Local voices needed on trails council

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.