§ 698v-5. Board of Trustees

(a) In general

The Trust shall be governed by a 9-member Board of Trustees consisting of the following:

(1) Voting trustees

The voting Trustees shall be—

(A) the Supervisor of the Santa Fe National Forest, United States Forest Service;

(B) the Superintendent of the Bandelier National Monument, National Park Service; and

(C) seven individuals, appointed by the President, in consultation with the congressional delegation from the State of New Mexico. The seven individuals shall have specific expertise or represent an organization or government entity as follows—

(i) one trustee shall have expertise in aspects of domesticated livestock management, production, and marketing, including range management and livestock business management;

(ii) one trustee shall have expertise in the management of game and nongame wildlife and fish populations, including hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities;

(iii) one trustee shall have expertise in the sustainable management of forest lands for commodity and noncommodity purposes;

(iv) one trustee shall be active in a nonprofit conservation organization concerned with the activities of the Forest Service;

(v) one trustee shall have expertise in financial management, budget and program analysis, and small business operations;

(vi) one trustee shall have expertise in the cultural and natural history of the region; and

(vii) one trustee shall be active in State or local government in New Mexico, with expertise in the customs of the local area.

(2) Qualifications

Of the trustees appointed by the President—

(A) none shall be employees of the Federal Government; and

(B) at least five shall be residents of the State of New Mexico.

(b) Initial appointments

The President shall make the initial appointments to the Board of Trustees within 90 days after acquisition of the Baca ranch under section 698v–2 (a) of this title.

(1) In general

Appointed trustees shall each serve a term of 4 years, except that of the trustees first appointed, four shall serve for a term of 4 years, and three shall serve for a term of 2 years.

(2) Vacancies

Any vacancy among the appointed trustees shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made, and any trustee appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of that term for which his or her predecessor was appointed.

(3) Limitations

No appointed trustee may serve more than 8 years in consecutive terms.

(d) Quorum

A majority of trustees shall constitute a quorum of the Board for the conduct of business.

(e) Organization and compensation

(1) In general

The Board shall organize itself in such a manner as it deems most appropriate to effectively carry out the activities of the Trust.

(2) Compensation of trustees

Except as provided in paragraph (3), trustees shall serve without pay, but may be reimbursed from the funds of the Trust for the actual and necessary travel and subsistence expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

(3) Chair

(A) Selection

Trustees shall select a chair from the membership of the Board.

(B) Compensation

On request of the chair, the chair may be compensated at a rate determined by the Board of Trustees, but not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5 for each day (including travel time) in which the chair is engaged in the performance of duties of the Board of Trustees.

The total amount of compensation paid to the chair for a fiscal year under subparagraph (B) shall not exceed 25 percent of the annual rate of pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5.

(f) Liability of trustees

Appointed trustees shall not be considered Federal employees by virtue of their membership on the Board, except for purposes of the Federal Tort Claims Act, the Ethics in Government Act, and the provisions of chapter 11 of title 18.

(g) Meetings

(1) Location and timing of meetings

The Board shall meet in sessions open to the public at least three times per year in New Mexico. Upon a majority vote made in open session, and a public statement of the reasons therefore, the Board may close any other meetings to the public: Provided, That any final decision of the Board to adopt or amend the comprehensive management program under section 698v–6 (d) of this title or to approve any activity related to the management of the land or resources of the Preserve shall be made in open public session.

(2) Public information

In addition to other requirements of applicable law, the Board shall establish procedures for providing appropriate public information and periodic opportunities for public comment regarding the management of the Preserve.

U.S. Code

§ 698v-5. Board of Trustees