Eleven Point Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is accepting project proposals that would enhance forest ecosystems or restore and improve land health and water quality on Mark Twain National Forest and nearby Oregon, Ripley, and Shannon county lands.

Eleven Point RAC will hold a meeting on July 15, 2010 at 6:30 pm at Twin Pines Conservation Education Center off US Highway 60 in Winona, MO. The meeting is open to the public.

According to RAC Designated Federal Official David Whittekiend, “Eleven Point RAC will make recommendations on how to spend nearly $250,000 for projects in 2010.”

This federal government funding is made available to Oregon, Ripley, and Shannon counties through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Eleven Point RAC will make recommendations annually for an additional 2 years with slightly declining federal government grant amounts each year. Eleven Point RAC will work closely with US Forest Service to recommend projects that will benefit forest health, fish, wildlife, soils, watersheds and other resources; maintain roads, trails, and other infrastructure; or control noxious weeds.

Eleven Point RAC proposed projects must be located on National Forest System Lands in Oregon, Ripley or Shannon Counties or on other nearby lands if the project will benefit National Forest resources. Proposed projects can be completed by Forest Service personnel, through partnership agreements or by open-bid contracting with individuals and corporations.

Eleven Point RAC project submission forms and instructions are available at US Forest Service offices in Doniphan and Rolla, MO, or on Mark Twain National Forest’s website at www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain. For more information on Eleven Point RAC, or to learn more about proposing projects, please contact RAC Coordinator Rich Hall at 573-341-7404 in Rolla, MO.