Recreation Resource Advisory Committee Options and Other Public Involvement Opportunities

1. Recreation Resource Advisory Committee Options and Other Public Involvement Opportunities

2. Opportunities for Active Public Participation in REA • REA provides many opportunities for public participation: • Interagency Public Involvement Guidelines will be published in the Federal Register • FS/BLM Recreation Resource Advisory Committees- FACA- chartered committee to address fee program • Agency public outreach– focus groups, listening sessions, public meetings, field visits, websites, local media and one-on-one discussions

3. Public Involvement Input and Participation in Fee Recommendations and Monitoring of Fees Accountability & Evaluation Annual reporting, web sites, & direct mail to interested public Advisory Group Collaboration through RRACS Fee Recommendations Public Notice Federal Register, newspapers, On-site signs, electronic media Local Communities & Public Meetings Involvement through work groups, workshops and local forums Business Planning Market-based assessments and surveys

4. Key Provisions of Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) • FACA signed into law in 1972 • The US General Services Administration (GSA) oversees implementation of FACA (over 1,000 committees in federal government) • FACA governs the establishment, operation, and termination of committees within the Executive Branch of government • FACA requires committees to be balanced in its membership and points of view

5. Key Provisions of Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) - continuing • FACA provides for open public meetings • FACA committees are guided by the committee Charter • A Designated Federal Official (DFO) is assigned to each committee and approves all meetings, agendas and attends all meetings • Agencies are responsible for keeping minutes of FACA meetings, attendees, issues discussed and annual report to GSA

6. REA and Recreation Resource Advisory Committees (RRACs) • REA provides the authority for the Secretary to establish • 1 to 50+ RRACs • BLM and FS must establish RRACs in “each state or region” • or “as many…as the Secretary considers necessary” for the • effective operation of this Act • RRACs may be new groups or agencies may use existing • FACA- chartered resource advisory committees

7. RRAC Nomination/Appointment Process • Under FACA, anybody can nominate persons to serve on the committee • REA provides that the Governor and designated county official from each county in State or Region may submit nominations • Secretaries appoint members from a list of candidates vetted by the agencies found qualified to serve • Secretaries appoint members for staggered terms of 2-3 years

8. RRAC Membership • Eleven Member Committee • Five persons representing recreation users; winter motorized/non; summer motorized/non; and hunting/fishing interests • Three persons representing interest groups; motorized/non motorized outfitters and guides; local environmental groups • Three persons including: state tourism official to represent State; person representing tribes; and a local government representative

9. Provisions of RRAC Charter • Delineates officers and membership to insure representation • Determines decision processes and number of meetings • Provides for the establishment of local sub-groups • Describes terms, duties, and responsibilities of members • Scope of Responsibility for RRACs

10. Provisions of RRAC Charter - continuing • Defines what RACs may make recommendations on to the Secretary: • Implementation or elimination of a standard or expanded amenity recreation fee • Establishment of a specific recreation fee site • Expansion or limitation of the program

11. Provisions of RRAC Charter - continuing • Defines what issues RRAC may not make recommendations on to the Secretary: • Non-agency operated facilities—concessions, contractor etc. • Permit fees– river, wilderness, special events, outfitters/guides • Fee amounts or changes (Fee levels are established in business plans)

12. Role of Subgroups in RRACS • The RRAC could establish new subgroups or ask existing groups to also serve as subgroups reporting to the RRAC. Subgroups would: • Provide local perspective, input and collaboration • Encourage accountability and oversight • Represent local interests and concerns • Be flexible in membership and location to accommodate different interests • Not be required to be chartered as a FACA committee

13. Role of Subgroups in RRACS • Subgroups have to report only to the RRAC • Current RACs could become subgroups under REA • Operational budget and management for subgroups will be determined by the RRAC

14. RRACs Relationship to Existing Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) • REA provides authority to use current RACs established for other purposes • If an existing group is used as a RRAC, would require a change in its existing charter to include REA duties • Current RACs may not have the appropriate representation of interests to meet the intent of REA

15. Evaluation of RRAC Options • BLM/FS Interagency Team has evaluated the following options for RRACs: • One national committee • Regional Committees (2, 4, or 7 Regions) • Individual state committees based on need and interest

16. RRAC Options

17. Option A – One National Committee PROS • Can better maintain national consistency for fee program • Align with structure of national governors’ associations • Relatively low agency costs CONS • Might not effectively represent local interests (too many subgroups would have to be established) • Competition by interest groups for appointments to committee

18. Option B – RRAC Regional Committees (2,4, or 7 Regions) PROS • Broad regional representation • Great flexibility in drawing boundaries for regional RRACs • Subgroups formed to represent local interests/concerns • High probability for local support • Represents regional recreation use pattern CONS • States may not have equal representatives on RRACs • National interest groups may not be represented

19. Proposed Two RRAC Regions East and West Administrative Oversight: East – FS West – FS & BLM Regional or local based subgroups established by RRACs provide local input and involvement

20. Proposed 4 RRACs Geographical Regions Administrative Oversight: NE – FS SE – FS NW – FS & BLM SW – FS & BLM Consolidates and splits some FS regions Regional or local based subgroups established by RRACS provide local input and involvement

21. Proposed RRACs 7 Regions Generally follows USFS Regions Administrative Oversight: NE – FS SE – FS CA – FS & BLM OR, WA & AK – FS & BLM ID,MT,NV & UT – FS & BLM AZ & NM – FS & BLM CO, WY,NB,KS & Dakotas –FS & BLM Regional or local based subgroups established by RRACS provide local input and involvement

22. Option C – Individual State RRACs PROS • Better geographical representation of interests • Local officials may feel like they have more influence • High probability for local support CONS • May not have enough activity or interest to warrant establishment of RRACs in each state • Requires major oversight and coordination of RRACs

23. Estimate of RRAC Option Costs * Includes the costs of an executive director at $100,000 per year, 2 meetings per year, 11 members per committee. Option C assumed 40 state committees. ED – executive director, RC- regional coordinator and ALS agency local support

24. RRAC Establishment: Actions and Estimated Timeframe Action Timeframe Outreach to Key Contacts June Decision on Proposed Framework for RRACs Early July RRAC establishment • Charter, info memo, Civil Rights Impact Analysis (CRIA) drafted and informally agreed to by FS and BLM • Proposed Charter and Soliciting Membership in Federal Register Notice and Comment • RRAC Charter approved and signed by USDA and USDOI Mid-July Late July September/October Appointment of members October/December Notification of appointment December/January

25. Planned Outreach for Discussing RRAC Options • FS and BLM will brief congressional committee staff • FS and BLM will hold listening session with key national stakeholders in Washington, D.C. • FS and BLM field staff will discuss options with key state, local, and regional interests

26. Agency RRAC Information Contact • David G. Holland, Director of Recreation and Heritage Resources c/o Jonathan Stephens, Recreation and Heritage Resources Staff, Forest Service, e-mail, jstephens02@fs.fed.us • Hal Hallett, Senior Recreation Manager, Bureau of Land Management, hal_hallett@blm.gov

27. Recreation Resource Advisory Committee Options and Other Public Involvement Opportunities