The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced that it is seeking public nominations for positions on 30 citizen-based sounding boards for BLM initiatives, proposals, and policy changes.
Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) provide advice and recommendations for the BLM to consider on a range of resource and land management issues. The BLM maintains 37 such chartered advisory committees located in the West. Of those committees, 30 are RACs. Each Council consists of 10 to 15 members from diverse interests in local communities, and they assist in the development of committee recommendations that address public land management issues. Established by charter, RACs are critical in assisting the BLM in continuing to be a good neighbor in the communities that the agency serves.
“RAC members provide valuable advice and recommendations on resource and land management issues in Utah” said Ed Roberson, BLM Utah State Director. “Their input enhances the BLM’s ability to manage these lands for current and future generations of Americans.”
Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on a Council. Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, will be reviewed on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the Council’s geographic area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. Letters of reference must accompany all nominations from any represented interests or organizations, a completed RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.
Each of the 30 RACs has different positions open in the following categories:
Category One – Public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with
energy and mineral development, the commercial timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way,
off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation.
Category Two – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental
organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild
horse and burro organizations.
Category Three – Representatives of State, county, or local elected office; representatives and
employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of
Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized, Alaska Natives as
appropriate to the state of Alaska; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are
involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large.
As published in a notice in today’s Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 45 days
(until June 4, 2018). For more information, please contact Lola Bird at lbird@blm.gov or 801-539-
4033.