U.S. FOREST SERVICE NEWS RELEASE
Okanogan-Wenatchee
National Forest
215 Melody
Lane
Wenatchee, WA
98801
Contacts: Okanogan-Wenatchee N.F. Public Affairs Officer Roland Giller, 509-664-9314
Okanogan-Wenatchee N.F. Public Affairs Specialist Robin DeMario, 509-664-9292
Forest Advisory
Committee Members Sought
WENATCHEE—The Forest
Service is seeking applicants for vacancies on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National
Forest’s Eastern Washington Cascades and Yakima Provincial Advisory Committees.
Applications can
be obtained from the national forest’s headquarters in Wenatchee, the Okanogan
Valley Office, or online at http://go.usa.gov/faR
All applications
should be submitted by September 1, 2012.
Informational
meetings describing the committees and their activities will be held on July 30
and July 31 in Wenatchee and Naches.
The meeting in
Wenatchee on July 30 will be held from 2-3 p.m. in the conference room of the
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest headquarters office, 215 Melody Lane,
Wenatchee. The meeting in Naches on July 31 will be held from 2-3 p.m. in the
Naches Ranger District conference room, 10237 Hwy. 12, Naches. Forest Service
representatives will explain the application and selection process and answer
questions at each meeting.
“For
the past 17 years, advice from provincial advisory committees has helped the
Forest Service and other federal land managers implement the Northwest Forest
Plan on federal lands in ecological provinces within the range of the northern
spotted owl,” said Forest Supervisor Becki Heath.
Two of these
committees provide advice on federal lands in North Central Washington.
The Eastern
Washington Cascades Province encompasses federal lands within the
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Chelan County and west of the Chewuch and
Methow Rivers in Okanogan County. The Yakima Province encompasses federal lands
within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Kittitas and Yakima Counties.
Advisory committee membership represents federal and state agencies, counties,
tribes, and public interests including recreation and tourism, environmental
groups, the forest products industry, fisheries, wildlife, forestry
conservation, special forest products, mining, grazing, commercial fishing, and
general citizen interests. The Forest Service seeks gender, ethnic and cultural diversity on the Eastern Washington Cascades and Yakima Provincial Advisory Committees, including citizens with disabilities. Advisory committee membership diversity will assist the agency to foster effective program and mission delivery to all Americans.
Applicants for advisory committee positions must be United States citizens at least 18 years old. Criteria for selection will include considerations such as an applicant’s knowledge of local and regional resource issues as well as public land uses and activities; the ability to communicate well; willingness to work toward mutually-beneficial solutions to complex issues; and respect and credibility in local communities.
Applicants must
also be willing to make a commitment to attend advisory committee
meetings—generally one-day sessions, held in Wenatchee, every two to three
months. Field trips and alternate meeting locations may also be scheduled.
Advisory
committee members serve without pay, but reimbursement is provided for mileage
expenses. A routine Advisory Committee Membership Background Information Form
(AD-755), included in the application package, must also be completed before
anyone can assume membership on a Department of Agriculture advisory
committee.
Those interested
in serving on a Provincial Advisory Committee should submit an application to
Becki Heath, Designated Federal Official, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801,
by September 1, 2012. Faxed submissions may be sent to her attention at 509-664-9286. Letters of endorsement from groups or
organizations may also be included with applications.
Questions about
the process may be directed to Roland Giller at 509-664-9314 or
Robin DeMario at 509-664-9292.
Selections for
advisory committee positions will be notified of the final selections by mail.
All advisory committee meetings are open to the public.
-End-
USDA is an equal
opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of
discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800)
795-3272 (voice), or (202)
720-6382 (TDD).
Roland Giller
Public Affairs Officer
Okanogan-Wenatchee N.F.
215 Melody Lane
Wenatchee, WA 98801
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