See information below, courtesy of the National Forest Foundation:
The Tongass National Forest recently established the Tongass Advisory Committee and is currently seeking nominations. Please consider applying or share with your organization or within your community.
The Tongass Advisory Committee (TAC) will play a key role in USDA’s effort to transition the Tongass from a timber program focused on old growth to one based primarily on young growth. The TAC will be solely advisory in nature, advising the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service, by providing advice and recommendations for developing an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable forest management strategy on the Tongass National Forest. Recommendations and advice may directly inform modification of the 2008 Tongass Land Management Plan.
All activities of the Committee will be conducted in an open, transparent, and accessible manner. Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA policies will be followed in all appointments to the Committee.
We are seeking nominations to fill 15 seats on the Committee; three members and one alternate will be selected for each interest group listed below. Committee members must have a demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and finding solutions that meet multiple stakeholder values. Members will be selected by the Secretary of Agriculture. Nominees will be individuals knowledgeable of ecological, social, and economic issues impacting Southeast Alaska, who provide balanced and broad representation within the following interests:
- Federally Recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Organizations and/or Alaska Native Corporation representatives;
- National or regional environmental and/or conservation organizations;
- Timber industry representatives;
- Federal, State and local government representatives; and
- Other commercial users, those holding land use permits or the public at large.
The majority of the work of the committee should be completed between May and December 30 of 2014, with meetings as frequently as each month, possibly for several days at a time. Meeting face to face is preferred, but phone or video conferencing will be available to participate if need be. Travel expenses will be paid in accordance with federal regulations.
Additional information, including the required nomination application, can be located at the TAC website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/R10/Tongass/TAC or through our Committee Coordinator, Nicole McMurren at nmcmurren@fs.fed.us or at (907) 772-5875. It is strongly suggested that interested participants mail packages utilizing the United States Postal Service. Completed nomination packages are due by February 27, 2014. You may also contact Karen Hardigg (kehardigg@fs.fed.us or 907.382.7169) if you have questions.