wide array of sources. Andy Brunelle mentioned that a project proposal form for the RAC’s to use in submitting projects to the Forest Service was in preparation.
  • Needs for the next meeting were solicited from RAC members:
    1. Quarterly Schedule of Proposed Projects from the Boise and Payette NFs.
    2. Any additional project proposals from Ranger Districts.
    3. Consider inviting IDL, DEQ, others?
    4. Make room on the agenda for Public Forum.
    5. Randy Swick/Andy Brunelle will look at FACA to answer questions about liability of RAC members while engaged in RAC business.
  • Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.