BLM seeks Advisory Council nominations

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public nominations for two open positions on the Eastern Washington Resource Advisory Council (RAC). The nomination period is open until June 13, 2019.

The BLM’s RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its multiple-use mission and stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands. The Bureau, which manages more land than any other federal agency, has 36 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest or expertise in energy and mineral development, ranching, outdoor recreation, conservation, state and local government, tribal and cultural resources and academia. The diverse membership of each RAC helps ensure that BLM land managers receive the varying perspectives they need to achieve their mission of managing the public lands for multiple uses.

“Resource Advisory Councils provide the BLM with vital feedback on current issues, concerns and proposals, and enable us to engage local communities and stakeholders to improve our management of public lands,” said Acting BLM State Director Theresa Hanley. “Our goal is to ensure that the membership of every RAC encompasses a wide variety of perspectives and backgrounds to guide our work as effectively as possible.”

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an Advisory Council. Nominees, who must be residents of Washington, 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. All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations, a completed RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

The Eastern Washington RAC has positions open in each of the following categories:

Category One: Representatives of organizations associated with energy/mineral development; federal grazing permit holders; the timber industry; transportation or rights-of-way; off-highway vehicle users and commercial and developed outdoor 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; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences and the public at large.

For more information, contact Jeff Clark at (509) 536-1297 or jeffclark@blm.gov or visit http://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/apply.