MINERAL COUNTY RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

OCTOBER 3, 2002

The Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) held their first meeting at the Mineral County Courthouse at 6:00 pm. Superior District Ranger Rob Harper welcomed the committee with an explanation of the RAC program. Introductions of the committee members and their roles of representation took place.

Committee Members present: Scott Burnham, Denley Loge, Dennis Hildebrand, Sylvia Bookout-Reinicke, Norman Reinicke, Phil Donally, Pat Hayes, Jim Arney, Ray Rugg, Jim Lommen, B.J. McComb, Mike Byrnes, Anngela Boutelle, Dale Harris, Wendy Ninteman, Gordon Hendrick

Committee Members Absent: Mary Jo Berry

Forest Service: Rob Harper, Sharon Sweeney (Facilitator), Sandy Green (Note taker)

Public: Judy Stang (County Commissioner), John Murray (press), Joe Hanson

Rob Harper gave a slide presentation covering the RAC program that matched the handout. This slide presentation explained the background of funds, goals of the Act (restoration work), how payments are received (Mineral County elected to accept a fixed payment over 25% of the state’s high 3 years). Rob explained the definition of Title II and Title III. If Title II money is not spent, it will carry over through 2006. 50% of Title II money has to be used for road maintenance or restoration of streams.

Question: Why does the county money have to be spent on public land?

Answer: There needs to be local involvement in public land.

Example: Route of the Hiawatha. Can use part of Title III to buy easements and

Title II to restore trails.

A discussion took place on “work camps” and RAC’s involvement. Rob Harper once again explained RAC and the role of RAC.

Judy Stang told of how the County Commissioners chose Title II money and why.

ü Legislation is good for 5 years

ü It’s good for people to work together to manage the land

ü Why the commissioners chose $35,000.00.

ü Money usually received after a project is identified but RAC provides money before a project is identified

ü Commissioners can present local projects to the RAC

Rob Harper said that he would bring some projects to the next RAC meeting. The question was asked if RAC money would be a conflict of interest on projects with the Forest Service. No, it would have a personal gain for the county and a benefit to public land.

Sharon Sweeney gave examples of present operating RACs. Attached to these notes are the operating guidelines, by laws and ground rules of other RACs and they were discussed at length as to what the Mineral County RAC wants. All were agreed upon with the exception of two items being tabled until the next RAC meeting.

Rob Harper brought up the need to elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson to conduct future meetings. Mike Byrnes was voted in as chairperson and Gordon Hendrick as vice-chairperson for a two-month position.

The next meeting date was set for Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 6:00 pm at the Mineral County courthouse. At this meeting, the committee will finish the bylaws and make decisions on the tabled items, look at projects presented by Rob Harper.

OPERATING GUIDELINES & GROUND RULES-Decisions/Suggestions by the group:

If you are unable to attend a meeting, contact the Chairperson or the Designated Federal Official (Rob Harper) and give at least 24-hour notice, if possible.

It was suggested that acronyms like NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) be spoken in simple English.

Based on the legislation, the committee decided a quorum (3 of 5 from each category) is needed for project decisions and to have an “official meeting”. A simple majority can make simple decisions (example: when/where the next meeting will be and to elect the chair - simple majority.)

Ground Rules were agreed to as follows:

• Remember the purpose of the Act: To stabilize payments to counties, to make additional investments in and provide employment opportunities through projects in forest ecosystems; and to improve cooperative relationships.
• Listen to each other
• No phones or pagers (except for emergency communication)
• Come prepared
• Respect each other and each other’s time
• Speak up
• Agree to disagree
• Keep it fun and productive
• The Designated Federal Official (Rob Harper) will insure that Forest Service specialists will be at the meetings where needed
• Meetings need to start and end on time
• The group will use Roberts Rules of Order as a guide for meeting management
• Public comment will be accepted after each topic discussion and before each vote. Public comment will be limited to 3 minutes per person, verbal or written.
• The Administrative Assistant (Sandy Green) will be the contact for all letters and will mail them to the committee in a pre-meeting packet. Letters from the public should be sent to the Superior R.D. for the administrative record
• Replacement members will attend and have full participation at all meetings, except for the vote. Replacement members will not vote.
• Absenteeism: 2 consecutive meetings missed will be discussed by Chair for possible removal by the Secretary of Agriculture. Conference call is acceptable if travel or other approved circumstance prohibits personal attendance.
• Rob Harper and Mike Byrnes will make the call whether bad weather will prevent safe travel to a meeting and cancel a meeting if necessary
• Meeting locations will be selected by the Chair to get the best public comment