The second round of project proposals for the Nevada and Placer County Resource Advisory Committee are due Sept. 1. The RAC is looking for potential projects to benefit National Forest System land in both counties. These projects need to meet the legislative requirements of Public Law 110-343 including:

• Improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure;

• Implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems; and

• Restore and improve land health and water quality.

The funds may be used for projects that enjoy broad based support and have objectives that may include:

• road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration;

• soil productivity improvement;

• improvements in forest ecosystem health;

• watershed restoration and maintenance;

• the restoration, maintenance, and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat;

• the control of noxious and exotic weeds; and

• the re-establishment of native species.

Project proposal forms are available from RAC members, the Forest Service and on line at www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe along with a cover letter explaining more about the project application process. Project proponents need to ensure that the form is filled out correctly. Letters of support for the project are strongly recommended. Project proponents must contact the District Ranger on the district where their project is located and obtain a letter of support, confirming that the project will benefit the National Forest.

“The RAC will have the following amount to allocate this first year: Nevada County – $108,957 and Placer County – $378,324. The amount of funding available is based on the amount of acres of National Forest land in the county, recommendations by the Boards of Supervisors, and past receipts from the sale of National Forest goods and services. Additional funding will be available in the future through 2011,” Joanne Roubique, designated federal official, said in a statement.

Submitting Project Proposals: Project proposals need to be mailed to Joanne Roubique, DFO, Truckee Ranger Station, 10811 Stockrest Springs, Truckee, CA 96161 as well as emailed to jroubique@fs.fed.us. It is important projects are mailed both in hard copy form and electronic form.

For more information, call Joanne Roubique at (530) 587.3558, Jennifer Montgomery (530) 889.4010, or Ann Westling at (530) 478.6205.