FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

USDA - 73541 - Kern and Tulare Counties Resource Advisory Committee - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Kern and Tulare Counties Resource Advisory Committee	Agency Name	Department of Agriculture
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	73541
Original Establishment Date	3/25/2010	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sequoia/workingtog...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	15
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Sequoia National Forest, Forest Supervisor
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Mr.
Current Charter Date	12/19/2023	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Anthony
Date Of Renewal Charter	12/19/2025	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Edwards
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(559) 784-1500
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	(202) 253-1531
Specific Establishment Authority*	SRS and Community Self-Determination Act as reauthorized in PL 110-343, PL 112-141 and as amended Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 PL. 115-334.	Designated Federal Officer Email*	anthony.edwards@usda.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	10/3/2008
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Other Committee

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	Since 2010, the Kern and Tulare Counties RAC has met 15 times, and recommended 56 projects for funding, which were all approved by the Sequoia National Forest, totaling $681,324. Since that time 88% percent of the funds have been spent to complete projects such as trail maintenance, fuels reduction, watershed clean up, and fire lookout restoration. These funds have helped the Sequoia National Forest to build new partnerships with many groups, such as Keepers of the Kern, High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew, and Stewards of the Sequoia.
How is membership balanced?*	Due to recent staffing changes and membership expirations, the RAC will need to conduct outreach in FY26 and get settled with proper management to be able to conduct a meeting once a quorum is met. Nomination packets with 15 potential members representing diverse forest users will be forwarded as applicants become available and interested.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	Once a new committee is appointed, the RAC will meet, either in person or via phone/video conferencing, 1-4 times a year to review projects. The forest is still in the process of obligating funds toward projects that were previously recommended by the Committee.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The RAC is necessary to improve collaborative relationships among the people that use and care for the National Forests and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act.
Why close or partially close meetings?	All meetings are open to the public.
Recommendation Remarks	No RAC committee activity for FY25.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	No
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	Yes	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	Yes
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	N/A
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	Yes
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	Projects have improved safety of trails by performing needed maintenance, provided fuels reduction surrounding communities to reduce fire risk, and cleanup and public education to protect the wild and scenic Kern River corridor.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	$500,001 - $1,000,000	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	Trail maintenance projects using volunteer labor have calculated the value of time contributed.	Grants Review Comment	N/A
Number Of Recommendations*	56	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	No new RAC recommendations for FY25.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	93.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	52 recommendations have been fully completed.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	7.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	4 recommendations are still in progress.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	The Forest Service (FS) Designated Federal Official regularly reports to the committee on whether recommended projects proposals are or are not approved by the FS. The DFO also reports on actions taken to implement approved projects. This may take the form of verbal reports and presentations at committee meetings, committee field trips and monitoring activities.	Narrative Description*	By recommending projects that maintain and improve the health of national forest ecosystems and improve cooperative relationships among the people who use and care for the national forests, the Secure Rural Schools resource advisory committees support the Forest Service mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The committees specifically support Forest Service strategic goals to 1. Restore, sustain, and enhance the national forests; and 2. Provide and sustain benefits to the American people.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*	$0.00	1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*	$0.00
2. Payments to Federal Members*	$0.00	2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*	$0.00
3. Payments to Federal Staff*	$1,000.00	3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*	$6,000.00
4. Payments to Consultants*	$0.00	4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*	$0.00
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*	$0.00	5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*	$0.00
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*	$0.00	6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*	$0.00
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*	$0.00	7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*	$0.00
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*	$0.00	8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*	$0.00
10. Other Costs	$0.00	10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*	$0.00
11. Total Costs	$1,000.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$6,000.00
Date Cost Last Modified	9/17/2025 8:23 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*	0.10
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*	0.01	Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks	Costs are associated with ACR completion and other reports.

Interest Areas

Category Area Agriculture Forestry Land Conservation and Preservation Land Management and Use

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