The RecRAC – title of a new rap tune or latest action hero duo?
By James Sample
Neither, it turns out.
Rapping and action heroes aside, the Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RecRAC) is a new kid on the block within the family of federal land management citizen advisory groups.
RecRACs came into existence via the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004. The RecRAC has a narrower focus and a joint-agency approach than the BLM’s venerable Resource Advisory Councils (RACs). The RecRAC provides the BLM with recommendations involving any fee policy questions on BLM lands.
The Rap on the RecRAC
The RecRAC differs from RACs in appointing authority, scope, and organization. Currently, the RecRAC only deals with questions concerning fees assessed by BLM and the Forest Service for recreational use of public lands. RecRACs can make recommendations or provide input to both federal agencies. The Colorado RecRAC is one of five in the country.
The 11-member Colorado RecRAC are drawn from interest groups across the state and appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to two- or three-year terms. Management for the Colorado RecRAC is provided by Designated Federal Official (DFO) Steven Sherwood, Heritage and Wilderness Resources Program Director, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Forest Service managers consult with BLM via Ex-Officio member Linda Anania, BLM Colorado Deputy State Director, Resources and Fire.
The RecRAC can make its recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture through the Forest Service Regional Forester or the Secretary of the Interior via the BLM State Director, depending on which agency’s lands are involved in the fee recommendation.
The RecRAC has met four times since its inception in late 2007. However, it is required to meet only once a year.
…and the RAP on Traditional RACs
BLM set up its current RACs in 1995 under the authority granted by federal grazing regulations. Traditional BLM Colorado RACs have 15 members each. These RACs meet four to six times a year on the full spectrum of land management issues, providing input to their respective BLM DFOs on oil and gas leasing, wildlife, grazing, soils management, forestry, botany, water and air quality, wild horse and burro management, fish, and off highway vehicle use and rules.
The three BLM RACs cover the Northwest, Southwest, and Front Range areas of the state with committee chairs selected by a RAC vote each year. Each individual RAC appointment made by the Secretary of the Interior is for three years with a staggered rotation that brings up five of the 15 members for replacement or re-appointment each year.
Within the BLM RACs, committee members engage in a range of activities including field trips and visits to specific BLM sites, such as the wild horse and burro facility in Canon City, recreation sites, riparian areas susceptible to toxic and invasive plants, and off highway vehicle designated trails and various hiking, and horse and mountain biking trail projects.
Working groups and individual members can make recommendations to the RAC or propose and pass resolutions that can then be conveyed to Field Offices or the BLM Colorado State Office.
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