NATIONAL FORESTS -- The Idaho Panhandle Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet Friday, 9 a.m. in Coeur d’Alene to review and distribute approximately $690,000 in funding for natural resource projects in 2012.

The meeting will be held at the Idaho Panhandle National Forests Supervisor’s Office, 3815 Schreiber Way. The RAC will distribute approximately $690,000 in funding for natural resource projects in 2012.

A public forum is set for 11 a.m. -11:30 a.m. 

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

Read on for details.

The RAC normally begins reviewing projects in the fall, however, the legislation that establishes the RAC’s authority to recommend projects to the Forest Service will expire September 30, 2011. Therefore the committee will approve projects for the 2012 field season in June. The RAC finished approving projects for the current field season at the February 21, 2011 meeting held in Coeur d’Alene. The RAC may plan a final meeting for sometime in September depending upon the need to review additional projects.

The funding for RAC projects is made available to Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2008. The RAC works closely with the Forest Service to recommend projects that will benefit forest health, fish, wildlife, soils, watersheds and other resources; maintain roads, trails and other infrastructure; or control noxious weeds.

RAC projects must be located on National Forest System Lands within the five northern Idaho counties or on adjacent lands if the project will benefit the resources on the National Forests. Projects are typically completed by Forest Service personnel, through partnership agreements or by open-bid contracting with individuals and corporations.

Contact Suzanne Endsley,  (208) 765-7223.