Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting
Meeting Notes
February 4, 2003
Meeting Location: Mineral County Courthouse
Commissioner’s Room
Superior, MT 59872
Designated Federal Officer: Robert Harper
Facilitator: None for this meeting
Recorder: Sandy Green
RAC Members Present: Michael Byrnes, James Lommen, Denley Loge, Dale Harris, Wendy Ninteman, B.J. McComb, Anngela DeAnne-Boutelle, James Arney, Gordon Hendrick, Patrick Hayes, Dennis Hildebrand
Committee Members Absent: Norman Reinicke, Scott Burnham, Raymond Rugg, Sylvia Bookout-Reinicke
RAC Replacement Members Present: Phillip Donally
Others Present: Eric Barclay, Forest Service, John Murray, Mineral Independent; Jim Hollenback; Judy Stang, County Commissioner; Russ Crawford; Mary Jo Berry; Larry Price; Chad Fealko, Forest Service; Beth Kennedy, Forest Service; Jeanne Higgins, DFO Ravalli County RAC; Larry Jakub, Ravalli County RAC; Alan Thompson, Ravalli County RAC; Mary Lee Bailey, Ravalli County RAC.
Meeting Minutes Review - Chairman Mike Byrnes called the meeting to order. The draft agenda and minutes from the December 12, 2002 meeting were approved. Rob Harper said there was a change to the agenda about prioritizing projects at this meeting. There wouldn’t be time so the committee agreed to postpone the prioritizing.
Budget - The RAC committee decided at their last meeting (December 12, 2003) to have pizza and soda for the out of town speakers and committee members. The pizza total was $118.50 and the soda was $8.36 for a total of $126.86. $300 was budgeted for speakers’ per diem at the December 12, 2002 meeting. The balance is now $173.14.
Rob Harper informed the committee Sylvia Bookout-Reinicke and Norman Reinicke have resigned from the Mineral County RAC. Advertisement is necessary for all three-replacement members and one full member for Group C. Recent changes to the Mineral County RAC membership are 1) Phillip Donally (formerly a replacement member) will fill behind Norman Reinicke of Group A and 2) Dennis Hildebrand, formerly a Group C replacement member will fill behind Mary Jo Berry.
The meeting was then turned over to four members of the Ravalli County RAC to explain how RAC works and to field questions on operations for the Mineral County RAC. The speakers consisted of Jeanne Higgins, DFO and Stevensville District Ranger; Larry Jakub, retired; Alan Thompson, County Commissioner; and Mary Lee Bailey, retired.
Alan explained how the Ravalli County RAC got started. He has been involved in Forest Coalition and was familiar with forest managment. He also spoke on how the Ravalli RAC chose their Title II funds compared to Mineral County putting 5% of the allotted funds into Title II and 15% into Title III. Ravalli County put all of their money in Title II because they don’t want to see the legislation sunset due to lack of use. Ravalli County PILT money is discretionary. The Ravalli County Commissioners chose all Title II dollars and no Title III dollars. The Ravalli RAC was the first authorized RAC in the State of Montana. The first RAC project for them was to put toilets in the backcountry. One bit of advice: Stay away from any proposal that is controversial.
Larry covered the RAC authorities – 1) Solicit projects from the public, 2) Provide advice and recommendations to the public and FS, and 3) provide community leadership by improving collaborative relationships. Examples of this work include initiating and hosting a public forum about categorical exclusions and appeals in Hamilton in February 18-19. The Ravalli County RAC also intends to be very involved in Forest Plan revision and may even submit a proposal to the FS. Larry also proposed changes to existing legislation whereby if the FS deciding official accepts a RAC proposal for a decision then it would be exempt from appeal.
Dale Harris asked how many
RACs are in the country. Alan said
there are five in Idaho, five in Montana and didn’t know about the rest of the
country. He added 34 states were
represented at the Reno convention.
Larry said more would be picked up with legislation. These will be the committees the Forest
Service will look to for recommendations.
Dennis Hildebrand asked about switching between 25% of NF receipts and the new Title II and III dollars. Alan said with the 25%, you are locked in for two years and the stabilized fund is locked for six years.
Dale said he was confused between Title II money and the legislation sunset. Alan said 15%-20% of the County payment is either Title II or III money. If all people use money for Title III versus Title II, you do not bring environmentalists into the mix. If you don’t spend money, congress will think it’s not needed. Larry said to leverage money with other groups. Citizen committees can then recommend to Forest Service.
Mary Lee did a presentation on how the Ravalli RAC projects were chosen by using the following six criteria:
1. Evaluate
2. Piggyback with other organizations or groups
3. Criteria: 50% to roads and water restoration
4. Ask Forest Service for projects that have been through NEPA
5. Do monitoring report
6. Gave each proponent ten minutes to present project
Gordon Hendrick asked how
much time was needed to study, decide proposal, and did RAC committee do the
footwork and site visit. Mary Lee said
no, monitoring committee follows up.
Wendy Ninteman asked how do you solicit for projects. Mary Lee said through radio talk shows, solicit each RAC members’ group, and establish own Post Office box verses using the Forest Service’s, and the Internet web. Anngela DeAnne-Boutelle asked how effective was the media blitz. Mary Lee said they got six projects from the public.
Dale asked if most projects were a one-year duration. Mary Lee said no, they are on going. Jeanne said they are done in phases. The intention now is to do field review.
Dale asked if most decisions were unanimous. Alan said no, when you vote, express like or dislike with thumbs up or down. Mary Lee said some evaluation is in terms of dollars - we liked some, but they were too spendy. Dennis asked what pitfalls stopped you cold and what caused frustration or worry. Alan said to stay away from controversial items, such as road decommission. Mary Lee said they are a diverse group, so ask why that person had an objection.
Regarding web access, Jeanne said to contact the Ravalli RAC if Mineral County RAC has questions.
Wendy asked what is the long-term future of RAC. Larry said they haven’t tried to address this question. Indirectly, commitment was needed to work over time, not just a one-year commitment and leadership. Larry said there is great opportunity for input, showing congressmen we can do it.
Dennis asked if the lands needed to be adjacent to forest, touching or nearby. Jeanne suggested it was a benefit to forest and private land.
Jim Arney asked if they could foresee Mineral County and Ravalli County RACs coming together. Larry said yes, there is more weight with two RACs.
Alan said there were projects here in Mineral County that could be worked on for many years. Anngela asked about budget and what methods were used to solicit projects. Mary Lee said the group decides if funding will be partial, full or partners. Anngela asked about the use of budget for media costs. Mary Lee said to use everything that is free.
Dale questioned if project selection took a long time. Jeanne said it did.
Mike Byrnes asked if the RAC has the authority to approve title III projects. Alan said Title III could be done without RAC. Larry said a copy can be sent to RAC but RAC doesn’t need to do anything.
Judy Stang did a Title III presentation on how the Mineral County commissioners divide the money.
ü 25% for schools and roads. Hard to think of spending money on Forest Service
ü First year didn’t know what to do
ü $80,000 to fire department for fuel mitigation, search & rescue, sheriff department for youth camp
ü RAC money just to get it started. Our state is way behind other states
ü Mineral County goal is to define a project first and then fund.
Mike remarked that Title III money stays until it’s spent. Wendy asked about commissioners deciding Title III. Judy suggested we should involve the public. Jim Arney said what you are asking the RAC is to be advisory for Title III money. Judy added that the commissioners don’t know how to divide the money.
Beth Kennedy – Blacktail Winter Range weeds
Spray with herbicide (aerial)
Do back pack spraying
Mostly knapweed and goat weed
Denley Loge asked if there was Fish & Game collaboration. Beth answered yes, and also Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Beth said additional weed spray would be needed on the maintained trail (real trail).
Beth Kennedy – Flat Creek Town Trail
Between cemetery and Cessna’s Hardware
View is 1½ mile
Six switchbacks
Walking complex for town
Town and school involved
Chad Fealko – Trout Creek
Silver Lake
Rob Harper proposed some agenda items for the next meeting:
No more proposals from the Forest Service
Public should go to the RAC chairman
Begin project selection at the next meeting
Need proposed work plan from the RAC
Mike Byrnes suggested reviewing Title III projects.
Next meeting is March 11, 2003.
There was no public comment and the meeting was adjourned.