Rail Fire closure south of Forest Road 1370 opens Saturday

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has confirmed seven new members of the Northeast Oregon Forests Resource Advisory Committee.

The NEOFRAC now has full membership and will convene in June 2016 to recommend project proposals to improve or restore national forests in the Blue Mountains. The NEOFRAC meeting will be held at the John Day Airport in June. More details will be released when a final date and meeting agenda is determined.

Year-two Title II proposals were originally due on April 1, but the deadline has been extended to April 22.

Nonprofit organizations, local governments and others are encouraged to propose projects that restore watersheds, decommission or maintain roads, control noxious weeds, enhance recreational experiences or otherwise improve the condition of the forest. Proposed projects do not need to be implemented on Forest Service lands, but must show a benefit to national forest resources.

Application forms, instructions and submission guidelines can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/main/wallowa-whitman/workingtogether/advisorycommittees. New Title II projects must be initiated by September 30, 2017, and all Title II funds must be obligated by September 30, 2018.

For more information, contact Susan Garner, scgarner@fs.fed.us, 541.575.3039.