BLM Seeking Members for Northwest California Resource Advisory Council

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for five open positions on its Northwest California Resource Advisory Council, which advises the BLM on public land issues.

Nominations are due by July 29. Those who have already submitted nominations in 2010 do not have to provide new nominations.

The positions open are in the following categories:
• Category One (One three-year term and one 1-year term open) – Public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation.

• Category Two (two open positions) – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro interests.

• Category Three (one open position) – Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for natural resources management; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the RAC’s area of interest; teachers involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large.

Nominations should be sent to: Bureau of Land Management, 2950 Riverside Dr., Susanville, CA, 96130, attention: RAC nominations. Groups can provide nominations or individuals can nominate themselves. Nominations must include a completed nomination form and at least one letter of support.

Nominees, who must be California residents, will be judged on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision making.

Nomination forms are available on the web at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/rac.html or by contacting BLM offices in Arcata, Redding and Ukiah.

For further information, call BLM Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana at (530) 252-5332 or e-mail jfontana@blm.gov.

Advisory Council Nominations

The BLM’s resource advisory councils (RACs), composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the bureau carry out its stewardship of 253 million acres of public lands. The bureau, which manages more land than any other federal agency, has 24 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

The Northwest California RAC advises the BLM on issues affecting public land managed by the Arcata, Redding and Ukiah field offices.

“I value the advice given to the BLM by these citizen-based resource advisory councils, and I know that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar shares my view of their importance,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “The people who live, work, and recreate near or on BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice on public land issues, and their input will enhance our agency’s ability to manage the public lands for multiple uses while conserving resources for future generations.”