Silver City, NM, June 21, 2019—The Forest Service is recruiting individuals from local communities to provide collaborative input on forest management by serving on the Southern New Mexico Counties Resource Advisory Committee (SNM RAC). 

The SNM RAC works closely with the Forest Service to review and recommend projects that benefit forest health, fish, wildlife, soils, watersheds and other resources; maintain roads, trails and infrastructure; or control noxious weeds.

The projects will occur in Catron, Grant, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra, and Socorro counties. The SNM RAC membership represents a variety of interests including recreation, mining, grazing, fishing, archaeology and timber interests, nationally and locally recognized environmental organizations, elected officials and tribal representatives.  Applicants must reside in New Mexico, preferably in one of the counties where the projects will occur. Applications are due by Friday, July 26, 2019.

SNM RAC applications will be forwarded to the Secretary of Agriculture who appoints 15 members to a four-year term.  Applicants should expect to meet no more than twice each year for a full day, usually in Socorro, NM.  Members serve without compensation, but will be reimbursed for mileage, per diem, and lodging costs incurred.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the SNM RAC – please go to our website at www.fs.usda.gov/gila and fill out the AD-755/Advisory Committee Background Information form and return via USPS mail to:  Gila National Forest, Attn: Julia Faith Rivera, 3005 E Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM 88061.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.