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Local voices needed on trails council |
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December 8, 2016 |
The U.S. Forest Service is soliciting
nominations for the Pacific Northwest National
Scenic Trail Advisory Council. which provides recommendations to the
Forest Service on the long-term management of
the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT).
The PNT is a 1,200-mile route from the
Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean in
Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Designated by
Congress in 2009, the PNT is one of America’s 11
National Scenic Trails. The Forest Service is
currently developing the comprehensive plan for
the PNT.
The Advisory Council is made up of 20 to 35
members including representatives from federal,
tribal, and state governments, as well as
citizens representing a balance of
points-of-view from across the PNT.
The Forest Service is seeking members to
represent Native American tribes, trails
organizations, hikers, pack and saddle users,
gateway communities and local governments,
environmental organizations, wildlife
organizations, archaeologists, historians, and
cultural organizations, commercial timber and
forest product producers, tourism or commercial
outfitters and guides, private landowners and
more.
There are moves afoot to create more restrictive
wilderness, including areas in Boundary County,
and local residents are encouraged to consider
becoming members to ensure balanced
representation. Currently, only two members of
the council are from Boundary County;
Commissioner Dan Dinning, appointed by Governor
Butch Otter to represent Idaho, and Kevin Knauth,
representing the U.S. Forest Service Northern
Region.
To see who members who currently serve on the
council now,
click here. To read a council overview,
including duties and categories,
click here.
Detailed information on eligibility and applying
is available by
clicking here.
Those interested in applying may also contact
Matt McGrath, Pacific Northwest National Scenic
Trail Program Manager, at (425) 583-9304 or by
email,
mtmcgrath@fs.fed.us.
Applications must be received by January 20,
2017. |
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