BLM Reopens Nominations to Resource Advisory Council

The Bureau of Land Management announced today that it is seeking public nominations for six open positions on its Central California Resource Advisory Council, which advises the BLM on public land issues. If you previously submitted a 2010 nomination you do not need to resubmit.

The six RAC positions open are in the following categories:
• Category One (three open positions) – 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 (one open position) – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations.
• Category Three (two open positions) – 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.

Nominations should be sent to David Christy, BLM Mother Lode Field Office, 5152 Hillsdale Circle, El Dorado Hills, Calif. 95762, no later than July 29, 2010. For further information call Christy at (916) 941-3146 or e-mail dchristy@blm.gov. Nomination forms are available on the web at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/rac.html

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 Central California RAC advises BLM on issues in the Mother Lode, Hollister, Bakersfield and Bishop field offices.

“I value the advice given to the BLM by these citizen-based Resource Advisory Committees, 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.”

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, 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 decisionmaking. All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations; a completed background information nomination form; and any other information that speaks to the nominee's qualifications.