• The meeting started at 10:05 a.m. with a welcome by Phil Davis, Chairperson of the RAC. It was determined that a quorum was present. Phil opened the meeting by announcing that Mark Mahon had resigned from the RAC over the previous weekend. Mark’s business commitments would make it impossible for him to serve during the summer months. Darel Harris, who is the replacement for Subgroup C, will fill Mark’s vacancy. Randy Swick and Andy Brunelle will work with the Forest Supervisors to fill the vacant replacement slot.

• DFO Randy Swick distributed the minutes from the March 20 RAC meeting, and asked RAC members to review them.

• DFO Randy Swick circulated a handout with the RAC mission statement, excerpts of the law which highlight the purpose of RAC, the State RAC charter, and the SW Idaho RAC operating guidelines. Randy asked the group to review the handout and to make him aware of any needed modifications. Randy also passed out a handout noting RAC expenses from the March RAC meeting for review and approval.

• Chair Phil Davis welcomed the guests to the meeting and asked each of the guests to introduce themselves.

• Chair Phil Davis led a discussion in which he asked RAC members who had attended the National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition conference in Reno, Nevada to summarize their experience. Lois Van Hoover reported that the conference was well worth the trip. She said there was productive interaction.

• DFO Randy Swick announced to the RAC that Mark Madrid has been selected as the new Forest Supervisor of the Payette National Forest. He reported that Mark is currently the Forest Supervisor of the Plumas National Forest where the Quincy Library Group originated. Randy said Mark will start in June.

• DFO Randy Swick provided the RAC with a revised handout listing the screening and evaluation criteria for reviewing proposed projects. The handout incorporated decisions from the previous RAC meeting, and was refined with input from the grant screening process used by the Idaho Department of Parks and Rec.

• DFO Randy Swick circulated an updated project log. He also provided a list of projects broken down by county. Randy highlighted numerous changes from the original log based on each Forest reviewing and prioritizing their submissions. Of particular note:

1. Projects #02001 and #02002 were withdrawn by sponsor.
2. Project #02004 was withdrawn by sponsor after receiving Title III funding from Valley County.
3. Projects #02007, #02008, #02016, #02017, #02018, #02023, # 02024, and #02031 were given lower priority by the respective Forests.
4. Project #02014 was withdrawn by sponsor after decision by Forest Service to fund it.
5. Project #02027 was withdrawn by sponsor and will be resubmitted for FY’03.

• Chair Phil Davis initiated the Form Part 2 review of projects which had been recommended for further consideration after completion of their Form Part 1 reviews at the May meeting. The Form Part 2 review was conducted in accord with the RAC’s new operating guideline for project proposal evaluation.

Project Log #: 02009

Project Name: Silver Creek Research Weir Removal

Project Sponsor: Bradley, Emmett Ranger District

Discussion: Project sponsor was present. Doug provided an overview of the project and provided follow up to questions raised from the March RAC meeting Form Part 1 review.

Evaluation Relative to Criteria: Composite Score - 36

• Chair Phil Davis recommended that the RAC review all projects on the agenda first, and then make decisions on which to recommend to the Forest Supervisor at the end of the day.

• Chair Phil Davis proceeded to the next project, #02006, South Fork Payette Noxious Weed Treatment. This project was discussed at the March meeting, but was deferred pending a consolidated noxious weed proposal. Since a consolidated proposal across the RAC is not forthcoming, Chair Davis initiated the Form Part 1 review, and if appropriate the Form Part 2 review. The reviews were conducted in accord with the RAC’s operating guidelines for project proposal screening and evaluation.

Project Log #: 02006

Project Name: South Fork Payette Noxious Weed Treatment

Project Sponsor: Metz, Lowman Raner District

Discussion: Project sponsor was present. Robin provided an overview of the project and responded to questions from RAC members.

RAC Decision: A motion to advance project from Form Part 1 to Form Part 2 was made by Randy Harrison and seconded by Sandra Mitchell. Motion carried unanimously. Sponsor should complete Form Part 2.

• Robin had the completed Form Part 2. Copies were distributed to the RAC, and they proceeded immediately to the Form Part 2 review for Project #02006.

Evaluation Relative to Criteria: Composite Score - 38

• Lunch at 1200 – A working lunch was provided. Jeff Cook, from Idaho Parks and Recreation, was the guest speaker and addressed the group. He explained their grant process, how to apply, and the process they use to allocate funds.

• Chair Phil Davis resumed project reviews with project, #02010, Middle Fork Payette River Road Restoration. This project was discussed at the March meeting, but was deferred pending Forest prioritization of road projects. The Boise NF gave this project a high priority. Chair Davis initiated the Form Part 1 review, and if appropriate the Form Part 2 review.

Project Log #: 02010

Project Name: Middle Fork Payette River Road Restoration

Project Sponsor: Julian, Cascade Ranger District

Discussion: Project sponsor was not present. The RAC had numerous questions and concerns with the project. A question was raised on whether the FS funds were a match or if the RAC funds were augmentation. Concern was also raised with the high cost of the project, and the exact location of the project. Several RAC members wanted to evaluate it in light of other proposed road projects they had not yet reviewed. The RAC was not comfortable continuing with the Form Part 1 review.

RAC Decision: A motion to table the Form Part 1 review of the project until the June RAC meeting was made by John Hiler and seconded by David Whaley. Motion carried, with one dissenting vote. Sponsor should attend June meeting and provide following information:

• The RAC convened in the Board of Directors Room for a conference call with Senator Larry Craig. Senator Craig expressed his excitement in seeing the RACs get things done. He said he is anxious to have projects get going and demonstrate that a consensus can be reached. The RAC asked Senator Craig questions pertaining to the legislation.

• Chair Phil Davis resumed the Form Part 2 review of projects which had been recommended for further consideration after completion of their Form Part 1 reviews at the March meeting.

Project Log #: 02025 (02025a, 02025b, 02025c)

Project Name: Indian Mountain Allotment Riparian Fencing

Project Sponsor: Hogen, Council Ranger District; and Weldon Branch, Permittee

Discussion: Project sponsor was present. Dave provided maps and an overview of the project. He responded to questions raised during the Form Part 1 review in March, and clarified the installation of the fence with the permittees’ ability to use the allotment this year.

Evaluation Relative to Criteria: Composite Score - 35

Project Log #: 02026 (02026a, 02026b)

Project Name: Council Mountain Allotment Riparian Fencing

Project Sponsor: Hogen, Council Ranger District

Discussion: Project sponsor was present. Dave provided maps and an overview of the project. He responded to questions raised during the Form Part 1 review in March, and clarified the installation of the fence with the permittees’ ability to use the allotment this year. He also responded to questions on fence installation costs. He explained that the permittees on this allotment were volunteering their labor to install the fence. The permittees under project #02025 were planning to install the fence by contract.

Evaluation Relative to Criteria: Composite Score - 37

Project Log #: 02003

Project Name: Brownlee Watershed Improvements

Project Sponsor: Lesch, Weiser Ranger District

Discussion: Representative for project sponsor was present (John Baglien, District Ranger). John provided an overview of the project, and responded to questions raised during the Form Part 1 review in March. He indicated the project would be done by the Forest Service, but they hire temps from the local area to do this type of work.

Evaluation Relative to Criteria: Composite Score - 30

• Chair Phil Davis asked the RAC how they would like to proceed with decisions to recommend projects to the Forest Supervisors. DFO Randy Swick reviewed the procedures in the handout approved earlier in the meeting.

• A motion to recommend proposal #02009, Silver Creek Research Weir Removal, to the Forest Supervisors for approval was made by Scot Kump and seconded by Ed Mansfield. Motion carried unanimously. The recommended funding amount is as stated in Form Part 2, less the overhead amount, for a total of $5,000. Project approval and agreement forms will be prepared.

• A motion to recommend proposal #02006, South Fork Payette Noxious Weed Treatment, to the Forest Supervisors for approval was made by John Gebhards and seconded by Sandra Mitchell. Motion carried unanimously. The recommended funding amount is as stated in Form Part 2, $10,000. Project approval and agreement forms will be prepared.

• A motion to recommend proposal #02025, Indian Mountain Allotment Riparian Fencing, to the Forest Supervisors for approval was made by Ed Mansfield and seconded by Sandra Mitchell. Motion carried unanimously. The recommended funding amount is as stated in Form Part 2, less the overhead amount, for a total of $43,500. Project approval and agreement forms will be prepared.

• A motion to recommend proposal #02026, Council Mountain Allotment Riparian Fencing, to the Forest Supervisors for approval was made by Ed Mansfield and seconded by Sandra Mitchell. Motion carried unanimously. The recommended funding amount is as stated in Form Part 2, less the overhead amount, for a total of $22,000. Project approval and agreement forms will be prepared.

• A motion to recommend proposal #02003, Brownlee Watershed Improvements, to the Forest Supervisors for approval was made by Scot Kump and seconded by John McCarthy. Motion failed; one dissenting vote by Darel Harris. Darel’s concern was that he wanted to evaluate the project against other proposed road projects before determining which one(s) to recommend. He suggested that this project be tabled and reconsidered like project #02010, Middle Fork Payette River Road Restoration, at the June meeting.

• DFO Swick reminded RAC members that legislation only required three of five of each subgroup to approve a project for recommendation to the Forest Supervisors, and that project #02003 had that level of approval. However, the RAC was comfortable with the unanimous ballot approach.

• Andy Brunelle stated that there was some urgency to addressing project #02034. DFO Randy Swick also indicated that the project sponsor for project #02030 was present. Chair Phil Davis proceeded to initiate Form Part 1 and Form Part 2 reviews as appropriate.

Project Log #: 02034

Project Name: Featherville Hazardous Fuels Reduction

Project Sponsor: Moore, Southwest Idaho RC&D

Discussion: Project sponsor was not present. Andy Brunelle provided an overview of the project. The urgency was due to recruiting local high school kids for the crew, and the need to complete that effort before the end of the school year.

RAC Decision: A motion to advance project from Form Part 1 to Form Part 2 was made by Ed Mansfield and seconded by Tom Glass. Motion carried unanimously. Sponsor should complete Form Part 2.

• Andy Brunelle had the completed Form Part 2. Copies were distributed to the RAC, and they proceeded immediately to the Form Part 2 review for Project #02034.

Evaluation Relative to Criteria: Composite Score - 37

• A motion to recommend proposal #02034, Featherville Hazardous Fuels Reduction, to the Forest Supervisors for approval was made by Ed Mansfield and seconded by Tom Glass. Motion carried unanimously. The recommended funding amount is as stated in Form Part 2, less the overhead amount, for a total of $12,000. Project approval and agreement forms will be prepared.

Project Log #: 02030

Project Name: Upgrade Adams County Weed Department

Project Sponsor: Burkhardt, Adams CWMA

Discussion: Project sponsor was present. Julie provided an overview of the projectn abd addressed questions..

RAC Decision: A motion to advance project from Form Part 1 to Form Part 2 was made by David Whaley and seconded by Sandra Mitchell. Motion carried unanimously. Sponsor should complete Form Part 2.

• Chair Phil Davis inquired as to the assessment of an OH amount for each project. Form Part 2 identifies a 12.5% tap. DFO Randy Swick indicated he would discuss the overhead assessment with the Forest Supervisors. The 12.5% rate is a holdover from the form prepared by the North Central Idaho RAC. For the moment, we will approve the projects without an overhead assessment until the issue is clarified.

• Public Forum – No one responded to the offer to address the RAC.

• DFO Randy Swick mentioned a proposal by Randy Harrison to hold an August BBQ with all County Commissioners. Given the lateness of the day, it was decided to review this proposal at the June meeting.

• A motion to hold the next meeting at 10:00 at the ICRMP Building in Boise on Wednesday, June 19, 2002 was made by David Whaley and seconded by Sandra Mitchell. The motion carried unanimously.

• Meeting adjourned at 4:20.

• Review of Decisions reached at this meeting.

1. Expenditures from the March RAC meeting were approved.
2. Proposed project screening and evaluation criteria were approved.
3. Review of Form Part 1 and recommendation to advance project for Form Part 2 review completed for:

#02006, South Fork Payette Noxious Weed Treatment

#02030, Upgrade Adams County Weed Department

#02034, Featherville Hazardous Fuels Reduction

4. Review of Form Part 1 and recommendation to table review until next meeting:

#02010, Middle Fork Payette River Road Restoration

5. Review of Form Part 2 and recommend to Forest Supervisor for approval: