Black Hills National Forest seeking applicants for Resource Advisory Committee
(Rapid City, SD, Aug. 5, 2026) — The Black Hills National Forest is seeking citizens, locally elected officials and special-interest group representatives as nominees for the Black Hills Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). Applications must be received at the Supervisor’s Office in Custer, SD by Sept. 11, 2026.
The RAC works with the Black Hills National Forest to recommend projects funded through Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Act. Title II funds support the protection, restoration and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other natural resource objectives on federal land, as well as on non-federal land where projects benefit resources on federal land.
The committee reviews proposed land management projects on or adjacent to the Black Hills National Forest within Pennington, Lawrence and Custer counties. It recommends locally submitted projects for funding and coordinates with land management agencies and county officials.
New members will serve four-year terms beginning upon appointment by the Secretary of Agriculture. Members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses. Applicants must be South Dakota residents and should preferably reside in Pennington, Lawrence or Custer counties. The committee meets at least once and up to four times per fiscal year.
The RAC consists of 15 members, divided equally among the following three categories. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will appoint members based on applications received, with an emphasis on selecting individuals who can collaborate effectively with others who hold differing viewpoints.
Category A, 3-5 persons who:
- Represent organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups
- Represent developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle, commercial recreation
- Represent energy and mineral development or commercial or recreational fishing interests
- Represent commercial timber industry
- Hold Federal grazing or other land-use permits, or represent nonindustrial private forest landowners, within the committee’s geographic area
Category B, 3-5 persons who represent:
- Nationally recognized environmental organizations
- Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
- Dispersed recreational activities
- Archaeological and historical interests
- Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and interest burro groups, wildlife or hunting organizations or watershed associations
Category C, 3-5 persons who:
- Hold state elected office
- Hold county or local elected office
- Represent American Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the committee is organized
- Are school officials or teachers
- Represent the affected public at large
Applications should be sent to the Supervisor’s Office, Black Hills National Forest, Attn: Todd Butler, 1019 N. Fifth Street, Custer, SD 57730. Applications may also be emailed to todd.butler@usda.gov. Applicants must submit a completed AD-755 form and a resume. The AD-755 form is available at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755-advisory-committee-commodity-board-background-information.pdf or may be picked up at any of the Black Hills National Forest offices. For further information, please contact Todd Butler at todd.butler@usda.gov or 605-673-9301. Additional information about the Black Hills National Forest is available at www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
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