The El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee will be accepting proposals for projects that benefit National Forest lands in El Dorado County beginning in October. Applicants will be required to complete a written application and will have the opportunity to make an oral presentation before the RAC. Information about the RAC and the types of projects that will be considered for funding can be found on the Internet.

The committee currently has $500,000 available to recommend projects to the forest supervisors of the Eldorado National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit for implementation on their respective units.

RAC funds were made available under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2008 which spells out how the funds can be spent. The act says funds may be used for the purpose of making additional investments in, and creating additional employment opportunities through, projects that improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems, and restore and improve land health and water quality.

The act goes on to say that projects should have broad based support with objectives that may include, but are not limited to: road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration; soil productivity improvement; improvements in ecosystem health; watershed restoration and maintenance; restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat; control of noxious and exotic weeds; and reestablishment of native grasses.

At least 50 percent of the funds must be used for projects that are primarily dedicated to: road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration; or restoration of streams and watersheds.

The purpose of the El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee is to recommend funding of eligible projects to the Forest Supervisors of Eldorado National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The next scheduled RAC meeting is Oct. 18 at the El Dorado Center of Folsom Lake College, in the Community Room, beginning at 6pm.