U.S. Forest Services refiles charter to establish Resource Advisory Committees for SRS funding
Author
Zeke Lee
Andrew Nober
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
Update, May 27, 2026: On May 19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture refiled the charter establishing Resource Advisory Committees, clearing the way for committees to be activated. NACo will continue to engage the U.S. Forest Service for updates on the Secure Rural Schools program.
On April 30, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) published a notice of intent to establish new Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. RACs provide advice and recommendations to Forest Service units on how they should use Title II funds under the SRS program.
Counties have until May 25, 2026 to submit nominations for RAC members. There are 84 regional and state RACs nationwide, and the intent to establish them comes after the reauthorization SRS program by the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 (P.L. 119-58) secured by NACo last year.
What are Resource Advisory Councils?
The Secure Rural Schools program provides funding to counties to support critical local government services such as public education, emergency preparedness and transportation infrastructure maintenance. As part of the program, USFS directs a portion of funding – under Title II of the program – to National Forest System units to carry out projects on federal land.
Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) provide advice and recommendations to Forest Service units about the use of Title II funding. When the authorization for the SRS program expired at the end of FY 2023, the authorization for RACs expired as well. NACo engaged in sustained advocacy alongside county leaders to secure reauthorization of the SRS program.
Steps for Counties
County leaders can serve on RACs and guide their recommendations for the use of Title II funding. As part of the establishment of new RACs nationwide, USFS is soliciting nominations for committee members. A list of RACs, along with detailed instructions on how to submit nominations for a seat on a RAC, are available here.
Related News
U.S. Forest Service begins revision process for regulations on road and trail closure in National Forests
On August 21, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced it is moving forward with plans to revise the 2005 Travel Management Rule, which regulates how USFS plans which roads and trails are open to the public. Revising the Travel Management Rule is an important step that will increase public access to National Forests and help connect forest communities. As part of the rulemaking process, USFS is seeking public comment on its proposed revisions. Counties have until September 23 to submit comments on the agency’s initial action.
U.S. Forest Service seeks comment on proposal to rescind 2001 Roadless Rule in National Forests
Roadless Rule
On August 20, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. The rule prohibits road construction, reconstruction and most timber management on almost 45 million acres of National Forest land, and its repeal would give federal forest managers significant flexibility to manage forests in accordance with local need.
U.S. Forest Service reopens Resource Advisory Committee nomination process
On August 13, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced it was reopening the nomination process for Resource Advisory Committee (RACs) that direct certain funding from the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. County elected officials are eligible and encouraged to apply to serve on a RAC by November 12, 2026.
Advocacy
U.S. Forest Service announces distribution of FY 2025 Secure Rural Schools funding
On Apr. 14, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced the distribution of $230.6 million to counties through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program for fiscal year (FY) 2025. The funding will support essential local government services in more than 700 counties nationwide. The FY 2025 payments announced by USFS were authorized by the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 (P.L. 119-58).
