MINERAL COUNTY RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Meeting Notes
November 12, 2002
Meeting Location: Mineral County Courthouse
Commissioner’s Room
Superior, MT 59872
Designated Federal Officer: Robert Harper
Facilitator: Sharon Sweeney
Recorder: Sandy Green
RAC Members Present: Denley Loge, Mike Byrnes, Scott Burnham, Sylvia Bookout-Reinicke, Norman Reinicke, Pat Hayes, Jim Arney, Ray Rugg. Jim Lommen, Dale Harris, B.J. McComb, Anngela DeAnn-Boutelle
Committee Members Absent: Mary Jo Berry, Gordon Hendrick, Wendy Ninteman
RAC Replacement Members Present: Dennis Hildebrand, Phil Donally
Others Present: John Murray, Mineral Independent; Jim Goss, Cathy Reich, Ron Schlader, Forest Service; Eric Barclay, Forest Service
Meeting Minutes Review: The October 3, 2002 meeting notes were approved. The tabled ground rules were amended and approved.
Group Discussion: Sharon Sweeney led the group discussion on what the members considered funding priorities for the Mineral County RAC.
The committee wanted to know if a project is already funded and if so, how does RAC fit in with their monies. Rob Harper explained the NEPA process and best value contracting. We can state our intention to hire local people.
Rob Harper introduced Ron Schlader and Eric Barclay from the Forest Service. Schlader presented 3 projects to be considered for the RAC money.
NEW PROPOSALS:
Q. Who is the public doing the contaminating? The property owner is supposed to take care of the weeds on their property. – Pat Hayes
A. This person’s identity is public record (Tony Pearson) and he does contribute to eradication? – Ron Schlader
Q. What
if you get more money than what you are proposing? - Pat Hayes
A. Historically,
the amount of money proposed is what has been needed in the past. – Ron
Schlader
Q. Where is the origin of the weed? - Sylvia Bookout-Reinicke
A. The Flathead National Forest – Ron Schlader
Q. If you’ve been working this long(6 years) on this, what makes you think you can get rid of it with this money? – Scott Burnham
A. It’s
an on-going project and we can cover more area with additional money – Ron Schlader
Q. Will the DOT cooperate? – Denley Loge
A. No,
not with bio releases. – Ron Schlader
Q. Will this money fund the entire project? – Dale Harris
A. Included in this money is the coverage of on-site Administration and labor – Ron Schlader
Q. Would the dispersed camping sites be incorporated into the trailhead? – Dennis Hildebrand
A. We
will utilize what is there already – R.Schlader
Q. Isn’t this a county road? – Jim Arney
A. The county road ends about 3 miles from the cattle guard and the rest is FS – Eric Barclay
Q. Will
the road last without blading until the scheduled 2004 paving? – Dennis Hildebrand
A. No, it doesn’t hold with the snow and runoff. – Eric Barclay
Q. Do
any of these roads go through private property? - Sylvia Bookout-Reinicke
A. No- Eric Barclay
No comments
No comments
Signage on FS roads was brought up and Eric will do a proposal for the next RAC meeting. Sylvia Bookout-Reinicke asked if the small contracts will be awarded to local people and Rob responded that commercial sales are beyond this group’s authority. Dale Harris asked about administrative costs and Rob assured him that all the money allotted to the project would go to the project.
Group Discussion:
Rob Harper presented a form from Lincoln County and Sharon Sweeney pointed out that the form does not have all of the information needed.
Jim Arney wants more clarification on what is required for info on the form and other funding that is available. Sharon Sweeney suggested we add to our spreadsheet the monies coming from other sources.
Jim Arney asked if a project is not accepted by the RAC, will the employee be unfounded and is this the intention of the FS to fund employees. Ron Schlader responded that if the FS doesn’t have the money to fund a project, and if the RAC doesn’t accept a project, the FS will work in another area that is funded. The FS budget would be adjusted to cover whatever project we are working on. Sharon Sweeney said that this is not to be a consideration when choosing a project
Public Forum:
Cathy Reich presented a project proposal to the committee that the Title II money be used for a spay/neuter clinic. A clinic would lessen the impact of abandoned animals reproducing which impact costs to individuals, wildlife and flora. Mike Byrnes responded by saying that Title III money would be more appropriate than Title II money and she should present her proposal at that meeting.
TABLED: Does the committee want a budget for reimbursement for mileage and per diem costs?
Rob Harper pointed out that overhead costs of 5% would be added to project costs.
Q. What is the 5% for? – Sylvia Bookout-Reinicke
A. Bookkeeping – Rob Harper
A. If 0% were chosen, laws kick in and they can be a prevailing 19% - Sweeney
Jim Lommen stated he would prefer to make a decision to incorporate the less %. Scott Burnham made a motion to go with the 5%. The motion carried with 2 dissensions.
The next meeting date was set
for December 12, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.
Closing Comments:
Q. Will this RAC be finished meeting once the projects are selected or continue
meeting once a month?
Pat Hayes suggested the meetings could be a social event such as a dinner meeting or visiting other RACs in the area since we are dealing with land management for the next 15 years.
Dale Harris questioned whether RAC and the FS is a conflict of interest. Is there any outside interest that would present projects for consideration? Rob Harper said that a press release was submitted to the local newspaper informing the public of this meeting and soliciting projects. The newspaper, however, did not print the press release prior to this meeting due to the fact that the editor decides what goes in and when.
Rob Harper asked the committee if they had more money, could they absorb part of the planning. Pat Hayes asked if the commissioners have decided on the use of Title III money. Mike Byrnes said he will provide the Title III allocations and it will be sent with the next mailing.
The January 9, 2003 meeting date was also decided.
Meeting adjourned.