RAC deadline extended

The Forest Service has announced that the deadline for project proposal submissions has been extended to March 30 for grant funding opportunities through Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Proposals will be submitted separately for 2017 and 2018 funding, which are the years of the reauthorization of the Act.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act provides funds for a variety of activities that benefit Federal lands and resources in the benefiting county. The Title II funds are designed to make investments in public lands and create 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. These projects are also designed to improve cooperative relationships among the people that use and care for public lands and the agencies that manage these lands.

Individuals and groups interested in submitting project proposals, need to make contact with the district ranger in which the project would be primarily implemented, or Janette Turk, the Secure Rural Schools Coordinator, to discuss their project proposal and ensure it meets the intent of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.

Contacts for individual districts are below:

Spotted Bear Ranger District- Scott Snelson, ssnelson@usda.gov, (406) 758-5376

Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District- Rob Davies, rdavies@usda.gov, (406) 387-3800

Tally Lake Ranger District-Bill Mulholland, bmulholland@usda.gov, (406) 758-5204

Swan Lake Ranger District-Chris Dowling, cdowling@usda.gov, (406) 837-7500

Flathead Secure Rural Schools Coordinator – Janette Turk, jturk@usda.gov, (406) 758-5252